Namaskar Loves, no, I have not ditched my cooking segment, neither any of you who are my ardent fans of my recipes. Just that, gosh, let me not start again, on being fully occupied with my time. No need, and lets get to the recipe. Plant Based/Vegetarian Tofu Rendang. To tell you the truth, I'm a major, massive lover of tofu. I love, love, sincerely love tofu. Affordable, for the varies types of tofu as well and tofu, easily converted to a dish. However, bear in mind that, tofu by itself can be rather bland. Henceforth, we need to uplift the taste of tofu alongside other ingredients. Neh, not a major brain cracker and for the ideas, please refer to these recipes of mine - Vegetarian Tofu Sambal, Mapo Tofu, Tofu Katsu, Masala Tofu& Tofu Curry.
Once
I dismounted from the horse (SHIMLA - CAPTURING NATURE'S LOVE), the guide shared his number for arranging the ride
back down the hill. After waiting for ten minutes and seeing no sign of the
rest of my tour group who had opted for the ride, I decided not to wait any
longer. I paid the entrance fee and began my trek up the uneven path.
As I
ascended, the challenge became evident - each step tested my endurance and leg
strength. Halfway through, I found myself questioning whether to push forward
or turn back. Despite the struggle, I continued, passing stalls selling various
local products on both sides of the path (PRETORIA MOMENTS & CAPE TOWN MAGIC).
While my interest in shopping wasn't
particularly high, the allure of local bites and drinks was hard to resist.
However, observing food vendors handling items without gloves in such a dusty
environment gave me pause. The lack of covering for the food at these stalls
added to my concern.
My walk eventually brought me to what seemed like the viewpoint (KATAGARAMA SRI LANKA) at Mahasu Peak, where I hoped to catch an overview of Kufri or even Shimla. However, the area was packed with locals who showed no signs of moving. Waiting for my turn seemed futile, especially considering the time constraint to rejoin my tour group, so I decided to return to where my guide was supposed to meet me.
After waiting for 20 minutes with no response to my calls, he finally appeared, casually taking photos as I called the horse "Darling." He corrected me, revealing the horse's name as "Raku." Oh, the innocence of it all! I thanked him profusely with a namaskar and a token before we embarked on the ride downhill.
Back
in the van, we switched vehicles midway and eventually reached Jakhu Road by
4:30 pm, missing out on visiting the Shri Hanuman Mandir and Christ Church as
per our itinerary. Despite this, hunger was gnawing at me after climbing steep
steps, and all we could find was Cafe Under Tree. Quite a surprise! Famished,
we indulged in a mix of Western and Indian vegetarian dishes - Mushroom Fried
Rice, Vegetarian Biryani, and Manchurian Kofta - all delicious and reasonably
priced.
Satiated,
we returned to the hotel where the experience of bucket bathing added a
nostalgic touch to our day. Seated on a stool, filling the bucket and using the
scoop brought back memories of simpler times, reminiscent of my childhood in
Jalan Chan Ah Thong Brickfields government quarters. A classic way to end my
adventurous day in Shimla.
Waking
up (UTTAR PRADESH), oh-my! I realize that I am in Shimla. Shimla is like a love name for me,
just like how I felt when I was in Jaipur and also Agra. Shimla, nestled in the
serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, holds significant historical importance as
the former summer capital of British India. Established in the early 19th
century, it served as a pivotal center of colonial administration and cultural
exchange, reflecting the grandeur of Victorian architecture and British
influence. Today, Shimla stands as a testament to its storied past, attracting
visitors with its cool climate, panoramic vistas of the Himalayas, and a blend
of colonial charm with vibrant local culture. Its enduring appeal lies not only
in its historical significance but also in its role as a picturesque retreat (SURAKARTA HEARTBEAT & BOROBUDUR ETERNAL LEGEND).
