…in search of that perfect world.

Plains were spat through in a few hours, and by sunrise we had already hit the hills where the roads were much better, or that is how we thought the roads would be. Now, I am a regular traveller to Himachal, and the roads connecting Delhi and HP is superb, with toll roads all through (and a few diversions, which are well marked, et al unlike Uttarakhand where you have to literally keep 4 eyes on the road!), and you just whoosh past in no time hitting HP. But here, here it was a different ball game altogether. The roads are in pathetic condition, with craters the size of an entire planet staring right back at your face each time you think the roads would turn better from the next corner.

I, somehow had an impression of him; of a person who would be serious and somebody who perhaps likes to keep quiet. But, I am glad that he proved me wrong. And how! He is one of the most joyous persons to talk to, a jolly-natured guy who met us with so much love and affection, not to mention enthusiasm as if we were his own family. That is how I believe each one of us should ideally be. We met him, and he took us to his place, and just as you enter  the house, you can see a small sign which says, “Eagle’s Nest”, and aptly so. Now, Tilak sir runs an website by the name ‘Where Eagles Dare’ which, according to him, “is about freedom. Freedom expressed through communion with the Nature, found in the thrill of adventure.” Essentially, if you are even remotely interested in trekking, trips to high and remote Himalayas, rafting/ kayaking in those tumultuous mountain rivers or just exploring the back road of the Himalayas on your motorcycle, Tilak Soni is the ‘go-to’ man.

The three of us checked in to his home, and eventually settled into the warm and cozyness of the home. We had some good lunch, stood out in the warm sunlight, and even hiked quite a lot to witness a gorgeous sunset. Now, we urbanites are not quite used to hiking long distances, so, the hike was quite formidable and a lot of nice cardio workout for all 3 of us, while Tilak sir and his two ‘kids’ – namely two Himalayan dogs, Robin & Lucy (accompanied by a small white Spitz, appropriately named, “Honey”) just vanished through that steep hike.

Eventually, we came down, all panting and tired after that long hike while Tilak sir looked as fresh as the morning dew! Amazing what staying a few years in the hills could do to your entire physical being. After having some tummy filling dinner and making a rough plan of what we should do tomorrow, we made ourselves comfortable under the warm quilts and called it a night. I don’t even realize when I fell asleep; the last I remember was reading a few lines of the latest e-book I had purchased off Flipkart. But, one thing I surely know I had was a real goodnight’s sleep.

Himalaya Calls
Next day, we were supposed to leave by 7 or max 8am or so, but since we were a little tired from the last day’s long drive, et al, we could only start past 10am, if I remember correctly. While we carried our respective luggages, which were hardly a bag each for 3 of us, Tilak sir carries the entire world in his Eeco – which includes things like, a gas stove, quilts (if he gets stuck somewhere in the night in those hostile conditions!), enough food, water and a lot of other knick-knacks that I cannot even begin to pen down here. All packed with important stuff and ofcourse brimming with excitement within, we started towards this beautiful small village called ‘Harshil’ or ‘Harsil’. The roads were not in that good a condition, but as we approached Harsil, the views started to  change and the entire landscape started turning white, slowly but surely. THIS, this is precisely what we had come thus far for! Snow; white gold, whatever you call it, this was pure heaven.

Yes, we were tired and hungry, almost completely exhausted but the memory of the entire day was etched on our minds, permanently. Next day, we were supposed to bid adieu to this beautiful place, and since we planned to leave early morning, we had dinner and slept a tad early than what we urban creatures are generally used to, back home.

Dharali, Uttarakhand.

The rest of the story was, more or less, uneventful except the fact that the entire road back to Delhi we kept talking about how wonderful of a trip we had. And we promised to ourselves, to come back again some-time soon, perhaps during the next winters, or may be before that once again to experience the lovely mountains.