Ananda & Narandra Nagar

Whilst visiting Rishikesh over the past few days we drove up and up and up (~1326 m) into the hills to visit the small hill station of Narandra Nagar and have lunch at the world-class spa 

Ananda in the Himalayas.

After the unrelenting busyness, constant noise, and not-always pleasant odours of Rishikesh, it was truly a breath of fresh air to head into the foothills of the Himilayas and drink in the never-ending views, peace, fresh air, and serenity.

The Hill Station of Narandra Nagar 

The town of Narendra Nagar was built in 1919 when Maharaja Narendra Shah moved to the area. It is an orderly little town with spectacular views all around, to the valleys and the hills.

Narandra Nagar Bazaar Buildings

Narandra Nagar Bazaar Guard & Post Box

Driving along we came across this precious herd of Changthangi goats!  I adore cashmere...and well, ipso facto, these are my favourite goats!!

Cashmere Goats - Bless them!

Next we came across a hut in the hills...

Location, location, location is everything in this case

The place might not be much, but just look at the view!

Million-dollar view!

Cheeky!

I'm afraid you can't see it too well, but this mountain hermit is not exactly living off-grid....there is an electrical cord sneaking out of a pile of rocks, up this tree, and directly into the main electrical supply!

Ever the country of contrasts, we went just a little further along the road to the former palace of a splendid Maharaja, presently Ananda in the Himalayas.

 Royal Palace of Narandra Nagar

Walking in from the gates

The Vice Regal Palace's terrace - Tanqueray & Tonic anyone?

The Billiards Room in the Vice Regal Palace

Well, that's a nice option for Sun Salutation...

.....and here's another!

Or perhaps a spot of golf...6 holes to be precise.

Stairway to heaven

I have been driving everyone crazy asking like a child, "When am I going to see a wild peacock and an elephant?" Well, there, just as we rounded the corner to the restaurant was the first ticked off the list! On our drive down after lunch, I saw my second peacock when it flew just in front of our car.

A wild peacock, at last!

Don't I look ridiculously happy perusing the wine list!

Eating out on the deck was beautiful! It was like being in a tree house as we could reach out and touch the jungle canopy. The food was sublime. Splendid company. Perfect wait staff. Peaceful serenity. And wine! (Drinking in the tree house is not just something for the teenagers!) Wine hasn't been easy to come by over the past little while. In fact, The English Wine Shop is one of the few liquor stores I've seen in India, and it doesn't sell wine. And when I requested a glass in a hotel bar, I was told, "Only whisky and beer, madame." Madame was not amused.

A romantic spot to watch the sunset.

I popped into the Boutique, and look who I found: a friend for Little Howda! As I mused over what to call him, eldest son said, "Ananda, of course." Of course.

Ananda - beautifully carved from wood. Sadly, unknown variety.

(Exciting news - we are going on safari next weekend...in a howdah! Yep, on a real elephant!)

Guns at the gate

Looking down from the gates

We spent hours relaxing over lunch in this idyllic spot, and felt as refreshed as if we'd stayed a week. The spa is always in the Top 5 or 10 of all of those "Best in the World" lists. Charles & Camilla were just here a couple of days before.

And I can see why!