It was on 5th
(nov, 09).when we got a call from Ms Arzoo bakshi.Grand daughter of the
first prime minister of J&K, to visit their home at Pahelgam and spent a
day or two with their family.
Arzoo aunty is a family friend of my mother
in law. So we decided to pay her a visit, but I have made it clear to my Wife
that we are staying in a hotel separately.(As I find it quite disturbing if
I am at someone others place(ITS A BAD HABBIT In me).we decided to leave
early to avoid morning rush of the civilians and the army convoys.
6th morning we chkd out our hotel at Srinagar.And headed towards Pahelgam.
(Its around 100 kms away Srinagar).
After crossing the Jhelum area we reached at Pampore(you get the
world’s best saffron from these fields) saffron fields with beds of beautiful
purple flower were on the either side of the highway. A beautiful sight to be
seen in the fall.
We crossed many small suburbs of Srinagar and reached Anantnag.
And I was like wow.crusing at a speed of
120kph.we witnessed the sudden riot of colors…they call it AATISH-E-
CHINAR…BYGOD WHAT SHADES…& my 1st sight of this autumn was in form of an
orange-gold blur outside the window of my car cabin….the orange gold was
actually the scenery zipping by at 120kph…….all I could say was NAAME –
KHUDA…MASHA-ALLAHA
Once we reached pahelgaam I stopped at the bus stand
and instead of going to the tourist reception centre I asked the army jawan
& he gave me few good names. I decide on the Woodstock as that suits my requirement of the playing area for
my kids & it was close to the market, although we had some more options but
they were at a distance from the civilization……(PLZ AVOID HOTELS AWAY FROM THE
MARKET DURING OFF SEASON, COZ THEN YOU LIVE ONLY ON THEIR MERCY WITH LIMITED OR
NO OPTIONS)
We choose Woodstock and picked their royal Kashmir
suite at a throwaway price of Rupees 4000/night on Cp(meal plan)
The hotel room was a complete play ground, the bedroom
had a extra large kings bed with side fixtures the heating inside the room was
exellent.and the view from the sitting area was just fabulous.if It would
had been my way mai waha sare din baith sakta thaa….lol.Magar Drivers are not
allowed their way…….lol….
The suites were in the different section of the
Hotel…with a lawn separating the main building; the approach to the river was
from inside the property. With step-down lawns and garden full of greens……
The only draw back was the food, As we traveled during the off-season we could not have the leisure of ordering from what ever or
whichever from their menu….the wazas(KASHMIRI COOKS) and the Chinese cooks were
away so we choose to dine out at hotel Paradise an another hotel at walkway
distance
Folks altogether we spent two nights there and believe
me that the nights were as beautiful as the days were….sky full of stars…and
sound of water flowing from Cheenab the feel was as if…someone is playing
music for your sences a perfectly tailored evenns forthose romantic
moments….;-);-), -)….(socho, zara)
PLACES OF INTEREST: BEETAB VALLEY CHANDAN WADI MAMMAL TEMPLE
PONY TREK:KASHMIR VALLEY BISARAN DABOLIN AND WATER FALLS.Price per trek varies from 350-650 depending on the distance
FOR COFFE LOVERS JUST CHECK IT OUT AT LOG HUTS(HOTEL
PAHELGAM)
FOR DAILY NEEDS AND FAB KEHVA(KASHMIRI TEA).TRY THE
LOCAL TEA STALLS AT THE BUS STAND
HOW TO REACH:Pahelgam is well conected by road from srinagar and jammu city.you could choose between buses n private taxis, nearest rail route is Quazigund & the airp[ort is Srinagar.
Climate is freezing
