Monday, 8 April 2013

Valley of Flowers

I have never been to this intriguing place but yet it beckons me relentlessly. I read the book with the eponymous title written by its discoverer Frank S. Smythe, a mountaineer, botanist and an explorer.

In the book he recalls how by happenstance he spotted it:

"Dense mist shrouded the mountainside and we had paused, uncertain as to the route, when I heard R.L. Holdsworth who was a botanist as well as a climbing member of the expedition, exclaim: "Look!" I followed the direction of his outstretched hand . At first I could see nothing but rocks, then suddenly my wandering gaze was arrested by a little splashes of blue, and beyond it were other splashes of blue, a blue so intense it seemed to light the hillside...."

Holdsworth writes, "All at once the day seemed to brighten perceptibly. Forgotten were all the pains and lost porters."

Thus the world came to know the existence  of  The Valley of Flowers.

The valley had a profound impact on Smythe as he  wistfully reminisces,... "Others will visit it analyse it and probe it but whatever their opinions, to me it will remain the Valley of Flowers, a valley of peace  and perfect beauty where the human spirit may find repose."

Talk of serendipity!!

Guide to the Valley of Flowers

Trek to the Valley of  Flowers

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