Kodak Moment for CATS

The adventure of the Kasauli Trek was trespassing into the cottage of one and only, the legendary Khushwant Singh. His son, Rahul Singh ever so gravefully welcomed the CATS in to meet with his father, who was reading quietly in his private and cozy study.

The Father....

and The Son..... with two holy ghosts!!

The Legend meeting with the eldest CATS couple...

None of the CATS can possibly forget the animated chat he had with us for nearly half an hour. He talked about the times when he himself used to trek up from Kalka/Parwanoo to Kasauli or trek down from Solan to Kasauli. Though he claimed to have failing eye sight, but he surely enquired why one of the CATS was wearing so many rings on her fingers!! He can still tell which wild animal is peeping through his window in the mornings. He might have become hard of hearing but can recognise a non-Indian accent in no time. Advancing years might have made the body frail, but the brain beneath that skull cap is ticking away like ever before.

And there was so much more that he shared.... which we refuse to share with the CATS who did not accompany us on this trek to Kasauli!!

Rahul, the caring son, noticed his father getting tired of all the CATS who just kept pussy footing through the door. Politely, he offered to show us around their cottage instead. He kept pointing out the details pertaining to the photos, paintings and furniture around the public areas of their house and answered each query patiently. CATS were finally waived off with an autographed book by the legend himself, Not a Nice Man to Know: The Best of Khushwant Singh. A treasure indeed for the CATS library.

Thank You Rahul for letting us have a peek in your home and allowing us to steal a few minutes from the life of your father. We shall treasure these memories forever.

Supreet.

Photo Gallery.... Jabli - Kasauli Trek

CATS spring a surprise

The Kasauli trek had been full of excitement. As the trekkers were on their way down to Jabli from the heights, as the last telephonic conversation I had with the trek leader, Supreet, they were having a gala time.
And the excitement was well deserved as they happened to walk into the house of noted author and journalist Mr Khushwant Singh and his son, Mr. Rahul Singh, who were there in their home in Kasauli.
Much to their delight they were ushered with great courtesy and respect and all the 20 of them had the opportunity to meet with these two great writers of our times.
And they got one of his latest books, Not a Nice Man to Know: The Best of Khushwant Singh duly autographed by him for the CATS library.
The trekkers included the youngest one being 10 years old and the oldest (nay, the youngest) Mr. D.V. Bhatia.
Congratulations. Meow

Must bring RUCK-SACK for KASAULI trek

Food boxes and water bottle would be handed over to each CAT at the time of registration. Thus All CATS participating in the Kasauli trek would be required to carry their individual packed breakfast box and lunch box with them along with a bottle of water during the course of the trek, as we are going to have both breakfast and lunch somewhere along the trek.

CATS are therefore requested that they MUST BRING a ruck-sack or a sling bag or a bum-bag with them.

A plastic carry would cause more hinderance. Please bring something which you can sling over your shoulders for your own comfort during the trekking. Also bring a little bin liner to carry your rubbish back with you, in accordance with the 'No Litter' policy of CATS.

Supreet

Kasauli Itinerary

Participation Fee on Sharing Basis
Transportation Cost for 32 people: Rs. 140/- per head.
(Cost will go up proportionately if less then 32 members go on the trek)
Packed Breakfast & Lunch Cost & Served tea: app. Rs.200/- per head. So, total approximate cost to pay per member is Rs.340/-
Members to deposit ‘dutch money’ by Thursday, 20th of Sept’07 by 5pm with Mr Vishal Kalia (9988729090) at Chandigarh Institute of Hotel Management. Only those members who deposit the trek fee by the given cut off time/date would be able to join the trek. Since, this is a ‘dutch money’ trip, two meals and tea need to be organized, there is no room for last minute walk-ins. CATS will not be able to entertain refunds either. Verbal, telephonic or email confirmations will not be entertained.

Itinerary
5.30 am Assembly and Registration at Hotel Chandigarh Beckons, Sec.42
6.00 am Departure for Jabli from Hotel Chandigarh Beckons.
8.00 am Reach Jabli and have breakfast at CCD
8.45 am Start trekking from Jabli for Garkhal
1.00 pm Finish first leg by reach Garkhal. Time to have packed lunch
2.00 pm Start on the second leg of your journey by trekking from Garkhal towards Kasauli
3.30 pm Reach Kasauli. Time to have tea and chill pill. Walk to the Christ Church on the Upper Mall Road, Kasauli.
5.00 pm Board bus from Kasauli for Chandigarh
7.30 pm Depart for home.


Trek includes:
1. Transportation to and fro Hotel Chandigarh Beckons
2. Packed breakfast and lunch
3. Tea at Kasauli


Following conditions MUST BE FOLLOWED for the trek
1. No shooting, hunting and teasing of the wild animals, if any.
2. No littering at any stage of the trek.
3. Do not damage the flora.
4. No lightning of fire in the forest area.
5. Trekkers are requested not to make use of alcohol and tobacco on Trekking.
6. Please be prepared to help fellow trekkers in case of need.
7. Please maintain social decorum and enjoy the trek.


ITEMS RECOMMENDED to be taken for the trek
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Umbrellas
• Walking Sticks
• Packed Food/eatables
• Water Bottle
• Waste Bin liners to collect all your rubbish
• Raingear or plastic sheets
• Bandana or a handherchief.
• Hat or Baseball cap.
• Sunblock.

Suggested CLOTHING for the trek• Comfortable walking boots with thick cotton socks to avoid blisters
• Comfortable shorts/track/jogger pants with T-shirts or cotton suits for ease of trekking
• A cap or hat offers shade from the sun
• Small cotton handkerchiefs/towels to wipe your brow

WORD OF CAUTION
Since this is a bit high altitude trek, so we would advise everybody to join this
trek only when they are in sound physical condition. Being a hilly terrain this will
demand some resistance from you. Secondly as we all know that Kasauli is very notorious for unexpected rains so we would advise everybody to be prepared for the thunder showers. Thirdly because of the rains, the trekking path sometimes gets slippery and treacherous, so do expect some slips and falls.

Kasauli Trek

CATS is organizing its second Trek in the wilderness of lower shivalik hills. This time the destination for the trek is Jabli – Gharkal - Kasauli, on Sunday, 23rd September 2007.

On the side of the main highway that connects Kalka to Shimla ; the town of Jabli lies curled along the heights of the first major row of hills. It is from here that we will be starting our Trekking. The Trek will pass through small villages and hamlets. Jabli - Gharkal trek is approximately 6 km and Gharkal - Kasauli is exactly 3 km.

Kasauli town takes its name from the village of Kasul that has since merged with the fringes of the town. Kasauli itself seems to live in a delightful time wrap that belongs to a century now gone. Its narrow roads wander up and down the hillside and offer some of the finest views of the area. Standing majestically above all the lower hills is the peak of Choor Chandni. One vantage position for the views is Monkey Point, which has a temple dedicated to Hanumanji. The town is divided into upper mall and the lower mall, which are lined with town’s old residences. The lower section holds tress of Chir, Pine, Himalayan Oak and Robust Horse – chestnuts and higher up the hill comes the majesty of the Cedars.
The town’s colonial ambience is reinforced by gabled houses with charming facades
and neat little gardens with beds of Geraniums and Hydrangea. The picture is completed by slim paths slide past the orchards of Plum and Apricot.