SOUQS OF DUBAI

Entrance to a souq

Signage - simple

Roof of a souq

Al Souq, a simple sign will lead you to the old market place in Bur Dubai on the Dubai creek. More signage that show ways are a fish icon leading to the Fish Souq and a necklace icon showing the way to the Gold Souq. 

A souq in old Dubai is a maze of alleys, traditional in style, rows of shops in narrow zig-zag cobbled pathways. The unique feature is the roof….an intricate crisscross lattice work of wooden beams with the rays of sun interplaying with pockets of shadows creating an interesting pattern on the footpaths. Some places have lanterns of coloured glass hanging on wooden pillars or just plain wood arrows showing the way to the interior parts of the souq.

What strikes one as soon as you are near these souqs is the divine smell of the incense, bakhoor that is traditionally burnt here. You will see various shop keepers who display their Mabkhara, a traditional clay burner, the heady smells wafting on spirals of smoke, lingering on your clothes and hair. An array of silks, intricately embroidered laces and nets with sequins shine among the stone studded velvets ….all vying for attention of shoppers. Colorful sheesha pipes, cashmere shawls, clothes, shoes, glass lanterns and traditional curios and knock- offs of watches and bags jostle with each other for display.

View from the Abra ride

Old building

View of the barajeel

View of the old traditional Emirati homes

A quick abra ride over the blue waters of the creek is another experience one should not miss while in this area. You join with people from all over the world trying their hand at this ride on these wooden abras, traders ferrying their wares across to the other side and people who use these water taxis to commute. The cries of the birds flying low vie with those of the traders in their traditional dhows (wooden boats, I will need another post to write about these amazing part of the Dubai-scape). Do this crossing in the night time and it gives you a twinkling horizon of lights on both shores and glimpses of the Dhows lit up for the cruises. The day time trip gives you a clear view of the traditional barajeel - the wind towers of the coral stone houses - peeking out from behind the markets among the new buildings that dot the shore. These were used to keep the buildings cool, an ancient version of central air conditioning, if we may call it so.

Walls of Corals with sand and Lime

Minar of a mosque

Some of these Emirati houses still are intact while some places have the coral walls (walls built with corals, lime and sand) standing forlorn. It’s always fascinating to see how ancient civilisations used local resources to the max with minimum transportation cost, which was the norm across the ancient world.  We also see the spires of mosques with their traditional blue tile work showing through and imposing Islamic style architecture. When seen up close, the intricate tile work, calligraphy and symmetrical patterns can be mesmerising.

Spices

Spice souq

Reach the Spice Souq that lends a slightly different experience. Aroma of spices predominate, as would in a spice market. Rows and rows of dried spices, pods, dried fruits and nuts, dried flowers, saffron and herbs used in traditional preparations, bags-full of coloured bahkoor, resins, rocks of salts, frankincense and much more make for a fabulous display of colors, textures and smells. The Grand Souq and the Spice Souq have been selling wares, spices and gold for years now in the same narrow alleys and old shops with their wooden doors and run by the same family over generations. Shopkeepers will chat with you, telling you the names and uses of most of their wares. Do not forget to bargain as this is expected of anyone who comes to shop here; it’s a kind of social interaction.

A shop in the
Gold Souq 

Walk further to reach the Gold Souq with its glittering wares that dazzle the eye! The sheer stocks and size would make one reel in shock. It’s a shopper’s paradise if that is what pleases you. Here everything that glitters IS gold!! There are quaint benches too in the souq under the lattice wooden beamed roof to sit and see the world hustle by.

Minars at night

The Fish Souq is one place that might want you to wrinkle your nose, though comparing it with some other parts of the world, its quite non-fishy (as far as smells go). The range and quality of fish that can be bought here is amazing to say the least.

The Souqs of old Dubai situated on both sides of the creek – Deira and Bur (old) Dubai areas are the origins of trade and market place in these lands, of fishing and pearl diving (the original trade of this area). It is undoubtedly the charm of the souqs that pull people to at least witness it as onlookers if not participate in its daily life. No visit to Dubai is complete without a visit to its souqs.

Of coloured glass and lights

I was always fascinated by coloured glass in stained glass windows in my grandmother's colonial bungalow in Secunderabad. The way the sunlight changed colours when it fell on the floor after passing through it. The kaleidoscope of colours and patterns would keep me mesmerised till I grew up.

It was much later I got reintroduced to that magic when I started my work that took me into beautiful palaces. Palaces built by the nizams. Palaces which had these beautiful stained glass window panes, colourful candle holders, multi-coloured chandeliers all drawing your eyes to them. Fighting for attention amongst the intricately beautiful stucco work ornamentation on the ceilings. But the colours won in my eyes.

It is so very often I visit these places, look at these coloured lights and I never once feel bored or jaded looking at them. They still capture my eye when I walk I to those massive rooms.

Every single time I wonder how they will look in my house. Will any modern construction do justice to the beauty of these Belgium glass chandeliers?? Will the modern Indian appreciate the intricacy of the workmanship?? Enough to flaunt one in his home??

I would... If I had a home like one of the palaces. 😊

But since I am no royalty, I settle for admiring it ever so often ... Sharing my love for them with each of my guest.... Hoping to ignite a similar passion.

My experience at the Everest Base Camp trek.

It’s called the mother of all treks. It’s featured in “The 10 Best treks in the world” list by Lonely Planet.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/tasmania/travel-tips-and-articles/76228

All this did not matter to me when I agreed to do this trek. For me it was simple…If I cannot climb the Mount Everest, I could very well go to its base. And well before my knees complain and lungs crib to cooperate.

It was much later that it struck me that it’s no cake walk, I needed to prepare.

Here I was going on by far the most challenging trek in the Khumbu region…..the Nepalese side of Mt Everest is officially called Khumbu. It’s called the most arduous trek for non professional mountaineers/trekkers. But then I wasn’t doing something people like me (read naïve trekking enthusiast) don’t do. Thousands trek to the base camp every year. And like them I prepared. A month and a half of brisk walking daily (8kms in 60-70 mins) and climbing almost 1000 steps at one go thrice a week was good enough.

The aim was to reach the Everest Base Camp…the camp where summit climbers camp while they aim to reach the top of the tallest mountain in the world.

The other point to remember is that I trekked to reach a height of 5364m or approximately 18,000 feet at the base camp. I needed to be fit. There is the omnipresent risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS); I could not add non fitness to it. Add to it the cold temperatures, long days, longer walks and a low partial pressure of oxygen. Did I dare be unfit!?!? No chance!!

I went with a fabulous team of 11 more co-trekkers. It makes sense to do such treks with people you know who can motivate you, goad you at times, help you out and be your companions.

The route of almost 120 kms to the base camp and back is a steady incline from 2400 m to 5400m and back to 2400m. I trekked through the most beautiful ranges of the Himalayas to reach the base of Mt. Everest. It’s scenic, clean and absolutely breath taking…that is if the steady climb doesn’t leave you breathless. Being a hobbyist photographer, it was a delight to take pictures that will tell the story to family and friends, because I find words don’t do justice to the beauty I saw.

The trek starts at Lukla where we landed in our 16 seater plane on the world’s most dangerous airport….the Tenzing Hillary airport having an airstrip of only 450mts. The 9 day trek takes us through small villages and hamlets, mountains, ice cold streams and rivers, swinging suspension bridges, yak trails on almost nonexistent pathways. It starts with the coniferous forests line that gives way to shrubs which as we climb higher give way to starkness in the form of rocks, snow and blue skies with white fluffy clouds. The cold also increases daily and the coldest was at the base at almost 10 degree below zero. It takes 4 days to come back the same route, but since we loose altitude while descending, it is faster. We used to trek for almost 10 kms daily over 6-8 hours each day.

The experience of meeting the warm friendly Sherpas of Nepal will stay for life with me. They are hard working, very loving and great hosts. We stayed in tea houses and lodges, small basic rooms made of wood with a small bunk on which is laid out a thin mattress. We slept in our sleeping bags to keep us warm in the cold nights. We ate the local food, mostly ‘dal-bhat’, a filling healthy meal of rice, thin dal and sautéed vegetables. Some times we had noodle soup and occasionally pastas with tomato sauce. Bread and cornflakes were our breakfast every morning.

Since there are no vehicles in this region, each and every thing is flown in from Kathmandu and carried by Sherpas on their backs….be it food items, rice, flour, oil, kerosene, gas cylinders, plywood planks, glass sheets, and what you may have. So everything has a cost; including water, which is boiled melted snow. The vegetables that are eaten are mostly grown here and they are restricted to potatoes, cabbage and carrot.

The sight of the snow clad mountains is awesome. They are huge, up close and beautiful. You feel like you can touch them, but they are always out of reach….but omnipresent. They make you feel small and insignificant. I lost a lot of ‘I, me, myself’ on this trip; made me realize how important family and friends are. The fact that we did not have contact with them probably was a huge contributor. I found huge belief in prayer. I found I had to have a huge mental strength along with the physical strength that is required. You have to dive deep inside you to bring out your reserves to complete this trip.

Not many Indians do this trek. Not too many Indian women do this ever. I feel blessed that as a mother of two boys I got to do this at the age of 40 years. I had the unshakable support of my family. I had this on my bucket list and the belief in myself. And of course the blessings of my God.

I can’t thank enough all the people who helped me achieve this and of course God for giving me this opportunity to go after my dream to fulfill it.

The Three Monarchy Trail...Heritage Walk_20th August 2011, Saturday

Hyderabad has an almost 410 years of vibrancy as the seat of dynasties and the Golkonda fort has a history of more than 700 years. Obviously has a rich mosaic of history and stories to keep you spellbound. Monuments that date back to all those years which stand mute testimony to these stories tell them in their own way. Listen to them, evoke your imagination and weave a web of intrigue on our heritage walks. These heritage walk enables you to experience the hidden treasures of heritage, culture, and the fabulous historical monuments, that Hyderabad is famous for…....


THE THREE MONARCHY TRAIL covers monuments built by the three monarchies which ruled over this area of Deccan…the Qutub Shahs, the Mughals and the Asaf Jahs. Monuments covered are Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Laad Bazaar (along with surrounding monuments) and Chowmahalla Palace.

Start point: Charminar
End point: Chowmahalla
Charges: Rs.250 per head inclusive of entry ticket to the Chowmahalla. Camera charges extra to be borne by guest.

City adventurers touch Everest base...Article in The Hindu, 27th May 2011.

Against all odds: Members of Greater Hyderabad Adventure Club at the base of Mount Everest.

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

City adventurers touch Everest base


Staff Reporter

12-member group trekked 120 k.m. to reach the base camp

The group which formed Greater Hyderabad Adventure Club trained for two months

They started on May 1 from Kathmandu; some suffered altitude sickness, sleeplessness


 


HYDERABAD: Braving all odds thrown at them by Mother Nature, 12 adventure seekers from the capital successfully reached Everest Base Camp (EBC), which is 17,500 feet above the sea level. The motley group started their journey on May 1 from Kathmandu and trekked through a clutch of valleys, villages, visited monasteries and covered 120 kilometres and made it to the base camp on May 9.

All the 12 members of the group, which was formed by Greater Hyderabad Adventure Club (GHAC), managed to reach EBC.

“Despite odds everybody reached the base camp and that's a big achievement. It's not easy because the trek is treacherous and challenges the will power of everybody,” recalled Ali Rizvi, team leader of the expedition, who reached the base camp for the second time in as many years.

Women members

The team members, who relived their experiences of the adventure in a GHAC meeting on Thursday, also included four women. “While trekking, I used to think whether it was worth taking the pain. But when you reach the base camp, you realise the real worth of visiting such a place. You get to see peaks like Mount Everest in real and that feeling is hard to describe,” said G. Manisha, a group member.



The group consisted of persons from all age groups.

“At 54, I was the oldest but was determined that I should not become a burden to anybody in the team. We trained really hard before embarking upon such an arduous journey,” said Ranjan Sood.

The group trained hard for two months.

“The training was rigorous and included speed walking a few kilometres and then climbing 1,500 steps at Ammuguda every day.

Despite such training, several members suffered altitude sickness and sleeplessness,” team leader Ali Rizvi said.

The team members who made it to the base camp include Ali Razvi (team leader), Inderpreet, Nathalia Rodriguez, Ranjan Sood, Sunil Kumar, Sanjeev Reddy, Vaibhav Patil, Priyanka Singh, Narasimha Reddy, Gaurav Duggal, Manisha Gadhalay and Tanveer Fathma.

Everest Base Camp...the Mother of all treks.

It’s called the mother of all treks. It’s featured in “The 10 Best treks in the world” list by Lonely Planet. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/tasmania/travel-tips-and-articles/76228

All this did not matter to me when I agreed to do this trek. For me it was simple…If I cannot climb the Mount Everest, I could very well go to its base.  And well before my knees complain and lungs crib to cooperate.

It was much later that it struck me that it’s no cake walk, I need to prepare.

Here I was going on the by far the most challenging trek in the Khumbu region…..the Nepalese side of Mt Everest is officially called Khumbu.  It’s called the most arduous trek for non professional mountaineers/trekkers. But then I wasn’t doing something people like me (read naïve trekking enthusiast) don’t do. Thousands trek to the base camp every year. And like them I prepare.

The aim is to reach the Everest Base Camp…the camp where summit climbers camp while they aim to reach the top of the tallest mountain in the world.

The other point to remember is that I would be trekking to reach a height of 5643m at Kalapatthar and 5380m at the base camp. I need to be fit. There is the omnipresent risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS); I could not add non fitness to it. Add to it the cold temperatures, long days, longer walks and a low partial pressure of oxygen. Do I dare be unfit!! No chance!!

So I prepare.

A regular to the gym, it still did not bode well that I could not manage steps continuously without going out of breath. So out goes the regular gym routine and in comes in a new customised workout that literally wrings out the laziness and laid back attitude out of me!!!

Soon I realize the body is a fabulous work of engineering. A steady exercise regime builds my calf, thigh muscles; increases my stamina, endurance capacity and sheer lung power. Now if you walk close to 8 kms on undulated surfaces in about an hour and a half, you come close. Add to it climbing and getting down close to 2000 steps twice/thrice a week….it gives you a firsthand reality check about your fitness level!!!!   And boy…did I get the shock of my life!!!! Which I overcame with sheer determination and will power…oh…and hard work too J

Being a night time owl…read..raat ki raani….it gave me a renewed appreciation to the glory of the rising sun, chirping birds, dew drops on leaves and the fresh clean cool morning air. The days just got long enough for me to get a whole lot of things done. I was not sleeping away those couple of early hours, you see…  ;)

A disciplined schedule of what you want to do is a great motivator. I no longer need an alarm to wake up in the wee hours of the morning. My body and mind are ready and willing…...sometimes before time.

I have a fabulous team of co-trekkers who train with me. We push our bodies to however much we can.....and then some more, goad each other to excel, have bonded and look forward to a fabulous two weeks.

I see only benefits.

On a trip down nostalgia...call of the wild.

When the wild calls, you answer, simple…at least for the 24 who went on the masanagudi jungle trek. For the rest who wanted to but couldn’t, it was call waiting. For those who answered, it was an event that would stay with them for ever….they would be glad that they answered.

Well, once we all were gathered, intros over and desperately trying to remember the names of the members we were meeting for the first time and wondering whether the masked co passengers were just being careful or should we be worrying; it was time to move. Sudhanshu was still stuck somewhere in traffic, but after many phone calls and laughs at the confusion, we managed to pick him up enroute. The Volvo bus journey was all right; we managed to disturb others in the bus with our enthusiasm. The journey to Mysore was over with some bonding, chatting and sleepless night for some.

Day One

Shift over to Swaraj Mazda, we all started to go visit the temple at Gopalagiribetta. After the green countryside from Bangalore onwards, time had come for some climbing. Narrow country roads, small clean villages and beautiful sunflower and marigold farms greeted us.

The temple at the top of the hills was quaint and quite. Legend has it that there is a lake close to this Sri Venkateshwara swamy temple that has magical properties, so much so that we no longer spot crows in that area because they have turned into swans.

Well, stories aside, the rolling green hills give a fantastic panoramic view of the nilgiris yonder…a fantastic photo shoot opportunity, which none missed.

After an almost missed darshan (the curtain was drawn, did not see the idolL), loads of pics and stories heard; we made our way to Masanagudi.

The ride was through the lush green thick jungles of Madhumalai and Bandipur…all part of the same forest reserve…what’s in a name….We tried to keep a look out for animals, but being the wrong time of the day (animals generally come out during the early morning and late evening hours) and here we were in the middle of the day. But I guess, call us lucky, we spotted a few deer….in all their glory….shiny spots, antlers et al.

Monkeys were aplenty, much to everyone’s sense of humor…..trying to see who is related to whom?? Just when we were about to give up on seeing any elephants, we spotted a lone tusker a few feet inside the forests. Now that’s what I call a treat for the eye!!!!

As we approached the place where we were told we would be put, I was taken aback. Here I was expecting a rustic ‘in the middle of the jungle’ set of cottages with maybe no electricity and quite prepared for the most ‘away from civilization’ experience; and there it was…something else altogether. A very cute semi modern farmhouse with all luxuries yet so far removed from the ruckus and noise. Coconut trees surrounded it, the river flowed just close by, and you could see it from the hammock that was in the gardens. Well the hammock was one place you could find me…swinging away, watching the play of light passing through the coconut leaves, enjoying the cool breeze and of course sharing words and laughs of who ever passed my way.

After a nice hot decent lunch (some sumptuous fried fish from the river among other things) through which we heard some local news that changed our trek plans (the death of a French lady while elephant spotting), we were briefed on the agenda of the rest of our time. I really did not pay too much attention, wanted the surprise element intact.

A short walk (read cross the road and I am there) away was the river, meandering at its own pace, dragging with it the leaves of the bamboo plants surrounding it, reflecting the blue green hills and whiffs of white clouds on its calm surfaces. Again made for more photo ops.

A quick feet-soak in its cold waters left us asking for more, which was promised in the form of a small brook a little way away. Pilling into an Omni car, stuffing ourselves into an open jeep left us with no option but to also hang onto the rails of the jeep, which was enjoyed by few…almost that a fight broke as to who will hang outside the jeep..:).

The little brook was inviting enough till we landed inside it…ice cold waters welcomed us as well all the friends who were merrily soaking the dry ones.

After a robust game of playing with a tennis ball in the waters, we stepped out most unwilling….but to continue the game elsewhere…a fantastic green meadow encircled with trees.

With evening approaching, being cold and wet, promises of hot tea/coffee got us back in a jiffy.

A night safari was planned for all of us, for which instructions were aplenty, but all for our own safety. Now was no pilling…only eight in an open jeep, some snug and warm in jackets, some wontedly feeling the cold air, but all very eager and forcibly quite. Apparently the animals are quite used to the whrooming, honking, rattling vehicles speeding along the roads with full lights on, but are sensitive to human voices. A peek on the backside of the jeep gives you the best experience of being in the jungles at night…. winding roads, dark, mysterious, maybe dangerous and definitely scary. The driver has a way of driving zig zag that allows you to see the animals in his head light if they happen to be next to the roads. And we were again lucky…saw elephants in twos and threes and fours…. unperturbed by the noise of the vehicle but will panic at the flash of the camera…. munching away at the tall elephant grass by the roadside.

The bison were a little deeper…you had to look carefully to spot them…and we did!!! You see these animals in their natural habitat so up close and are awed by their size and regality….so much so that you loose your voice, eyes pop out and makes you think that you are so small and vulnerable in this kind of jungle.

A hot dinne awaited us back at the farmhouse

along with a bonfire…made for the perfect night in the jungles. Much bonding, laughing and dancing later, we all headed for a night’s rest for we had to be fresh for THE trek the next morning.

Day Two

Morning found us all eager and ready, drizzle and all. Some made a quick trip to the river side only to find that the gates to the dam had been opened sometime during the night that left very little water now exposing the bushes and undergrowth. Not a very scenic sight, unfortunately.

We had a poignant flag hoisting ceremony, some homemade laddoos to celebrate being Indian and 62 years of freedom.

Set out on the trek well prepared, things and instructions in place. A short walk through the village got us to the forest. Following a trail for some time, pushing the shrubbery and branches out of the way (because they crowd on the way, or rather, the trail was cut through them), trying to avoid the small rocks, bushes, thorns et al on the way, trying to keep quite so as not to scare the animals away, we managed to soak in all the senses of the jungles. The quite, the dampness, green smells, flowers, skeleton remains, dew stuck in cobwebs, dried trees, fried trees, moss, ferns …everything that can be noticed while keeping your balance and being on track. You don’t want to get lost in the jungle!!!!

Now my idea of a jungle trek was cross-country types, not on trails…and my prayers were answered. We started the decent into the valley…making out way around shrubs, small and big trees, tall elephant grass and occasional rocks. Its not funny going down a steep mountain slipping and sliding, grasping the grass roots for your dear life…some of us grasped the hands of who ever lended it at the right time…and many did. Lessons learnt…teamwork it is …all the way!!!

A short stop halfway down the mountain (3700 feet above sea level), we heard yet again “hey lachoo” “ oye lachuu”…some calls that the guides were making between themselves. Maybe was a secret call on sighting an elephant…coz immediately we stopped at a cliff edge and were pointed out in to the deep valley under us. We strained our eyes to see but could only make out muddy coffee colored water in a thick green jungle-ed gorge. Then we noticed some black spots and were told that they were elephants on their daily splash. We then got out our binoculars and zoom cameras to see them clearly and they are a sight o see.

Such bulky creatures can be quite playful in water. After they had moved along we too did, only to encounter them a few minutes later…luckily going uphill, far away and in the opposite direction on the slope facing us. Again what amazes me is the way these creatures can mange to walk on such steep slopes, with nothing to grip by, where as we had only two feet, small body and hands to grasp at trees stumps and tall grass. But then they were in their natural habitat and we weren’t.

Soon after a seemingly long trip down the mountain slope, we reached the river and its icy cold muddy waters. But after putting our feet and body through ordeal, cold water was bliss, muddy or not. Soaking our poor feet and then splashing and playing gave us all the much-needed relaxation time to unwind and fill our tummies. Also gave people ample photo ops too.

The trek back was another story altogether. If coming down was something, going up a slope with almost nothing but grass to hold on in an almost straight incline is something else. Some sensibly went up the easy zig zag way as instructed by the guides and some made their own paths. And some like me hung onto experts to lead me along the right way…. easy or not…just up and out of the gorge. A push here, a prod there, helping hands, encouraging words, sips of water shared, a couple of breaks to give the elephants enough time to get away from us (we did not want to chance upon them during grazing time…we were almost close, some saw them but held back for fear of our safety) and much later we were at the top. Or so I thought. But I was wrong….we still had a long way to go, cross the top of the mountain to get to the village.Almost 3 kms of walk through the jungle was pending, evening

was fast approaching, and we were rushed by the guides for we did not want to be still in the jungle in the dark when elephants come out along with other wildlife. A small disagreement amongst the guides on taking the south road or the west road ensued, much to everyone’s amusement. With enough pushing and separating talkative team mates (read me and Naren, specially), we were making slow progress according to the guides. To add to his worries, it started drizzling. Not to make all of us happy, though. We were hot, sweaty, tired and so ready for a cool off, but no such luck. Soon it was clear and we quickly managed to reach the village before it became dark. While going thought the village we saw so many coconut trees and when asked the villagers could nit give us any to drink the juice from because there wasn’t any one to pluck them. Theses guys depend on people from other villages to pluck these coconuts….coconuts coconuts every where not a drop of water to drink..:(

Good hot tea and coffee greeted us at the farmhouse. A quick back patting and meditation session (by Ranjan) got everyone relaxed, happy and proud at our achievements. Some scrambled for a hot shower to get rid of the tiredness. Some were lucky, some weren’t. Had to do with cold showers all the time..:(

Some of us settled for a quite evening with friens with some good soothing hindi songs for company. The fidgety types decided it was too bland, decided to take a small walk to the village. Managed to buy some fruits for everyone, chocolates and stuff to take home too. All in all a culture trip into the local life…small village, one lane along which the trade happens and tourists are catered to.

On reaching back, we were greeted by a nice warm bar-b-que with paneer and chicken smells tantalizing us. After much trail and error, shifting cooking patterns, inputs from all and sundry, ready hands to work….the stuff was ready and gobbled up faster than it could be made ready.

More dancing, chatting, joking and frolicking later, we realized that it was past mid night. But many still wanted to make the most of the ‘last night here’. Naren plugged up the camera onto the TV and we had a showoff all the pics taken till then…comments, laughs, revisiting the good times spent, most were ready to sleep off the tiredness. A few managed to keep awake the entire night and had to get to sleep as soon as the maid came over just at sunrise.

Day Three

With a packed day planned ahead, we made hurry with the fantastic poori-sabzi breakfast. After many byes and heavy hearts we said our farewell to Suresh and Padmini, our hosts.

Ooty is just 29 kms from Masanagudi…. that takes almost an hour and a half to go…complete with 37 hairpin bends, dizzying roads, scenic beauty wherever the eye turns, deciduous trees giving way to elculeptis tress which in turn giving way to tea gardens and lovely flowers by the roadside and outside quaint hilly houses or rather cottages.

A quick stop over at a roadside shop filled up everyone’s baggages with spices and teas to take back home. Happy with the unexpected shopping, we were all set to go to the Paikara falls.

Passing through the lanes of Ooty, meadows of wild horses, small water bodies; we made our way to the falls. Quite a crowd greeted us, but not to be left behind, we made our way down hill …ooohhing and ouching our way.

What greeted us was raw beauty…water over rocks and boulders making its merry way and gurgling away on its course…tall fir trees falling over themselves to get near the water’s edge…. trying to beat the grass in some hidden race. And to mar it all were half naked banyan-lungi clad portly guys having a bath and washing their clothes. I had such a difficult time to cut them out of my sight to be able to soak in the beauty…. because they were just about everywhere. Quite a disappointment!!!

After another round of shopping, this time for the famous small sweet deep orange colored carrots, sweet corns, fresh fruit juices, avocado puree, some hot tea for who preferred it. ….we had to be rushed back, trying to hide our eatables from the monkeys who were lying in wait by the side of the roads for unsuspecting human to snatch from. I had to surrender my apple to one such notorious guy and poor Komal had a good fright when another guy (could be the same, for all I know) snatched a chips pack from her hand…enough for her to scream out which we could hear quite far away at the bus. Lesson learnt…never keep edible food items visible to monkeys.

The ride back to Mysore was not as vocal, enthusiastic as lively as the trip from there. The ride through the forest reserve did not get us out of our seats for a look out for animals, many stole quick naps and others kept one eye on the watch for the time…. we were running a little late than schedule…. thanks to the roads of Karnataka. Managed to reach the bus stand just in time, event he bus driver and conductors were relived at our arrival…. they too had the same surprised look at seeing us as we had on seeing them…they were the ones who brought us…same bus too!!!

A longish bus journey found most of us sleeping like dead wood, tired, no longer bothering to find a comfy place to sleep in. morning brought us closer to Hyderabad with great plans to meet up very soon to exchange pictures and rehash memories and laugh yet again at al our endeavors.

After all this what should say, do I say, should I say??? But going by my notorious image…I will…;)

A memorable trip that brought people from all walks of life together to do something all of us had a common interest in. We had doctors, engineers, IT professionals, lawyers, architects, students, and of course the likes of me and Rachna…writers. The age group was as old as 11 years and as young as 52 years…so ultimately it was that age did not matter…it was what was in the heart and going by the enthusiasm of the entire group…I can surely say we were a very young-at-heart crowd. We take back with us fantastic memories, cherished bonds, lessons learnt, growing as individuals who now can face the world with more confidence than before because we have achieved something we had aimed for.

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.... Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive and you discover yourself to be a greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” - Patanjali, Indian philosophy

P.S: This blog is contributed entirely by Manisha - professional writer and active member of HAC..HAC Team sincerely thanks her for contribution...