ARMY – Aroma Of Life

Travel : Pithoragarh City Guide 1

How to reach : The way to experience real India is to be away from the chaotic tourist towns and pages of the usual guide books. This real India : inspires and humbles, is artistic yet genuine, simultaneously incredible and heartbreaking and surely takes a little effort to find. One such place is the quaint little town of Pithoragarh. It is located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand and is a seven hours tortuous journey from Nainital, passing through the picturesque hills of Almora.

The typical ‘Indian’ tourist, who once wanted to visit every place given in a travel guide, is now evolving. It is not about ticking off things in a list anymore, but to find a place where you can get some much needed “me” time and places like Pithoragarh are perfect for that.

Here is a glimpse of this beautiful town followed by snapshots of two of the must see places :

Kamakshya Temple : Sun-kissed peaks and a panoramic view of the entire city is what you get from here. The temple has a unique history and was set up by a soldier of the Indian Army and it is still being looked after by his family.

On The Rocks Cafe : This mountain cafe surprised us as we did not expect such quirky decor in a small town eatery. Loved gorging on the delectable chinese food with views of the valley.

So this was part one of our Pithoragarh itineary, more to come in the second part! Remember it is only when you go off the beaten path that you encounter such uninterrupted views of Nature. Cherish every bit of it.

Travel : Clifftop Club, Auli

We have done a series of blogposts about Auli – capturing the landscape in both its pre and post snow glory. Head over to the travel category and click on Auli to check all the previous posts. We mentioned about the lodging and boarding options in Auli in the very first blogpost. Uttarakhand government’s GMVNL guest house is a reasonable option and has basic facilities. For luxury seekers, Clifftop Club is the best available option.

About the property : It is located at more than 10000 feet above sea level (second highest resort in the world), making you feel literally at the top of the world. The view from the resort is something that you cannot understand virtually. You need to witness, breathe, experience and feel for yourself. The best part is that Clifftop is located right at the skiing slopes, adding to the thrill.

Dining options : The resort is entirely made of wood, which now has turned rustic owing to the vagaries of the weather. Accommodation choices are either the standard rooms or the suites. There is a single restaurant serving limited but delectable food. It would be unfair to expect multiple dining options at this height and terrain. The main activity is skiing, though I would say it is to soak in the beauty of the place 😃.

Coming to the pricing, it is between ten thousand to fourteen thousand during the peak snow season. The pricing is high compared to the amenities offered but, once you witness the challenges of running the resort in such daunting conditions, it feels justified. Also remember to check the weather prediction before making a booking as snow has become a rare commodity.

Travel Tip – The best way to reach the property is either by your own vehicle or via cable car from Joshimath.

Nature is so totally awesome. It deserves our adoration, our reverence, our applause. Take care of the world around you. Celebrate its resplendence, never take it for granted ❤️❤️

After The Snow : Auli And Beyond

Head over to the first part of this blogpost here. This post has pictures of the same location after the snowfall, where in everything was engulfed in white. The very fact of snow is such an amazement. There’s just something beautiful about walking in snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special. Silently, like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall, each one a gem.

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”

Enjoy the pictures :

Before The Snow : Auli And Beyond

These are some photographs from our travels in and around Auli, you can have a look at our previous blogposts on Auli here. These pictures were taken before the snowfall happened, after which the entire area seemed like a white paradise. In Auli, there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, and snow is exhilarating.

Witnessing your first snowfall is a magical feeling and Auli is a place where Mother Nature rules supreme in all her glory. All good things may not be free, but all the best things of life are definitely free.

Silk India : 2017

Saree is one such attire which can flatter any one irrespective of their body type, skin tone or any other physical attributes. We have already done a blogpost on our unconditional love for sarees, not just as a dress but as a part of family heirloom which is passed on through generations. If there is a special occasion and you are in doubt regarding what to wear, adorn a saree and it will never fail you.

When it comes to timeless- classics, silk sarees rule the roost. Their sheen never fades away, whatever be the trend. The fabric of pure silk sarees remains the same over years and the times gone by add value to its vintage charm. Getting married into the army has increased my love for sarees exponentially and I can’t wait to have my own eclectic collection of the six yards. Silk sarees are our best friends because even if you are going to wear a particular saree again after 5 years, you would not be considered outdated as silk is evergreen 😍

“Silk India Expo” is held every year at the Birla Auditorium in Jaipur and one can find silk of almost every kind being exhibited. Whether it is Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu, Banarasi from Uttar Pradesh, Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, Paithani from Maharashtra, Jamdani from Bengal, Kosa from Chattisgarh, Eri from Meghalaya, Tussar from Bihar, Muga from Assam – You name it and they have it.

Hoping the pictures were a treat for your eyes ❤️❤️

Travel : Our Grand Holiday

I love the idea of staycations. It is very important to take regular breaks from the routine life but not always one has the time to plan and go on a proper vacation, this is where the concept of staycations comes in. It could be a destination escape or a property located right in the middle of your city, choose as per your budget, time and requirements. This post is about one such staycation we took to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.

About the property : The property stands true to its name- it is palatial, serene and a true reflection of the Royal Bharat. We were mesmerized from the moment we stepped inside the hotel grounds. Amidst Impeccable Greenery and beautiful water bodies stands the gigantic- palace looking hotel. We were received with a traditional welcome and a beautiful stole as a souvenir. Also the welcome drink served at their “Peacock Bar” was refreshing. It was almost lunch time so we decided to go for lunch by the time the check in formalities would also get completed.

Dining options : We chose “The India Room” restaurant for lunch, it had an amazing three course Italian buffet with some splendid cocktails. The interiors of the restaurants are so tastefully done up, we were really in awe of the colours and aesthetics. After the sumptuous meal, we went to our room and where we again witnessed the ITC hospitality, our room was upgraded to a suite with an attached pool. They surely know how to keep their guests coming back all the time.

The rooms at ITC are named after cities having historical significance like Varanasi, Hampi, Thanesar etc. The decor style of the room is classy but minimal giving a very relaxed vibe. The aura of the overall place takes you back to medieval India. We spent the afternoon in there heated outdoor pool, the attached pool will be a big hit for summers.

Night lends a different charm to the place with beautifully lit chandeliers and candles. Due to immense greenery, the atmosphere is really pleasant and rejuvenating. One wishes having a permanent residence in this majestic palace.

Recommendation : I would not recommend it to people coming to Delhi/NCR for business/leisure purposes as it is quite far from the main city. Also spending so much does not make sense if you would not be enjoying the place completely. It is definitely an apt option for people looking for a weekend getaway near Delhi. You will come back refreshed and feeling like a Royal.

We made our booking through Goibibo, you can browse more about the hotel at TripAdvisor, Happy Holidaying.