Off beaten track

A sign at the Entrance to the Valley of Flowers (VoF) says it all The passionate forest guard at the gate told me that he had been scolded by a senior officer that the VoF had no flowers, and that he, the forest guard, should put up a sign warning everyone so.   The experience I had was entirely different, I saw a myriad flowers blooming and a tranquil Valley.  And I thought to myself that:  they are really blind those who  will   not see.  These flowers were very different to to those I had seen on my earlier trip in August 2015, view my photographs of the earlier trip at the link here  and my blog of that trip  over here Flowing water everywhere A kilometer after buying a ticket at the forest check post, I cross the steel bridge across the Pushpawati River and begin the ascent into the VoF. The ticket is valid for three days of which I will visit on two.  The mountainsides are striated with waterfalls fed by t he melting snow, whi...

Beacon to nature lovers and trekkers far and wide. Located just off the National Highway Mumbai-Goa, the central basalt rock pillar of Karnala Fort, often referred to as 'Pandu's Tower', is visible from great distances. I saw it close while up in the air flying by in a helicopter, picture here. It was then I decided to climb the fort. An encouraging 'Thumbs Up'  Generally built on two levels, the landmark pillar is at the higher level of the fort which is at a strategic location guarding the Bor Pass.  It has changed hands many times and Marathas, Portuguese and the British have all in turn held this important fort. Today it is far more peaceful, beckoning birders, walkers and picknickers from afar.  There are two distinct aspects to Karnala, a climb to the fort itself and nature trails in the forests around. The Climb The trek to the fort starts at the forest office complex inside the park gates. It is about an hour's moderately stiff climb for the fi...

The abode of the clouds, so aptly named.    Do not go to Meghalaya with a plan for a hectic �been there done that� kind of schedule crammed with plans for sight seeing.    This is a state which you have to just soak in ( pun intended); rambling through verdant hills, waterfalls and lakes.    The beauty here is a vivid green kaleidoscope of forested hills, water and clouds. One can arrive at Guwahati by train or plane and then motor up to  Shillong , the capital of the state.    This town used to be the capital of  Assam  in the old days and the layout and buildings are still redolent of the Raj. Using  Shillong  as a base one should motor around the state as far afield as one desires.    There is plenty of accommodation in  Shillong  ranging from the budget friendly to the exotic and expensive. The three hour drive up from Guwahati is a precursor of scenes to come, lush green rain forests, and quaint vi...