BETWEEN TWO HILLS
A hill home is a dream many mountain-loving people harbour, and I was no exception to the rule, but it never quite materialised. However, when our COVID-19 induced virtual lifestyle started stifling me and my near and dear ones, we hatched a plan to move home for a month. Airbnb came to the rescue popping up Surya Villa, Delhi-based, Amita Bhandari’s hill home in the Nainital district of Kumaon. The three-bedroom furnished villa came with a cook, a caretaker and most importantly, the promised good wi-fi connectivity. Life had zoomed in on us in a strange way, with most interactions being online in nature. As school, college and work all became virtual, I, along with my extended family of eight headed for the hills, armed with our unlimited mobile data plans and additional dongles.
After over nine hours on the highway (with halts for e-pass and covid report verification) we turned into the easily missable Bhorakoon turn, a short detour off the main Bhimtal road, leading to our destination at Suryagaon. As we turned the final steep stretch of the five-kilometre road, Surya Villa came into view. It enjoyed a pretty perch with a large garden sit out, a hammock-studded nook to the other side and two terrace gardens. Right below the hill, approximately a hundred-odd metres, glimmered the serenity of the interconnected lakes. Sattal comprises seven freshwater lakes. the largest of the lot Ram, Sita and Bharat take up the bottom of the bowl. The other lakes, hidden within the nooks and smaller hills, were all short walks left for local explorations in the coming days.
TO THE forested ESTATE
Bu hikaye Outlook Traveller dergisinin November 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Outlook Traveller dergisinin November 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Can The Himalayas Outlast Tourism?
Love The Himalayas, But Worried About Its Future? Hear From Three Experts On The Future Of The Region And How It Can Be Protected
EATING MINDFULLY
SUNITA NARAIN FROM THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT DISCUSSES HER NEW BOOK WHICH COMBINES THE JOYS OF EATING WITH CARE FOR THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE WHO TILL THEM
The Jewels Of Costa Rica
A Long-time Birdwatcher Describes His Travels To The Lush Rainforests Of Costa Rica
WINGED WONDERS
The story of migrating birds is the story of a promise to return, flying thousands of miles beset with dangers.
THE LOOMINARIES
THE ROLE OF THE GREAT REVIVALISTS WHO GAVE INDIA'S TEXTILES A NEW LEASE ON LIFE CANNOT BE STATED ENOUGH. WE TRACE THEIR CELEBRATED LEGACY
KEEPERS OF THE CRAFT
FROM REVIVING TRADITIONAL WEAVES TO CONTEMPORISING THEM WITH MODERN SILHOUETTES, THESE DESIGNERS ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE LOOM TURNING WITH A FRESH TAKE ON HERITAGE TEXTILES
SONGS OF THE SOIL
WITH INDIGENOUS TEXTILES FACING THE WRATH OF FAST FASHION AND CLIMATE CHANGE, INDIAN DESIGNERS ARE RALLYING TO REVIVE AND PRESERVE THESE PRECIOUS WEAVES
CRAFT CRUSADER
THROUGH HER TEXTILE EXPLORATIONS ACROSS INDIA, DR PRITHA DASMAHAPATRA HAS BEEN PRESERVING ANCIENT CRAFTS, EMPOWERING ARTISANS, AND INSPIRING TRAVELLERS TO DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF HYPERLOCAL EXPERIENCES
ON THE GRID
THE VIBRANT MADRAS CHECKS, NATIVE TO SOUTHEASTERN INDIA, HAS NOT JUST TRANSCENDED BORDERS BUT ALSO TRADITIONS AND STYLES
GOLDEN SILK
THE PROPERTIES THAT MAKE MUGA SILK UNIQUE COULD SEE IT BEING USED IN THE BIOFUELS AND MEDICINES OF THE FUTURE
