Part 2: Kausani – Resting Meadows, Silent Serenity!

Birthday morning didn’t disappoint, as the best sight was right in front.  The clear and spectacular panoramic view of the snow-crested Himalayan peaks - Trishul, Nanda Devi, and the mighty Panchachuli will be with me for the rest of my time. The silence of the hills in the chilly morning created a curiously unreal atmosphere. It was a strangely enjoyable contrast to the cacophony of Delhi that we experience otherwise. A birthday, away from the chaos of the city, I knew it was going to be a special one! After a hearty breakfast and an hour of being entitled to receiving birthday calls from back home, we decided to venture into the wilderness that surrounded us. Hiking has never been one of my strongest forte, yet here I am, holding a makeshift hiking stick that will be my dear friend for the rest of the day. I think with age, I have started to come to terms with the joy of unusual experiences, that become pleasant after I embark on them. 

Anyway, after a brief discussion with the owners regarding the probable path of our hike, and trying to figure out the animated directions one of the owners gave, we took it upon ourselves to walk as long as the path allowed us to go.

The trails, to say the least, were nothing short of a dream. With every step I took, I was glad I decided to explore the place on foot. The towering coniferous trees looked upon us as the two souls walked up the nearly desolate paths. Heaps of unkept bushes and shrubs on either side of the tracks seemed to feel belittled by the grandiosity of the pine and deodar trees above. There were so many species of green that were yet to be discovered by man in that forest. Kausani is called a paradise for exotic bird watchers, it will not disappoint. The peaceful ambiance didn’t allow us to chatter much, lest we disturb the whispers of the trees, the sound of water gushing from a nearby hidden stream, and the occasional chatters of the mysterious birds that were either nestled in the trees or were just visitors.

We have now been trekking for an hour or more, uphill, and the legs were in conversation with the brain – discussing the possibilities of taking a break! And we obliged by taking a stop at a small hamlet. A few houses, colourful to say the least were carefully settled on the top of the hill, surrounded by trees full of oranges, some sadly squashed underneath or fell before their time, and a handful of residents doing their daily chores. Sitting there, and looking at the mighty peaks, conversations about life and where we stand make complete sense. Contemplating about the future, we discussed, and made plans for the upcoming time, and a promise to ourselves to embark on the journey to the peak – of life!

Taking a break for a while, and gathering the strength to move further, we started walking again past the trees, shrubs, and bushes, stopping occasionally to immerse into some self-vanity through our phones. Going a little further, came the main road that would take us back to our cottage. But we were not done yet. The sun was still up, and we were in no mood to end this intriguing walk anytime soon. So, we opted to ascend one of the hills that was on our way. Under the tall pine trees, we walked, occasionally meeting the local women passing by, carrying logs of wood on their heads, greeting us with a smile. Climbing the rocky path seemed like a Herculean task for us, but for these women, it seemed like a cakewalk. A perfect scenic spot to sit wasn’t difficult to find. It was all around us. After an impressive climb up the hill, losing our way down the hill, almost tripping and falling on our descent, and again climbing up another, as it wasn’t enough, we decided to rest our legs under the trees, looking straight at the mountains and the valley below. The placid ambiance around us continued, with almost no one around. This ensued for the next day as well, till we had explored and walked to our heart’s content!

The best thing about trekking for me is you get to stop, look around, feel the breeze against you, observe every tiny bit of wonder hiding amidst the forest, and more. One can sit, immerse oneself into thoughts that usually evade us in the daily toils of life, make decisions, and let wild imaginations run wild along with the fluffy clouds above. Yes, that is what mountains are for me!