Love, chaos and the sunsets of Khandaghat
Wander longingly, hand in hand with my love in search of mystery, discovering a tropical heaven apart from the agony & chaos of this material world and then letting our souls cherish the tranquil, hearts shine through the serenity, and our eyes reflect its gleam. What a life it would be! That’s exactly how my mind painted dreamy images of a life I wished. Combating the Monday blues I did allow myself some fantasy and speculations later to realize the gypsy life is not much of nepenthe as it seems.
Realizing a need for a vacation we set out like wanderers, lusting for free way of life. I choose not to reveal the destination of my fortuitous little expedition, for it might have brought peace and tranquil to many but an absolute turmoil to me. Flowing mustard fields, cozy nights under open skies, fingers intertwined and everything just artless that’s exactly how we fancied it. Flowing mustard fields look quite romantic in Bollywood classics but the theatre screens standstill between the stinky cow dung they are fertilized with. A cosy night in an old shed by the fire place tickle the fancies but old sheds don’t have fire places, they stink and are full of filth. But when on an unplanned travel to a remote destination even a filthy old shed is precious, for it you have to struggle to get one. Making love under stars, now we are talking. So romantic, isn’t it? Thinking the same we set out, but we forgot about the hideous insects of all kind. We kept screeching and scratching until I sensed something slippery crawling in my bed. Until I adjusted my eyes the snake was sitting upright besides my husband’s hand and before I could react it had stung my husband. Thinking I had come to a world aloof from agony I realized what agony actually is.
No cellular network, No power, No vehicle, No doctor within a radius stretching far and wide. Agony was that helplessness, helplessness where you can’t do anything to save your better half. Helplessness that arises because of the seclusion that you most wanted, the seclusion that you thought would get you closer to the person, is now taking the same person away. Luckily the snake was non-poisonous. Even years later the incident I dreaded the thought of vacation, until my last visit to Kandaghat, near Shimla. Where we stayed at the Club Mahindra resort, this was by far one of the best romantic resorts in India. Accommodation is in elegantly done-up apartments that open to beautiful views of verdant forests, lush green peaks and cotton clouds. Their stunning gardens host plenty of birds, Reminiscence of those colourful sunsets, serene walks around the herb garden, and those beautiful couple spa treatments instantly brings a smile to our faces even now. We also explored mighty Karol Tibba of the Greater Himalayas, but this time with a beautiful and safe resort to come back to.Â
Keep exploring, keep wandering, after all there is a difference between living and simply existing and a good excursion is that difference. So live life and don’t let that wanderlust die due to small mishaps. Love life and keep travelling. Â
