This is dire situation for India. The terrorists showing too much aggravation and willingness to attack on the face. This is something very new which hasn't been seen yet in India.
The terrorists want to threaten you, challenge you on your face and then want to hog the lime light for long durations, rather than a single suicide bomb blast. In this, create a hold up situation and then try to hold ground for longer durations.
I think, there are many things India would need to do to face these new challenges.
1) As an individual, I always oppose the US foreign policy, especially the last few years when they have been the reason to have thousands and thousands of civilians killed in the middle east region. Still, as a country, they have been able to resist any future terror attacks and did give the terrorists night mares after having bombed US cities. As a country, US has been able to instill confidence in their countrymen that they are capable of handling any such attacks and can curb, handle them very efficiently.
So, now, India also will have to take this positive stance for any kind of terror activities. Our politicians shall have to stand up to take decisions and own them. Indira Gandhi did the operation BlueStar, she faced the aftermath of it, but still stood ground, she owned it. She had the grit and confidence to go ahead with it. I am not saying it is justified or not, but our netaji's need to have such confidence to take decisions, which is already endangered.
2) The police force currently is working on the pace of electricity department or any other for that case. That is, there is no difference between a person working in police dept or and electricity or water supply deptt.
We need to create a dedicated force to combat terrorism. Which should be equipped with latest gadgets, equipments and trained in combating terrorism. They should be trained in war fare activities and are governed by dedicated individuals. We need to have a different way of functioning.
3) The media should have some regulations. In this case we saw, the ATS chief is wearing the helmet, the bullet proof jacket, talking on the cellphone live on the news channels. The attackers must be watching everything sitting inside and it can fairly be imagined that this might have helped them.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Reality Bites
For last couple of months, we have been working on a project, To find a suitable and good residential apartment for ourselves within the budget and with all facilities, good builder, good interiors, good fixtures and good building maintenance, which has a fantastic view from the balcony, where the apartment gets good sunlight during the winters also and which has good landscaping for our kids to play and a few other things.
I guess, this is the same checklist everybody must be having while looking for their nest in this wide wide world. We also had the same wish list few weeks ago. Slowly and steadily, things kept getting cut off from this list and we were soon compromising on almost everything. We were getting expensive flats, with no interiors done, just bare flats, that too for exorbitant cost, at least some of them. They would say it is 1450 sq ft super area, but actually the flats covered area would be less than 800 sq ft.Phew.
Initially when we started, for the first time, we finally had gone ahead and spoken to a few property agents and they were now showing us the flats. A couple of them, which we saw initially, were good, on the ground floor and with good air and sunlight. We immediately liked both of them and started talking about them. Ha, they only wanted 11 out of 35 as white, rest they wanted in cash.Heart broken, we tried this or that, but they were adament. We had to let go of those deals.
For long then, we were going through the see, like dislike, see round for many builders and floors.
I guess, this is the same checklist everybody must be having while looking for their nest in this wide wide world. We also had the same wish list few weeks ago. Slowly and steadily, things kept getting cut off from this list and we were soon compromising on almost everything. We were getting expensive flats, with no interiors done, just bare flats, that too for exorbitant cost, at least some of them. They would say it is 1450 sq ft super area, but actually the flats covered area would be less than 800 sq ft.Phew.
Initially when we started, for the first time, we finally had gone ahead and spoken to a few property agents and they were now showing us the flats. A couple of them, which we saw initially, were good, on the ground floor and with good air and sunlight. We immediately liked both of them and started talking about them. Ha, they only wanted 11 out of 35 as white, rest they wanted in cash.Heart broken, we tried this or that, but they were adament. We had to let go of those deals.
For long then, we were going through the see, like dislike, see round for many builders and floors.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dreams
If you can dream it, you can do it.
I have read it many times, don't know if that is true or not. Still, what I am trying to do is, write down my dreams, small and big, trivial and important, material or spiritual, all that I can recall. Actually, lately the list has become so long that I am no longer able to remember it. And when, after some time, I just recall it, am so sad to have lost so much time and have not done anything in the direction of fulfillment of that dream. And so it happens, every few days and the days and weeks go by.
I don't want to let the life go away, slip away from my hands like this anymore and so this attempt.
For one second, just remember the last time you went for a holiday, a vacation. Not to your parents or in laws or any relatives place, not for the wedding of your cousin. A real holiday, to any outstation. How good it was, how did you prepare for it, how did you feel when you come back. You feel rejuvenated and have so much of enthusiasm just after that . Slowly, in the mundane daily routines, that goes away.
I have always felt, not actually did anything for it till now. That, we can always have a fantastic life, enjoying and happy days, everyday. Achieving the goals and targets and living life to the fullest. But, we generally get damper and damper. And that has nothing to do with the bad day you had in the office today or if you had a small dual with your spouse or that someone in your family is not keeping well or it was the worst traffic in the last few days you faced today or anything else. With time we keep on getting such things in our everyday life andare not generally able to keep up with the level of enthusiasm. Until you get a dose of motivation.
I have had these doses of motivation a few times in my life. The professional training is the most effective thing, I feel, to boost your inner self, to lift up your enthusiasm to live life to the fullest and to get motivated beyond compare. But, the professional trainings are generally conducted by the company one is employed in. I haven't come across anyone who would have done it on one's own. Although, I think it would be a good investment if we can do these trainings personally and have your family members also take these trainings.
Anyways, the other good way is to read a good book. Books are the best companions of a man. As they do the same thing to a person, be it a good time or a bad time in one's life. I haven't been reading anything good for long now, and I can't even remember how long. By good, I meant, something that would give me good motivation.
Rather I was reading the travel books, if you know. All sorts of travel books I was reading and buying. Am happy with the collection I have now, they are a continuous source of information for me and have already started helping me in planning my trips.
Anyways, the dreams, I want to live many a dreams, a few might not be possible but still, there is no harm in dreaming. And if you dream for moon, you will at least reach starts, as they say.
What is required to be done, is to move towards achieving your targets, fulfilling your dreams, everyday. One step at a time, but still always be focused towards them and never loose the enthusiasm.
And what happens, is that, in a small bout of household works, a couple of bad days at office, s small illness of wife, kids homework, the Mumbai film fare award show at the night, and scores of other things, which are short timed, take a lot of our mind. But, we never return back to the same state of mind, the willingness to fulfill the dreams.
So, what we need is a continuous dose of motivation. Everybody needs it, and by every body I mean you and me, all of us.
I have read it many times, don't know if that is true or not. Still, what I am trying to do is, write down my dreams, small and big, trivial and important, material or spiritual, all that I can recall. Actually, lately the list has become so long that I am no longer able to remember it. And when, after some time, I just recall it, am so sad to have lost so much time and have not done anything in the direction of fulfillment of that dream. And so it happens, every few days and the days and weeks go by.
I don't want to let the life go away, slip away from my hands like this anymore and so this attempt.
For one second, just remember the last time you went for a holiday, a vacation. Not to your parents or in laws or any relatives place, not for the wedding of your cousin. A real holiday, to any outstation. How good it was, how did you prepare for it, how did you feel when you come back. You feel rejuvenated and have so much of enthusiasm just after that . Slowly, in the mundane daily routines, that goes away.
I have always felt, not actually did anything for it till now. That, we can always have a fantastic life, enjoying and happy days, everyday. Achieving the goals and targets and living life to the fullest. But, we generally get damper and damper. And that has nothing to do with the bad day you had in the office today or if you had a small dual with your spouse or that someone in your family is not keeping well or it was the worst traffic in the last few days you faced today or anything else. With time we keep on getting such things in our everyday life andare not generally able to keep up with the level of enthusiasm. Until you get a dose of motivation.
I have had these doses of motivation a few times in my life. The professional training is the most effective thing, I feel, to boost your inner self, to lift up your enthusiasm to live life to the fullest and to get motivated beyond compare. But, the professional trainings are generally conducted by the company one is employed in. I haven't come across anyone who would have done it on one's own. Although, I think it would be a good investment if we can do these trainings personally and have your family members also take these trainings.
Anyways, the other good way is to read a good book. Books are the best companions of a man. As they do the same thing to a person, be it a good time or a bad time in one's life. I haven't been reading anything good for long now, and I can't even remember how long. By good, I meant, something that would give me good motivation.
Rather I was reading the travel books, if you know. All sorts of travel books I was reading and buying. Am happy with the collection I have now, they are a continuous source of information for me and have already started helping me in planning my trips.
Anyways, the dreams, I want to live many a dreams, a few might not be possible but still, there is no harm in dreaming. And if you dream for moon, you will at least reach starts, as they say.
What is required to be done, is to move towards achieving your targets, fulfilling your dreams, everyday. One step at a time, but still always be focused towards them and never loose the enthusiasm.
And what happens, is that, in a small bout of household works, a couple of bad days at office, s small illness of wife, kids homework, the Mumbai film fare award show at the night, and scores of other things, which are short timed, take a lot of our mind. But, we never return back to the same state of mind, the willingness to fulfill the dreams.
So, what we need is a continuous dose of motivation. Everybody needs it, and by every body I mean you and me, all of us.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Proposed ride plan I to Leh - June'2008
Proposed plan to Leh II - June 2008
The spiti valley side would allow all of us to acclimatize better, as almost all the places are between 3000-3500m en route and by the time we reach Sarchu, we would be staying at 3000+ for many days. The thought looks good, on paper as well.
So here's what we have thought now :
Day 1, 14th June, Saturday : Me riding from Delhi to Chandiagrh, Atul and Haider in train, starting from Jodhpur for Kalka.
Day 2 : If the train is on time, which generally is not more than an hour late, we should be ready to go by around 10-10:30 AM from Kalka. If so, our destination for the day would Jeori. If the train gets delayed, and we are starting at 12 or 1 in the noon, then also we would plan to atleast cover till Narkanda which is around 5 hrs from Kalka.
Day 3 : If we have made it till Narkanda only, start early and go to Sangla valley, may be to the last point ahead, Chitkul villabe before border and then go towards Rekong Peo and sleep if possible in Kalpa. The Kinner Kailash manjar from there is out of the world. En route, don't forget to fill your tank at Powari, as that is the last filling station for the next 200+ kms till Kaza.
Second Take
If you somehow stay at Chitkul, stay at Raj Guest House, shouldn't be hard to find.
Day 4 : Kalpa to Tabo : Ride safe, reach Tabo, if possible, via Nako , try to stay at the Tabo Monastery.
Day 5 : Tabo, start early, go to Ki Monastery and Kibber village, high up diversion from Kaza. Then come back to main route, ride till may be Losar or so. Rest for night, tomorrow is a big day.
Second Take
Do visit Dhankar, am hearing a lot about it these days. I don't know if a short stay at Kaza would be possible or we would have to devote a complete day there, lets see how it works. Ki must, Comic, the highest inhabitation village also looks very appealing, all on this route.
Day 6 : Leave Losar, cross Kunzum La, keep your eye focused and you would see the road(so called) to Chandertal, go thru the rough terrain of 12 kms and back after having the fantastic vies of Chandertal, leave towards Gramphoo. Hope everything is fine with everyone's bike, if not we will have to go towards Manali from Gramphoo. Else keep riding towards Keylong from Gramphoo, and take the night halt on the need basis. Probably we shall be at Sissu when the day breaks.
Day 7 : Sissu to Sarchu, After Sissu, the route is already discussed below, it would remain same. We shall cover from Sissu to Sarachu, around 141 kms for the day.
Day 8 : Sarachu to Leh.
Day 9 : Rest Day at Leh, also apply for permits to visit inner line areas, well its a Sunday, so we have to see, if thats possible or not.
Day 10 : Considering, we didn't get permits on Day 9, we shall be applying for them today, also we might go to rafting on Zanskar river. I want to do III or IV rapids and not II or I.
Day 11 : Leh - Khardungla - Diskit - Hunder
Day 12 : Hunder - Panamik - Khardungla -Leh.
Day 13 : Leh - Sarachu
Day 14 : Sarachu - Manali
Day 15 , 28th June 2008, Saturday: Manali - Delhi
This leaves us with a buffer day, during the whole trip, might decide to halt at Chandigarh and come back on Sunday.
Proposed plan to Leh I - June 2008
It seems, there is a vacuum in the life, with a sense of doing nothing for long kind of feeling. This is where am trying to do something to say to my self and look up in the mirror with some pride.
Well guys, the ride of a life time is going to start on 14th June'2008 as per the plan as of now. The leaves have been sanctioned in the office and the preps have started, although a lot of prep is still remaining, but am pretty much hopeful that I shall be able to complete most of it before leaving.
This trip of a life time is a motorcycle ride to the most magnificent place on the face of earth, Leh, the capital of Ladakh region. The route to Leh is the most remarkable in the earth and has the highest roads in the world, so if everything goes fine, I shall be riding on the worlds five most highest roads.
Just for the sake of understanding, Nainital, Manali etc all are around 6200-6300 feet high above the sea level, while the roads which we are talking about here are at the height of 17000-18000+ feet from sea level, so you can understand.
The problems that happen at such height : primary one is that oxygen is less and the body requirement is not fulfilled so the body is uneasy. If you take it coll for a day or two, the body gets acclimatized to the less oxygen intake and then you would be good to go running around.
Initially, they say, if you see a fantastic cliff, stand on a mountain top and want to shout "I am the king" from there, or just want to run away for nature's call, don't do it. Shouting, running, getting excited and pretty much things you wouldn't want to do at those heights. Be it a fantastic situation or be it your motorcycle is down, keep your cool and that will see you through.
Do prepare carefully and comprehensively, this is where I am doing the same - my preparations.
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And of course these are the details of the riders...
1) Prem Arora - 34, Bajaj Avenger 180 cc, 16.5 bhp, First time hill rider from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
2) Atul Mishra - 30, Hero Honda unicorn, 150 cc, 13.5 bhp bike, had been to Leh on the same bike once in June 2007 is from Benaras(modern day Varanasi). Check his photos at http://atgemini.spaces.live.com
3) Zeeshan Haider - 30, Bajaj Pulsar , 150 cc, 14 bhp bike, had been to Leh in June 2007, is from Kanpur. Check out his photographs at http://picasaweb.google.com/haider.vogue
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So the current plan is :
| Day | Height | Place | Distance | Total | |
| Sat 14/6 | Delhi | ||||
| Chandigarh | 280 | 280 | |||
| Sun 15/6 | Chandigarh | 0 | |||
| Pinjore | |||||
| Mandi | |||||
| Kullu | |||||
| 2,050 | Manali | 290 | 290 | ||
| Mon 16/6 | Manali | 0 | |||
| Palchan | 10 | ||||
| 2,530 | Kothi | 5 | |||
| 3,320 | Marhi | 24 | |||
| 3,980 | Rahtang Pass | 12 | |||
| 3,200 | Gramphoo | 11 | |||
| 3,140 | Khoksar | 5 | |||
| 3,130 | Sissu | 13 | |||
| 3,160 | Gondhala | 15 | |||
| 2,573 | Tandi | 10 | |||
| 3,350 | Keylong | 8 | 113 | ||
| Tue 17/6 | 3,350 | Keylong | 0 | ||
| Gemur | 18 | ||||
| 3,142 | Jispa | 7 | |||
| 3,400 | Darcha | 7 | |||
| 3,820 | Patsio | 14 | |||
| 4,892 | Baralach-La | 31 | |||
| 4,253 | Sarachu | 32 | 109 | ||
| Wed 18/6 | 4,253 | Sarachu | 0 | ||
| Brandy Nallah | 20 | ||||
| 3,950 | Takh | 13 | |||
| 5,065 | Lachlung La | 20 | |||
| 4,630 | Pang | 24 | |||
| 4,703 | Moorey Plains | 24 | |||
| 4,500 | Debring | 30 | |||
| 5,360 | Tanglan-La | 10 | |||
| Rumtse | 32 | ||||
| 4,100 | Gya | 3 | |||
| Miru | 14 | ||||
| 3,384 | Upshi | 14 | |||
| Karu | 11 | ||||
| Thiksey | |||||
| 3,505 | Leh | 36 | 251 | ||
| Rest Day- Permits, etc | Thu 19/6 | 3,505 | Leh | ||
| Fri 20/6 | 3,505 | Leh | |||
| Khardungla | 40 | ||||
| Diskit | 38 | ||||
| Hunder | 8 | ||||
| Sumur | 40 | 126 | |||
| Sat 21/6 | Sumur | ||||
| Hunder | 40 | ||||
| Diskit | 8 | ||||
| K-Top | 38 | ||||
| Leh | 40 | ||||
| Sun 22/6 | Leh | ||||
| Chang La | |||||
| Pangong Tso | 150 | ||||
| Mon 23/6 | Pangong Tso | ||||
| Spangmik | |||||
| Leh | 150 | ||||
| Tue 24/6 | Rafting on Zanskar River | ||||
| Wed 25/6 | Leh | ||||
| Pang | |||||
| Sarchu | 251 | 251 | |||
| Thu 26/6 | Sarchu | ||||
| Keylong | |||||
| Manali | 222 | ||||
| Fri 27/6 | Manali | ||||
| Chandigarh | 290 | ||||
| Sat 28/6 | Chandigarh | ||||
| Delhi | 280 |
14th June 2008 : Delhi - Chandigarh ( 280 kms) The first day of the ride, it is still plains, so we plan to leave early in the morning and reach Chandigarh before noon, 12 O clock.
15th June 2008 : Chandigarh - Manali (290 kms) We plan to leave again early in the morning by 5 am, so that we can enjoy the landscape en route to Manali, the hills I guess start around Swarghat, and its a fantastic ride after that. If we are able to leave as per plan early, I think, we should be in Manali by 2 O clock. My heart
is to find a place for night stay outside the Manali city, towards the Rohtand pass, and if possible towards palchan or Marhi, which would cover half the distance between Manali and Rohtang pass.
16th June 2008 : Manali - Keylong (113 kms) This is wherw the real ride starts, the route, to start with where we cross the Rohtang Pass, which means , pile of dead bodies. It is something around 13,400 ft, we cross over and after feilling up at Tandi, the last petrol pump before Leh, which is still 365 km far, we take a break at Keylong, the largest town in route to Leh.
I plan to complete this Manali-Leh , 471 kms stretch in 3 days, so as to be able to enjoy the complete ride at leisure and click photos whenever I feel like. I hope, I shall be back to this region many more times in future, but none of those trips would be like this first one and so, I do not want to run hastily and cover distance just for the sake of it.
So, leisure and enjoy the beauty of the route every step is the ultimate plan.
17th June 2008 : Keylong - Sarchu (109 kms) This would again be a leisure ride , not much distance to cover, a lot of beauty to be nestled and kindled along the route for this part as well.
18th June 2008 : Sarchu - Leh ( 251 kms) This as I have heard and read is a fantastic ride. Pang, the fantastically looped Gata loops, the most exciting Moorey plains, where you feel like ripping, although it is still dangerous. Hopefully would reach Leh before the sun sets, the last 60 kms is almost plain where you can maintain 60-80 kmph.
19th June 2008 : (Rest Day, apply for permits, look for rafting tour operators) So, now living at 3500+ m, take it easily, don't rush around for anything. Take the complete day easily and only go and get the permits for Khardungla, Pangong Tso, other inner line places.
20th June 2008 :
21st June 2008 :
22nd June 2008 :
23rd June 2008 :
24th June 2008 :
25th June 2008 :
26th June 2008 :
27th June 2008 :
28th June 2008 :
List of things for me to carry for the Leh ride
Personal Things
Bike Spares and Accessories
Medicines and First Aid
- Torch/Flash light - with extra battery
- Candle & Matches
- Camera + Memory Sticks + Extra chargeable and non chargeable battery ( try and find a tripod for the camera)
- Pen/ Pencil & Notepad
- Waist pouch
- Self few photograophs
- Photocopies in dozen of license/ also a few RC,ins,PUC copies of bike.
- Toilet Paper
- Shaving Kit
- Towel - light weight, which dries fast
- Nail Cutter + Folding Scissor
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Sunscreen Lotion ( 40 SPF)
- Lip Gel
- Deodorant
- Swiss Knife + Razor Blade (Topaz wali)
- Hair brush & hair oil
- Shampoo Pouch
- Soap -1
- Soap Strips -2
- Plastic Bags ( many)
- Nylon Rope
- Electrolyte/Electral & Glucon C/D
- Dry Fruits + Chocolates + Energy bars ( in total around 1 kg)
- Water & Juices ( Begin your day always with 4 ltr of drinks, keep drinking regularly before feeling the thirst- I plan to drint atleast thrice every hour) - replenish the drinks quota whenever possible during the day and be ready with full for next morning.
- Jeans - 2 (including the one wearing)
- Jacket -1
- Rain Suit (upper & lower both)
- Warm inner ( upper and lower both)
- Sweater - 1 ( am planning to buy it from Manali, its difficult to carry all this from Delhi)
- Shirts - 3
- T-Shirt ( 2 full, 2 half)
- Vest - 4
- Undies - 4
- Swimming Trunks - 1
- Monkey Cap -1
- Belt -1
- Socks - 6 ( Will buy 3-4 woolen from Manali)
- Handkerchief -3
- Muffler -1
- Cap -1
- Shoes - 2 ( Preferably one should be water proof, see if I can find rubber shoes of Duckback)
- Sandals - 1
- Specs - 3 ( 2 normal, 1 photochromatic)
- Sunglasses/ snow glasses - 1
- Mobile and charger
- I-pod with extra battery
Bike Spares and Accessories
- Duplicate Bike Key
- Bike's OEM tool kit
- Wheel spanners for your bikes tyre size ( 8-17) & pliers
- Carton/Electrician Tape
- Bungee Cords
- Spare Tubes ( 1 froont and 2 rear tyre)
- Puncture Repair Kit
- Foot Air Pump
- Spark Plug
- Headlight and tail light spare bulb
- Bike Cover
- Cables ( clutch, brake, accelerator)
- Engine Oil 1500 ml ( SAE 20W50 of API SG + JASO MA grade or superior)
- Spare fuses
- Tube Valve and valve key
- Electrical wires
Medicines and First Aid
- Diamox
- Neospirin Tube & Nebasulf powder
- Band Aids
- Cotton Wool
- Crocin ( fever, cold ,etc)
- Brufen ( anti-inflammatory)
- Moov
- Thermo-meter
- Benadryl
- Ciprofloxacin
- Perinorm (anti-vomiting)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Rappelling at Sattal
Its Sattal Gateway Jungle Camps. This time, I was organizing the trip from our office and we had in the end I think around 40 people coming for the trip including I think around 10+ families with kids ranging from 6 months to 10 yrs. It looked like going to a fantastic trip over the May 10-11 2008 weekend.
The route is fantastic, with the initial leg from Delhi to Kathgodam being covered by train. This time, I was one of the people to organize it, so what we did was, we got train tickets booked for all of us in Tatkal, as there were no reservations available. So, Del-Kathgodam was by train, then Kathgodam to Sat-tal lake it was cabs ( sumo, qualis, travera, etc) Whoosh, the hill drivers, how they drive , GOD only save us. And they are so deft maneuvering the cabs on those cheeky turns and mountain roads. There after its a 15 min boat ride to the other side of the lake and further half hour trek to the camp site. I can't tell you how that half hour was, but its just that with me, carrying the maximum luggage on this trip, it was almost like 2 hrs of trekking. And, we had all duffel bags for this trip, while we should have carried back packs and ruck sacks. Bad mistake.
So, soon we reached our campsite, this is how it looked like. From the looks, it is fantastic and the tents were pitched in some order with a slight height gradient. People ran to the tents and got hold of one for each family or so. We were the last ones to reach along with the tour co-coordinator. And the fellow, he was also carrying one of our bags. I couldn't with Nanna also on me.So, we also looked for the remaining tests and chose one out of them. Neha is also along with us, so Nanna is also very happy. And I hope Neha also likes this place, cos we have been here once and did like it much. So looks fine and likes the place in general. We all had a fantastic train journey last night. The train is right on time and so are we in reaching the camp site. All see the camp site lay out and start getting ready. Some how, people get hold of the volley ball, so they start playing and so do I. It is fun , exhausting yourself early in the morning before 9, this time we are not even up from bed on week ends.
Now, started getting ready, Neha and Shikha are already ready, and so off I go, get ready, use a little Luke warm water. Last time I had used pitch cold water directly to bathe, while it was in March and this time even in May, am using warm water, I guess its age.
So, after breakfast, it was time for the adventurous activities. There were two, just like the last time, although the places were a little different, but still all the more fun included. They had rappelling and river crossing. And so almost all of us did that barring a few. And the best part, Shikha and Neha also did it. She is thrilled to have done that. She couldn't do the river crossing, cos it was already over when she got down and it was time for lunch, Nanna hasn't had anything since morning. That always happens, as soon as we are out, she stops eating anything, and we wlso are able to spend less time on her, so. Still she was spending more time with Neha also. This one the right side is our tent. We spent some time basking in the sun rays filtered by the dense cover of trees and had tea sitting over there.
The activities were to start now, we saw the warm up, tying of ropes to trees etc, sitting on top of the tree which was being used for river crossing activities. Nanna enjoyed a little atop the tree but was soon back mingling with the rest of the people. She spent a lot of time sportingly with many people , while me, Shikha and Neha went ahead with Rappelling. They were time consuming activities. Still, they were fun to do and are one of the 'it' things we have done till now.So, all in all the activities started well and almost all enjoyed , everybody along with wives did all the adventure activities, although there were a couple of people hurt a little, but nothing to dampen the spirits and fun over there.
Back at the campsite, had lunch and many people went ahead to sleep. ut some of the people are not meant for it, and so we people still started playing volleyball. Then after some time, flying disc, some other small games. Evening, we had cool time, sipping tea in front of our tent.
Evening, we had some usual and some unusual games, some rassa-kashi, some water bucket games, and all the girls amongst us enjoyed them well.
Some gala night with usual refreshments and drinks, the camp staff served us well, I hope all were happy. This is my maiden attempt in organizing anything. Some people would always be nagging, am happy to see that but I hope rest of them enjoyed on this trip. It was still substantial money which we had to spend on this.
Next day was roaming around in Nainital and then going to Kathgodam to catch the return train to Delhi. The route was fantastic. The weather turned suddenly, as is the typical of hills, and it started raining, it became cold suddenly. We had clothes, but Nanna was still feeling shivers, so we immediately bought a lower and jacket for her. It was amazing, the weather and drizzle there.
The route from Nainital back to Kathgodam had surprise for us, we had a flat tyre, but the driver fast so fast we could not imagine. He changed the tyre so fast, we just took a breeze out and it was done.So, the journey back home was un event ful. Enjoyed that as well, as we had some time to talk to each other, spend time with new people, know them more. How true it is, if you want to know someone, travel with them,. I recently heard this on TV as well, it is so very true.
All in all a fantastic outing.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Bathing in Ganges at Shivpuri-Rishikesh
It was a long weekend as Jayanta told me a few days ahead of the Monday, 14th April holiday, and boy, he did good to tell me about it. I had no idea about the long weekend coming ahead. So as soon as I came to know about it, the preparations started and we got in full swing to see how we can enjoy the most. For with our 4 yr old little angel with us, we decided to go to the Rishikesh-Devprayag sector.
Shailendra was also planning to come along but was still a little dicy to decide.
It took a couple of days, and as soon as he said yes, we got our bookings done with GMVN, Ganga resort in Rishikesh. It is the most fantastically located place I have ever stayed at. Right on the banks of Gangaji, it gives a fantastic view, cool breeze.
For me, Monday was holiday, but Shail didn't had this luxury, but anyways he used to go to office around 2 O clock.
Now, the plan is , start early morning 5 AM from Gzb and reach Rishikesh asap, check in to Ganga resort and have fun.
Soon, the day came and we tried to slept asap, still I could only get 2 hrs sleep, the anxiety creeps in, u know. Shail generally comes home by late nite 2 or early morning 4-5 AM or so. So, it was me who would be driving, although its not long, I think only 230 kms or so from our place till the resort.
So, we got up early, spoke to Shail at 4, they are also up and getting ready. Down by 5, we are bang on time, start around 5:20 AM from Gzb. I had forgotten to get the tank full at Delhi, so thought we will have to do it en-route. All as per plan, except, the kids. We thought both the kids would be fast asleep at 5 in the morning and we would be able to cover much distance pretty soon. But, both of them were wide awake fighting for space and enjoying the drive, and it took more than an hour of cool breeze for both of them to go into deep slumber. It was a huge traffic drive, it seems whole of Delhi was going towards that direction. In fact, I have seen it so many times now, Delhites throng to the nearby tourist places for weekend outings almost all year round and on long weekends, it becomes a mad rush. Now, we are also a part of it.
Little less than half an hour from Haridwar, the kids were moving a little, and it as evident they would be up any minute. We were also driving non stop for close to 4 hours now, yeah traffic is that huge, the avg is 45 kmph max, so we also thought of taking a stop. After many thoughts, Patanjali, the huge palatial ashram of Baba Ramdev was chosen as the place to halt at.
It is a magnificently made place and we enjoyed our time there. The kids got fresh and we had something to eat and drink.
Photo-ops time in front of the artificial water fountains there and we took almost 2 hours loitering here and there and enjoying.
Then, off we go towards Rishikesh, re-fuelling the car in between and reach Ganaga resort around 1 PM after much windings through the narrow lanes, phew the main road route was so much better, which we discovered later. The location and view from the hotel are fantastic, I can't describe enough.
We got 2 adjacent rooms on the first floor, they have huge balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view, evening tea. Keep sitting on there and you would loose the sense of the time passing by.
All of us were already very hungry, kids hadn't eaten anything at Patanjali and so, we ordered some snacks immediately. Went to take shower alongside, and then went downstairs in the restaurant to have lunch. Had a sumptuous lunch and we all were full to brim, much tired and thinking what to do now.
Gangaji is just flowing down there a few steps touching the wall of this resort And it is chilling hot outside. Shail and party were in a pretty lumber state, but we decided that we should be now going to Ganagaji and take a dip. And so we went down there, and soon they also joined. That was a good time there. Shailendra also after much deliberation, jumped in with his jeans on and we enjoyed the cool shallow water there for around 2 hours. Nanna was so ecstatic and was enjoying water like anything, we were happy. Shikha couldn't take a dip, nevertheless she enjoyed with all of us.
There after, we came back to our respective rooms, changed and then thought of going out to check the city, the famous Ram and Laxman Jhula. We spent a long time standing near and on the Laxman Jhule. Then we went to the famous Chotiwala's restaurant to have food. The food was ok, nothing great about it. But the chotiwala's are real treat to the eyes. Esp, our kids were very happy to see them. There are two of them now, I think they must be kin and are now running two Chotiwala restaurants adjacent to each other. And can believe, they always have a person sitting outside the restaurant on a high chair with proper getup and a feet long choti standing like a ruler. Wow, that is a sight.
In the late afternoon, when we were cossing the Ram Jhula, we saw a lot of rafters coming through, below the Ram jhula. It was a fantastic sight. Then we went back to our resort, took a good night sleep. We had decided to go to Shivpuri in the morning.
Sunday morning, we got up early, got the kids ready as well. Had breakfast at the restaurant and left for Shivpuri.
I don't actually know, if we reached Shivpuri or not. But it looked like we did. While going by, we saw a couple of shops on the right side and a little hustle bustle but we didn't notice much.Half a km ahead we asked someone and he said, go back, just before the bridge go down on the left side. So we did, and we parked almost at the river banks. Here she is, Gangaji mildly flowing with serene looks. And lots and lots of camps there, white sand beaches all around and unbelievably hundreds of people getting ready to go rafting. Every few minutes, there was a raft starting from that place. And the people were very enthusiastic about it. We soon took our positions in the river Ganaga, bathing and splashing water. Kids were a little reluctant today, so they kept out, so did Shikha. But, we were enjoying the weather, Gangaji, the rafters doing jai jai kar before embarking on the unknown 3 hr journey towards Rishikesh. These rafts would take around 3 hours to reach Rishikesh, these are the ones we were looking at yesterday also from Ram Jhula.
After spending a good time, we went back to the city, stopping in between at a lot of places , clicking snaps. All the time, it was actually Shailendra only, as I had as always not got my camera here.
Back i
Came back to the hotel, enjoyed in the evening with n town, had lunch, guess it was pretty late already, and then kept sitting on one of the ghats idly for many hours, till the time the beautiful evening aarti was over. Then went back to the hotel, had some masti, some food, and good sleep.
Early morning around 5, ready to start from there, Unevevt ful jouorney back home, midway ate like hippos at "The Grand Cheetal". It is a hugely expensive place but all the food material is of good quality and good taste, can stop here more in future as well.
Reached home before 12 in the noon and phew good long 4 hour sleep. :-)
Shailendra was also planning to come along but was still a little dicy to decide.
It took a couple of days, and as soon as he said yes, we got our bookings done with GMVN, Ganga resort in Rishikesh. It is the most fantastically located place I have ever stayed at. Right on the banks of Gangaji, it gives a fantastic view, cool breeze.
For me, Monday was holiday, but Shail didn't had this luxury, but anyways he used to go to office around 2 O clock.
Now, the plan is , start early morning 5 AM from Gzb and reach Rishikesh asap, check in to Ganga resort and have fun.
Soon, the day came and we tried to slept asap, still I could only get 2 hrs sleep, the anxiety creeps in, u know. Shail generally comes home by late nite 2 or early morning 4-5 AM or so. So, it was me who would be driving, although its not long, I think only 230 kms or so from our place till the resort.
So, we got up early, spoke to Shail at 4, they are also up and getting ready. Down by 5, we are bang on time, start around 5:20 AM from Gzb. I had forgotten to get the tank full at Delhi, so thought we will have to do it en-route. All as per plan, except, the kids. We thought both the kids would be fast asleep at 5 in the morning and we would be able to cover much distance pretty soon. But, both of them were wide awake fighting for space and enjoying the drive, and it took more than an hour of cool breeze for both of them to go into deep slumber. It was a huge traffic drive, it seems whole of Delhi was going towards that direction. In fact, I have seen it so many times now, Delhites throng to the nearby tourist places for weekend outings almost all year round and on long weekends, it becomes a mad rush. Now, we are also a part of it.
Little less than half an hour from Haridwar, the kids were moving a little, and it as evident they would be up any minute. We were also driving non stop for close to 4 hours now, yeah traffic is that huge, the avg is 45 kmph max, so we also thought of taking a stop. After many thoughts, Patanjali, the huge palatial ashram of Baba Ramdev was chosen as the place to halt at.
It is a magnificently made place and we enjoyed our time there. The kids got fresh and we had something to eat and drink.
Photo-ops time in front of the artificial water fountains there and we took almost 2 hours loitering here and there and enjoying.
Then, off we go towards Rishikesh, re-fuelling the car in between and reach Ganaga resort around 1 PM after much windings through the narrow lanes, phew the main road route was so much better, which we discovered later. The location and view from the hotel are fantastic, I can't describe enough.
We got 2 adjacent rooms on the first floor, they have huge balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view, evening tea. Keep sitting on there and you would loose the sense of the time passing by.
All of us were already very hungry, kids hadn't eaten anything at Patanjali and so, we ordered some snacks immediately. Went to take shower alongside, and then went downstairs in the restaurant to have lunch. Had a sumptuous lunch and we all were full to brim, much tired and thinking what to do now.
Gangaji is just flowing down there a few steps touching the wall of this resort And it is chilling hot outside. Shail and party were in a pretty lumber state, but we decided that we should be now going to Ganagaji and take a dip. And so we went down there, and soon they also joined. That was a good time there. Shailendra also after much deliberation, jumped in with his jeans on and we enjoyed the cool shallow water there for around 2 hours. Nanna was so ecstatic and was enjoying water like anything, we were happy. Shikha couldn't take a dip, nevertheless she enjoyed with all of us.
There after, we came back to our respective rooms, changed and then thought of going out to check the city, the famous Ram and Laxman Jhula. We spent a long time standing near and on the Laxman Jhule. Then we went to the famous Chotiwala's restaurant to have food. The food was ok, nothing great about it. But the chotiwala's are real treat to the eyes. Esp, our kids were very happy to see them. There are two of them now, I think they must be kin and are now running two Chotiwala restaurants adjacent to each other. And can believe, they always have a person sitting outside the restaurant on a high chair with proper getup and a feet long choti standing like a ruler. Wow, that is a sight.
In the late afternoon, when we were cossing the Ram Jhula, we saw a lot of rafters coming through, below the Ram jhula. It was a fantastic sight. Then we went back to our resort, took a good night sleep. We had decided to go to Shivpuri in the morning.
Sunday morning, we got up early, got the kids ready as well. Had breakfast at the restaurant and left for Shivpuri.
I don't actually know, if we reached Shivpuri or not. But it looked like we did. While going by, we saw a couple of shops on the right side and a little hustle bustle but we didn't notice much.Half a km ahead we asked someone and he said, go back, just before the bridge go down on the left side. So we did, and we parked almost at the river banks. Here she is, Gangaji mildly flowing with serene looks. And lots and lots of camps there, white sand beaches all around and unbelievably hundreds of people getting ready to go rafting. Every few minutes, there was a raft starting from that place. And the people were very enthusiastic about it. We soon took our positions in the river Ganaga, bathing and splashing water. Kids were a little reluctant today, so they kept out, so did Shikha. But, we were enjoying the weather, Gangaji, the rafters doing jai jai kar before embarking on the unknown 3 hr journey towards Rishikesh. These rafts would take around 3 hours to reach Rishikesh, these are the ones we were looking at yesterday also from Ram Jhula.
After spending a good time, we went back to the city, stopping in between at a lot of places , clicking snaps. All the time, it was actually Shailendra only, as I had as always not got my camera here.
Back i
Came back to the hotel, enjoyed in the evening with n town, had lunch, guess it was pretty late already, and then kept sitting on one of the ghats idly for many hours, till the time the beautiful evening aarti was over. Then went back to the hotel, had some masti, some food, and good sleep.
Early morning around 5, ready to start from there, Unevevt ful jouorney back home, midway ate like hippos at "The Grand Cheetal". It is a hugely expensive place but all the food material is of good quality and good taste, can stop here more in future as well.
Reached home before 12 in the noon and phew good long 4 hour sleep. :-)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Banjar to Sissu - Day 6
Thursday, 19th June' 2008
Morning: So,we stayed in the Natures Lap Resort,fantastic place,no sound except the river flowing down the mountain.We had thought and planned for an early start.
And somehow before alarm goes of at 5, we woke up at 4:30 strange isn't. So after tea and initial hiccups we started I think around8:15 or so. A couple of views of the resort and nature around.
Around 10 kms we have gone and Haider is no where to be found, though the network is still working here but not able to contact him. We think he has left for Kullu already.
We reach Kullu and he calls up. He's at Bhuntar servicing his bike, would take a couple of hoours. We go ahead & get our bikes washed just before Manali. Later, I bought a 5 l can from Manali. Later Haider joined us there and we have lunch there in the late afternoon. While sitting there we heard the thumps and saw Dwaraka and team pass through.
We are already late ( around 2:15 pm) and Manali is still 19 kms from here. Phew, am a little perplexed about crossing Rohtang late in the evening, but Atul is confident and so we march through.
The day looked good, a little cloudy and we reached Rohtang Pass around 6 pm, very late. There were lots and lots of traffic and it was really tough navigating there. The muddy and slushy route was ready to make you fall there. And as it was getting late, I was ahead and was riding through the slushy roads first. And somehow in a hurry to cross the traffic and reach Rohtang pass, I crossed it without even being able to stop there and click photographs.
So, no stopping there, off we go, the target is Sissu. Around 4-5 kms from Rohtang is Gramphoo.You wouldn't know, there is nothing, except the board and a road cut going to Losar/Kaza.
Just as we crossed Rohtang pass, on the other side was nature's bliss. Unbelievably serene and beautiful.
We ride thorugh, Koksar was breeze. But I had a scare. I had my first fall there. Just navigating the curve while turning right, in front of me, there was a truck coming uphill and I just got slow and bham. Truck wala also smiled and stopped his truck, a fellow coming from the side helped me. Wasn't bad actually.
Koksar to Sissu is 15 kms, 4-5 kms is too good a road. After that the 10 kms stretch was the worst, I have rode on till date. 10 kms of loose small stones on the whole sand and dirt track.
The guest house location was the best among all our trip hotels, just out of the world. Take a peep of this view from the window, looks to me the best window in the world.
Night Halt : Trivani Guest House
Food + Lodging - Rs 600/=
Fuel : Rs 350/=
Trip : 186 kms for the day.
The resort and view from there:
Traffic jams at Rohtang Pass :
Starkly different other side of Rohtang :
Sissu outskirts in fading day light
Morning: So,we stayed in the Natures Lap Resort,fantastic place,no sound except the river flowing down the mountain.We had thought and planned for an early start.
And somehow before alarm goes of at 5, we woke up at 4:30 strange isn't. So after tea and initial hiccups we started I think around8:15 or so. A couple of views of the resort and nature around.
Around 10 kms we have gone and Haider is no where to be found, though the network is still working here but not able to contact him. We think he has left for Kullu already.
We reach Kullu and he calls up. He's at Bhuntar servicing his bike, would take a couple of hoours. We go ahead & get our bikes washed just before Manali. Later, I bought a 5 l can from Manali. Later Haider joined us there and we have lunch there in the late afternoon. While sitting there we heard the thumps and saw Dwaraka and team pass through.
We are already late ( around 2:15 pm) and Manali is still 19 kms from here. Phew, am a little perplexed about crossing Rohtang late in the evening, but Atul is confident and so we march through.
The day looked good, a little cloudy and we reached Rohtang Pass around 6 pm, very late. There were lots and lots of traffic and it was really tough navigating there. The muddy and slushy route was ready to make you fall there. And as it was getting late, I was ahead and was riding through the slushy roads first. And somehow in a hurry to cross the traffic and reach Rohtang pass, I crossed it without even being able to stop there and click photographs.
So, no stopping there, off we go, the target is Sissu. Around 4-5 kms from Rohtang is Gramphoo.You wouldn't know, there is nothing, except the board and a road cut going to Losar/Kaza.
Just as we crossed Rohtang pass, on the other side was nature's bliss. Unbelievably serene and beautiful.
We ride thorugh, Koksar was breeze. But I had a scare. I had my first fall there. Just navigating the curve while turning right, in front of me, there was a truck coming uphill and I just got slow and bham. Truck wala also smiled and stopped his truck, a fellow coming from the side helped me. Wasn't bad actually.
Koksar to Sissu is 15 kms, 4-5 kms is too good a road. After that the 10 kms stretch was the worst, I have rode on till date. 10 kms of loose small stones on the whole sand and dirt track.
The guest house location was the best among all our trip hotels, just out of the world. Take a peep of this view from the window, looks to me the best window in the world.
Night Halt : Trivani Guest House
Food + Lodging - Rs 600/=
Fuel : Rs 350/=
Trip : 186 kms for the day.
The resort and view from there:
Traffic jams at Rohtang Pass :
Starkly different other side of Rohtang :
Sissu outskirts in fading day light
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