Standard Shimla Stint.. Day2.. Part2..

Ohh did I not tell you we spent more than 2 hours at Kufri.. And if you are wondering what we did.. here it is..

After we came back to the parking lot, our driver, mr.kewalji told us that there is a very good Zoo in Kufri, it is one of the must visit places around 
being the Touristy tourists we were, we nodded, and climbed up the slope to what looked like an entrance to the zoo..
Entry fee was 20 per adult and another 20 for the camera..
Interesting board read "There are 59animals and 54 bird species in there, do not trust people who say there is nothing to see inside".. We should have taken this as a warning, but anyway decided to go inside..



What we saw..
Barking deers.. lots of them..
Brown bears..
lots of himalayan birds.. off course in cages..
Snow leopard..
Snow wolves..

The walk around the zoo is well laid path of tiles.. 












Wish I can click them in wild..




We spent nearly 40mins inside the zoo.. and finally came back to the parking lot..

Next was the Helipad, suggested by Unclejee.. The view were awesome but shortlived as it started to drizzle..




The initial plan was to go to Jakhu temple and then the IIAS.. but with the drizzle, we decided only to make it to IIAS..

On the way, it was still drizzling..






The temperature was still at 5..


We reached IIAS at around 3.45, just in time for the guided tour..


IIAS, is the place where the Viceroys used to be.. The Shimla agreement was drafted here..




Inside.. They just tour you on the ground floor in 3 rooms.. 1 of the room is converted into a museum of sorts..




But I loved the lawns  The presented better photo opportunities..


And the beautiful different flowers around the paths..




this side..


and that side..


Saw some birds for the first time..

the Rufous Sibia..




the Streaked Laughing Thrush..




These guys are really bold, and used to humans i think.. he had no issues with me loitering around..


the Rufous Naped Tit..


the Whiskered Yuhina..


the Himalayan bulbul..


the Blue Whistling Thrush..




Close to the IIAS, is another bird park.. Its a huge shelter where the birds are not caged.. and You are allowed to roam around the birds.. I am not really sure how the birds find it .. 


The Himalayan Monal... Very high on the wish list, but dont think I will be able to click this in wild anytime..


Finally we were nearing sundown.. It did not rain much, but it did spoil our plan for Jakhu.. may be tomorrow then..