Summary:
Cloud End Estate, is an exotic hill resort in Mussourie, near Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal (a North Indian State). The article captures the ambience of the place and its captivating effect on visitors. Photographs included.

Details or Sample:
When I first heard of this place, I could not believe it. A place so close to Mussoorie, a typically crowded and over exploited Indian hill resort, and yet relatively untouched! That was when I decided to check it out. And what a surprise it was.

Cloud End has an ambience, which very subtly brings to the fore that it is not a place for the cool hip vacationer. If you want a break from the humdrum of city life and want to come to a nearby hill resort, play loud music, booze till late and generally chill, then this place is certainly not for you.

After all which resort in the world would exhort you to "Please Keep Silence"! Yes, there is actually a sign board which says that! And yet, after a while it becomes easy to see why. One actually feels like talking in whispers, so as not to disturb the silence. After coming here I finally realised what Simon & Garfunkel meant when they sang the Sounds of Silence.

The place is for the person who is looking for time-out from the ruckus and chaos of the modern day, car-honking, music-blaring, cell phone beeping and deadline meeting routine. For a person seeking to recharge his batteries without falling in to the traditional rut of motel, channel TV, restaurant and shopping sequence.

The place is maintained by both mules and the trusty Gypsy of Mr Agarwal, which has a trailer, attached to it. Because the closest market is Mussoorie, and carting provisions costs money, the food is slightly expensive, but the price is worth the ambience.

The resort is essentially an old bungalow built by Maj Swetenham on the estate he received as dowry having married country lass in 1838. Four generations of the Swetenhams grew up here before they left for the greener pastures abroad.

The resort (if you would still call it that) is nestled between two mountain ridges, the Bhadraj and the Benog. The Benog has recently been notified a Wildlife Sanctuary thanks to the efforts of Mr Agarwal.

The ever-elusive Mountain Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa), alias the Himalayan Quail, presumed extinct and last seen around 1890, is said to be found around this region. An artist"s rendition of this bird adorns the door of his Gypsy and he has also adopted the bird as a mascot for his calling card. Although no one has seen it since the last recorded sighting, local birdwatchers still hope for a re-discovery, akin to that of the Jerdon"s Courser in Andhra Pradesh in South India.

Quails apart this place is a treat for bird watchers. The most common sightings are of the Red-Billed Blue Magpie. These gorgeous birds with ornate long black, blue and white body with white-tipped tails can be found in the garden of the resort itself. Their bright orange-red beaks contrast with the rest of the colour scheme giving them a resplendent look, which sends onlookers into raptures of delight.

Also found abundantly are the Himalayan Barbet and the Blue Whistling Thrush and several other species of smaller birds requiring a more detailed study for identification.

Pristine Deodar and Oak forests, offering good cover to many species birds, surround the entire region. A good pair of binoculars and a field identification guide to birds is essential.

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:
Usage:	$35	[Add to Cart]
Unique:	$120	[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: D Mitra
Available File Types:Text
Words: 1085