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mountains leave an indelible
impression on one's mind. The modern bungalows,
malls and well laid gardens which are located
on the small hills around the area are enough
to attract any tourist.
The central point of the town
is the Mall road. Hours can be spent strolling
along this swaying road which runs along the
hilly edges of Mussoorie. A town set in layers
of winding roads against a hill slope, your
curiosity will be aroused to examine every nook
and corner for any possible hidden surprises.
Local entrepreneurs who have
installed telescope-like devices invite you
to look through these for a panoramic view of
the surrounding hills. Summer resorts of celebrities
and the residence of the author, Ruskin Bond
are pointed out as places of interest. A ropeway
with cable cars takes you all the way to Gun
Hill. Gliding through the hills, suspended
mid-air in cubicles which will offer you a 360
degree view of the sky, the mountains, and the
sheer drop below, you find food stalls, trinkets,
and the queer practice of various costumes -
ethnic Indian, uniforms and peculiar attire
including false moustaches and beards being
hired out to enthusiastic visitors who put on
these and model for photographs atop the hill.
Back on the Mall road, as tourists
gather around, and ponies trot up the road,
hear the pines rustle in the background. The
mind races to the innumerable ghost stories
associated with far away hill stations, the
faceless apparitions, the doors that creak unexpectedly,
the graves of restless souls; all creep into
your imagination. This is just the beginning
of the excitement for those in search of specters
and graveyards.
There are a number of walks
and treks in and around Mussoorie. For those
who do not take to the irrational, the walks
are enchanted roads through beauteous nature,
leading to breath-taking spots such as Clouds'
End and Kempty Falls.
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