A Birthday Celebration in Nainital

This year my birthday is on a Saturday, so we are going out of town to celebrate. My husband votes for his favorite destination, Saat Taal. I give in a little half heartedly since our last trip was also to Saat Taal. Then while browsing for accommodation online, I notice that the KMVN guesthouse at Snow View, Nainital has a room available. Without much hesitation, I immediately make the booking.

How We Get There

Nainital is about 300 Kms from Delhi. We pile up in a Qualis around midnight on Friday and reach Nainital around 7:00 in the morning. Snow View is on the top of a hill overlooking the Naini Lake. Although the motor road goes all the way up to Snow View Heritage rest house, we decide to go via the Ropeway or Cable Car as my sister is not feeling too great after the hour long drive on the twisty curvy hill roads. The Ropeway starts around 8:00. To pass the waiting time, we have coffee and oily burgers at one of the all-in-one stalls near the football ground. Before we know it, it's after 8:00 so we move to the point where the Ropeway starts. Since we are staying at the rest house , the Ropeway ride is complementary for us.

Where We Stay

Snow View Heritage, situated at a height of 2270 meters, is a four-room Raj bungalow. The rooms are large and spacious with attached dining and dressing area. The interiors are done almost entirely in wood. Our room has broad, comfortable window ledges where you can relax with a book while enjoying the view. There is even a beautiful fireplace. We get two extra beds put in to accommodate my sister's family, who had joined us at the last minute. But so large is the room that it still doesn't get cramped. The food is good and priced reasonably. On the right of the guesthouse are small eating joints, selling a variety of food ranging from fresh fruit juice to greasy chowmien. There are also the mandatory curio and get-photographed-in-ethnic-dress shops, which mark all North Indian tourist locations. On the left of guesthouse is a mini adventure park. complete with "Free Fall," go-karting, and crazy cars.

What We Do

We have only one day and one night with us so we try to make the most of it. After a quick breakfast at one of the stalls, punctuated by the kids demanding money to try out various games, we move to the adventure park. The games are primarily meant for kids aged 6 to 12. As both the kids are in this age group, they have a wonderful time driving crazy cars, riding bikes that go round and round, and shooting balloons with a rifle. After they have spent enough "10 Rs" notes, we move down the road to a small temple. Near the temple are a few "View Points" from where you get a glimpse of the Northern Himalayan ranges. Binoculars are provided for just Rs 5. On a clear day, you can see Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain in India. Further down the road lie the ruins of a large house, supposedly existing since the time of British Raj. The villagers now use the cracked and crumbling walls to dry cow dung cakes. From the plot of land in front of the ruins, we get a breathtaking view of the complete Naini lake. We come here several times during the day. At one point, we count around 100 boats lazily drifting along the length of the lake. This point is quite peaceful as few tourists coming in the cable car venture here. Only the villagers and the few people staying in the guesthouse usually come here. The road continues to other viewpoints and then later moves on to Kilbury. We meet an old British couple, nearly in their 70s, planning to walk to Dorothy's Seat and then down to the lake. Their energy leaves us slightly envious and embarrassed. We return to the guesthouse for a little rest and recuperation. In the evening, we again go for short walks. By now, the cable car has stopped, the crowds have departed, and there is complete peace. Late at night, amid a few drinks, I cut my birthday cake, which my husband has miraculously arranged for from a bakery on the Mall road. After dinner, we go for a last walk. One of the stall owners has stayed back to serve us ice creams (again a proof of my husband's persuasive powers). At this is time, the wind is chilly and I devour my chocolate ice cream with chattering teeth.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we are ready to go back. However, we must have a two hour gap between breakfast and the nauseous downhill drive till Kaladoongi. We elect to spend this time shopping at the Tibetan Market on the Nainital grounds, which offers great imported cosmetics at very reasonable prices. So, we pack our backs, say our goodbyes and head for the ropeway for the final ride.

Your First Flight: A Ready Reckoner

Taking your first flight can be quite unnerving, even if it is a simple two hour domestic flight from Delhi to Mumbai. Right from a niggling worry that the plane will surely crash to the more urgent concerns about whether you have completed all necessary procedures at the airport, the first plane journey can be quite taxing for the uninitiated. What makes it even more difficult is that you cannot take along a friend or relative to guide you around the airport. Due to security reasons, airports don’t allow accompanying visitors to venture beyond the airport gate. Here’s a practical checklist to help you get through the innumerable airport counters without feeling lost.

1. Make sure you are at the right airport. Most cities have separate airports for domestic and international flights. Be sure to tell your cab driver clearly that you are taking a domestic flight.
2. Find the terminus for your airline. For smoother administration, different airlines are allocated to different airport terminals. Most cab drivers will drive you to the right terminus if you tell them the airline name in advance.
3. Get a trolley for your luggage. These are usually lined up right outside the airport entrance.
4. Keep your ticket in your hand. You need to show it at the airport entrance to gain entry. If you have an e-ticket, you will also need to show a photo identity proof. This can be your voter ID card, PAN card, driving license, passport, or even a credit card with your photo.
5. Go to the baggage screening section to get your luggage x-rayed. At this point, you need to place only the heavy luggage that will be checked into the aircraft cargo. Once the luggage is screened, it is sealed by the airport authorities to prevent tampering. Put back the sealed luggage on your trolley.
6. Move to the counter for your airline to get your boarding pass. Wait in the line till your turn comes. Check in your sealed luggage. Luggage might be weighed to ensure that it does not exceed 20 Kg. The airline official may also ask to see your photo ID. If you have come early enough, you will be offered a choice between aisle and window seats. After you state your choice, you will be issued a boarding pass. The counter will also have a lot of baggage tags. Pick tags for your hand baggage, such as purse and overnight bag, and attach it to your baggage after filling in your name and contact details. Leave the trolley near the counter but take care that it is not in anyone’s way.
7. Move to the security check area. Place your hand baggage, including mobile phones and jackets, on the conveyer belt of the X-ray machine.
8. Now go to the frisking area. This area is just next to the hand baggage checking machine and is screened off with curtains. There are separate areas for men and women. After you have been frisked, the guard will stamp your boarding pass.
9. Collect your hand baggage from the rear end of the X-ray machine. Make sure that the person guiding the machine has stamped your baggage tag.
10. Wait in the sitting area till you hear the announcement for boarding. The announcement will specify the boarding gate number for your flight.
11. Join the line at the boarding gate. An official from the airline will check your ticket before letting you pass through the gate.
12. Board the airline bus that ferries passengers from the boarding gate to the aircraft.
13. On reaching the aircraft, show your ticket to the steward before boarding your flight.
14. Go to the seat specified on your boarding pass. Place your hand baggage in the overhead cabin. Now, sit back and enjoy the flight!