What do you do after building a wonderful resort like JW Marriott Mussoorie? Well you go ahead and curate wonderful experiences. I was part of the exciting #walnuttrail designed by JW Marriott Mussorie. I visited Bhatoli Village near Mussoorie as a part of the trail. If you wish to see how off beat it is at the moment, go ahead and google Bhatoli!
The Motorcycle Ride to Bhatoli
And I was going to the village riding pillion on a Royal Enfield. I know the riders would scorn that anyone can go as a pillion but this was my first ride on a motorbike on the hills. And I loved it. I loved it because I did not feel motion sickness which is otherwise a constant companion for me on the hills. That and Avomive. A corresponding ride in a car wold surely leave me with some motion sickness if I did it without Avomine.
Being on a bike made me feel closer to the nature. You see the colors more vividly, the air gets into your hair with a greater force and everything seems just at the arm’s length! I can now understand why people get addicted biking. In a car you are somehow insulated from your surroundings.
Also, Uttam Bisht (a JW Marriott employee) who I was riding with, was an excellent driver. I was initially scared about sitting on the bike as it felt quite unsteady with nothing really to hold on to.
But our ride was so smooth that instead of being afraid, I was soon clicking pictures with my cell phone.
The Beautiful Bhatoli Village
While the bike ride was exhilarating in itself I fell head over heels for the Village Bhatoli at the first sight.
The blue houses were a treat to the eyes and then there was corn hanging out everywhere! And you know that I loved a place when I use my own face thrice in the same post!
We were in for a treat at a village home. It was a grand home, as quirky and individual as they make it in the hills. It had two floors with narrow staircases. If you would not be careful you would bang your head against the door!
We sat in the kitchen and chatted with two old grannies who were as curious about us as we were about them. There was a small child in the house who was not sure what all the commotion was about! She would howl her protest intermittently.
The meal had makki ki roti, akhrot ki chutney and kheer (roti made of corn flour, walnut chutney and a walnut dessert too). It was amazing stuff. And this was just a stop gap lunch. Our real lunch happened at the Farm at JW Marriott Mussoorie.
After countless photo shoots as we were planning to return, Chef Suneel wanted to go with Uttam as he wanted to know what was happening for the Farm Lunch.
I refused to get into the car. I did not let him steal Uttam. So, I had a fabulous bike ride back to the hotel as well! For me discovering the Village Bhatoli near Mussoorie was one of the high points of the walnut trail!
PS. The Walnut Trail was a media trip organized by JW Marriott Mussoorie. I was invited for the same.
wow.. nice place and lovely pics. love that kitchen shot. awesome lighting! loved it..
Thank you Meera.
Nice to read your post, Beautiful photos.
Loved the “The Kitchen” pic, Awesome
Thank you Rupam.
Wow the bike ride on those mountains looks amazing. Were they drying corn or any other reason to hang them there?
The bike ride was indeed a lot of fun! Yes they were drying the corn hence it was hanging out all through the village.
Good to see you at riding bullet . Villega is also beautiful.
Manu I was just posing, I was the pillion rider all through but it was fun!
Looks like you had an amazing ride and trip Mridula. Awesome pics.
Thank you Somali the trip was a lot of fun.
Whoaaa!!!! Bike ride!!! Awesome ????
Thank you Archana.
Wow! Seems like a very interesting place. Great pictures 🙂
Thank you Purba.
Superb pics Mridula. The one in the kitchen is amazing – reminds me of one of the award winning ones on National Geographic Traveller. Great capture.
Thank you so much Vibha, you are kind 😀
I belong to doon but never heard about this place. thanks for sharing.
Mahesh next time do go.
The corn hanging everywhere is the actual attraction for me throughout your blog. A real makke ki roti from a rural place has still been a dream for me. The makke ki roti served in restaurents are no-where near it. I like to go places virtually and I did one more place with you on your page 🙂 will certainly google for more info this village. 🙂
I so agree with you on the makka bit 😀
AND you rode a bike WOWOW and that too a BUllet enfield more WOWOWOWWO
beautiful picturesssssssssssssssssss
Bikram’s
No no no I was just the pillion rider! I was posing in that picture!
Beautiful pictures
Thank you Sadhvi.
Nice pics & the view in the video is amazing.
🙂
Thank you Swati.
So what if it is pillion riding if you are up in the hills. 🙂
Thank you for that video. It was nice to hear the wind. It had been a while since I heard the wind; I could almost feel it.
I hope you are having a good weekend, Mridula. 🙂
Thank you Divya, I hope you also had a smashing weekend!
Seems like an amazing place! Great photos. I love the light in the kitchen photo.
Thank you so much!
Village looks quaint and lovely! Beautiful pictures Mridula! 🙂
Thank you both!
Wow I want to go there now! First I thought they were carrots… That hanging corn just looks so beautiful and bountiful! Agree with you – bike rides do have their special charm.
That food sounds simple, wholesome and delicious.
Thank you Chaitali, the village had mostly blue walls and then the yellow corns, they stole my heart!
Lovely! Incidentally that house in Bhatoli is more than a 100 years old 🙂
I have heard about this tour organised by JW Marriott curios to know. Do they arrange cooking with the ladies. What was served in lunch. Curious to know. Can you also share the cost.
For us there was no cooking involved but I am sure if you ask they can arrange. About the cost I was hosted on this trip. I would say write to the hotel and I am sure they will respond.