I finally found my fairy land in Nainital!!!

Many a time, i wonder if the concept of a magical fairy land was just a made up story to get your young ones to sleep. The endless number of stories about various characters with peculiarities added up to the wonder in the fairy land. My nephew jumps with joy seeing the long nose of Pinocchio and the humour talks by the Shrek’s donkey. I can see him light up when we get him listening to the talks of the fairy land. After i put him to sleep, i secretly wish somebody would take me also to a fairy land that could put the magic in my life for a few days. Come on, just because we are adults, it does not mean that we cannot have a fairy land. We should have a place that takes us to a different world completely. We should be able to de-stress and rejuvenate there. A whole new experience that opens out a new window.

There is something about the hill stations that transports one to the land beyond. Escaping to the hills in summer has long been a tradition in the plains of the country that surely developed like a religion in British times. The hill stations of Shimla, Darjeeling, Mussoorie, Nainital, Kasauli, Kausani, Ooty, Shillong, Lonavala and Khandala are a testimony and tribute to this human search of escape and tranquility. Many of these places today offer a plethora of interesting things, activities and options to soak the soul in pleasant pastimes.  Another aspect of this desire has found reflection in yearning among many of us to own a small piece of land of our own in these quieter cooler places. While some of us have traversed this path on our own in the past, we may have found the going a bit difficult owing to limited options, lack of information, difficulties of maintenance and sheer economies that did not seem to make this possible.

Oh ya, i did find my fairy land a few days back. A hill station called Nainital that opened a plethora of memorable experiences for me. The city of lakes gives you a new look at the beauty of the mother nature. Again, if you thought it was just for people who want to spend a idle vacation, not really. There is horse riding, jeep tours, caving, river rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, trekking, ropeway and other adventurous ventures for all who wants to burn their calories.

1,934 meters above sea level, Nainital is a treat to watch. Part of the Shivalik Range, Nainital has lakes, mountains, tranquility, adventure and all that you crave for. Nainital is located around the Naini Lake. The name ‘Nainital’ supposedly means the eye of the lake which symbolizes the place where remains of Goddess Parvati had fallen off on earth while Lord Shiva was carrying it.

The visit to Nainital can’t be completed with a boat ride. One needs to put on the mandatory life jackets. You can view colourful sailboats and paddleboats everywhere in the lake with happy tourists — families with little children, the elderly, and newly married, couples — having a good time. The green hills surrounding the lake looked picture perfect with misty puffs of clouds clinging the tops.  As the evening approaches, the beauty of the lake increased. After the boat ride, you can eat at any of the restaurants serving hot meals at reasonable rates.

Another interesting activity is Aerial Ropeway, which runs from Mallital right through to Snow view point situated at 2,270 meters above sea level. You can get a wider view of the spectacular Himalayas including the city. There are two trolleys that take passengers to and fro taking approximately 151.7 seconds each way and can hold a capacity of up to 10+1 people or 825 kg of total weight.  This cable car is opened to rides seven days a week from 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs.

Nainital is also known for the Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo, the only other high altitude zoo in India, besides the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling. Since our hotel was close to the zoo, it would have been a pity not to go there. The zoo is situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters. The climb is steep, but the road was motorable. The zoo houses monkeys, goral (mountain goat), deer, civet cats and leopards, but the animals that take pride of place here are the endangered Siberian tiger and snow leopard.

If you are a poet and want to associate the land with myths and fantasies, you could easily make enough literature out of it. If you just want to relax and enjoy your weekend after a hectic work week, you can do that. If you want to find the spiritual path in the snow clad mountains and the deep pure lakes, i think you could give a shot at that in Nainital. It, as you will find out is an ideal hill station holiday that you and your family have always craved for. To make your travel and accommodation comfortable and safe there, please contact The Other Home.

The Other Home really tickles and aims to satisfy that yearning for a journey to cooler quieter climes with a place of your own for a while or for ever. It is possible now for really having another home for yourself that you can easily find, maintain and make economically workable quite easily. Alternatively you can experience the joy that they offer in the option created by the kindred souls. Check out our website for various options in this regard.