Hikkim, Himachal Pradesh, IndiaHikkim : Altitude 4440 mtrs , 14,500 ft
This claim, I am ready to believe.
Hikkim has the highest altitude post office in the world ! Although the Mongols inventd the postal system and the Brits brought it to India, nobody has taken to the post office as much as Indians. Even in this day of email and instant communication, the post office holds its own, at least in rural India. And in the mountains of Himachal it is often the only means of communication. Yes, the Hikkim post office is special.
The drive to Hikkim was truly wonderful. Snow had fallen and there was snow on both sides of the "road" (no asphalt, just mud). I was so captivated by the drive that I kept stopping every 50 mtrs just to stare - and so took forever to reach the village.
Another small village of 200 or so souls, dotted with homestays and absolutely charming , made even more so by the snow all around. Breathtaking vistas. From where the car has to be parked, down to the village street and the post office is a steep path. At this altitude, I was not ashamed to huff and puff for what I would have sprinted at sea level. A few boys decided to show me how it is done by running up and down and giggling uncontrollably at me puffing like a steam engine !
The Post Office was closed when I went and I didn't want to disturb the postmaster who lives in the same house.
Every tourist drags him out and takes the obligatory photo; I decided to spare the poor man. I thought of sending out a few postcards to you as souvenirs, but realised that I didn't have the postal address handy of a single one of you ! Alas, these days, we don't even remember anything. An opportunity lost :(
An enterprising villager had set up a small kiosk near the place where you have to park your car, knowing that huffing and puffing visitors trudging up from the post office might be partial to a cup of tea. I was no exception and sat a good half an hour sipping the hot liquid and chatting with him. He was also selling woolen scarfs knitted by the village women and I even picked up one of it . My first souvenir bought in more than a decade !
Hikkim was memorable.
Vinod
2018-10-08
Is there Radio or TV in the hills..say beyond 1000mts. Mobiles?
indigoite
2018-10-08
@Vinod - There is TV yes, where people have installed a dish antenna. No radio, no internet. Only BSNL works in terms of mobile connectivity, but only in the main towns; not in all villages. Even that is very patchy.
Shachi
2018-10-08
This is breathtaking!! Dang I want a post card from Hikkim! Next time please plan better. My friend Andrew who is from Wales travels often and always sends us postcards. Because of him, my kids ask to send letters and post cards from our travels too - it’s so much fun!!
Anne in Salem
2018-10-09
Beautiful. I'm glad a little huffing and puffing is the only effect on you of the altitude.
indigoite
2018-10-09
@Shachi - I know, I have to plan better. Would have loved to send R & R a card.
indigoite
2018-10-09
@Anne - Yeah, I have been lucky
Sandhya Sriram
2018-10-10
I had a friend in my village who I used to send post cards and Inland letters when I was a child. I used to cramp up stuff on the edges of the inland letter too so as to not waste any space. And then after a week, every day I used to run up to the post man awaiting her response. Some emotions are no longer available to live... Alas!!!
indigoite
2018-10-10
@Sandhya - Yes , we all have these stories, although I would have thought you are too young to have done this :)
Suja
2018-10-10
You are having just amazing experiences! You are at an altitude pretty close to the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc at 4696m! I wouldnt dream of driving in snowy regions without an all wheel drive and winter tyres though...but the roads seem clear so its safe I guess.
indigoite
2018-10-11
@Suja - There is no ice on the road now. Actually its too early in the season for snow and its only on the sides because the rain of a couple of weeks ago has frozen. Very safe. In December, you can't drive here without snow chains and even then roads are closed for periods because of too much snow.