Tranquility was what I was looking for
tranquility is what I got.
Far away from anywhere, very few people around, no mule-wallahs to haunt you - cadging for fare, not too cold or
too hot, beautiful vistas to enjoy and good food to eat. That’s my ideal place for the time when I want to get away from it all.
Parkwoods came highly recommended, so off we went. It’s a place some 10 KM before Shimla, near a place called Shoghi. It’s a bit off the road, and the stretch from the side road to the parking area might be a li’l hair-raising to all but the seasoned drivers, but hey, what the heck, aren’t we all seasoned drivers? And what are a few raised hair, small payment for the tranquility that you are looking for.
But I am ahead of my narrative. You, reader, have to reach there and if I don’t tell you that, my review will not be worth a farthing. So here goes.
From Delhi, it’s a 4 hour drive to Chandigarh. From there, you immediately get on to the mountains as the road winds its way to Shimla. On the way is the detour to Chail, but that is another story, another time! Before you reach Shimla, you see a board of Parkwoods (20 Acres of Peace Wilderness). This distance we seasoned drivers can cover in about 2-3 hours, so rest assured, folks, that it’s a longish drive from Delhi to Parkwoods. Take a left from the highway (actually its more like a U-turn) and then you see another board. That is where the hair-raising stretch starts, so be careful. And since we had informed the young proprietor of our arrivals, we had two denizens to welcome us and help with the luggage.
It is a five minute walk from the parking space to the living area, all downhill.
You have two choices for living quarters at Parkwoods - Huts or Tents. Huts are of Indian origin not that I needed to mention that! Tents are, purportedly, of Swiss origin. We chose the tents - so if its opinions on huts that you are after, tarry a while, until I visit the place again! Tents cost around Rs 2000 a night. Huts about Rs 200 dearer. Significantly, all food is included. More about the food later.
The tents themselves are a delight. Built on what they call
machans (not out of choice, I believe, there is so little flat ground available in the place) the tents have all the amenities you want - there are lights, fans and western style toilets and shower faucets too! So you certainly won’t be roughing it out here - even if you won’t be rolling in the lap of luxury.
The food is not exactly five-star class, though it ain’t unpalatable too. The best part is that, after you decide what you want to eat, it is made fresh in the kitchens. You can have it in the restaurant, or on top of the restaurant (in a sort of a
machan), or you could have it packed and carried along as you take in the panorama.
Which brings me to the most delectable part of this review. Reviewing what God made!
Which is a tall order.
First a little geography. The hotel is places atop a hill with a very long top, and sloping on both sides. The tents are positioned on one side of the peak, with benches and hammocks on the peak. The other slope is open for the views.
And what views! There are many beautiful hills in front, and we could see a beautiful small house (I dream of such a house sometimes) in a field of corn. Every where else it was un-spoilt Mother Nature.
So on the first day there, the best I could do was lie on the hammock and sample the delights. Have nothing to do, and all day to do it in (not my line, but I am sure MS wont book me for plagiarism). There is also a very well maintained library, so I read the DaVinci Code lying in the hammock.
For those who are inclined to sample the beauty more closely, talk to Prahlad, owner of the place, and he will tell you about numerous trails that start and end from Parkwoods. Start walking, and you won’t be disappointed with the offerings. We walked to the hill behind the hotel, and were shouting for sheer joy. The hills echoed back.
Should you ache for the madding crowd, Shimla is but an hour away. Prowl The Mall, buy a shawl or two, and come back, all in the space of an evening.
Coming back from Shimla, we heard the sounds of silence, and felt blessed for the rejuvenating time that we had there.