Himalaica- 'of the Himalayas', or 'belonging to the Himalayas' is the apt title to this warm home created by two friends Mr. and Mrs. D. As their own website says, its a place to remember, a place to forget and a place to bring back the balance in your lives.
Being an amateur birdwatcher, this trip had a special excitement for me, as I was going there for the first time during summer, a time when the birds flock there aplenty. Previous trips have been in the cold winter, with too many distractions like kids, wine and parties, and less time for birds who in any case are not that easy to find in sub zero temperatures. But this time, armed with the BOOK, binocs and camera, we were all set to soak up the pleasures of watching these amazing little creatures, so lovingly created by the Almighty, so mysterious in their ways and so elusive to click.
The playground was this gorgeous, amazingly done up home full of fruit and flower trees, carefully researched and planted for the best results in terms of bird visits, a nook in the foothills of the Himalayas with terraces of plants, shrubs, bird feeders, bird baths, and perches to make the birds as comfortable as the humans who are lucky enough to stay there. The staff, ever courteous, the larder carefully stocked, the rooms beautifully appointed, with something for everyone- Movies, music, wifi, books for all interests, and loads of spots to just do nothing but watch birds all day. The dining table on the east side of the conservatory in the mornings, the study with its large windows in the afternoon, the driveway with its many surprises, like a little pond here, a green maze there, a pomegranate tree here and a peach tree there, there is no end to spots and venues to watch different birds at different times of the day.
There were plenty of 'walks' suggested by our hosts, a forest walk, a steep trek, a scenic view of the Himalayas, a valley walk with a gushing stream, a tranquil lake and a boat ride to see the local and visiting birds. And we religiously did all those, waking up at ridiculous times and walking more than we ever walk back home, precariously balancing the binocs and the camera, juggling between major decisions like' to click' or 'to just view' and the target almost every time flying off just when we were about to click the buttons!! Great exercises, lovely climes, great views, but very few birds.
And every time we returned home , we were welcomed by the high pitched calls of umpteen birds, all hanging out in this haven created- as if, especially for them. All those birds who eluded us on our treks and walks, were sitting right there by the feeders and ponds right below our noses! Hopping from one branch to another, nesting in the hollows and frequenting the same spots day after day, giving us ample time to actually study them, and of course click them.
The dogs were another attraction, another story altogether. Hilldogs- fully grown in size at 5 months, but timelessly youthful and playful, these 3 bundles of joy entertained us 24 x 7, with their antics, going for everything in sight from socks to wooden steps, to digging up the garden and to jumping on me-totally unmindful of the hot tea cup in my hands!!
The only cloud on this otherwise beautiful scenario was the mandatory stop over at New Delhi. It may boast a lot about its cleanliness, its infrastructure and the wide roads, but for someone who has lived in Mumbai and Hyderabad, it comes up real short on most lists. From an arrival at terminal 1-D which is no patch on Hyderabad's fine airport, to the total lack of infrastructure at the newly formed Anand Vihar Terminus- with no prepaid taxis, and a fair share of conmen and a climate that will make you instantly forget the holiday you've just had.
Thankfully, a dear friend salvaged the day by suggesting a early morning trip to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary which was just a hop away from his home. Delhi regained its charm in those two hours spent in a small patch of green in a city of concrete, replete with birds of all types, from Whistling Ducks to Stonechats to Bitterns to Kingfishers, we saw it all! This is all thanks to ongoing efforts by a select group of people who have fought to save this patch from being taken over for modernisation and expressways.
Makes us want to visit again, and again.
The playground was this gorgeous, amazingly done up home full of fruit and flower trees, carefully researched and planted for the best results in terms of bird visits, a nook in the foothills of the Himalayas with terraces of plants, shrubs, bird feeders, bird baths, and perches to make the birds as comfortable as the humans who are lucky enough to stay there. The staff, ever courteous, the larder carefully stocked, the rooms beautifully appointed, with something for everyone- Movies, music, wifi, books for all interests, and loads of spots to just do nothing but watch birds all day. The dining table on the east side of the conservatory in the mornings, the study with its large windows in the afternoon, the driveway with its many surprises, like a little pond here, a green maze there, a pomegranate tree here and a peach tree there, there is no end to spots and venues to watch different birds at different times of the day.
There were plenty of 'walks' suggested by our hosts, a forest walk, a steep trek, a scenic view of the Himalayas, a valley walk with a gushing stream, a tranquil lake and a boat ride to see the local and visiting birds. And we religiously did all those, waking up at ridiculous times and walking more than we ever walk back home, precariously balancing the binocs and the camera, juggling between major decisions like' to click' or 'to just view' and the target almost every time flying off just when we were about to click the buttons!! Great exercises, lovely climes, great views, but very few birds.
And every time we returned home , we were welcomed by the high pitched calls of umpteen birds, all hanging out in this haven created- as if, especially for them. All those birds who eluded us on our treks and walks, were sitting right there by the feeders and ponds right below our noses! Hopping from one branch to another, nesting in the hollows and frequenting the same spots day after day, giving us ample time to actually study them, and of course click them.
The dogs were another attraction, another story altogether. Hilldogs- fully grown in size at 5 months, but timelessly youthful and playful, these 3 bundles of joy entertained us 24 x 7, with their antics, going for everything in sight from socks to wooden steps, to digging up the garden and to jumping on me-totally unmindful of the hot tea cup in my hands!!
The only cloud on this otherwise beautiful scenario was the mandatory stop over at New Delhi. It may boast a lot about its cleanliness, its infrastructure and the wide roads, but for someone who has lived in Mumbai and Hyderabad, it comes up real short on most lists. From an arrival at terminal 1-D which is no patch on Hyderabad's fine airport, to the total lack of infrastructure at the newly formed Anand Vihar Terminus- with no prepaid taxis, and a fair share of conmen and a climate that will make you instantly forget the holiday you've just had.
aussam pic is avilabe this blog
ReplyDeletevery nice
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