We didn’t manage to get much birding done on our aborted walk from Gushaini to the gates of the Great Himalayan National Park at Ropa. It was a bit too late in the morning, and I, for one, was too busy panting during the steep uphill sections to do much looking. So we climbed back down, on a “shortcut” which locals take. This is essentially just short of rolling downhill, until we came to a bridge under construction across the Tirthan river. We clambered across this, and climbed up to a motorable road on the other side. Why? Sanjay, our guide for the day, said that we could possibly see some birds about a kilometer higher up. By the time we decided that it was too late for birdwatching, it was midmorning.
Sanjay said there was a tea shop nearby. I didn’t mind some tea, so we walked down there. The pleasant young person running the shop (featured photo) was happy to make us some. In one corner of his shop was a kadhai full of oil and another full of sugar syrup. Sanjay took a look at these and decided that he wanted jalebis. The mix was ready, but the shop owner did not know how to make them. “Another person comes here and makes them in the morning,” he said. Sanjay decided that he was an expert. We sipped our tea while the stove was lit, and the oil warmed up. Experimental jalebis were made. The Young Niece started laughing when she saw the plate (photo above). They looked nothing like jalebis, but I notice that she ate them all right. They were crisp and sweet and tasted like jalebis.
It’s a lovely place. We visited last year, staying at the forestry guest house. Chhoi waterfalls were a treat! 🙂
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Beautiful, but already drawing crowds.
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That’s a pity. When we went there, we were literally the only people around.
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Its bound to happen, but you wish people would take care not to throw wrappers around.
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I wish that wherever I go in the hills…
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😦
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I think I posted a few pics last year…
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This is how jalebis looked when I made it for the first time. 😀 And that was the last time I tried making jalebis at home.
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🙂
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A serendipitous outing. No birds, but a (sort of) jalebi-making lesson instead.
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Yes. The tea was also welcome after all that climbing.
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Ha ha! Fun and memorable experience.
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Indeed. Thanks for the comment.
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Haha….the shapes hardly matter as the taste seems good with your niece finishing it up. Your guide looks like an adventurous one.
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An adventurous cook certainly
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What a wonderful idea, DIY breakfast!
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Yes, that was fun
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