From our research at Indiamike we knew that the Fairydale was supposed to be the best place in Lansdowne. We asked for directions and started walking that way. On the way we also saw the GMVN accommodations. On reaching the Fairydale property we found that it was completely booked. We decided to try our luck at the next best place, the GMVN. The caretaker at the GMVN told us that the same group that was staying at Fairydale had taken the rooms at GMVN too and it was booked solid. So we were left with no options but try our luck at the Mayur Lodge that was suggested as the last option at Indiamike. Of course, we got a room there and they too charged us Rs. 500 for the room, knowing that everything else was booked. Apart from these two, a new one has come up by the name of Blue Pine but it is 3-4 kilometers away from the main city and we did not want to walk that much with the Avomine still taking its toll on us. At Indiamike people also say another resort is coming up 3-4 kilometers away in the other direction, but we came to know about this only after coming back.
Did we learn our lesson from this and pre-book our next trip? You bet not! But the problem is that I really can’t see a next trip (I know this happens so rarely). And how I need it!
I suppose that kind of a situation is likely to be encountered only a few months a year. Isn’t it?
Many years back we made a trip to Niagara Falls during Memorial Day long weekend without making any hotel reservation. City has hundreds of hotels and motels, but we could not get a single room for one night. Finally, we stayed in a shoddy place (trailers converted into cheap motel rooms) and paid $80+ for a bug infested bed. Last week we made a trip to Death Valley National Park, California (yes, we made sure to book lodge/ ranch). See photos here: http://atulks.myphotoalbum.com (Album #2). It’s a beautiful place.
Hello Mridula, Back after a short break. Glad that u found a room. Unplanned trips can be interesting,wont they? We become more skilled i think in achieving what we need. This has happened in few of my trips too and i have learnt how we can adjust to certain surroundings.
Sidhu, no this was off season and no room was available because of three to four hotels and a large group taking all the better ones! Atul, the pictures are beautiful, the last picture has been taken at sunset/sunrise? It is really striking.Ajeya, good to see you back. Yes, I think half the fun of these trips is because they are unplanned to a large extent.