Kumaon Hills, I am here again

At Kumati- longest house ( 300 ft) in entire Kumaon. 

Just after my FA2 exams were over, I got a chance to accompany my mother on a trip to the Himalayas. It was a 2 day trip, but packed to the full with loads of things.

In the process, I acquired a new aunt ( Kalyani Aunty) and grandpa ( Bisht dada of Peora).

Immediately after getting down at Kathgodam, we got into the cab already waiting for us. First stop was at Bhimtal to meet Kalyani Aunty. The lake looked beautiful in the mist, like a water colour picture.

After meeting Kalyani Aunty and having some goodies and cold drinks, we set off for Peora to Aaraohi office where my mother met many people for her work. In the afternoon, we visited some old villages with sad looking beautiful old homes, most of them lying abandoned.

What a waste! Wish some of them can be converted into beautiful home stays.  

Old home or Bakhli in Peora

By now it was almost evening so we retired for the night in the home of Bisht dada. though I met him for the first time that evening, after talking for a few minutes it felt as if I have known him all my life I told my mother why not start a home stay chain called "Staywithdadaji" where young urban boys like me can come and stay with our rural grandpas. We can learn so many new things and have so many new unique experiences like calf patting, jungle walk with dadaji 

My mother was not very impressed with the idea right then, but I have asked her to give it more thought. 

My Peora( and Pyara) Dadaji

Next morning, we bid goodbye to Dadaji with a promise of coming back again. Dadaji also gave me Rs 50, just like my own grandpa Dadai gives me.

Then we went to Mukteshwar and saw the PWD bungalow where Jim Corbett had once stayed. 

Mukesthwar PWD bungalow made famous by Jim Corbett 

 Today we were really on a Jim Corbett trail because after Mukteshwar , we went to Gurney House in Nainital where Jim Corbett had spent a good number of years. Kalyani Aunty also joined us here.

At Gurney house- with Kalyani Aunty

inside Gurney House 

 Now it was time to return home. It was pouring by the side of the Nainital lake as we sat at a lakeside cafe and had fresh warm pizzas while enjoying the rain and view.
After that it was back to Kathgodam and Dehradun.