Sunset Point @ Naddi Village, McLeodGanj

For the record, when our driver dropped us at Naddi village and told us that there is a trail that we can take from there, I was more than a bit skeptical - and not at all impressed, what with all the stalls selling Maggi and Hot Chai crowding up an already crowded place. We started walking a bit reluctantly.

A few steps into the trail we came across makeshift stalls put up by a few young men selling toys and caps and stuff like that. But once we passed that area, the path ahead looked pretty deserted - except for a small roadside tea-stall with its customary stock of Maggi, chocolates, biscuits and juices. The old guy manning it was sweeping the area nearby. We walked on in silence. Up ahead a couple of tourists were taking photos - not of the mist-covered valley below, but of each other! There was the all-important pout-selfie, of course. I have never understood the point of taking selfies. Be that as it may. I just hoped they won't venture further ahead and disturb the peace with their incessant chatter.

Looked like the Goddess of luck favored us that day. Those tourists never walked farther than that. And we got to savor the absolute peace and quite that the place had to offer. There were trees on both sides of the path - the right side would afford cool vistas of the valley below where the mist cover parted every now and then. It took us 15 minutes to reach some kind of Yoga Center at the end of the trail - and its overflowing trash bins that were spilling filth into the valley below :-(

On our way back, the mist had started to rise above the valley and pour onto the path. We stopped just short of the end of the trail to soak it all in. Tired of the noise and pollution of the metros, one really wonders if it would be possible (and practical!) to own a small cottage somewhere in these hills to spend the rest of the life peacefully.

Just then the loud music from the speakers set up by the youngsters we had seen at the start of the trail shattered the tranquility of the moment and brought me crashing back onto earth. I was reminded of what the alien, though in a different sense of the word, says to the US President, in the first installment of the movie The Independence Day - "Peace? No Peace". Very true pal!

I don't know what this place looks like at Sunset - and I will most likely never find out. But if you want to experience absolute peace, even for few flitting moments, do visit this spot.