While on Travel....

  Dt : 18 th Nov 2021 Before I get down to telling all about our trip, there are a few people I would like to thank. My dear friend Deepti for having encouraged us to visit Benares and for having helped us plan the itinerary, my partner for conscientiously planning the trip. Also Picture credits to Parijat Punj whose insta handle is https://www.instagram.com/parijat.punj/ By the ghats - a day after Dev diwali A trip planned not so long ago; just before we were surprised by what turned out to be worst pandemic of the century, finally became reality. It required some bit of coordination to ensure that the some important people were not home alone which meant folks had to be hustled in and given few instructions to keep the home afloat for the 4 days of absence. Am sure they were as anxious as us. Turned out that the flight was a bit delayed and had been clubbed with another flight for reasons unknown. While waiting at the airport post the security check we got talking to a gent...

Like we believe, once a year go some place you have never been before. Won't I love to move here after retirement!!! The lovely weather, the lush greens, clean and plastic free (well almost) spaces, simplicity and warmth of the people are so appealing. The attempt at organic farming and self sufficiency of fruits and vegetables (thereby making the locally available producers profitable but variety, limited) is so encouraging in these days and times. Welcome to Sikkim, the state that chose to collude with India closer to 1975. Thankfully our plans to visit Sikkim were in place much earlier.  What remained to be done were the cab bookings.  A few calls by P to the cab agency and we were all set for our summer holidays to this beautiful land. It would be a much desired getaway from the sweltering,  humid Mumbai.  The Burpeepal cottage, Ranipool, Sikkim Day 1- a flight from Mumbai to Bagdogra via Guwahati was very comfortable and g...

Day 1 - reached Kaziranga after a 5 and a half hour drive from the Guwahati airport. It took us 2 hrs to fly to Guwahati fm Delhi. The road from Guwahati was a bypass and helped avoid city traffic and the ride was pleasurable. The roads were well maintained for most parts. We checked into Iora resort at Kaziranga and it was 7pm by the time we settled in. The resort had comfortable (luxurious rooms) and a lovely feel due to the well protected and cultivated green cover. While we walked to our room,there was distinct familiar fragrance in the air. It was Parijat in full bloom. In the dark I could barely see the tree but groped to gently pluck what looked like a flower in bloom and held it up to light up my sensorials. I felt victorious when I confirmed I had guessed right.  Day 2- woke up at 5am to catch the 6am elephant safari to the Kaziranga national park. Had a better look around the resort in all its splendour. There were flowers blooming all around - marigolds,...