Panchgani Will Never Be The Same-No Thanks To Aamir

Originally posted by Kaveetaa Kaul on her blog here

YOU CAN GET MORE INFO AND FACTS ON PANCHGANI HERE

If only ..Life were one l-o-o-o-n-g vacation!

Some of my most memorable holidays have been while in Greece, Australia and believe it or not, Israel. The uniqueness of the people was fascinating. Of that ..another time.

In India, Goa heads the list. For serious fun in the sun..scramble there, without second thoughts.



Another hot favourite has been Panchgani. Proximity to Mumbai, though not the sole, was a determining factor. However, what magnetically wooed us was a quaint hotel “Il Palazzo” with its inimitable old world charm. It seemed right out of British History. Huge palatial rooms, never ending roofs, teak wood panellings and maybe a hundred windows.Oh! so regal, enchantingly antique and classy.

Set amid greenery and well maintained sprawling lawns, shrubs, flowers and landscaping that quietened your mind and filled it with peace, the Hotel served to relax one on all fronts, by its sheer calming influence.

If there was one place that compelled one to totally disregard terms like ‘moderation’, ‘balance’, ‘healthy’, ‘fat-free’, it was this . We made it a point, no, swore to ourselves, to indulge, as if there was no tomorrow, where food-ing was concerned. As if strawberrys and cream was not a bad enough snack opted for at every available opportunity, mealtimes at the hotel were ’sinful’.

Imagine starting the day with a breakfast buffet served right outside your room, individually, on your personal balcony, comprising Mince meat-bread, eggs, ham, bacon, puri bhaji, porridge, marmalade..

And this was just the beginning. Lunch again saw a variety of delectable Parsi dishes, Chinese and Continental fare, alongside kebabs, topped with to-die-for- desserts.

Dinner was equally interesting and devilishly inviting. Menu changed daily, so one was always surprised and eagerly in wait for the chefs newest concoctions. The fact that we headed back home with guilt writ largely on our faces, at the limitless indulging to forbidden fare, is besides the point. What is of essence here is the plaint as to ‘Why do the best treats have to be in direct negation to a weight watchers diet?’

Lately, evenings at Joggers,when the ‘enough is enough’ syndrome took over, had been planning a trip there’one of these days’..but calamity struck via this news. Aamir Khan had recently got married there, which of course was no skin off my back. But the guy had purchased the Hotel!!!!

In other words, No Il Palazzo. Disappointment, agony, pain doesn’t have a face. One doesnt resort to crying, in these circumsatances. Its not done.. you-know-what-I-mean, Adult and all of that. But then how else does one show extreme disgruntlement, regret? Stoically? Maturity can be stifling at times. What I would actually love to do, is shake up the owner ( poor thing..is a delightful guy who always gifted us home-made strawberry jam) and demand explanation. After all, this did amount to playing with the feelings and sentiments of those who had been strong patrons of his supremely enchanting Hotel!! Disenchanted..as of now.

Wisdom often is a handmaiden to disappointments, I believe. Setting my sights on loftier heights is probably what is advisable under the circumstances. For what is finte regret in comparison with infinite hope!

Its not improbable that Aamir offers to invite us to spend a week there…must befriend him seriously..but.. ..No ..it will never work. Some things in life come as a ‘package deal’. How can one incarnate piecemeal ..and the delicacies of parsi cuisine..what of that?

Maybe another Il Pilazzo..in another town waits to be discovered!Or, maybe some experiences are best savoured as memories!