It was the first time we had gone to the hills in March — a time when fruit trees were in full bloom — -so thruout the way up the hills we came across these patches of white trees or pink trees — orchards of plums and apricots. The pine trees too had sprouting young cones and the trees resembled christmas trees with golden orbs hanging all over them.
Next trip to the hills should be in the fruit season- it would be a sight to see trees laden with fruit all over the hills 🙂
The road to Shimla- was great- bypasses at each major city enroute and well maintained roads- the car literally flew- more so as we encountered very less traffic.
Enroute stopped by at the Tara Devi temple close by — -( snow had blocked the roads and we had time to kill while we waited for them to be cleared) Tara Devi is one of the nine sisters who are venerated in the hills of northern India — most having shrines dedicated to them on hill tops which command stupendous valley views.
Apparently a few years ago there used to be sacrifices of young bull calves made at this ancient temple and often the severed head of the calf used to fall down on the highway road that ran along the length of the hill way down below. So often did this happen that the stretch of the road was named “bakhota mod”- the turn of the calf head.
We had the temple solely to ourselves, not withstanding the numerous monkeys, when we visited but during Navratri the devotee line stretches down the hill — a few kms.
Snow views started about 1.5 kms before the Wildflower Hall Resort- It had snowed the previous night. White mountainside , with snow covered roofed houses scattered, trees dusted with fine snow and others weighed down by huge chunks of collected snow. A backdrop of the snow covered peaks of the Himlayan range in the distance. A novelty for both me and my husband — but we did not take pictures as it was just snow and for those who have seen snow — the view was nothing great. We, however were enamoured.
Wildflower hall is on top of a hill and the entire hill belongs to the property. There is a steep 500 kms stretch which goes from the bottom of the hill to the top ( the entrance to the hotel) when we reached the same road was being cleared of snow- Imagine a hill side full of dark fir trees- laden with snow, which kept showering down time and again when a slight wind hit them. Unsullied white snow extending for as far as the eye can see up the hillside, the road flanked by mid thigh high walls again covered with snow.
Our four wheel drive apparently was not equipped enough to safely drive up the snow /sleet covered drive so we left it at the barricade- to be parked away safely by the resort staff while we were escorted upwards in the resort vehicle with chains on wheels.. After the freezing — well chilly outside the inside of the resort was warm and inviting and with a pleasant pine smell (obviously perfumed- nevertheless a sensory pleasure) .
The room we had booked — had a valley overview- so trees and hills for as far as the eye can see and right centre the majestic peaks of some Himalayan range. Alas no balcony to suit out at — due to the monkey infestation in the entire area. Also were cautioned to keep the windows shut lest the simian species comes for a visit.
Explored- and found this huge covered heated pool and an outdoor Jacuzzi. Luckily swim suits were available for purchase as we had not packed any swimwear. First in the pool and then donning our bath robes we stepped outside- so far so good — as soon as the robes were off the cool air hit us and we scrambled into the Jacuzzi- Imagine an infinity Jacuzzi- hanging over the edge we see the valley covered with snow below us and snow covered peaks above. On the side is a dense fir forest also snowed over and under. And hot bubbles tickling your ass, steam jets on your back — -wah. Would have been decadent luxury if only they had served some food and drinks at the Jacuzzi as well (they did not unfortunately)
Otherwise there was the usual bar- would imagine how a library would look at a british nobles place in past era- deep wood panelling on all walls with scattered prints and coloured pastels, deep fireplaces, comfortable, slightly shabby armchairs and sofas, piled rugs on floor and a beautiful view out of these huge windows on two sides.
Next to it was a pool room — billiards, and the cards room with available games like scrabble, carrom, Pictionary the usual and of course the obligatory fireplace. Unfortunately, all the fireplaces in the building were so deep inside that they were just pretty to look at — no heat came out even when you sat right next to it. i guess Oberoi people got so scared by the fire that had happened that they ensured no spark would dare reach out now .
Meals of course were lavish and well prepared. – and we overate- so what s new — -we missed one lunch and had cup noodles that we carried from here. 🙂 but back to the meals- we order two dishes and roti and they give another three small helpings of other dishes complementary — -where does this happen?? Not once but twice — at two different mealtimes. Another time we had a buffet dinner and the serving waiter carried our order to another table apparently — when I went back to follow up on the same the chef was so apologetic that he prepared an extra special dish and himself carried it to our table — -after that at each meal he made special effort to come and check on us and our satisfaction with the meal :).
Service levels here were definitely a high point- with the entire staff very pleasant , courteous and obliging without seeming intrusive or cloying, — tips were strictly prohibited so there was no toddy-ing whatsoever — also the caliber of staff seemed to be of a higher quality, better socio economic class and better educated — — they took pains to address us each time by our names- not just the folks at the reception but also the restaurant staff, house keeping staff, etc. I imagine they do this with all the guests at any given time and to get it right each time involved a lot of effort.
Another nice touch they had was to provide complementary snow shoes to guest if they wanted to tramp around in the snow — -but they left your socks stinking so bad !!!!
One thing that I still missed, unlucky for me, was to experience falling snow — -just a few tiny flakes fell while we were leaving the resort so they did not count — so I am still awaiting my grand experience of playing in falling snow — -chalo something for next time :0