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Anand Vihar Railway Terminus just like an Airport
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We had booked a suite at Club Mohindra, Bageshwar road, Binsar, Uttaranchal for seven days.
My brother-in law Amrit Dhir as gracious as he is, helped us to book right train and tickets and we proceeded to take the train from a brand new Railway Station Anand Vihar Terminas Delhi for Kathgodam.
I was very much impressed with general cleanliness and facilities at the station. We took our luggage ourselves. As the taxi driver dropped us at the Anand Vihar Railway Terminas, he helped our luggage to go through screening equipment. There after it was as if we were in an airport. We just pulled our carry-ins to the left of stairs and found the Escalators. After sliding the bags on the escalator, we were on the Platform where the train was parked right there.
We got into an unusual clean train and occupied the allotted seats. There was well washed linen and blankets available for the use of each passenger. To cap it all, the toilets were really really clean.
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Food grains being offloaded at Hapur Railway station
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The train started at right time and reached Kathgodam on dot time after a very comfortable journey. As the train streamed off the station, there was a lot of garbage on either side of the track, but as the journey progressed, the green wheat fields of cute small sizes attracted the attention. The country side is still cleaner and was obviously a sight to see flora and fauna. The cleanliness was intercepted by the garbage and human waists whenever the train passed through a big town.
From Kathgodam a foothill town, we travelled for uphill journey by a hired taxi driven by an excellent driver Rashid Khan to reach Binsar a place 36 kilometers farther from Almora. This road journey was awesome and very refreshing, scenic and Picturesque.
On the way, we were able to witness stunning scenes of Himalayan Peaks besides flora and fauna.
We saw vast forest of Pine and Deodar trees, abundance of greenery and various herbs. On the way, we started viewing the majestic views of various peaks of Himalayas at times. The ambience was fresh, cool and tranquil.
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In a state of Bewilderment, while enjoying the Nature in Rashid Khan car
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Rashid Khan was an immigrant from Kashmir and his father had settled here about 60 years ago. He was very happy to live here harmoniously in a diversified culture and was proud of his Hindu and Sikh neighbors. He was a proud father of a daughter and a younger son. Being very proud of his daughter's intelligent, he wanted her to study medicine and become a successful doctor. When asked how to bear expenses of higher education, he responded that he will sell off himself to pay for her education. I liked the intensity of focus in him for furthering the upliftment of his family values. When further asked how many wives he had as Muslims do have up to four wives, he immediately replied that he will have only one partner as he loved his wife immensely and starts his day only after she offers a cup of tea prepared with her own hands. I found him very honest, informative and duty bound. He cared enough for us to drive at slower speeds so as to give us minimum traveling sickness of hills full of numerous short turns. That was a good sign of a very nice vacations ahead.
The Sunset at its best
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The glittering Himalayan Peaks as seen from the highway
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| Koi Mil Gaya and many other films are supposed to be filmed here. |
Rashid was not only a good driver but a very good guide of the area. He explained to me the details of various herbs on the way, important milestones, and attractive spots where the Bollywood movies had been filmed. He was very particular about a large Banglows up above the Bhimtal where many films were made including 'Koi Mil Gaya'.
Rashid dropped us before getting dark at the Club Mohindra 36 kilometers beyond Almora in the North. We promised him that we shall engage him on the way back journey.
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| Rashid Khan who deserves an excellent reference. You do not need any other guide. |
© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved.
© preet mohan singh., all rights reserved
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