STUNNING EUROPEAN VILLAGE OF "KASOL" -Live for ever , Himachal, India

I looked at the twinkling stars spread on the rolling slopes of Kullu mountains from the lawns of The Hotel Sarvari, Kullu where we made a night halt. I was dreaming. How exciting would be tomorrow, beautiful and mystic, I thought. Yes,from what I heard of.

We left early in the morning on a 40 kms drive to KASOL,a small hamlet tucked away on the banks of Parvati River in the Parvati valley. Kasol was 5kms before a pilgrimage town of Manikaran which was known for hot water springs and the religious shrines. Along the river we drove on a serpentine road- high mountains, rocky peaks with occasional snow capes. Parvati was a turbulent river in a hurry to reach the plains.

Soon we were passing through pine forested hills, apple orchards and gentle slopes to our right.

And we were at Kasol situated at the height of 1800 meters. instead to our hotel, we headed to "The Moon Dance Cafe" for breakfast as Ronnie, my grandson was really hungry. It had a stunning location on the banks of the furiously dancing river Parvati. We ordered fresh bread rolls, scrambled eggs, hash browns and apple crumble, Wow! What a breakfast it was. Satisfied, I looked around-A stunning village amidst the mountains was what I saw!

Being a small place we decided to explore before we do anything else. We walked. We crossed the main river on a rickety, swaying bridge and ambled past apple and peach orchards to a neighboring village. On the way we dipped our feet in the stream.

The village of Kasol was giving me a different feeling. Though a small place, I felt like settling in the village. It gave Most definitely a whole new perspective and a sense of appreciation.

There was another surprise. It was dotted with restaurants like Little Italy, La Pizzeria and Moon Dance Café. The day’s specials offered a range of mouthwatering specialties like pepperoni pizza, hummus, tiramisu, cinnamon rolls and lemon cake. Where were we? Had one of those hundreds of turns on the way magically taken us into a European heartland? Every street side café had groups of foreigners lazily sipping mint tea and nibbling at one exotic looking delicacy or the other.

By the evening we checked in to our Hotel "The Alpine Guest House". Its pleasant pine wood floors and a gorgeous balcony were just perfect, overlooking the Parvati Valley that nestled among the mighty snow peaks.

Next day was spent lazily. We strolled amidst its beautiful orchards. Discovered the fresh green of the terraced rice cultivation. Had our lunch in "The Little Italy". In the afternoon we were fishing for trout. An angler’s paradise, Kasol was an open space by the banks of the Parbati river. Clean white sands and green grass was what made it look a dainty beautiful place. All you need was a license and hours can be spent lolling by the side of the stream, trying to hook a catch.

It would be an understatement to say that time comes to a standstill. Spend a week or a lifetime and go back craving for more. Kasol was not just an ordinary village. It was not just another getaway from this materialistic world . It’s an experience and the sole way to enjoy is to experience it!

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS:

Evergreen Restaurant, Kasol, Parvati Valley:
By far our favorite restaurant at Kasol. Serves a variety of cuisines at very affordable prices. Very vibrant place, loved by the tourist crowd as well. Plays great music, usually of the Enigma, Enya style.
Moon Dance Cafe, Kasol
Very good place for breakfast - fresh bread rolls, scrambled eggs, hash browns, apple crumble and a host of other mouth watering delicacies, all at very good (read cheap) prices.
Hotel Sandhya, Kasol
A nice private hotel with reasonable tariffs. Very tasty Indian food. Limited parking available, but no garden. Location is such that need for garden is really not felt, as there are lovely areas around that can do the job equally well.
Alpine Guest House ++
Village P O Kasol, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India Tel. : (91) - 01902 - 273710
Yerpa's Guest House (91)-01902-273763 has clean rooms



Airport: Bhunter, 30kms. Daily flights from Delhi



Taxi: from Kullu, Bhunter, Manali