Wednesday 16 September, 2009

Haridwar and Rishikesh - Return


This morning we brushed, had tea , bathed and hit the road towards NOIDA. We planned to have breakfast at the Sheetal Grand. We drove and in about 45 minutes reached Roorke, I wanted a snap of the Name Sign of the Indian Institute of Technology for nostalgia, having attempted the entrance exam unsuccessfully once after my high school. Content with having got the snap we took the narrow road that ran by the Ganges canal. Along the road we passed several kavariyas and took snaps. We drove for about an hour before we stopped to relieve ourselves. Our stomachs were growling! We had to be content eating the plantains that we carried. No sign of eating joints as we were deep inside the country surrounded by farmlands and rural folk

We drove further along the tributary till we reached Cheetal Grand at Khautali only to find it closed. Funny! and disappointed we drove further till Meerut and stopped by Haldirams to have our first real meal. The restaurant was deserted except for a few guests who were waiting for Idli's. The girl just ahead of me at the counter queue was disappointed that the Idli's were finished when it was her turn to order! So disappointed that she was cribbing to me!

After an hour or so we hit the road and drove for about two hours and reached our Guest House at NOIDA at about 1 pm - tired and happy. Its been a mixed bag for me this trip. Missed the shrines but still the sight of Kavariya's was mood elevating. I hope to return sometime to make up for all that I've missed this trip.