Lansdowne

So here was a much needed break from the daily headaches that our family subjects itself too. I have a teenager brother who refuses to follow any norms of the world and ends up getting in more trouble than our family can handle. SO after the major sneaking out in my mom's car episode that happened I thought perhaps we all needed a break from all the fighting and yelling at each other. You see a bit of running away from the wildlife of Gurgaon might calm down the nerves of all the creatures of my crazy family.

The invitation to go to the mountains was extended to my Mama's family due to the presence of similar aged cousins of ours. Ok Saloni is not exactly my brother's age, but he seems to be fond of her. I think my brother just fails to get along with kids his age and is more suited to hanging out with older folks. Anyway we short-listed the various places we could go to and the following list came up

• Manali
• Mcleodganj
• Bhimtal (the oft repeated family holiday destination)
• Landsdowne
• others

The only thing that could make my father excited about a trip to the mountains is the drive uphill and downhill plus the freedom  your own car offers. So another discussion followed where mom wanted us to take a train or any other similar comfortable vehicle. The bumpy ride on my dad's Sumo is a bit difficult to handle for my mom because of her back problems. I suggested we drive the other family car 

The Japanese Garden In pune

It all came flooding back to my memory. Those hours spent in the Archi Studios working on the history of Architecture project on Japanese Architecture. The perfectly symmetrical pavilions juxtaposition with the highly asymmetrical gardens. The various degrees of thresholds created by simply changing the surface textures. Funny how these fancy words just flow through my keyboard the moment I think of this big word called architecture.

 The raw nature of the wood, white pebbles and water. How many a times in my remaining years at the archi studio have I tried to "seek inspiration" from them. The Japani dudes! They v kept my faith in architecture intact. True materials used in their raw and absolute forms in nature.

Anyway it all happened on  26th of June 2013. My parents were in town and we were doing what tourists do in Pune - Site Seeing. I didn't know that the Garden was also on their list of things to do. After braving the showers, a few hours of shopping and a few screeming nieces and nephews, I did land up with the entire extended family of mine in tow at the garden.

So why was it a bit of a let down

1. Its out of the way. I mean its on the way of Singarh fort. So not for SIMC students

2. It has no sources of food and beverages anywhere close to it. So if u land up there, you could die of hunger. (don't take hungry babies with you)

3. Its so Serene that you might be tempted to sleep on the benches but there will be a man with a whistle watching you as you shut your eyes for too long. Yes its meant for the well disciplined lot. No sleeping - No eating - no lying down.

WHY IT WAS WORTH THE TRIP?

1. How often do you come across a natural park that's so well maintained?

2. The fishes are an absolute delight

3. The apvillions are made of real wood!!