Tuesday, 25th April 2017, Kilbury Road, Uttarakhand, India:

Between 5:30 – 6:00 a.m., our train came to a halt at the Kathgodam Railway Station.

The view from the windows and once we got down was truly something else. The entire topography and skyline had changed – there were no buildings or slums, only beautiful mountains.

The moment we stepped out of the station, hoards of private taxi owners surrounded us asking us of a choice of a tourist destination. Thankfully we had already pre-booked our taxi service and that saved us a lot of hassles.

As we drove up the hills, we rolled the windows down and allowed the crisp clean air of the hills to wrap us in its loving embrace. We made a couple of pit stops – with freshly made masala teas and Maggi noodles by the roadside – while overlooking the hills, the lake, the view of the Naina Devi Temple on the other side of the lake. It was one memorable experience that’s going to remain with me for years to come.

Old time feeling at Kathgodam Railway Station; Photo: Tanya Munshi

The Gaula River seen on our way up from Kathgodam; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

A sneak selfie with the team; Photo: Tanya Munshi

The mountain road winding its way up towards Nainital; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

Along the Kathgodam – Nainital Road; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

Time for a refreshing masala tea; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal

Beautiful view of the mango shaped Naini Lake; Photo: Abhinav Kaushal