Page 47 - RCI-FlipBook-pacific

Written by RCI Associate: Olivia de Vera
Call Centre Team Leader, Member Services
Lush greenery, clear blue skies, crisp morning air and endless mountain folds are just some of the things I imagined North India to be. When I arrived, it was exactly that and more. This was my second trip to India and people are still asking “why India?” in bewilderment. But my reasons for loving this destination just kept multiplying.
Before my first visit to this wonderful country, I read that India is a feast for all your senses. Its colours, sounds, smell, tastes and texture do not timidly greet its visitors — everything rushes in when one least expects it. And that is one of the charms of India. You’d be surprised, shaken, amazed, and wondering why you put off the trip in the first place.
But North India is somewhat different. We felt it when our domestic flight landed in Chandigarh, when the cold mountain air touched our faces. We felt it upon arriving at Kalka and boarding the Toy Train, skirting around the mountain and going through 102 tunnels, 800 bridges and 900 curves. We felt it the minute we reached Shimla town.
North India is as colourful and interesting as the main cities, and yet more laid back – as if allowing its visitors time and peace to admire the beautiful nature it is blessed with.
I stayed in one of the RCI resorts called Toshali Royal View in Shimla, on one of the many hill stations in the Himachal Pradesh. The property lies outside the Shimla town and its backyard is a lush pine tree forest, with endless mountain ranges as backdrop. During January to February when the
winter season is at its peak, the whole place
is covered with a blanket white, with pine trees dusted in snow — it is easy to imagine stumbling into Narnia. Each unit in the resort has a balcony with a breathtaking view of
the pine forest and mountains. The resort offers hiking tours that brought us down an enchanting path through the pine forest, the apple orchard, and some small villages.
Travelling to Shimla town is an adventure on its own, for we had to drive along very scenic winding roads with the occasional sightings of yaks. Shimla town is very clean and it was relaxing to walk around The Mall, stopping every so often for a comforting
cup of masala chai. Get lost in the trinkets on display at The Mall, with its local shop
houses, tea stalls, restaurants and cafes. The prices are only a fraction of what you get in big cities. I couldn’t resist the many beautiful colours and patterns of pashmina scarves, and packed home over a dozen!
Overall, it was a very tranquil vacation — just the perfect cap after our adventures in New Delhi-Agra.
STAY
RCI AFFILIATED RESORTS IN INDIA INCLUDE:
Toshali Royal View #3823
The Himalaya Mountains offer a stunning backdrop to this mountainous retreat, surrounded by rich pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Situated only 15 miles from Shimla, Toshali Royal View has easy accessibility to Chail, Kufri, Naldehra and other points of interest. This resort features a movie theatre, children’s recreation centre, sauna, conference facilities and a multi- cuisine restaurant.
ENDLESS VACATION 45