Magic moments

Today is Thursday, the day we drove to a glamping site Pangarh Lake Retreat and spent the best part of the day. 

The drive (in a jeep) took us through some villages, along broken roads, side by side with many cows and water buffalo and then off road and down a slippery road which looked as though it was old slate slabs. The road took us to a glamping site in the process of being developed on a site over looking a lake. We had a tiki tour of the place then had a lovely relax in rattan chairs facing out to the lake. Peaceful, calm, no one talking and a bloody generator clanging in the background. Otherwise it would have been perfect. 

As we arrived we were given a rose that had a smell so powerful that even with a blocked nose I could smell it. I wanted to bottle the smell it was so good.  

The lake was full of water chestnuts which people out in boats were harvesting. Today I had a camera instead of the phone and managed some cool long distance shots. 

Soon it was time for the cooking demonstration where we watched a guy making a mutton curry. 

Whole spices were first fried off then chopped onions added, chopped pieces of mutton, dry spices, garlic, ginger and water. The whole spices were those that I love; black cardamom, bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon; aromatic and heady. Perfect for a winters eve sitting round the fire, which we weren’t but still it smelled divine and I knew it would taste superb. This dish was originally made with wild boar and was a special occasion dish for the hunter/gatherer people. 

We had another relax whilst waiting for lunch which consisted of: Bati - little fried spiced dough balls which to me tasted like uncooked flour with a crunchy outer and very doughy inside. We also had our bowl of dahl and a few other choices but I was only interested in the mutton curry Lal maas. 

Although the mutton (probably goat) was still quite tough the gravy was just out of this world. My favourite dish so far. Thick gravy with the warmth of the whole spices coming through and filling my mouth with love. I had four servings of it and I could feel my whole body relaxing as if under a spell with each mouthfull. Heaven. Lal maas is my new favourite. 

Another relax and we are heading home again. I got dropped off at the village and went for a wander. It was uneventful but I got to chat with a few kids which was fun. 

Dinner was a buffet. Enough said. But I did enjoy a beer. 

Baggy gave us our Hindu Gods 101 lesson which was really interesting. Id like to hear more about how their faith affects their everyday life but that can wait I guess. 

Off to bed. A relaxing day with an amazing lunch.