This is Avocados Bnb. And here's a little glimpse into all the fun that i had here in my last trip before the lockdown!
The homestay is the newest addition to Uttarakhand's growing list of home-stays in the little lake town of Bhimtal.
Without going into the elaborate details of what my personal connection with this gorgeous mountain lodge is, I'll suffice by saying that it belongs to my best friend who invited us over to spend New Year's at her new lodge.
Run by a lovely local couple called Raj and Geeta Pant, Avocados boasts of a rich 100- year- old history as the lodge has been constructed on the spot of the family's old horse stable. Moreover, it derives its name from a fruit because the Pants love their home farmed avocado trees and are some sort of a local mafia in the region dealing in avocados with people from far and wide.
I was kidding about the mafia part. The Pants are lovely people.
Dont be surprised if you find two large avocado trees on the adjoining land which are over 25 years old and whose fruits I have personally been eating since I was 15.
Avocados gives you every reason to fall in love with it. The A- shaped villa replete with a small dining cum kitchenette, an expansive upper floor surrounded by glass from all sides and a little balcony offering stunning views of the valley across is made to house upto 6 people at a time. And that's the charm of it. It saves you the trouble of sharing the property with another group of people.
The whole structure is lined with teak wood and along with its small fireplace designed by the owner himself, reminds you of a small Scottish lodge from the stories of Enid Blyton.
Things To Do:
1. Wake up to an elaborate breakfast platter served by the family, most comprising guacamole sandwiches, pasta and fresh fruit juice.
We were served the juice of freshly plucked maltas.
2. Go boating, zorbing and kayaking at the Bhimtal Lake.
3. Paraglide at one of the high range points in Bhimtal.
4. Go for a quiet walk in the woods skirting the Naukuchiatal Lake not more than 10 kilometers away.
How To Reach: Delhi to Bhimtal:
Take the morning Shatabdi to Kathgodamn from where you can easily hitch a cab ride to Bhimtal. Or book a cab which will cost you anything between INR 6,000- INR 9,000, which is what we did.
Once in Bhimtal, ask the cabbie to drop you at Badri Bhawan on Naukuchiatal Road. This is the name of the family's ancestral house and is a popular landmark in town.
Trip Cost:
Avocados Bnb is priced betweeb INR 5,000- INR 6,000 per night. We were 5 people so we broke even the cost of stay. Breakfast is served at the property.
Best time to visit:
Anytime post the lockdown! This is one the closest getaways from Delhi!
Meanwhile, start planning all the trips that you can!
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