A short 90 minutes drive away from Delhi- a green oasis away from the city Hub-a -Dub. though a road ran a few metres away the foliage and trees on and around the property provides cushioning from sound. Though the intermittent boom of target practice (we presumed) from the nearby Police Academy was prevalent.
Six cottages and a dining area set among green lush gardens with a pond and a meandering rivulet (which ran dry when we visited) huge trees — some ancient with tangled aerial roots, others flowering and in bloom (champa, frangipani, others I donot know name of), lemon trees galore, malta, custard apple, amla, guava and other such. a vegetable patch- large enough to feed guests a few meals with the home-grown organic food stuff.
Rope swings on trees, croquet, badminton, frisbee, balls — were the pick for the sporty, strategically placed benches catching the sun or in the shade for the romantics or the lazy (take your pick), a potters wheel with a potterman
to teach the inclined, hens with their chicks, two groups of geese- white and brown, dogs and the numerous birds. In fact the two nights we were there- a group of warblers visited our cottage balcony each morning and two of them pecked away and preened in front of this huge mirror which was hung in the verandah outside the cottage while the rest of the group flitted in the hanging baskets of ferns. Wonder if this was their daily ritual. 🙂
Each cottage had a theme- with interesting artefacts and photographs reflecting it- basics were covered comfortably, tho’ the hot water was at best tepid. Electricity came ( maybe self generated) but not enough to run air conditioners- making this a fair weather getaway at best. a surrounding covered porch with comfortable sofas and table gave accessible areas for playing communal parlour games/ cards/or just lounge around drink and eat or read.
One has the choice of waking up early to the roosters crow, or to the cacophonical chirping of the morning birds, or later
on in the day when the gaggle of geese marched all over the property honking noisily. or one could get up and then go out and sleep in the winter sun 🙂
Meals were deliciously cooked and hygienic with ample variety- staff was very pleasant and willingly helpful. Food was cooked in the modern kitchen or could also be cooked on the rustic wood fired choolas and tandoors in the open if the guests were so inclined to sample.
We were an extended family of 12 and had the place virtually to ourselves (occupying 5 of the 6 cottages) and had a great time. A do again place when a short but close by break from routine is desired. 🙂