MUSSOORIE - DEHRADUN - DELHI

Reaching Mussoorie, I felt on top of the world. I had driven from one place to the other and covered so many cities and hill stations in good time. I had started on the 26th of June 2011, leaving Delhi amid heavy rains, reaching Ambala in 4 hours. Leaving for Chandigarh on the same day and visiting Sukhna Lake. The next day went to the Rock Garden and spent the second half at Mac Donald's. The Chhatbir Zoo was a great experience with the authorities allowing us to drive into the zoo, helping us to cut down on walking.

Driving the next day from Ambala, via Parwanoo to Kasauli was a treat. I developed some confidence in driving on the curvacious roads of the hills. Getting down the hill proved easy. One day of rest and off I went again through Narayangarh, Kala Amb, Herbertpur to Dehradun. Dehradun to Mussoorie is about 32km taking 90 minutes on the tortuous roads. The final result was exhilarating.

Mussoorie was developed in 1832 for the purpose of acting as a base for Survey of India by the British. It is at the altitude of 6170 feet. The highest point is Lal Tibba, but the more popular one is the GunHill which can be assessed by the rope way. Mussoorie was beautifully grey (normally I would not say that for grey). I went to the Municipal Garden, but the pictures are not there as people who visit it would tell you that most tourists get themselves clicked wearing the local dress and I would look extremely funny in it. The garden is a must see with countless flowers of a myriad of colours, a great view (common to all hill stations now I guess), a waterfall and a boating lake.

Mussoorie is also the place where the great English writer Mr. Ruskin Bond lives now. Born in Kasauli in 1934, he now lives in Landour, Mussoorie. There are places you can go and meet him and also if you are lucky catch him near a book store selling his books and get an autograph. The Mall road was busy with people trying to see to the other end of the valley accross the clouds. The horses, pedestrians, rickshaws, prams for babies, cars all jostled for space amid few drizzles of rain.

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The view accross the valley from Camel Back Road

The rope way trolley from the Mall Road to the Gun Hill point.

If you notice carefully, you will realise why it is called Gun Hill.

The hotel was on Camel Back Road and the view was amazing.

The view from the hotel balcony at 10 am - clouds, and clouds and clouds

Interesting plants in the hotel lobby

World map by John Speed 1676 on golden paper in the hotel

Camel Back hill from which the road takes the name.

Quiet green woods near the Christian cemetry

A creeper with beautiful flowers

Camel Back Road

Nirankari Bhavan on the Camel Back Road

A lonely bird pirched on a telephone wire - eavesdropping?

Step farming in the hills

A view of the Himalays from the road

A beautifull view of the hills and the clouds

Winding roads in the hills

A strange yet beautiful plant in the hotel lobby

Clouds below us, entering the homes of people in the valley

Click on the picture to get the larger view.

 

Church in Mussoorie - there were two, unfortunately both were closed.

Coming back from these places was another journey but nothing compared to the times I had there. I still have dreams of being in the hills, feel the cool breeze, the drizzle, the clouds touching me and most of all the warmth of the people I met on the way. Only in the hills, people greet you with a 'Bhai ji', meaning dear brother. Lots of people helped on the way, the family, friends, locals at the places I visited.

Thank you all for making it an unforgettable trip.