A Travelogue

A TRAVELOGUE- DUDH SAGAR

As planned we were all set at the Majestic railway station on 31/10/13 at 9:00, since we didn’t get any seats to reserve for the “TO” journey we had to get into General compartment. We did our best though I, Jyothi and Manasa arrived late. All we did was, we sat in the already held seats by the rest who had arrived early. Thank you guys J . I never knew journey in general compartment would be so fun filled, People fighting , Slippers falling on the people sitting down and they throwing it out of the window . It was awesome J , and I had got a superb company the guy who irritated me every second by asking questions to which I couldn’t answer.

 

We reached the Londa railway station by 8:00 on 1/11/13 in the morning; we had Idlis in the railway station and also got vadapavs packed for the lunch. From there we took a taxi to Castle Rock since direct trains or busses were not available. Please do not pay more than 1000 for the big 12 seater taxi though we were cheated, which we got to know later. From there we started our trek on the railway tracks to Dudh Sagar. The 14km trek to Dudh Sagar railway station was actually tiring, tiring because of the heavy bags. Finally we reached Dudh Sagar railway station at 5:00, and took rest for a while from there its 1km to Dudh Sagar waterfalls, we reached the falls by 5:15 and we enjoyed the majestic Waterfalls. We pitched the tents and we enjoyed in water for some time. Amar anna we are sorry we are collectively responsible for the loss of 2 tents which we left in the trainL.

Later we set up fire and we cooked Upma, Thanks to all those who involved themselves in cooking while the others were playing Kannada game with Amar anna. By 11 everything was done and we slept. While 5 slept outside the others slept in tents. The night was the best. We slept right next to the track and every time the train went we were in shock for a moment. Ha ha ha Pramodh your dream was the best. We woke up at 6 in the morning and got ready to take a dip in the falls. Since the current in the falls was very high in the top we followed Amar anna who took us to a safe place 2km down the falls. The path to this is the right which has to be taken in the dual tunnel right after the falls. We had unlimited fun in the water for a long time. We came back and unpitched the tents. We all got ready for the train from Dudh Sagar to Madgaon. Since we all were tired we decided to take the train rather than trekking 20km more. The train was delayed by 2:30 hours. It was scheduled to arrive at 11:00, but it arrived at 1:30.

We reached the Madgaon railway station at 4:00, and from there we took a big auto to Colva beach. It was awesome fun in the beach. We did the Banana ride, Jet skiing, Para sailing etc. It was awesome. We all took bath in the nearby sulubh toilet and got ready to leave for the Madgaon railway station. Since we had reserved the seats for the 9:00 Vasco-Yeshwanthpur express. We arrived on time to the railway station. But the train was late by 3:30 hrs. We finished our dinner and took rest for a while. While some of us slept too.

The train arrived at 12:15 and we were in our seats by 12:30. We all slept. The train was scheduled to reach Bangalore at 1:30. We enjoyed a lot in the train from 7:00 hrs to 1:30 hrs. We sang, made fun of each other, played Dum shards etc. The experience was superb. We reached Yeshwanthpur railway station at the scheduled time and parted form there bidding farewell, with the promise of meeting in the next trek. The best memory I have of this trek is .......

 

Finally, never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin; to say that you are weak, or others are weak.
Swami Vivekananda

Poojith Prakash

TRAVELOUGE

       TREK TO KUMARA PARVATHA

As planned we (cousins) met at the KSRTC bus stand platform no 17, majestic at 4 in the evening on 29-03-13, though we are relatives, ironically we didn’t know each other well apart from Pramodh Kashyap and chaithra. I introduced myself to all who were present there. I met Satya, Mythrai, Devika, Jo (Jyothi), Swathi and ashwin (my friend). We waited till 5:15 for Amaranth Anna to come, and we left to Hassan at 5:30 noon. A nice bus journey we discussed may things from science, man vs. wild to lectures and jokes with Amar Anna (Amaranth) and others. At 9:30 we reached Hassan and from there we walked to Sathya’s house around 2 km from Hassan bus stand.

A beautifully built house, “I loved your room Satya”. After this we decided to cook food, All the girls in the group prepared chapatti’s, the were too good. We all commented upon it just for fun. Finally we slept around 12:00 and Adithya Anna came home late night too. I and ashwin slept in a separate room, “Thankx a lot Swathi”, you set up the bed for us. We got up at 4:00 in the morning becoz T.T was to arrive at 5:30. We all bathed and got ready for the trek. Of course we made fun of each other. Here two of Satya’s friends Kiran and Uday joined us..

 I am not sure who but 2 people vomited more than once. Around 9:00 we had breakfast at a hotel on the way. We ate chapattis and Upma. At 11:00 we reached PUSHPAGIRI WILDLIFE SANTUARY. We called our parents and told them about the proceedings. We went to the forest office first and took their permission for the trek. A good young officer wished us and gave permission for us to trek.TT arrived at 6:00 and we left for the trek. Around 8:00 we drank tea and coffee. Journey in TT was fun, especially satya’s and girls dance. Girls singing was good too

We started our trek with an aim to reach peak by 5:00, With Amar Anna’s guiding we started our trek. It was simply superb and stupendous. I loved every second of this trek. We had fun at every stage. As said by experienced trekkers, yes it was a difficult one. Especially the slopes and rock climbing part. Heavy backpacks made it more difficult. There was no water source from base to KP peak. With difficulty of luggage we managed to reach KP peak by 5:30. We helped each other at every part of the trek. We were a group of 8 boys and 6 girls.

After we reached peak we were very tired, we had no water left with us to drink. Here we understood the “VALUE OF WATER”. But before we could do anything I, Satya and Amar Anna took up the initiative to pitch the tent during this time we sent ashwin and Kiran Anna to search for water, we asked all the others groups which had come for the trek but all said there is no water source. But I am proud to say that our group found water source about 1.5km from KP peak towards kukke subramanya our greatest achievement. During this time we had a great sight of setting sun. It was awesome. We could see clouds touching us. I felt as though the clouds kissed me when I stood stretching my hands. After this one of the greatest challenge we had was to find the fuel wood. We couldn’t find dry wood anywhere. And it was dark too. Amar Anna, Ashwin, Varsha and I went in search of fuel wood. After an hour of vigorous search we managed to find some wood enough for us to cook Maggi.

We prepared ourselves to cook food. Amar Anna and Varsha took up the initiative. Due to harsh wind, keeping the fire on was a difficult task. Thanks a lot to the entire group. All made a wall with Pramodh’s bed sheet. I helped them in cooking. We had fun here too. My mom called me while I was cooking and Amar Anna made fun telling I am not doing anythingJ. But later he spoke to my mom and told I was cooking tooJ. We cooked enough food to fill our hunger. During this event the sight of Chaturthi Chandra was awesome. While some people slept, Amar Anna, Varsha, Mythrai, Devika, Ashwin, Adithya Anna and I played Antakshari till 12:00. Hmm girls gave up and went to sleep… NO! NO! … We actually trapped them. They said it’s late and we said go and sleep so indirectly we won!!

While it was very cold outside 5 boys managed to sleep in one tent, Including Amar Anna who joined them later after keeping a watch on wild animals. Satya, Adi Anna and I slept outside. I couldn’t have slept without my Sleeping Bag, Thanks to it.

We got up early and prepared to start our trek back. This time we put another camp fire, To lite it up we used Pramodh's torn "PANT".... While we overwhelmed the sunrise all prepared to trek. We unpitched the tent and packed everything. We started our trek to Kukke Subramanya around 8:00 in the morning. By 8:30 we reached water source and all were hungry. I told all I have 2 packs of cup Noodles, a ready to eat Halidirams bhel and 2 big kurkure packs. And others had 6 Buns this served as our Breakfast. We first prepared Maggi and served it then we ate buns with Maggi soup (As coffee). I prepared a cocktail out of the Halidirams bhel and 2 big kurkure packs everyone loved it! Didn’t you guys??

After the Breakfast we continued our trek. The Best part of the trek was when we reached SHESHA GIRI peak. We clicked many snaps. While we were a bit back, Amar Anna told us he saw snake and when we ran we realised that it was a prank, He wanted us to be fast so he had pranked us. Here Amar Anna enacted  as VATAL NAGRAJ :-) ha ha ah it was awesome. When we left the peak Pramodh’s leg was hurt badly. So Amar Anna, Adi Anna and he stayed back. They said they will meet us in Bhattara mane around 10km from this peak. Our next halt was at Kallu Mantapa. We enjoyed a lot here. Hmm I remember me being KrishnaJ. We spent 45min of our valuable time here enjoying every bit possible and left to Bhattara mane. After a few km of walking I saw some natives running down to the base. This filled power in me and I ran too. Here Varsha joined me, we said let’s do in and ran to reach Bhattara mane. We shouted loud when we reached a view point, but we didn’t get any reply after some running we were at a house, we thought it was Bhattara Mane but when we asked them they said it was the forest Dept. Office. Here we saw Chepekai trees (don’t know what they call Chepekai in English). And we were tempted Varsha climbed a tree to pluck juicy Chepekai. The fruits and even raw Chepekai were very tasty. We missed route a bit, but we managed to get the route back and reach the next View point. Without stopping here we reached Bhattara mane by 1:00. We waited for others to join us too.

Others came in too and we heard chaithra was injured during the trek. We all had our lunch and waited for Amar Anna, Adi Anna and Pramodh to join us. They joined us by 2, we welcomed them with Neer Majjige. I felt really sorry for them they were very tired carrying heavy luggage. But here their thirst was quenched with water and food. Here all understood the “VALUE OF FOOD” and none commented on it.

We continued our trek at 3, with sharp eyes we kept close watch on every movement since the officer at the forest department instructed us to be very careful because the further path was prone to elephants. We all discussed to be together and we silently continued our trek. We rested a wile at different places. At Bheema’s rock Amar Anna cracked jokes it was awesome there. Since I was in the front with Uday Anna, Kiran Anna, Varsha and Jyothi we had great fun discussing about Driver-Conductor etc. Especially the story narrated by Varsha about PRACHANDA PISHACIGALU was awesome. “Hope u continue reading it Varsha”. By 6:30 we reached the base, we took a group photo here. And by 7:00 we booked rooms in a lodge to take bath and leave for Kukke subramanya temple. At 8 we left the lodge and went to the temple. A great procession with the elephant was there inside the temple. We peacefully saw god. This was the best moment. After this we sat outside the temple for a while and ashwin, chaithra and I decided to leave because we had already booked tickets to Bangalore for 9:30 express bus.

I had the hard moment of my life here, bidding them was hard. I remember every moment I spent with them. It’s very sad that the time has passed fast. I MISS YOU ALL. HOPE I MEET YOU ALL SOON.

THIS WAS THE BEST TREK I HAVE EVER DONE THIS WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ME ALWAYS!!         

I AM SORRY IF I HAVE HAVE HURT ANYONE IN ANY WAY ! PLEASE FORGIVE ME AND DO COMMENT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION