Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shaam-e-Sarhad Resort
I have found that no matter if a person travels independently, with a group, or on a set
itinerary, whatever is on the agenda is different. Today was one of those days. Neither of
us expected lunch at a resort the caliber of Shaam-e-Sarhad in this out-of-the-way area. Not
only do all visitors heading north to see the tribal villages stop here for lunch, but Shaam-e-
Sarhad Resort is also a destination unto itself.
Women were down on their hands and knees at the entrance, spreading what looked like
a muddy-brown paste over the entire floor. It had a strange smell. When we left, I discovered
the "paste" was a mixture of cow dung and water, used as flooring material. This mix not
only turns rock-hard, it also keeps away
insects
. No wonder I smelled "something." Shaam-
e-Sarhad Resort is located in Hodka Village (we'd return later on for a tour), created, owned
and operated (October-March) by their Village Tourism Committee. I requested a short tour
of the rooms and tents before lunch.
Shaam-e-Sarhad Resort has individual
Bhungas
(mud huts with thatch roofs), and tents.
All have attached bathrooms with running water.
Bhunga
rates are 3,000 Rupees/night; tent
rates are 2,200 Rupees/night. Rates include three meals, service, and all taxes. All sleeping
arrangements were beautifully decorated with mirror work, textiles and other local crafts.
An additional plus is the resort's location, only a one-hour ride from Bhuj. Tourists should
consider using the resort as a base for two nights instead of Bhuj,
If lunch is an indicator of the food caliber, Travels With Sheila gives Shaam-e-Sarhad
Resort a big thumbs up. There were at
least
six different vegetables on the buffet table. Dal,
beans, cauliflower, spinach
pakora
(filled, fried snacks/fritters), rice, chapatis, other foods,
and everything was delicious. A gutsy, Australian family caravanning from Barcelona to
Sydney, with small children for one year also pulled in for lunch. (I would have slashed my
wrists after the first three weeks.) Shaam-E-Sarhad must be the only game in town!
