Camping.Trekking.Wanderlust.LIFE !

Even at the cost of reiteration and pretext of being finicky at all times I hereby would reinstate my views. The most beautiful things in life almost always come for free. This was the note on which I planned the said trip itinerary of mine and this was precisely the affirmation that came out of it. Seclusion. Roads less traveled. Non-touristy circuit. Midst of forest range. Friends and Long Zoom camera for company. Bliss.So while the weekend before last was spent amidst the frothing serenity of Kashid, with family; this was the weekend of sheer adventure, thrill and fun unbound as 6 of us,office colleagues, backpacked and drove down to Lonavala for a camping cum trekking trip to Rajmachi Fort. Before I start this travelogues, let me put a word of thanks to oh so wonderful Abhijeet & Maansi from Letscampout - a team that organizes such camps for wanderlust driven souls like ours. 

So, having reached Lonavala (which infact is just over 75 minutes drive from my part of the city) we took an SUV cab to Rajmachi. I somehow have become an unofficial trip planner for my department over past 1 year but then this time even I wasn't very sure of the whole rendezvous as there was no prior evidence of success. Blank but excitedly we disembarked at Village Rajmachi and headed to our campsite. Amazing comfortable camps awaited our arrival but we wanted some action so after an awesomely sumptuous lunch we took off for a casual walk to the cliff and then to the nearby lake. A lake crossing session was organised for us and while it tested stamina, it nevertheless was good fun. Back to camp site a barbecue and campfire was organised and it was further corroborated by spooky tales we discussed. This followed by a (mid) night trek - lit only by solar lanterns was worth every missed beat. And the best part, after so many years I could actually see so many stars in the sky and crescent moon all so close to us. Silence is the best healer and that was evident from the all-so-cheerful conversations. Was wondering all the time if this was all in some way lost courtesy our work, routines, life.

After a slightly disturbed sleep (imagine sleeping in the middle of a forest with monkeys climbing over trees and dogs sniffing around. Add to that news of a wild boar hunted down in the vicinity in the evening) we got up to a clear 'n chilly morning. After freshening up we headed for a trek to Rajmachi fort which is considered as second most difficult trek in Maharashtra (not really!). 2 hours and gallons of sweat later we left from the campsite to Lonavala.

It was all very rejuvenating and the silence was so connecting to self that while driving back, honking of horns was a pain to ears. Back to the rut, I was feeling completely out of place and completely out of sync. Having said that, I feel light, determined and so much more willing to take up another excursion soon. Very soon. So next weekend I am off to MP for some tourist thing coupled with relative-bonding. 

If only time could just cease to tick whenever heart is at bliss missing beats ... if only ...

Kumaon Sojourn & Psychic Travelogue ...

Been some time I wanted to upgrade my Camera and the impulsive person I am, waiting for someone to come from US to get it for me was absolutely a no-deal. So while the new camera is again a point & Shoot one, it suffices my requirement of playing around with scenes and colors ... 

One reason of why I love my organization (alas ... will be qualified for gratuity next April) is the concept of 10 working days' compulsory stack-leave which translates into minimum 16 days of off-days. This means I can play around with any new vocation while at it. This time around it was a trip back home coupled with a road trip through Kumaon Garhwal. 

Ok. I have no qualm in admitting that Tihri & Pauri are way much more beautiful and absolutely breathtaking but then even this trip wasnt too bad. Infact it allowed me to step back and contemplate, slowly-rejuvenate and above all facilitated connection with the self;if I may say so. Strangely it wasnt very satiating for someone who has walked all the way to Gomukh during one cold October. But never mind. Every place is distinct in its own way. Thats what my sojourns have taught me.

Birds of Feather !

A drive past Haridwar provokes senses like nothing. Watching migratory birds sitting on rotting tree trunks was a catalyst in my perpetually oozing thought process;the most prominent being why I moved from Delhi to Mumbai. Something that I still need to find answer to. Was it all worth it ? Maybe for someone who believes in the eventual good in all instances still needs to see the merit that has gotten accrued. 

Choices !!!

And then life is all about the turns we take;the choices we make. There are times when I wonder if life would have had been different if my choices were based on different stances and the answer is vehemently affirmative,always. And I am not talking about professional choices here. I am talking about the psychic and personal choices. I am not being judgmental thus would refrain from drilling further but thats' my strongest learning over the past few years.

Ekla Chalo !

Then there is the innate fun of treading unknowns, alone. I mean yes I am absolutely social but then serenity,peace of mind is something that I can only experience when I am on my own. So,when I am high or low or whatever phase,all I need is to be alone. During engg it used to be closing myself down in my room and reading/writing poems; It was in MBA I discovered the soothing effects that walking has on me. Something I love till today wherein a daily walk of 6-7 kms is an everyday ritual. Alone... Even today I travel only during off seasons to all tourist places. Somehow cannot survive too much of activity. Get tired,phased out.

Doors to Heavens

The most irritating habit of mine then (for my closed ones ofc). I just am not religious. I just cant stand overt display of religion. Ok,to clear the air it doesn't mean that I am anti-religion or sort. I am absolutely Ok with it but then unfortunately I cannot connect with One supreme being. I somehow see Him in so many things. There are times when I cross my heart at a milestone or a beggar on street and then there are instances wherein I have traveled all the way to Yamunotri & Gangotri and haven't even stepped inside the revered shrines. This particular mosque at Nainital drew me,aesthetically.

Focus !!!

Focus. Believe that is something that had remained my core strength all those years,till MBA happened. I know.Strange but that is how it is. Admittedly, today but for a few brilliantly loving relationship(s) I got out of my B-school, there is nothing that matches the overall development of my tenacity and robustness at Engineering college. It was at Engg that I learnt to value the most obvious chords of life - Friends for that matter and Focusing on the priority items. This pic strangely reminded me of me-then. Giving even a damn to the environment and only looking forward. Today its just so different.

Beauty lies 'within' the Beholder

Finding beauty in everything we do. How often do we make an attempt at peeping through the wall and throw an appreciative glance at the fiercest of our competitors ? This pic... This pic is nothing but a calibration that came out of continuously hitting auto-correct in Microsoft Office Picture Manager. Before that it was a very very ordinary pic. How many of us hit self-correct options with this kind of vengenace and more than that accept the need to hit that button in the first place. Strange. Life is the simplest riddle of all. Provided we are simple and grounded enough.

I realize that I started with a very different notation of putting up this post but then no point going back and making amendments. It has gone into an entirely different dimension of my least favorite subject - Philosophy ... But then it happens all the time. And at least for a change let me accept it gracefully :-)

So long ...

Ramya,Prabha,Me

PaanchJanya