I didn’t expect that my shot in the dark would hit the bull’s eye. I just knew that I had to run away from routine and take a much-needed break. I dialled a few numbers and learnt that a friend’s friend owned a hotel in Ketlighat. Not a hot destination for most, but I decided Ketlighat it would be. I asked a few mates if they would join my family and me. They agreed, which was a relief, for in an unlikely holiday place, one needed numbers to swell company.

Six adults and five kids in two cars set out on a road much travelled — the Chandigarh to Shimla highway — to a destination not much visited. Three-and-a-half hours from Chandigarh and half -an-hour short of Simla is Ketlighat, an idyllic little place, far from the madding crowd of the two more famous ends of the highway.

Night had already descended and driving on the dark, unlit road was no fun. On top of that, we kept missing the landmarks that were supposed to guide us. Thank God for the mobile phone — we were never out of touch with the hotel staff, and finally arrived at the little hamlet of Ketlighat. A collective sigh of relief was quickly followed by another sigh, of despair, as we realised there was a steep climb off the highway staring us in the face. It was midnight and there was no going back. The drive uphill was what was once upon a time just a mule track. It was still one, but only slightly wider —unpaved and full of stones. We were courage personified. We reasoned: How could a bad road deter a group of determined holiday-makers in a Vitara! The spirits got a jolt when, guided by my navigation skills, the Vitara hit a two-foot deep hole bang in the middle of the road with a loud thud and got stuck. Talk of the existence of God! The thud was loud enough to be heard for miles. A group of angels arrived from nowhere and bodily lifted the car out of the hole. Afer many thank-yous, we were on our way again, this time assured by the angels that we were on the right track.

The hotel was a villa still under construction and enveloped in darkness. The only light available came with daybreak.

We were the kings of the place, as not a soul, other than the hotel staff, could be seen for miles around. We went on a impulsive, wild trek, not knowing where we were going. In 25 minutes, we realised we were at a hilltop. After a brief rest, we did some yoga, beginning with pranayaam to catch our lost breath. By the time our little excursion to the hilltop was over, dark monstrous clouds had gathered over our heads.

We quickly headed down but were caught up in a thunderstorm and rain. But we did manage to find a shelter — it was the Ketlighat railway station. By now we were all hungry and gave ourselves a royal treat of hot bread pakoras.

The Kalka to Shimla toy train chugged in. As it stopped, we got in. The ticket checker just winked as the train steamed off. In our hurry, we forgot to buy tickets. We reached the next station, Kandaghat, where we got off the train. We were still wet and cold. There was no point in waiting for the return train. So we took a bus to get back to Ketlighat. Then it dawned on us that we had no money; the little that we had had been spent on the bread pakoras at the Ketlighat station earlier. The conductor was indulgent. He let us be free-riders.

Back at the hotel, there was bad news awaiting us. There was no gas; so there was no food. But by now, we were convinced that our luck would hold, as the morning had proved. We had enough foresight to bring a stove with us. We bought it out of the packing; but there was no kerosene. Another visitor gave us good advice: take out some diesel from the car tank, put some salt into it and use it as fuel for the stove. Wonder of wonders, it worked.

In less than an hour, we had a grand meal of vegetable pulao, raita, salad, pickle and lots of natural mineral water direct from a mountain stream.

Repeat performances followed in the next two days that we spent there, with a little alteration, money in the pocket, camera at the ready, water-bottles, umbrellas and mobiles.

Ketlighat, we discovered, was a good place to be for those who want to experience the thrill of living wild with or without family.