Time Off- Family Break at Kumaon

Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. The country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes and this was one of the main reasons for my travel to Mauritius for my work.

The cuisine of Mauritius is a blend of Indian, African, Chinese and European influences. It is common for a combination of cuisines to form part of the same meal. The production of rum, which is made from sugar cane, is widespread on the island. Sugarcane was first introduced to Mauritius by the Dutch in 1638. The Dutch mainly cultivated sugarcane for the production of "arrack", a precursor to rum. However, it was during the French and British administrations that sugar production was fully exploited. Pierre Charles Francois Harel was the first to propose the concept of local distillation of rum in Mauritius, in 1850. Beer is also produced on the Island, by the Phoenix Brewery (The knowledge shared by a cab driver who also happens to be a Finance-Graduate, hence no bargain was possible for the drive).

My journey got interesting when I decided to explore Mauritius-the adventure way. I was heading to Casella (Bird and adventure theme park located near Flic N Flac). The place and the view was Breathtaking and fabulous. Though there were a lot of activities offered but due to time constraints, I only opted for the Buggy ride (2hrs) and Interaction with LIONS. Also for the fact that both these activities had left me broke.
The interaction with LIONS was superb and the experience was out of this world and it is hard to describe it, in words. I got an opportunity to interact with a white LION (very rare to find) and was thrilled to see him playful from behind the cage doors. Not until I knew that soon I’ll be putting my arms around it for some photographs to be clicked as a complimentary souvenir.

I enjoyed some local cuisines this time like- DHOL PURI (Dal Poori), Panana (Pineapple with Chili Masala) etc. Mauritius is a very expensive country and probably one of the Developed African countries I have been to.

Troiche Beach- Another destination where I could indulge in some amazing water sports. Snorkeling, Banana boat, Jet Ski, water ski, under sea walk, etc. The weather did not allow us to do parasailing- but I am keeping my spirits high for the next trip.

My most memorable and awesome experience was the Road trip which one of our customer had arranged for us. The road trip was to cover the complete South Mauritius through the bay. The Mountains, the beaches, the light drizzle of rain, the view of the coral reef and the clean and broad roads made it the experience of the lifetime for me. One should hire a car and drive down the bay if in Mauritius.

My work kept me very busy during the week days but I could certainly sense my satisfaction by the end of my so called Official trip.

It took me a lot of mettle to come up with a new plea for some leaves to my BOSS, considering the fact that I had already crossed my limits of leaves for the quarter. The occasion was my 2nd wedding anniversary which I wanted to celebrate with my wife, parents and not to forget my DOG (Pepper) in Nainital- The land surrounded by Kumaon hills.
It was on a Tuesday night that we started our journey by hiring a Toyota Innova. My journey of 4 days enhanced my convincing skills which also happen to be an integral part of my work life as I’m Heading International Sales in a leading MNC. I was helping my wife and mother to get the luggage out of the lift of our apartment, when I saw cantankerous face of our driver. All thanks to my Pepper who was barking with some vengeance in his eyes towards the driver. I had to put my professional shoes on, to try and convince that how docile pepper is and he likes you, to be barking at you. I’m sure the driver was not thinking too wise of me but it surely worked for us. The journey began and his brand new Innova with leather seat covers (newly Polished) were ruined by peppers muddy legs.
It was such a comfortable transportation and the AC was adjusted in the perfect temperature with nice low volume Kishore Kumar songs playing at the background, It did not take me a minute to fall asleep with all the hard work I had done by bringing the luggage from the lift to the car (Approx-10 Meters). We preferred to have a night journey starting at around 11 PM from Delhi to avoid all the traffic that is generally during the day. I suddenly woke up around midnight with a loud horn by adjacent truck stuck in a traffic jam with us on the bridge in Garh-Mukteshwar. The view of Ganges was breath taking with the reflection of a full moon on the river. Though the Cremations besides the shore made me obnoxious as they were not using the cremation site for such ceremonies.
We finally reached Nainital at sharp 5 in the morning even though we had halted for a midnight supper at Bhajan Dhaba in Gajroula for almost an hour. It was only me, who hogged on opulent 4 Parathas dipped in Desi-Ghee and topped with 50 grams of white butter and free flies wandering around to get a taste of my Feast. With limited access to restaurants and Dhaba’s on the way to Nainital (Unlike Shimla), one should be prepared if they are planning a night journey to the destination.
The dusky view of the Naini Lake and the mountains surrounding the township in the early morning is absolute breath taking. The fresh air, the melodious sounds of the birds chirping and vendors selling hot cup of teas was an absolute pleasure and the place seemed heaven. We had a prior booking in the hotel (Belvedere Palace) constructed by British to use it as the bridge club. The choice of hotel varies across Nainital and can find from Budgetary to a Luxury hotel. My father and mother’s 1st trip together after marriage was to Nainital and they stayed in the same hotel. I too wanted to experience it with my wife especially with all the stories my parents have told me and my wife. The hotel is reasonably priced and further from the busy Mall road of the town. We were well greeted with a smile and steaming pot of tea with cookies.
It was 7 AM now and everyone was tired with the long distance travel including the 65 KM of hill drive, which helped me digest the supper and my taste buds were active again as I could smell the fresh hot pooris being prepared for the Buffet breakfast in the hotel. My wife (Asha) and my parents got ready by my frequent request so that we could hog on the breakfast. Well being a great foodie, the breakfast in midst of mountains in the open garden of the hotel seemed as the perfect vacation.
The day was relaxing as we spent most of the time in the room- by either playing UNO or carom arranged by the hotel staff. The staffs were friendly and the hotel was rather spooky with huge walls and stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling and the long walls. By now Pepper was glad that we finally reached as he could lay on the full king size bed with milky white bed spreads and a pillow to rest his head. His Highness Pepper did not leave us with any other option but to sit down on the cold non carpeted floor to play UNO. Pepper is allowed everything as he being my father’s only and now the 1st love- Ranking being- 1st –Pepper, 2nd – Asha, 3rd – My Mom, and lastly Me (Just Kidding).
The second day, though raining like cats and dogs we managed to cover some nearby places like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, Sattal and Bhowal. The corncobs at Bhimtal and some butter fried vegetables in Maggi was enough for our lunch.
One question always wander my mind that how can women find time to shop in the midst of such nice beak from the busy life they head in the city (unbelievably shopping there too). Anyways, Asha and my mother found this one Kashmiri store in Bhimtal to buy some bed spreads and light quilt for home. The brilliance that these shop vendors have, I could probably use them at my work to sell some IT solutions than they trying to sell these pillow covers and sheets. The vendor called Ramdev totally convinced my mother and Asha to pay some initial amount at the store and the rest in delhi’s Kashmir Emporium, and then the product (1 Bed Spread, 2 Pillow covers, 1 Quilt, 1 Yak Quilt, 1 Suit Piece, 1 Saree and free wisdom) would be delivered within 20 days at our doorstep for the minimal price of Rs.10,000. And mom and Asha were totally convinced about this fact that Ramdev is more trustworthy than me and my father. Had not been my father putting his foot down and making sure that they don’t pay a single penny to the vendor, he would have been rich by 10,000 rupees.
24th June- Our wedding anniversary, we were greeted early in the morning by my parents with some lovely gifts for Asha and me with a surprise cake from the bakery nearby. Even the staff greeted us, as they would have known when I filled in their reservation form. But the most memorable moment was when the owner of the Hotel (Col- I don’t remember) greeted us with a lovely gift wrapped box of Ferrero Rochers chocolate. The day went in leisure with nice stroll to the nearby Tibet market and a nice boating in the Naini Lake. The boating became a spectacle to huge crowd that gathered there as if we were some celebrity. However, they were enjoying the scene of pepper enjoying the boat ride and without a clue of how much effort it took us to make anxious pepper sit in that narrow boat.
Though the idea of opening a resort or a restaurant was going through my mind during the entire journey, but I guess, I can never master the humility and the subtleness the local people have to attract tourist in such amazing locations. I was proud to experience such a wonderful vacation in Nainital which happens to be a part of India.
As mentioned earlier my convincing skills were tested at various occasions in the trip- With driver, the hotel staff to accommodate pepper with us, the restaurant we had our meals in, the boating, and the zoo staff in Nainital too.
All in all that was an amazing trip and wish it could have been longer if I did not have to return back to Delhi and join Office to start my schedule.
I would like to pledge all the tourists travelling to such unseen paradise to please keep it clean and do not litter around. People from all over the world comet to these places to enjoy the nature and rejuvenate themselves with fresh air, greenery around, But it was upsetting to see a lot of us littering around and adding to the crime of spoiling the natural habitat.
Go green and please save our planet.