India

Dilwalo ki Delhi, My Tryst with Delhi

“We are facing heavy turbulence, kindly fasten your seat-belt”.

My nap was interrupted by the captain misusing the microphone. After a sleepless night, the early morning flight had given me a chance, though a short one, to compensate the bodily needs. However, my nap did not resume when I glanced across the window. Dissecting the black clouds, my flight was now 15 minutes away from landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

Some of my best friends hail from Delhi. They always preached about Delhi’s attributes during my post-graduation in Goa. Instead of enjoying the Goan seafood, they would sit nostalgic and miss Delhi’s “Aloo Parathe”. The discussions involving Delhi always fueled my curiosity about the city. Hence, I decided to roam around in the capital and verify their claims about Delhi.

I reached Delhi Airport and was exhausted, thanks to the sleepless night. I was also irritated by the stupid jokes a Gujju group continuously cracked. I agree that I would have appreciated the jokes, had I slept well. I opted for a direct taxi to Gurgaon, instead of tracking down the connectivity of Delhi Metro.

When I reached a friend’s place, I was planning to bargain more with the taxi driver. However, his taxi bumped into a pole and he was shocked by the shattering of the rear window pane. He abused his own carelessness continuously. His abuses reminded me that I was in Delhi – NCR now.

After catching some sleep, I boarded Delhi Metro to meet another friend at Rajiv Chowk, the ‘Dadar’ of Delhi. The Delhi Metro was indeed impressive. It had an amazingly well maintained infrastructure. In an argument between Mumbaikar and Delhite, a Delhite can always conclude triumphantly by saying “We have metro, what do you got?”A Mumbaikar might retaliate well after some years when Mumbai metro would be running.

I met my friend and reached central park. There we witnessed a couple engaged in a row with the female security personnel, over a minor issue like bag checking. There were non-stop exchanges of typical Delhi abuses. The guy from the couple showed authority which he was totally unworthy of. I hope he realizes that there are better ways to impress her girl. You don’t need to fight with a security personnel who is just doing her job.

After spending time at Central park, Connaught place & Janpath market, I went to my friend’s place to relish delicious, home cooked, “Aloo Parathe”. I endorsed the nostalgia a Delhite would feel when not in the city. Goan sea food can’t compete with the “Aloo Parathe”.

The next day was well spent admiring different monuments. For lunch, I had the best Italian cuisine ever at Big Chills, Khan Market. It was followed by a coffee at United Coffee House, a class in itself. The day ended by watching “Iron Man 3” and celebrating Teacher’s day with the friend in Gurgaon. If you know what I mean!

Finally, I left Delhi, only to come back after a month. I headed towards my next destination, Dharamshala. As the bus engine hummed, I realized what I would find in Delhi after a month. I would encounter nerve wrecking heat. So, I was happy that before returning to scorching heat, I will spend one month in mountains.

As the engine humming changed into roaring, I started watching the Punjabi movie being shown by the bus. The boring movie helped me and I slowly drifted towards sleep, while the bus, towards Himachal Pradesh where I would be staying in Mcleodganj.

Humayu’s Tomb, Delhi

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

October 25, 2023 3 comments

Goa Mumbai

From Goa to Mumbai!

written by Umang Trivedi

Finally the train arrived. I tightly closed my fists, removed my watch and placed it safely in my pockets. I might just have to punch somebody to barge in the already crowded train. I had to reach office in an hour and it was inevitable to board this train. The next train will earn me praiseworthy taunts from my Boss for reaching too early for the next day.

After exchanging abuses and blows here and there, I was finally able to find a corner in the crowded coach. As the train proceeded, I managed to slip through the crowd and reached the door of the train coach. I was relieved with the rushing wind attacking my countenance. As I was trying to peep out over somebody’s shoulder , I managed to have a glimpse of the parallel road. Rush hours did not spare the roads either. The road was full of honking vehicles. All of them had to reach on time you see. With the train approaching destined station, my thoughts took another train altogether, a train to Goa.

How different life used to be 6 months back! Even the thought of Goa was a relief. Nothing can be better then exploring Goa roads with friends on Bike, having beer while counting ferry ships sailing on the Mandovi river and Sipping Coffee at Nescafe while staring at the glittering casinos.

As if Goa was not enough, we had this magnificent GIM campus. I still remember sipping coffee while staring at the clouds passing right in front of you. I still remember sitting behind the library and wondering if the leopard would appear from behind the bushes. I still remember the campus sunset point and wonder why did the Sun look more beautiful back then. Every memory is like revealing in front of my eyes as a movie clip.

As if the mornings and evenings were not enough, the nights were even more unforgettable. It is a different topic that people don’t remember what happened last night. But, as they say, some memories are embossed on the memory plane that it stays with you forever.

GIM & Goa will always be there in my heart. Those two years were the best years of my life. I still have my bike with me. Someday, I wish, I can ride my bike in Goa, again.

Suddenly, some stranger pushed me. My thought train was halted. I coldly stared back at the stranger. But, thanks to him, I realized that my station was next. As I came out of the station, I checked the time. I was on time for the presentation. I walked towards the taxi. As I approached the taxi, I wished if he could take me to Goa. But, I had to go present in front of my Boss, not the marketing professor. I will be asked “What did you contribute to the Company?” instead of “What is the learning happening?”

Signing off, A GIMite for Life. .

October 25, 2023 2 comments

Kerala

Wayanad, Nature’s abode in Kerala

written by Umang Trivedi

It was the long weekend of October and the busy life in Bangalore was becoming a routine. What could have been a better time to plan a trip and take a break from the concrete structures and bustling traffic?

It took time for us to decide the destination for our liberation. We had many options. Coorg, Wayanad, Ooty etc. But,we wanted to avoid the crowd which flocks towards hill stations and beaches during long weekends.So, finally, we planned to leave Coorg and other weekend getaways for the next time and shortlisted a beautiful homestay amidst nature’s lap in Wayanad, Kerala.

Mountain Dew Homestay in Wayanad was indeed the best choice. Read my detailed experience of staying at Mountain Dew Homestay here.

When we reached the homestay, the surrounding beauty was majestic. The trees fluttered in the soothing calm wind. The birds chirped joy and the raindrops, still fresh from the recent showers, made the leaves look lively. The homestay was perfect to spend a lazy holiday, admiring the surrounding dense forest. Here are some pics which make me relive those 3 days in Wayanad.

Small Balcony with tree branches spread right at the door step

Dining Table with a splendid view of the Wayanad forest. Here we had the best meals ever

Great collection of books

The car journey from Bangalore to Wayanad was exhausting because of the dishonest driver and time spent to deal with his tantrums. Exhausted, we checked in the homestay, devoid of any energy to explore the surroundings and waited for the delicious dinner to be served. We savoured every bite and enjoyed the melody created by the forest winds. The dinner was truly satisfying and left us lazy. While dining, we had already planned the next day.

As the sun was rising the next day, we waited for the coffee to be served with authentic Kerala style breakfast. Next we left for Edakkal Caves, considered to be one of the best attractions in Wayanad. However, when we reached the caves and parked our car, we noticed tourists swarming all over the place. We trekked 2 KMs to reach the caves. But, we were disappointed by the crowd and returned without actually visiting them. I have no regrets as I am not a big fan of ancient paintings and carvings. While returning, we chose the safest option for lunch, maggi. We would have tried some Kerala cuisine. But, we were very famished to wait till we reach a proper restaurant that would serve it.

About to start the trek

This is where we waited for the crowd to dissipate

Our next destination was Pookot Lake. I will be frank here and not recommend this spot as it is like any other lake in any other hill station. As a travel enthusiast, I was disappointed by the commercialization of a seemingly artificial lake.

Anyways, we decided to set the mood to ‘lazy’ and decided to not go to any other point in Wayanad crowded by tourists. So, on the last day, we spent the whole day lazing in the homestay. We savoured some lip-smacking Kerala cuisine for lunch and played poker till it was evening. Eventually, we decided to explore a jungle trail behind our homestay.

The Jungle Trail. Waiting to be explored

This was our best decision. As we ascended the trail, it seemed that we were getting closer to nature. The afternoon rains had made the forest lust green. As raindrops dripped from the beautiful green leaves, we kept discovering new turns in the trail. All that we could hear was our feet rumbling through the dry grass and birds chirping to signal the sunset. Far away in the forests, some local tribe was playing folk songs and some village girls were singing as they approached their home after a busy day. It was blissful.

After capturing the magic moments on celluloid, we headed back to our homestay, where delicious dinner was waiting to be served.

Next day, after having a scrumptious breakfast, we left the homestay with a heavy heart. It was an invigorating holiday and if I ever return back to Wayanad, I would stay no-where but at Mountain Dew Homestay. Thanks to the owner for being an amazing host and to the awesome friends Sanchit, Sudha & Shruti to accompany me!

With the Mountain Dew Homestay Owner and friends, Wayanad

October 25, 2023 1 comment

Adventure India Karnataka River Rafting

Dandeli River Rafting – Traversing through the Kali River

written by Umang Trivedi

Dandeli is a rafting destination in South India. Located at a distance of 465 KMs from Bangalore, this destination is a favorite spot for adventure seekers. Most of the rapids in Kali river are of grade 2-3. But, there are a couple of grade 4 rapids as well. The rafting stretch is of 9 KMs. Dandeli river rafting can be a fun activity in Karnataka.

I tried Dandeli river rafting when I was in Goa. One fine Saturday morning, I left with my friends for Dandeli river rafting as the sun scattered the overnight fog away! We had already booked our Dandeli river rafting session.

Enroute Dandeli River rafting

It took us 2-3 hours to cover the distance of approximately 140 KMs from Panjim. We checked in a lodge with basic amenities. The travel agent with whom we had booked the rafting, gave us our time slot. We were waiting for the next morning to arrive, so that we can challenge the current of river Kali in Dandeli and enjoy the much anticipated Dandeli river rafting expedition.

On the same day, It was around late evening. We got the news that our rafting session might be cancelled. The travel agent was apparently arrogant about this. We held him responsible for spoiling our fun. But, we missed the real reason behind our rafting slot being cancelled.

The real reason was the Supa dam. Before river Kali passes through Dandeli, it crosses Supa Dam. The flow of the river thereafter depends on the Supa Dam gates and so does river rafting in Dandeli. If the flow of the Kali river is not massive, Dandeli river rafting is not allowed. If rafting is performed in meager flow, the chance of raft hitting the rocks increases. In our case, the travel agent was not sure if the Supa dam gates will open during our slot. However, we understood his helplessness and spent some time playing mafia & savoring Maggi. We finally slept, waiting for the next morning to bring some good news. We hoped our Dandeli river rafting session to get scheduled again.

Waiting for the next Morning in Dandeli

The next morning, to our pleasant surprise, the Supa Dam gates were open and there was adequate river flow for a successful rafting session. We were excited and apologized to the travel agent for our seemingly rude behavior. We had reacted with anger when we heard cancellation of our Dandeli river rafting session. All psyched, we embarked upon the journey that would take us to the spot from where rafting would start.

We were assigned a leader who would guide us through the rumbling Dandeli river. We followed him and took charge of raft to venture into the mighty river. Before the rapids started, our leader forced us to jump in the calm parts of the river. This was to drain out a single ounce of fear before we plummet into the rapids. Luckily, our life-jackets didn’t ditch us and we were finally equipped with the courage to enter the rapid zone!

“Left, Left, Right, Right” were the words our leader kept on repeating. He had taught us how to steer our raft along or against the current. When the rapids would approach, we were supposed to take control of ourselves by sticking our feet in the raft. This was to avoid being toppled.

The first rapid approached. It was a grade 2 rapid. But, it looked like the waterfall they show in Indiana Jones movie! Some of us were trembling with the fear of being toppled off the raft and hitting a rock. It was our first rafting experience after all!

Approaching the first rapid during our Dandeli river rafting expedition

Left! Left! Left! Our leader wanted us to get the raft straight before we plunge in the rapid! He yelled! We steered! But, the raft was not completely straight and it swept along with the river force, tilted. But, to everybody’s relief, we had crossed it with success. It took us a minute to realize that. The realization was followed by happy and loud cheers, shooting through the silence of Dandeli forest. We had not stopped rejoicing from our first success and the 2nd rapid had already approached! The Dandeli river rafting expedition was turning out to be great fun!

For the 2nd we were equipped with confidence and courage along with excitement. We successfully conquered the 2nd rapid as well. However, not everybody was on the raft this time!

Our leader had been toppled! He was nowhere to be seen. We were all scared. The next rapid was going to be a grade 4! Without the leader, how were we supposed to navigate through the most difficult rapid during our Dandeli river rafting expedition?

Finally, we spotted him on a rock. He had drifted towards the shore and had caught hold of a rock. Another raft leader helped him on board our raft again. Once he was on board, we were ready to face the mightiest rapid of our Dandeli river rafting expedition!

We gathered courage and headed towards the fiercest rapid! With loud cheers, we were approaching the roaring fall. Finally, we were to experience the highlight of our Dandeli trip!

There was a loud roar and we were submerged in the waters. For a moment, it felt like my heart stopped beating. We kept plunging downwards measuring the depth of Kali river. But, we erupted back, with loud cheers! We had crossed the fiercest rapid in Dandeli! However, One of my friends had toppled over the raft. Luckily, he was not injured and climbed back, yelling in excitement.

After the most fiercest rapid of Dandeli river rafting expedition

The rapids finally subsided and we were in the calmer river belt now. But to keep things exciting, we raced along with other rafters. The rafting session ended with a gentle of river stream passing through sky scraping trees and pin-drop silence. I spotted a white snake slithering beneath our raft and it made me smile. The beauty of nature made me smile.

After the session ended, we relaxed in the calm river near the shore. It was blissful. All our fears and inhibitions from water evaporated into the serene environment.

Relaxing in waters after successfully completing Dandeli River Rafting expedition

We were both exhilarated and relaxed while returning back to our lodge. We lazed around and captured the moments on celluloid. It was time for us to frame Dandeli in our memories. We left Dandeli, reminiscing a wonderful experience.

Exhilarated & Relaxed. Just before leaving Dandeli

Planning to visit Dandeli? Book from the official website: Dandeli.com. You can contact them at 94839-40400 or drop an email at book@dandeli.com.

Have you been to Dandeli? Share your experience in comments.

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Adventure Himachal Pradesh India Treks

Triund Trek, Mcleodganj – A trekker’s delight!

written by Umang Trivedi

Triund is the Jewel of Mcleodganj. Trust me, if you don’t complete this 3 hours trek to Triund, your McLeodganj visit is incomplete.

We planned the trek to Triund after we had explored Mcleodganj in 3-4 days. We were sure that the trek would be exhausting. So, we did not make any plans after the Triund trek.

Before starting the trek, we had to find a tent and sleeping bag on rent. There are close to 30 travel agents in McleodGanj who can rent you a tent and sleeping bag for Triund. Make sure you get the best deal. I asked all these travel agents and got the cheapest option. Drop a comment here and I will let you know which Travel agency will give you the best deal.

Tent & Sleeping Bag for Triund (Triund Trek)

We started the trek at around 12 pm, after having breakfast. We planned to reach the camping site before 4 pm. We didn’t want to miss the setting sun transforming the mountains from snow-clad to gold plated. So, we started the trek to triund, excited by the view that would delight us!

First Stretch of the Trek to Triund (Triund Trek)

The initial stretch of the trek was easy. We strolled at peace considering the complete trek to be such. Little did we know what was in store for us. This road was accessible by vehicles. A jeep offered us lift. But, we refused as we were determined to trek till the top. As the wind was spinning music through the stalwart trees, we kept hiking. It was peaceful and very close to nature. As we progressed on our way to triund, we witnessed some amazing views.

On our way to Triund (Triund Trek)

The next stretch of the trek was tougher. The path became steeper and the altitude higher. We were trekking with full vigour. As we were getting exhausted, we saw a herd of sheep. A shepherd dog guided these sheep along with the shepherd. This was the cutest dog ever! I have always been a dog lover. So, I requested the shepherd and took charge of the flock along with the shepherd dog. The funniest part was that this dog was scared by the sheep! How would it help the shepherd to control the flock?

The Shepherd & his dog (Triund Trek)

The Flock of sheep enroute Triund (Triund Trek)

This flock helped us to complete the moderate stretch. We were exhausted and decided to relax at a tea shop. This was not an ordinary tea shop. It was magical! The view from here was spectacular. As we sat sipping tea, overlooking the mountain, the best feeling sank in. The feeling of rejuvenation! The feeling of tranquility! It was phenomenal. We were so excited about reaching the camping site after this view!

Amazing tea with a view, Triund (Triund Trek)

The Magical view from Tea shop (Triund Trek)

We were exuberant to reach the trek. But, our body was against it! Once we spent some time at the tea shop, it was difficult for us to trek forward. The most difficult stretch of reaching Triund was starting now! We were now taking frequent breaks. Eventually, the trekking time was less that resting. As we struggled to reach the peak, we saw some european folks happily hopping on rocks and galloping towards the Triund camping site. But, our pace had slowed down a lot.

On the way to Triund, my exhausted friend, Akshat (Triund Trek)

We mustered all the energy possible. Finally, we reached the camping site. The 5-6 hours of strenuous trek was totally worth it! The view of the majestic, snow clad mountains was pristine! We found some fellow travelers. They were either setting up tent or spending jolly time. It was around 6.30 pm when we reached. We missed the gold-plated view of the mountains. But, what we were seeing, was still amazing. There was a small shop which had some stock of food. We enquired if he can cook for us. To our pleasant surprise, he narrated the available food items. We chose Alu Paratha with mixed vegetables and tea. As he prepared our dinner, we started setting up the camp. Meanwhile, the bonfire was also prepared. We sat around the bonfire with some foreigners and talked about their experiences from India. These travelers were from Israel, Italy, France, Russia and many other countries! I couldn’t help but appreciate their urge to travel the world!

The first view from Triund Camping site (Triund Trek)

Setting up camp, Triund (Triund Trek)

Campfire at Triund (Triund Trek)

The dinner was ready and a russian solo traveler joined us to relish some lip-smacking indian food. We talked about her travel experiences. While chatting, she noticed that I was shivering from cold. She offered me her jacket as she was not feeling anything! We were shocked! It was 2 degree for crying out loud! But, she was from Siberia. That’s no match. After having dinner, we again spent some time with foreigners. Finally, it was time to sleep. We slept like a log!

The next morning was pristine! We requested the shop owner to provide us breakfast and he readily agreed. It was the simplest breakfast. But, we enjoyed every bit of it. We soaked in the morning view for some time.

The Shop at Triund (Triund Trek)

Breakfast at Triund (Triund Trek)

Our Camp at Triund Site (Triund Trek)

The last pic at Triund (Trek to Triund)

After breakfast, we packed up our tent and started our descend. The next task was to get a foot massage and sleep for 2 days, straight!

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Karnataka

A visit to the Land of Coffee, Chikmagalur

written by Umang Trivedi

Chikmagalur is known as the ‘Coffee Land’ of Karnataka. I have been to many destinations to explore tea plantations in India. However, I had never visited coffee estates from where my favorite beverage originate. Because of this, Chikmagalur had been on my ‘to visit’ list for a long time.

So, one extended weekend, I decided to visit Chikmagalur and checkout the attractions it had to offer, along with the vast coffee estates. We booked our homestay in Chikmagalur and it was splendid.

To reach Chikmagalur, we had booked KSRTC bus from Bangalore. The bus takes 4 hours to reach chikmagalur and the rate is Rs 441 per seat. We had booked seats in Airavat bus, owned by KSRTC. The Airavat bus is volvo bus and we reached chikmagalur comfortably.

We stayed at Nesting Grounds Homestay, Chikmagalur and the experience was amazing. On day 1, we just relaxed and explored the surrounding estate. On day 2, we decided to go for a day trip covering selected attractions in Chikmagalur. The must visit was Mullayanagiri peak which is the highest peak in Karnataka. Apart from that, we wanted to cover Kalahatti waterfalls & Jhari Waterfalls which are major attractions in Chikmagalur.

Our Homestay in Chikmagalur

We hired a cab for Rs 2,500 and planned the chikmagalur itinerary. First we headed to Kalahatti Waterfalls. There was great enthusiasm in the atmosphere and people were dancing to the tunes of dholak. But, our enthusiasm reached rock bottom when we saw the waterfalls. It was not worth a visit and a total waste of time. However, we tried to trek up a little to find an amazing view. But, to our disappointment, there was none. In addition, there was filth all around. The place is not recommended for a visit.

Next, we went to Mullayanagiri Peak, the best attraction in Chikmangalur. The Mullayanigiri is the highest peak in Karnataka and the view from the top of peak is surely spectacular. The trek is not that strenuous. The car can go right to the top and after that, you just need to climb 500 steps to reach the topmost viewpoint. After admiring the spectacular view, we headed towards Jhari Falls.

View from Mullayanagiri, Chikmagalur

Jhari falls is located at a distance of 15 KMs from Mullayanagiri in Chikmagalur. After Kalahatti falls, we had less expectation from Jhari falls. When we reached there, we discovered two options to reach the falls. One was to take a jeep and drive down to the falls. The second option was to trek down amidst coffee estates. We chose 2nd option as it would provide a better experience. Moreover, the jeep cost Rs 600 for one trip. So by trekking down, you would save some money.

After 2 KMs of an easy trek, we were able to reach Jhari Falls. The site that we witnessed was way better than Kalahatti waterfalls. The water splashes on the ground from an impressing height. In January also, there was enough water. I guess post monsoon might be an even better time to visit Jhari falls.

As we were admiring the magnanimity of the falls, we realized that a rainbow had formed. The setting sun had penetrated the water droplets and formed a beautiful spectrum of colors. This was the closest I had been to any rainbow. We spent around 1 hour at Jhari Falls and started our trek back. We took shortcuts to include some extra adventure. Finally, we were able to reach where our car was parked. We savored some delicious omelet with coffee. As the sun was setting, we started our way back to the Chikmagalur Homestay where delicious dinner would have been served already.

Beautiful Rainbow at Hebbe Falls, Chikmagalur

Closest I have been to a rainbow, Jhari Falls, Chikmagalur

The 3rd day was 26th Jan, republic day. We started the day by witnessing Modi welcoming Obama on our television set. As the breakfast was being served, we decided to take a walk, with the Chikmagalur homestay owner, to the coffee estate.

Nesting Grounds Homestay in Chikmagalur is a property located amidst 50 Acres of Coffee Estate. Contrary to popular belief, the coffee estates do not smell like coffee. The smell is inherited when the coffee beans are roasted. We learned a lot about coffee plantation which was very informative. I have captured some details here.

Arabica Coffee Bean, Coffee Estate, Chikmagalur

Coffee plants are of two kinds. Arabica & Robusta. While there is not a lot of difference between these two from the end user perspective, the coffee estate owners prefer one of these varieties according to their needs. While Arabica coffee plants are smaller in size, Robusta coffee plants are larger. Moreover, Arabica needs more manual maintenance as compared to Robusta. Accordingly, a coffee estate owners decide which variety of coffee beans to cultivate. The cycle of accumulating coffee beans lasts for a year. The estate owners get yield once in a year around Dec-Jan. If you want to see a coffee plantation in its true magnificence, visit a coffee estate in Dec end or Jan beginning. It is post that when the plucking of coffee beans is done. You will be able to see a massive presence of reddish brown color in the estate due to coffee beans.

After plucking the coffee beans manually, peeling of skin is done by a machine. Post peeling, the seeds are dried in sun to evaporate all the moisture. Once the seeds are dried, bags are filled to the capacity of 50 KGs per bag. These bags are bought by vendors based on the current coffee market rate. After collecting the bags, these vendors roast the seeds and subsequently sell to players like Nestle.

Coffee is a commodity which witnesses differences in the market prices on a day to day basis. Brazil plays the most important role in influencing the global coffee price. India stands at 7th position in Coffee production.

After exploring the coffee plantation, we relaxed and spent some quality time. We had sumptuous lunch before leaving the homestay. We caught the bus for Bangalore.

We reached Bangalore 1.5 hours late than our scheduled time from Chikmagalur due to an accident. However, the Chikmagalur trip was certainly one of the best trips I made in recent times. If you are in Bangalore, do take out a weekend to explore the coffee estates in Chikmagalur. Not to mention, do visit the highest peak in Karnataka and Jhari falls while in Chikmagalur.

Have you been to Chikmagalur? What was your experience? Do let me know in comments.

If you are planning to visit Chikmagalur, you can have a look at my recommendations for places to visit in Chikmagalur

October 25, 2023 15 comments

Himachal Pradesh India McLeod Ganj

“Small Joys of Life” – a short story from my Mcleodganj stay

written by Umang Trivedi

Some experiences stay with you through out your life. I have created a short story out of one such experience. This short story is from my stay in Mcleodganj. Whenever I think of this story, it leaves me full of optimism and hope for future. It makes me believe in hardwork, dedication and will to follow your dream!

Long time back, I was in Mcleodganj. I had just completed my post-graduation and had decided to travel for one month. I started my trip from Mcleodganj. I loved the place so much that I decided to stay there.

My normal day in Mcleodganj would include relishing delicious food and sipping coffee at a cafe, with a book in hand. I used to talk to random strangers and know about their culture. I made many friends from different countries. I also interacted a lot with the monks and learnt about their way of life.

One day, I was talking to a monk and he told me something which made me ponder. He told me a story about the hardships faced by Tibetians.

Tibetians are peaceful people who live under the dominance of Chinese. From time to time, the Chinese troops ransack their villages, leaving their families in agony. After a certain point of time, these Tibetians tend to desert the village and seek shelter in India. To reach India, they undertake an arduous trek. After tolerating the extreme cold and chilly winds, they finally make it to India.

In India, Dalai Lama’s Temple is situated in Mcleodganj. Hence, many Tibetians take shelter here and become a monk. These monks have a great thirst for knowledge. They love to learn our language. They also love to learn English. In Mcleodganj, there are some organizations who impart free education and teach English to these monks.

When I learnt about this situation, I decided to contribute in the upbringing of the Tibetian community. I thought, even if I am able to teach English to one Monk, I would consider my Mcleodganj stay fruitful.

So, I signed up with Lha Social Organization as a volunteer. I was assigned a student who was elder to me. However, his smile was as innocent as a child! He was very attentive to what I was teaching and was very inquisitive as a student. He used to ask me a lot of questions. I used to give him homework and he used to complete it with enthusiasm.

With my student, Tenzin

I used to conduct his session in a garden. We used to sit on a bench and he used to take notes. One day, I offered him to go to a cafe and have some tea. He joyfully agreed. When we reached the cafe, we ordered for two masala tea. As we waited for the tea, overlooking the valley, I asked him about his life. He explained how he has come to India to get educated and go to Japan. He told me that it has been his dream, since childhood, to go to Japan and become a successful man there. When I asked him what would he do next after reaching Japan? He answered that he would call his whole family to Japan and liberate them from the shackles of Chinese tyranny.

My heart was filled with respect for him.

When I was leaving Mcleodganj, he met me to bid farewell. He was carrying a wonderful silk scarf as a parting present. I gave him some storybooks which would help him in learning English. I wished him good luck and left Mcleodganj. As I started my journey towards Delhi, I prayed only for one thing. I prayed that one day, he should be able to go to Japan and help his family.

This story took place a long time back. But, a couple of weeks back, he messaged me. When I read it, my eyes became moist. His message read “Thanks for the help. I am going to Japan”.

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Karnataka

A trip to Kodaikanal – Weekend Getaway from Bangalore

written by Umang Trivedi

Some trips are very memorable and you keep them close to your heart. Kodaikanal was one such trip.

My family was in Bangalore visiting me. One fine weekend, we decided to explore the surrounding destinations. We decided to visit Kodaikanal as it has beautiful landscapes and is less commercialized.

When we reached here, my family was elated. Kodaikanal is indeed a spectacular hill station, nestled in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. The literal meaning of “Kodaikanal” means “The Gift of forest“. This name is totally justified.

We stayed in Kodaikanal for 3 days and 2 nights. We visited some spectacular viewpoints during our stay.

To start the first day, we visited a beautiful church, known as La Saleth Church. It is an adorable church with beautiful architectural design.

After that, we visited the pine forest. The stalwart pine trees provided a great sense of being in nature’s lap. We spent a lot of time here clicking pictures and exploring the terrains. It was similar to getting lost in wilderness and losing the sense of direction. Wherever we looked, we saw the endless pine forest. It was certainly majestic.

Before entering Kodaikanal Pine Forest with Family

Hiking in Kodaikanal Pine Forest

Lost in Kodaikanal Pine Forest

After we explored the pine forests, we decided to visit the Perumal peak. It took us 2 hours to reach the peak. It was not very hard to complete the trek because the weather was amazing and we continuously motivated each-other.

My grandmother was not in a position to tolerate the physical exertion. Hence, she had decided to stay back in the cab. But, my parents were very enthusiastic about the trek! It was great fun! When we reached the peak, we saw some breath-taking landscapes. The mist was very dense. When we were surrounded by the mist, overlooking the fantastic landscapes, it was no less than a magical experience. After admiring nature’s beauty, we returned back to our cab parked at base of the peak.

View from Perumal Peak

The enclosing envelope of mist, Perumal Peak

Mist covered path, perumal peak

After completing the trek, we returned back to our homestay which was basically a beautiful house owned by lovely landlords. Exhausted from the trek, we decided to sleep early.

The next morning, we woke up with full vigour to explore the remaining attractions. We started the day by visiting Chettiar park. It had some great collection of flowers & plants. The park was very well maintained and we explored it at leisure. After admiring the topiary, we proceeded towards the spectacular kodaikanal lake. Here, you can rent bicycles and explore the perimeter of the lake. You can also enjoy boating. As me and my brother cycled around the lake, my parents and grandmother visited the Satya Saibaba Ashram located near the lake.

We ended the day by visiting Croakers Walk, where we enjoyed some beautiful views of the valley.

Beautiful Flowers at Chettiar Park, Kodaikanal

Cycling around Kodaikanal Lake

Boating in Kodaikanal lake

We relaxed on the 3rd day as we had to head back to Bangalore that afternoon.

The trip to kodaikanal was really great! The best part was that my family was with me during this trip and together we had great fun. I returned back from the trip with optimism in life and admiration for nature. A relaxing trip with family had certainly rejuvenated me!

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Karnataka

Mekedatu Sangam Trip – Bike ride from Bangalore

written by Umang Trivedi

Mekedatu Sangam is a tourist destination near Bangalore. Its a confluence of Kaveri & Arkavati rivers in Karnataka. In monsoon season, Mekedatu sees intense waterflow from both the rivers.

However, I visited this place along with some friends in March. More than visiting this place, we were excited about the bike trip. After sleeping for only 1 hour, we left early morning. We reached Mekedatu after cruising 120 KMs from Bangalore. On the way, we stopped at Kamat to relish delicious breakfast. There was an option of breakfast buffet and couple of my friends opted for that. The breakfast was really delicious and the filter coffee added a great flavor to the breakfast. The highlight was hot and lip-smacking jalebis. Kamat is a sure perfect breakfast place to take a pit stop while riding or driving from Bangalore.

My Ride to Mekedatu

Breakfast at Kamat, enroute Mekedatu

Delicious Jalebis, enroute Mekedatu

Post breakfast, we continued our ride towards Mekedatu. Once we were off the main highway, we encountered a long stretch of approximately 30 KMs to reach Kanakpura. This stretch was amidst lush green coconut trees. It had rained the day before. Hence, there was this moist smell of wet landscape in the air. As we progressed on this stretch, we started seeing giant boulders on the sides. These boulders are considered to be a great attraction for rock climbers.

We took another halt at Kanakpura from where Mekedatu was at a distance of 30 KMs further. After relishing some sugarcane juice and stretching our muscles, we again kicked our engines on and continued the journey towards Mekedatu Sangam.

Mekedatu Sangam is located in an area which falls within the limits of the forest department. Hence, there is a check-post which you have to cross. They will check your bags and confiscate any alcohol that you carry.

The stretch after the check-post is breathtaking! As the road bends to help you reach Mekedatu, the dense forest stays put. After traversing through the beautiful landscape, we finally reached Mekedatu Sangam.

When you reach Mekedatu Sangam, you will see a lot of shops outside the main gate. These shops are famous for “Jalebi” and “Tiger” fish. If you are a fish lover, you should definitely try this. However, it would be better if you savor the fish without rice & curry, which is worthless. There is a restaurant inside the gate as well. But, they are not that great.

We decided to explore Mekedatu sangam before relishing the fish. We entered the gate and were able to see the confluence. The view was good. But, the place was very dirty and polluted. We decided to cross the Arkavati river and reach a spot which is less polluted and crowded. After almost an hour of scouting, we were able to find a perfect spot. The currents were moderately strong. In addition, there was no filth at this spot due to the flowing water.

Our Spot at Mekedatu Sangam

Swimming in Mekedatu Sangam

We jumped in the cold waters and discovered that the water was really clean! A friend of mine, Vatsal, was carrying his GoPro camera. We did some experimentation with that. GoPro is certainly a great product for travellers!

Mekedatu – GoPro experiments

Mekedatu – GoPro experiments_underwater

Mekedatu – GoPro

After a relaxing swim, we decided to return. It was around 3 PM. So, we decided to go to Chunchi falls before wrapping up the day. But, we had to try the fish first!

The fish was really good! We had a sumptuous meal. But, for vegetarians, there are not a lot of options. So, a vegetarian friend of mine had to survive on biscuits and chips.

After feeling completely satisfied, we continued our journey towards Chunchi falls. However, my bike decided to spoil the fun. When I was trying to ride my bike up the slopes, the chain started creating problems. I parked the bike to see the fault. But, the bike lost balance and fell on the clutch wire, breaking the same. The bike was rendered useless and we needed a mechanic. But, my friend was able to ride it. We reached the nearest village. Luckily, we were able to find mechanic on a Sunday!

He replaced the clutch wire and we resumed our journey towards Bangalore. I had slept only for one hour before starting this trip early morning. So, I had to put in a lot of efforts to stay awake! I had endless tea during my return journey! Luckily, I was able to reach home safely.

The Mekedatu Sangam trip was a great experience! It is a destination I would definitely recommend to visit with friends or families. However, in monsoon, it is a little risky. So, you might want to tread carefully.

Let me know if have been to Mekedatu. Would love to hear your stories!

Mekedatu

October 25, 2023 0 comment

Karnataka

Bike Ride to Nandi Hills – Day Trip from Bangalore

written by Umang Trivedi

Clouds resembled a thick blanket of mist. The cool wind made my eyes squint. My hair swayed along with the gentle breeze and as I conquered one hairpin turns after another, my excitement kept on increasing. After 8 months of being in Bangalore, I finally visited Nandi Hills, the closest tourist spot near Bangalore.

To catch the highlight of your trip to Nandi Hills, you should leave as early as possible, preferably around 4 am. The sun rise, visible through the layers of dense clouds, would be the highlight of your trip to Nandi Hills.

We rode for close to 1.5 hours to reach Nandi Hills. Being a Sunday morning, Nandi Hills had attracted a plethora of people. Nandi Hills is no more a secret. So, I’d suggest you expect a lot of people gathered around the edge of Nandi Hills, in an attempt to snatch the best sight of sunrise. In fact, I’d not recommend you to bring your car here as you would get stuck for at-least an hour before reaching sunrise point at Nandi Hills.

Once you are close to Nandi Hills, be prepared to get thrilled by the breath-taking landscapes and cool atmosphere. The last stretch of your trip to Nandi Hills would be surrounded by low and dense clouds, transmuting you into a blissful aura of nature’s elegance.

Enroute Nandi Hills (Trip to Nandi Hills)

When you reach Nandi Hills, you will discover a vast area surrounded by dense clouds. park your vehicle here and proceed towards the ticket counter. Before entering Nandi Hills gate, you can stop at the canteen here and sip a coffee or munch on some chips.

After entering Nandi Hills, in your first attempt, you would not be able to figure our the best sight to observe the sunrise or marvel at the beautiful valley. But, follow the crowd and you would be able to find one view point. However, if you wish to grab some alone time or with only your loved ones around, I’d recommend to hike a little more and reach a lesser crowded spot. But, it would be difficult for to find one on weekends.

With Friends at Nandi HillsView from Nandi Hills when the clouds started disappearing

When you embark on the return journey of your trip to Nandi Hills, do stop at this small Paratha Place which serves decent food. It will fall on your right if you are returning back from your trip to Nandi Hills, towards Bangalore.

Trip to Nandi Hills is a small little excursion away from Bangalore. Don’t expect to be swept off your feet. But, if you have not been here yet, I would surely recommend to visit here at-least once.

October 25, 2023 0 comment

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