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Netarhat trip [2]         [ Upper Ghagri falls]                                                                                                                                            [forest front of Dakbunglow resort] One problem of being the driver of the trip is that while you enjoy driving you are struck with the steering wheel! You cannot shoot your camera as you like therefore, I have very less snaps in this trip. But honestly, the views were so captivating that I often forgot about the camera altogether! The lush greenery and the breathtaking sight of the river Koel winding through the gorge were mesmerizing. It’...

 Netarhat Trip So, four of my buddies, including me and three fellow retirees (plus one who’s about to join the club in six months), decided to zoom off to Netarhat, Jharkhand in my new car! This trip has been in the works for a while, though a few of our original group had to bail for various reasons. Luckily, two of my old college pals jumped right in to keep the adventure going strong! Our pickup plan was a true cross-city adventure! Two friends were at opposite ends of Kolkata, and Firdous was at Kolaghat, a solid 70 km down the route. Then there was Sharma, who needed to swing by CMPDI HQ in Ranchi to wrap up some office work to secure his leave.   The plan was for me to start bright and early at 6 AM, picking up Sharma first. But in classic Sharma style, he let me know that punctuality was optional—any delay was welcome! On hindsight, this was possibly to accommodate Sharma’s morning clearance routine! As luck would have it, my pet Daichi decided his morning walk (and ot...

  One Night at Durgadih Eco Resort It all started with Debanu's suggestion—a simple plan to escape to a nearby resort for a weekend getaway with all our friends. The essentials were clear: good food, drinks for the big boys, and a scenic backdrop to relax in. Since it was a nearby location and just a weekend trip, we expected most of our friends to join. We quickly shortlisted a few places, some only a few tens of kilometers away. However, when I contacted them, the prices turned out to be heavily inflated, and none of the options could accommodate our group size. A quick search revealed that most of the nearby spots cater primarily to weekend family and friend groups from Kolkata, who typically visit for day trips or short week end stays. Their group sizes tend to be smaller than ours, which limited our accommodation options. It became clear that if we were willing to travel a bit farther, we’d find more choices at more reasonable rates. Expanding our search to properties beyond K...

                                                                  **Dooars in Rain - 5 [concluding] Early in the morning at 6 AM, Kuntal woke me up for a walk. The deep forest of Neora Valley at Sultanekhole at that hour was a world apart! Although the sun had risen at this part, its rays barely penetrated the dense canopy. Unknown birds were busy gathering twigs and food, their chirping filling the cool, serene morning air. The interplay of light and shade in the deep jungle, as the sun's rays filtered through, created a mesmerising, otherworldly atmosphere. We crossed the narrow footbridge, where I noticed the crystal-clear water of the thin river below.   Kuntal, standing knee-deep in the water, attempted some challenging poses in the shallow stream. The murmuring sound of the flowing water added another layer of tra...

                                                                **Dooars in Rain - 4** 28/07/24, Our vehicle arrived well before 10 AM. This time our self-appointed navigator, Kuntal, announced that we would head for the government resort at Sultanekhole, with plans to detour to a few tourist spots along the way, including the Chulsa Tea Garden, Samsing, and Rocky Island. The vast expanse of tea gardens begins well before Chulsa. Along the way, Pijush and I wanted to stop and take some photos of the tea gardens, which Kuntal and Debanu strongly opposed. However, Pijush's colorful language ensured that Kuntal didn't push the issue further!   The road to Samsing winds through a picturesque landscape of tea gardens, jungles, and hilly trails. The vast, tranquil tea gardens are a major attraction for visitors who appreciate sere...