When the Call of Kashmir Seals Promises- Parveen’s Thrillophilia Trip Review
If you believe that travelling with family-like-colleagues is no fun, you are wrong.
They were a group of 14 people, including kids, and they were vacationing together. Where to?
The olden and golden, the retro-gen’s favourite,
Kashmir!
It all started from an office get-together in 2021.
These colleagues had struck a pact two years ago that even though they all dispersed here and there, they would surely take a trip to Kashmir together in the year 2023.
Even though some of them could still meet and retain their connections at work as before, for the others life turned out differently. But the magic of time is quite intriguing. Ultimately, they had a scope of fulfilling this pact when one fine day, their WhatsApp group buzzed with a message from the most unexpected member...
Thrilled, and teary-eyed, they revived the pact and within almost a week they had finalised a destination to travel to.
Jannat-e-Kashmir
They were supposed to meet directly at the hotel, thanks to Thrillophilia for arranging all of their stays, transfers, and meals, along with preparing a laid-back itinerary ideal for a family trip.
The criteria were clear- they were there to spend time with each other, to get to know each other’s families, and to simply relax.
As and when the families arrived at the hotel, there was a new kind of celebration to greet them. Oh, that was not a part of the itinerary, it was the role of the forgotten sights that were once a regularity.
Along with loads of happiness lurking in the air, there was also a hint of sorrow. The extreme urge to reverse age was perhaps an alien concept to the kids, but each and every adult could feel it in their bones….
Some were new in the group, but they began feeling at home right after introduction, such is the purity of friendship. The kids were getting to know each other slowly, playing ball in the garden in front of the hotel.
Tours were of secondary importance here, their first priority was spending a fabulous time together…because god knows when such a time would arrive again!
But when they reached Dal Lake to start the sightseeing tour of Srinagar, the sight of the surroundings set their hearts in fourth gear!
The urge to travel was increasing with every attraction they visited. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishant Bagh were stunning, and to speak of the Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden, their minds were blown after seeing the expanse of the garden. No one expected such a vast variety and colours of one species of flower, and it was surely justified for it to be the largest tulip garden in Asia.
They also went to the famous Hazratbal Shrine, paying their respects and perhaps praying for their friendship to last till their final breath.
White Snow and the Golden Meadows
The kids acted stubbornly, doubling up against their parents to get what they wanted. And with humble hearts that grew bigger in Sonamarg, nobody said no to them. So the cars were filled with more packets of popcorn and chips and cakes and toffees, than there were people.
The astounding grasslands around the Baltal lake were so picturesque that they did not feel like leaving the place at all. But alas, there was more to the place. Taking pony rides to the Thajiwas Glacier revealed another layer of Kashmir to them- the one that sang the song of ice and water.
‘Click, click, click, click’- it was the constant sound around the group. Of course, it was a record-worthy moment for all of them. Well, how often do you find a 14-member group of family friends travelling together nowadays?
But, this is not the end, Pahalgam was still awaiting their arrival.
The next day when they arrived there, the pine trees had started to bud. The crystal-clear waters of the Lidder River reflected the encircling mountains and the floating clouds. Seeing this, they started a conversation amongst themselves, about the beauty of a mountainous river.
The rocky beds, the sharp turns, the white-blue hues and the shallow depth were just masks.
Until you touch it, or you wade through it, you do not realise their true nature-
“Fast and furious,
Stopping for none,
Trying to touch her,
Will get your hands burnt”
Said one from behind.
“Leh, her poetry classes have begun"
“Shh, you can't appreciate art”
“Why do you say burnt…the water is supposed to be cold right?”
“Doesn't too much cold make your skin feel charred?"
“Yeah…maybe…anyway, nice poem”
The melee continued till they reached their hotel, and the rest of the day passed like a whiff of soothing air. They sang, they danced, behaving like youngsters…as if time had reversed her steps.
The children were witnessing such a milieu for the first time, and to their surprise, they felt happy to see their parents happy!
There is always a first-time…
Age doesn't matter when your heart and mind are strong.
Thinking just this, some of the members clapped on their skateboards, ready to take a swing down the slopes of Gulmarg! Thrilled to witness so much snow, all of them were enjoying an equal level of excitement.
And what is the point of visiting somewhere so beautiful if you don't even pose like the Bollywood stars in their superhit movies? Haha, how lovely it must feel for them…we can only imagine.
They all clicked pictures of couples, as the romantic ambience of the place was enhanced all the more with the clouds crowding in the valley more and more. As the temperatures dropped and their fingers shivered, but the fire and zeal in their souls never dropped even for a second!
The last leg of the journey was made special with a Shikara boat ride and stay. To wake up amidst the serene waters of the Dal Lake, watching boats filled with flowers and fruits gliding all around, and the spectacular sunrise from behind the majestic Himalayas gracing the morning sight…was delightfully charming.
They all tried pink tea, a speciality of Kashmir on the boat itself, followed by a nice Dum Aloo breakfast. They spent the entire day trying out various regional dishes and shopping their hearts out.
The next day they reached the airport, with each one carrying two more bags than what they initially brought. From wooden boxes to cashmere shawls, they had collected everything that would remind them of this special, and unexpected vacation…
They hugged and bid goodbye, promising to see each other in the office again. Even the children became sad hearing this.
No one likes a reality-check.
But hope is a powerful thing, it can surely do wonders…just like this unexpected reunion!
Read More: Kashmir Thrillophilia Reviews