When you are looking forward to spending some quite time leaving behind the everyday chaos and madness then guess where do you find the respite?
Mountains! of course…. My first and forever love… More so because we live in an extreme weather zone, so the whole of summer i keep on wishing for a little abode on the mountains and as soon as i get a chance, off i run to treat my lungs to some fresh air, smell those heavenly pine cones and forever revel in the beauty of those magnificent Himalayas, the breathtaking sunrise and sunsets.
Another thing that really excites me is to hunt down locations or places which are non-touristy, off the circuit and not so popular.So during one such online expedition i landed on this gem of a place called “Silent Trail”. It is a stunning property, nestled 6000 feet up in the Himalayas, located in Jilling estate, Padampuri, a few kilometres before Nainital. The place offers panoramic views of the mountains with the comforts of a five star lodge thrown in, yet you would feel that you have visited a friend’s place, with the warmth hospitality of Radhika (the owner) and her staff.
We took an overnight train to Kathgodam, and then a taxi to the last motorable point in Padampuri. Radhika then sent her own vehicle to pick us up from there, which was a small village with muddy roads. There is an uphill trek of around a kilometre which can be done on foot or a pony to reach “Silent Trail”, that majestically welcomes you once you are atop after the tiring trek. We were looking forward to the trekking part, thinking we would enjoy the natural beauty and pump up on adrenaline but got really late and reached almost after sunset. however, with their caring staff and porters who walked along with us showing us torches and carrying our little one in his arms while the elder one was on a pony, the trek was manageable.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks awaited us as we were ushered into our room, just next to the common lounge area. Now this is the life of the place – the LOUNGE. It got me hooked the moment i entered, as i could see books all around me, i felt like doing a small jig as my idea of a perfect holiday curling up with a book and more around me was just taking shape in reality! The most vibrant of the place, the lounge is all glass structure with a huge collection of books all around some of which are hands me down from friends and family members, endless board games, a huge television replete with a home theatre system, colouring books, colours of all shape and sizes, and hot brimming cups of tea, coffee, cake, or egg rolls keep coming in! It is a tastefully done hall with plush armchairs, couches, chairs, carpets that opens on to a deck on one side and is attached to the kitchen on the other end.
The deck offers stunning views of sunrise and is a perfect spot for lunch chattering away with new found friends, while a small corner with antique benches is reserved for the bonfire soirees. The food is home cooked, simple, yet delicious while the kitchen is huge and everyone is welcome to enter it, be it to chat with Radhika or the staff, or to cook something or take a tip or two from Puran ji who churns delicious parathas, or refill milk bottle for kids, they welcome you with open arms and big hearts. The evening snacks were mouthwatering. Meanwhile Radhika would regale you with her personal experiences and little nuggets of history about the place making sure there is never a dull moment around. Guests both young and old are welcome to cook and try their hand at whatever they wish to, given that the ingredients of their recipes are available at the local market. We had a sumptuous lunch one day with finger licking curry and bharwa bhindi prepared by a granny from one of the guest families. (Yes, the whole house relished it). Also, she made sure that the cook followed her instructions and whipped out a delicious churma with dollops of ghee and gurh.
We also went for a little trek the next morning to their greenhouse area, where they house their kitchen garden, the cattle shed, and covered a short trail with a picturesque temple around. There is a solar heated pool perched atop on a different level which boasts of sunlight from sunrise till sunset. We had ample of time to read and lounge around and get connected not just with each other but our own selves as well. I laid my hands on a Kafka for the first time ever and enjoyed every bit of it, played chess after a long time, spoke to strangers and struck a chord with them, got up early to witness the sunrise, and basically fed my soul with the beauty and peace all around. Also, one fine evening i found my husband – a not so avid reader, immersed in a world war saga. Our son learned a few magic tricks from fellow kids, and the younger one was the cynosure of all eyes while everyone around tried to strike a conversation with her.
If one wishes to take a break, pause and rejuvenate themselves then this is the ideal idyllic destination. The hospitality, warmth, lively banter and anecdotes of the hostess, makes for a perfect stay. Each one of us immersed ourselves in pursuits of leisure and brought back memories to be cherished forever.
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