A drive amidst hailstorm

It was a great drive upto Haldwani and beyond - upto Dhari, enroute to Pahaadpani on the 13th June 2009 - nothing eventful.

Then SUDDENLY, the weather changed.

From 34 deg.C, in a matter of 15 minutes, the sky exploded, sending down marble-sized hailstones at such a frantic pace, hitting the surfaces with such power, that I feared it may just damage my car windshield. The temperature steadily dropped down to 9 deg.C (I couldn't believe this.....) and the road was covered with hailstones - what a beautiful sight.

These are the small wonders of nature, that stay in your mind forever.

Share with me, the beautiful moments - see and hear it.....

The temperature - 9 deg. C - WOW!!!!

Pahaadpaani

This is our 'PLACE IN THE HILLS'.

A small place called - Pahaadpaani - 44 kms from Bhimtal, enroute to Mornola / Motiapathar / Gazar.

After a lot of effort from everyone involved, and a time spanning 3 years, this place is ready for 'summer-vacations' to be spent in. Of course, it does not mean it can't be used any other time of the year....

Shikha, Kriti, and I spent our first night there on the 18th April 2009, and it felt wonderful. Of course, the early morning sun woke us up at around 5 in the morning, but the whole experience was amazing.

Have decided to visit here more often now. And if all goes well, maybe welcome the year 2010 here.....

This is the video of the Himalayan range - as seen from a particular spot, enroute to Pinehill Mountain Resort, Pahaadpaani.

A view of the Himalayan range, as seen from the 'roof' of my unit. Awesome......

Lest we forget.....

Some of the photos of the terror attack on Mumbai, sent to me by my dear Doctor friend - Ranjit - who toiled hard for innumerable hours in the hospital, tending to victims.

Let us all NOT FORGET THIS!!!

(some of the photos are disturbing..... isn't truth always?)

The agony of losing a dear one.....

Anticipation....

The lone sentry....

A prayer for the Country.....

Deserted......

The Story-tellers

Real life stunts...

This is not Bollywood.......

Rightly said....

Heritage, up in flames. So is the Indian pride.

India's 9/11?

The devil.....

Terrorists!

What did they do?

CHARMING SONAPANI

About 41 kms from Bhowali, 7 kms after Ramgarh, you take a left turn towards Talla Ramgarh, drive 21 kms to Ramkrishna Mission Ashram, and walk for appx. 20 mins, and discover CHARMING SONAPANI.

The Himalayan Village at Sonapani is an eco-resort, developed and run by Ashish & Deepa, and their team of very dedicated staff, and everything over there is meant to be experienced.

Words fail to describe the experience.

The view of the snow-clad mountains, the walk among the forest, the sound of crickets, birds - in the daytime, is all very 'to-be-experienced'.

It helps that the food is fantastic, and the hosts are very warm, and make you feel so very comfortable.

I would put it in my list of recommendations of 'PLACES YOU MUST VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE'.....

Majestic Mountains

The first photo was taken at Mukteshwar, early in the morning, as it gets cloudy and ther majestic Dhauladhar ranges get hidden.

The second photo was taken at Kaudiyala, just 32 kms upstream of Rishikesh. These colors of nature were available for a fleeting moment, and I was lucky to have my camera at hand.

AWESOME SIGHTS.

DK's page

DK's page

Nature..........as I saw it

When I see such wonders of nature, can't help wondering as to why are we killing the planet?

Can MAN ever - ever re-create anything like this?