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Gokarna - The beach trek

Gokarna – The beach trek

Having only had the chance to trek mountains before, I had never anticipated the concept of a beach trek till I heard it from Abhiyana. I asked Sagar about it and he explained that the trek is about 25 km long stretch comprised of both beaches and hills. I had been dying to visit Gokarna for quite some time but somehow the plan never got cemented with friends. So when this trek got posted on my…

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Solo Travel - How the bug bit me

Solo Travel – How the bug bit me

Today, 6th July marks the first anniversary of my first step into Solo Travel, hence the dedicated post. Two years in Bangalore and I hadn’t seen anything beyond Hogenakkal falls. Just a few weeks before my solo venture, I had been on hikes to Madhugiri Fort and  Skandagiri hills. But apart from that, nowhere – which was a real disappointment as Bangalore is one of the very few places centred…

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A Trek which literally broke me - Kumar Parvata

A Trek which literally broke me – Kumar Parvata

Well, those of you who haven’t heard of Kumar Parvata, it is one of the highest peaks in Karnataka and hosts the route of the longest and the most difficult trek in the state. I shall not indulge further into KP details, since that is freely available on google.

I shall use this space to divulge my experience with the trekking group Abhiyana. The group was introduced to me by a friend giving…

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A Trek which literally broke me - Kumar Parvata

Well, those of you who haven't heard of Kumar Parvata, it is one of the highest peaks in Karnataka and hosts the route of the longest and the most difficult trek in the state. I shall not indulge further into KP details, since that is freely available on google. I shall use this space to divulge my experience with the trekking group Abhiyana. The group was introduced to me by a friend giving reference as cost-effective and super-fun. I had gone on treks earlier with several other trekking groups, and was keen to try a new one for a change! The journey started on Friday evening and as always happens, I was apprehensive about the crowd in the group since I travel alone and get introduced to new people on-board every time :) Luckily for me, it was one of the most super-fun, helpful and enthusiast group of people I have had the pleasure of traveling with so far! The trek began at this very base

Everyone started on an extremely high note - being extremely innocent about the fact that we are going to carry bagpack plus sleeping bag plus sleeping mat plus tent for the next 7 kms ( Read: highly-ambitious-and-stupid Ankita! :P ). Well, as they say, slow-death is the worst death - I got to experience the trailer this time.

Staircases made of tree branches and trunks, each step 1 feet apart, we climbed and climbed and when I stopped to ask Sagar - our lead if we had almost completed 2 kms, the look on his face and the evil grin made me cringe and die a little inside.. his exact words being - "If it makes you happy, 2 kms it is" :'(  "Stairway to Heaven" seemed really real here!!!

                         My back was pulling me back and every step I took made me realize how extremely stupid decision it was to think that I would be able to make it to the peak very easily. Well, my confidence came from conquering peaks like Mullyanagiri, Tadiyandamol, Chembra, Skandagiri and many more hikes which I was able to do without a break! God finally decided to test my patience and stamina here.

All the prayers I knew and all the energy I had was slowly being sucked out of my soul when I couldn't see the end to that stupid forest trail ever!Taking a look at my very desperate and sad face, Venkatesh and Kumar decided to off-load my luggage and would not let me stop at all. Kumar went on to offer electrol as well, I really felt like an ICU patient then :P

Come-on Ankita, don't stop here.....

Well, somehow after a few more kms, we finished the forest trail and landed at a very scenic stop, post-which I would just not budge! ~~5 more mins please ~~ Then my prayers were answered when we had to wait for Pavan and party to arrive for water.

Yea,well - KILL ME NOW!

On we continued, to the grace of God landing at an extremely scenic location where Pavan's idea of selfies materialized like anything! Posing for good clicks is something which would pump loads of energy in me - people tried to bribe me with pics later to make me move! :-D

Aren't we all super-happy to see the fifty shades of green above and the lovely scenery behind. But Pavan was the party pooper to announce "Guys! Let's start, we are half-way done!" WHAT! ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME! My head started spinning and I would have really punched him there had I been the only one crying about it! :-P

Well, we started again, and by this time I had given up the idea of going to the peak after reaching Bhattaramane. To which, Pavan bribes me with Snickers. Snickers?? Really?? When the back and legs are paining like hell and you feel like dying, a massage would have been a better offer..:'(

The idea of clicking also seemed destitute at this point. I just wanted to reach the stop and lie and die and whatever. Someone shorten this freaking damn journey for me! Never have I ever experience a pain this kind, that I actually had to lie down and sleep for 15 mins on the way before we could reach the stop.

All said and done, we reach the stop and grab lunch. This is when I get to know that the rest of the group had left for the peak. I don't know what happened to me, but I was soo pissed and angry and sad that I decided to try for the peak as well. So, Pavan, Manu, Veena and I start post-lunch to reach KP or the nearest we can to KP.

This is when the mighty sun decides to punish me for even thinking about moving more and comes out in the full bloom. I couldn't take the heat and the burn on the skin and suddenly the discomfort you get on doing some physical activity post-food started. It's like the universe didn't want me to take any step further. At this point, I was almost in tears begging Pavan to go back. But these people wouldn't stop and kept bribing me about reaching the first mile-stone "Mantapa" - that place never seemed to come to sight however much I walked and hiked. Many pit-stops ahead and almost killing myself in the process, I could finally reach Mantapa. 

And that's when the universe decided to reward us for all the hard-work and toil with the most brilliant weather ever. With the first step of descent, the clouds starting engulfing the mountains. Pavan pointed us ahead to the mountain range being showered on by heavy rains - a sight none of us can ever forget. The clouds were making a dash to the mountain we were on and we were dashing to our place of stay to avoid rains. Suddenly, clouds came all over us, but didn't pour over.. we just stood there, taking in the breeze and the green, the feeling cannot be described in words, just felt.. 

On arriving at our stop, the brave-hearted team of 9 people in our group was welcomed with cheers and claps - the guys completed 23 kms in 5 damn hours! God help them :P !

For me, the most exciting part of the trek started after that when we pitched in our tents for the night. The place was at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by lush-green mountain ranges, clouds and mist. On top of that, the incredibly stupid and funny antakshari hosted by Krishna kept the night alive :)

The next morning served us with the most serene views we could ever hope to lay our eyes on. See for yourself

Well, it is at this point, when I forgot all about my backache and muscle cramps and was all smiles to take in the nature all for myself

The descent began after a not-so-filling breakfast, Bhattaru really needs to see more cooking shows on his cable! It's funny how the excruciatingly painful four-hour ascent to the base became an easy two hour descent :)

Well, 23 kms of hike, trek, and climb later, I couldn't wait to get a shower and be done with the muck, soil, sweat and dirt. But hail the enthusiasm of my fellow riders, who would now go for play in the river :P

Well, lucky for me; not going to the river gifted me with the darshana at Subramanya temple in 10 minutes without standing in queue, which has another interesting story to itself :)

The journey back to Bangalore could not have been funnier and awesomer with the never ending Mafia and pass the message around games; not to forget the circuit damage between Veena and Kumar and between Deepak and Arun! Games followed by antakshari, followed by singing random songs, even bhakti ones thanks to Sravan, Krishna and Pavan - Why God why!

All the ups and downs, tears and laughter aside, the trek was a memory to be cherished. Kudos to Sagar and Pavan for making sure that over-confident trekkers ( read Ankita ) are brought down to earth :) - jokes aside, you guys rock!

The message I have for my fellow trekkers which I learnt from this trek would be "Think before you climb"! :D

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Cry

Crying is considered a weakness, isn't it ? We cry when we get hurt - physically or emotionally, when a loved one leaves our side, when we get low marks, when we are overwhelmed with happy-sad emotions and many other reasons.. 

But people always say that crying is for losers, if you want to be strong, don't cry. I would say, if you wanna be strong, cry your heart out loud - as many times you want, until you yourself want to stop and gather yourself up. Crying relieves you, your emotions, your pains; it lifts up your heart. 

Crying is one of the most beautiful emotions that any living being has been bestowed with. If you cannot cry, you cannot feel. It makes you feel human, shows your soft side. Who said it's wrong to show your vulnerable side to those who love you ? Until you show that you are sad, your hurt may get missed by even the dearest ones.

So do yourself a favour, and let it out. Cry out loud. And see how light your heart can feel after that. Be human, get connected with your birth self. Stop preaching or practising subduing your emotions till they burst out. Shut the door, switch on the shower and let your tear-glands flow...

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Regrets.. Or Not!

Many times we are at the cross-roads having multiple options, each weighing over the other. But do we ever rest to decide which option would not make us regret most at a later point of time ?

We know what the society says, what parents say, what friends advise and what all relationship gurus preach. But just answer one question before taking any step - at your deathbed, would you not regret not doing something rather than doing something to save grace ?

One thing I can say for sure from my life experience so far is that all the rules are bull-shit. They were created by other humans from their life experience, they may not hold for you. It's your life, go live it. Do what you want but don't hurt others in that process because it will haunt you till your death.

If you are mad at a friend, your parents or your ex, instead of giving your ego some satisfaction, pick up the phone and call! At least try to mend fences before it's too late. Would you not regret not having that friend around in your life ? There is a chance that the friend will never reply but at least you won't have the regrets of not trying.  Or are you planning to be mad at your parents all your life and never letting them know what upset you ?

Remember this, the bigger the ego, the bigger the regret later. Not everyone in this world is a bad person, everyone deserves a second chance at least. Your friends and family may curse you for calling up the people who hurt you and left your side but would you not rather call and clear things up than always remain in the mystery of "what if"? 

People also talk a lot about self-esteem. Well, agreed that you shouldn't let it go so low that you hate yourself but when you love someone dearly be it your parents or friends or lover, does that self-esteem really matter ? Would you not keep everything aside just to spend one more day or one more second with them ?

So do one thing right today, pick up the right people wisely you want around in your life forever, make amends, have a fresh start. A guilt-free life is the best life. 

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“Whenever you feel down, take a bath. Shave. Put on your best clothes. And just. Be. Happy. You’re pretending, of course, but that’s the point. Pretend that you feel good. Act like you’re on top of the situation. And you know what? Eventually you will be. It’s all in your head, son.”

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Look good, feel good! How true is the above - boosts your morale, self-confidence and makes you fall in love with you! :-)

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SOTD! Loving it! 

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Life is not about the number of moments we breathe, but the moments which take our breath away!

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Restaurant Review

Chianti, Koramangla

Location - Jyothi Nivas College Road

So we order the following two items:

1) Stuffed cottage cheeze mushrooms in the Anti-pasti column

2) Spinach and ricotta cheeze caneloni

Serving starts, we are blown away with the breads and the lovely steps to recreate Chianti breads - Rub off garlic, basil, cherry tomotoes on the toasted bread, sprinkle salt, pepper and drizzle olive oil - Wow! What an amazing creation there! So easy and so appetizing! :-) #FullMarks 

Then comes our fungi starter - again, we are amazed by the presentation, the subtelity and flavour of the mushrooms and the amazing crispy and gooey filling. Yummy! As sides was present a very light and perfectly sauced lettuce and olive salad - blending perfectly with the mushrooms. #highfive

Ah, and the main course - a huge dissapointment! :-( Believe me when I say that I have had really really good veg caneloni before @Fusion 9, Hyderabad. Expected it to be equivalent or even better here but not only are we served with undercooked caneloni, the stuffing is really bland and tasteless :’( 

Overall rating - 7/10 ( would have been 10/10 had the caneloni lived up to our expectations). 

Try it out once, and try some other main course :-) Do let me know if you find it better! :D