Trip to Mt.Abu: Day 1 - Sept 16th 2006

The moment we came out of the bus, we were surrounded (read 2-3 people :o)) by hotel agents. We chose one convincing agent who said that from his hotel the lake (I had no idea which lake but I knew the lake :o)) can be seen. Also he had a jeep. So that meant less walking :o). So we boarded his jeep. He had said, rooms at 250-300. So he drove and we reached the hotel. I will come to the name of the hotel later on. We went in. He had to wake up on of his deputies to show the room. The deputy showed us 2 rooms. We selected the triple seater. We asked for the price, he said 450. We said what the hell. We were told 250-300 that is why we came. We took our bags (the bags were small, the season was off season, and hence we had walk out power :o)) and moved on. He shouted 350 but we kept walking.
Then the deputy’s senior intervened, and offered the room at 300. We took it.
Oh, missed the part of “being able to view the lake from the hotel”. When we looked around n could see no lake, we asked one of them, “Where is the lake”. He replied innocently “U have to walk for just around 5 minutes (we later realized it bout 10 minutes) to see the lake”. So its as good as lake view……balls :oX.
Neway, we unpacked a bit. We all watched Jhankar Beats till about 7 or 8. The weather was pleasant. We decided we will walk to the lake and get something to eat. We walked.
The lake (called Nakki lake) was beautiful. There were ducks (the big white ones) qwacking away to be fed. There were boats also. First we helped ourselves with some poha and chai. Then we went boating. Ours was the only boat on water. Paddling was tiring, especially with the sun up. We were sweating by the end of the stipulated half n hour. We “parked” the vehicle and walked up the hotel, or rather decided to walk up to the hotel.
Now comes the part of the name of the hotel. We asked each other, “ abbey hotel ka naam kya hai”. Lugaai was proactive and replied “Hotel Sudhir” (god bless him). So we set out searching for hotel sudhir. I took a back seat, because people who know me would also know of my “keen” sense of direction. We roamed around for about 20 odd minutes and finally reached hotel sudhir, which was actually the hotel next to our hotel (hotel parash view).
In hotel, we freshened up. Again ordered n had aloo paratha. Everyone took a bath. We asked the deputy from morning to get us bikes, two of them (Oh yeah we were gonna bike our way around mt. Abu :o)). We got two bikes. One a passion plus and me got a discover (since I had learnt riding bout a year and 3 months back on a discover and had ridden only a discover except for the occasional short drive of arnab’s victor glx).
We also got ourselves a map so that we could chalk out a plan as to where to go and all. So we decided we go in one direction today, and the other direction, which is a trekking path, we will cover the next day (since we had the bikes just for a day). We started. It was good to know I could still ride the bike :D. The road was hilly (bole to ghumne wale roads). It was the first time I was driving on hilly roads. It was good to see myself not faltering (apne mooh miya mithoo :o)).
We went upto Trevor’s Tank. At the gate, we had to enter our bike numbers, and then there this km long drive thru the jungle, thru steep roads :o). It was fun, real fun. We reached the place. Its a beautiful…tank, with a board next to it saying “Crocodile Infested waters” :o). Rocks surround it and water is pretty clear. One can take a small path up to another set of higher rocks and reach a view point. We went. On the way, took some “Save me” photos, where each one of us, posed on 10 – 15 degree inclined rocks as if we were struggling for survival by fighting our way up (actually this is not an original idea, at least as far as I am concerned :o)). Then some more photos (we actually hired an analog camera coz my digi cam can hold only 20 pics :o)).
From Trevor’s tank we moved on to GuruShikhar. It is the tallest point in Mt. Abu. It has many temples there. On the way, latak picked up a guy on his bike (the guy, rather the boy was going on the same direction). We rode for around 7-8 kms uphill before we reached GuruShikhar. The drive was great. We reached and parked our vehicles. And then walked up to the temples. All three of us entered one. The other one, only lugaai entered. Me and latak in the meanwhile went to the highest point. From here we could see the whole of Abu. And also the most famous X-ray observatory in the country (I forgot the name, it was chandra something….damn my GK). I saw that one could actually trek down some distance. Lugaai and latak were not game for it. So I went someway down, got a photo taken :o) and came back up :o).
When we went back to get our bikes, the young guy, who was the “guard” taking care of the bikes, offered to recite “shayari” for 5 bucks (oh before that we three tasted the worst softees in our lives which all of us had to throw in 5 minutes). The shayari was something we had heard before but still it was nice :o).
From gurushikhar, we drove back downhill. On the way, we had skipped going to a part before. We went in. Again some snaps. Then we came down n decided to go to Brahmakumari’s ashram. Before entering, there is this “faith chowkidaar” on the gate, who asked us if were carrying any cigs or anything, and if yes, donate them in the “daan pind”. I asked, then how do I get them back. He says, if u want them back, then leave them behind n come. Also anyone entering the ashram has to necessarily listen to some preaching for 5 mins. What the f***. I am not an aethist. But I believe faith or religion should not be something u force on someone. If I want to listen I will. So after forceful listening to preaching for 5 mins, we moved on into the park. Didn’t take any snaps there. Coz none of us was in a mood. Also it was just another park. Well maintained no doubt. But nothing interesting.
From there (or maybe before the brahmakumari park…..don’t remember…how does it matter), we went to the famous Delwara temples. We were asked to keep our mobiles n cameras outside (but people still managed to take them inside n take pictures). These temples are 1000 to 750 yrs old. They are made of marble. The sculpture is amazing. To do that fine work at that time with single blocks of marble is just unbelievable. There are 5 temples in the complex. In one of the temples, the head priest came n spoke something. The visitors (who were not jains I guess) made mocking comments and laughed (I will explain this in detail some other time). Also the head priest actually asked for money for himself and stood at the door stopping everyone asking for money. I don’t want to comment on either of these events in this blog since this is supposed to be a light blog without much introspection :o) Another feature of the Delwara temples is that from outside or from above, they look very plain. This was done to avoid attack by Muslim invaders. From outside, one cannot even guess that such fine and exquisite workmanship is present inside.
Then we rode on. On the way, the Discover started making strange noises. Latak took over the bike, but the noise kept on increasing. So we took to where we had rented it from, and got a CD deluxe. We went on for lunch then (it was past 4). So we could not get any thali. Had to settle for Dal Bati instead. Each of us would totally totally advice people from east or from the south against having Dal Bati. Its too oily, and my personal opinion is totally tasteless.
Oh forgot to mention, bought a few small abu special goods at GuruShikhar. Would be dispatching them off to their respective destinations tomoro or day after :o)
From Dal Bati, we went on to Sunset Point. Its more of a trek (from where we parked our vehicles) to the point. There was nothing really special about the sunset, and all three of us agreed that the sunset looks better from our respective homes than it does from this Sunset point :o).
Then from Sunset point, back to the main market. Returned the bikes. Got return tickets for the next day and also packed up chicken, vodka and beer for the night :o)
Night, we drank. We were watching TV. All of us were drinking. Suddenly current went. Me and latak weren’t feeling sleepy. So we went out, climbed the water tank of the hotel and started chatting. After about half n hour, current came back. Lugaai was fast asleep in the room. Latak also fell asleep. I finished watching the movie, Vijay, and then fell asleep.
Forgot to mention, we went to Nakki lake again in the evening. There me and Lugaai dressed up as Tipu Sultan and had photos taken. I had a sword in one hand, and a raw mango slush in the other. Oh did I look royal (photos would be uploaded soon on orkut or maybe here too :o))