Jared ventures away from the city, and drives the striking Hyundai Elantra on a wonderful journey up to the clouds
The monsoon can’t be fully enjoyed in a crowded city. You really don’t get a sense of the magnificence of this time of the year when you’re trapped in an urban jungle. You need to get out there in the real world, where nature displays all its marvels and wonders. On that note, I decided to take a trip up to Shimla to get a grip on reality and to rejuvenate my soul. In my hand were the keys to the Hyundai Elantra, the perfect car to carry me down the highway and up the curvaceous mountain roads – to a place that was once the summer capital for the British.
The roads leading to Shimla are good, and the highway up to Chandigarh is all more-or-less six-lanes now. Luckily for me, then, the Elantra is a brilliant highway cruiser. It’s perfectly stable at high speeds, so not only does it have plenty of power to pull you toward your destination, but it’s also comfortable and relaxing as well. As I reached the lower foothills, the roads became smaller and the holiday rush was in full effect. The mountains are always so very welcoming though, and the dense forests were in full bloom thanks to the rains. My eyes were constantly focused on the immense thick forests, as I effortlessly passed through each locale. The rain just didn’t seem to stop, and when you’re up at over 3,000 metres above sea level, you’re actually driving in the clouds – and these were dense monsoon clouds. Only for brief moments would the clouds make way for the sun to shine down on the hills. It really is a sight to behold when the skies do part, and you get a glimpse of the valleys below, as the lower clouds appear to be smashing into the mountainside and taking new form.
Apart from the main city of Shimla, the areas surrounding this magnificent hill station are very scenic and beautiful. Places like Chail, Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehera are less visited, and, therefore, more alluring for nature lovers and peace seekers. The roads are also very impressive and driving around in the Hyundai Elantra through the forests and into the clouds was an especially gratifying experience. On one occasion I managed to spot a pair of foxes calmly crossing the road. There is indeed a bit of wildlife here, as the forests are well maintained and protected. There is also a beautiful golf course in Naldhera that is over 100 years old, and is maintained by the army.
If you want to visit the main city and get a little taste of history, then heading to the Mall in Shimla is your best bet. You can’t take your car into the city, because there’s no space. So, after parking the Elantra and taking a short trek up the hill, I reached the Mall. It was rather crowded and dotted with magnificent neo-gothic styled buildings built by the British. The Town Hall and the Town Square are lovely, and this is a great place to hang out. On the other side of the Mall is one of the oldest Churches in the area called St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and from here you can watch the sun set behind the vast mountain ranges.
The entire time I was up in this hills, it was raining and misty. If there were ever a place to really enjoy the monsoon and witness all of its might and glory, this would be it. The Hyundai Elantra proved to be the perfect car for the perfect journey. As I cruised along the mountainside and through the mist, it almost felt as though I were floating in the sky.
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