In the news today, it's reported that a documentary film about a civil protest of some sort had been approved by the government for public viewing, but the Indian Mob had let it be known that any theatre showing the film would regret it, so it was not being shown. Also, there had been 4 killed in a Delhi traffic accident, and it was feared that this year was going to surpass last year's count of 2,000 traffic deaths. In Delhi alone. Vehicles in Simla have no rear view mirrors because of the Horn Factor (driving by ear) and the fact that the narrow streets and roads guaranteed they would sooner or later be sheared from the vehicle by passing traffic.
Max left us hanging out in the Himalayas, having our box lunch on a deck overlooking the spectacular range and valleys. We're seated at red plastic tables at the Indian/Chinese Restaurant and Dining Hall. Next, it's off to the golf course, about 500 yards away, right next to the billboard warning us not to feed the numerous monkeys we see leaping about.
Naldehra Golf Course was established in 1905 (or 19-zero-5, as Sanjeev more correctly put it), by Lord Curzon, no doubt missing The Country Club back in Jolly Olde and looking for a few extra yards on his drives at the 9,000 foot high site. After paying a 15 cent entry fee, we climbed the 30 degree 300 yard slope to the Pro Shop and gazed out on a wasteland of a course with 2 cement pond water hazards surrounded by fences on the opening hole. We could have played the 9 holes twice for $6, but opted for the souvenir instead. When we finally located the Pro and asked to buy something, he grudgingly took us into a large walk-in closet called the locker room and told us he had a shirt and a hat. We bought his entire stock (a shirt and a hat), paid our $13 and headed back to our hotel, which we could see 'way the hell over on the other side of the valley, but which was actually a one hour car ride away.
Back in the room, we hear a loud beeping noise and Max goes out to see what's going on. The hotel is 5 stories, with all rooms looking down into the Lounge/Atrium (see picture). She sees a hotel employee a couple of stories down and signs a question to him about the noise. He gives her a reassuring sign back that it's nothing to worry about. By the time she gets back in the room, the telephone is ringing and the employee is explaining it's only a test of the fire alarm. Service like we've never seen in North America.
We head down to The Lounge (see picture) for a Kingfisher beer and nibbles while we work on our journals and purge our cameras of the less spectacular pix of the day.
Dinner was astounding and I won't bore you with the details, but if I were a potato, and was promised to be made into what we had that night I would dig myself up and volunteer my tuberous entity for the cause.
Monday, February 5, 2007
It wouldn't be an early Monday morning in February without a Super Bowl Party, so we turn on the TV at 6:30 AM in time to see The Artist Formerly Known As Prince singing Purple Rain dressed in purple, bathed in purple light, in the rain at the half time show, live at the Super Bowl. We get in the Super Bowl Party mood by pouring ourselves a bracing Nescafe' instant coffee and wait for the sun to come up over the mountains as we watch the game.
After an Indian b'fast of spicy pancakes and mint honey yoghurt, we ask where the billiard room is, and are instantly given a guided tour of the entire hotel, including play rooms, gym and heated indoor pool, each with its own attendant.
Our plan today is to walk the entire length of The Mall, visit the hotel I stayed in in '86 and then head into the Lower Market. It's another crisp, warm Himalayan day in the lower 60's and we're ready for a guideless day of exploring Simla.
Just as a side note, if anyone wants to see any of the pictures on these blogs in a larger format, just click on them twice. To return to the blog, use the back arrow. I just discovered this myself, and have decided to try posting more pix in a smaller format as a result.
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