The hills are alive.....

It was time for rejuvenation......so off to the hills, specifically, to our favorite destination Sonapani......special not only for the breathtaking natural beauty, but the company of good friends (the hosts) including the most lovable Tibetan mastiff, Jhumru!

We took an early morning train, reached the last railhead Kathgodam in 6 hours, then the 2 hour drive uphill to Sonapani, in time for a sumptuous (as all meals are there) lunch. A magnificent sunset is followed by a display of the brightest stars in the clearest sky, and twinkling lights of the town of Almora across the valley.

The next day saw incessant and heavy rainfall, punctuated very briefly with faint rays of sunlight. Finally, the latter triumphed in the evening, and we went for a visit.

We awoke on the last day to a breathtaking and indescribable view of the might Himalayan peaks covered with snow. Visible from left to right was CharKhamba (of Kumaon), Neelkanth, followed by the famed Trishul (the trident of Shiva) flanked by Nanda Devi (Garhwal) and finally the Nepal ranges.

All too soon, we had to leave...soaking in the beauty of the snow clad peaks that followed us till Ramgarh......not hard to believe that the Him

alayas are indeed the abode of the gods.