More than just a Trek/ Nature Trip at Bondla

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, the Bondla outing was more than just a trek/ nature trip. It mainly was a get-together for the participants who attended the National Himalayan Trekking Expedition with GHA last month. Hence, Bondla was the ideal place to have such a wonderful re-union. 

It was around, 1.30 am, I moved out of the zoo to a  vehicle that brought us our lunch and helped in carrying several plates and a large spoon towards the garden expanse where we lunched. The lunch was sumptuous and the servings would be more than one would expect, especially with the numbers, twice as less than expected. It was nice to see the GHA President, Pramod Kamat (with two of his friends), GHA Member, Mangirish Pai and his wife Sheela joining in by lunch time.

It seemed like the Gods were with us all through the outing, as when we trekked, it rained heavily thus making for a wonderful monsoonal trekking experience. As we reached the zoo, the rains receded, and by lunch, it stopped.

After lunch, it was time for fun and games, with the lively GHA Vice President, Vishwas Kadam (Apa) taking centre-stage. We began with Passing the Parcel in the light rains, which I eventually won beating Deepika at the end. Moments later, I was chaired by the celebrating guys for whom it was matter of 'The Male Ego.' The promised prize for the winner of the game was not to be, and I got the empty bottle. Duhhhhh !! Apa you betcha give my prize on the next trek.

Next, we played 'Dog & The Bone' which was hilarious as with the rains  pounding upon us and  the lush lawns we were all quavery with the chill and the ground rendered very slippery. Either side had 14 players, with some deciding not to play (such suckers) and taking refuge under their umbrellas or making a hasty retreat to our bus. Anyway, the fun we had slipping and sliding as our numbers were called out by the Ref (Apa) made for great entertainment. I especially could not hold back my laughter, when my good trekker buddy, Devang from our team, made a dash towards the bone (was a bottle) with an umbrella in hand. Reaching there, he flung aside his umbrella. I just could not control my laughter that I went on all fours and smacked the ground. Dunno, if anyone noticed me doing that :D Ohhh, I did contribute my bit to the team's cause. At the first opportunity of my number being called, I got a point. It was against my pal, Chandresh Revankar (with whom I trekked earlier in the day under my umbrella). I held my head-to-head record against him, as our next two duels ended in ties. He later on went to tell me, that of all people I had to get him. As according to him, I did not present him point-scoring opportunities. Well, he did scamper off with the bone in the first of our three face-offs, but I tackled him to the ground as he slipped only a few metres from home. Seeing the pattern, I decided to be extra cautious when my number would be subsequently called as running was next to impossible, and only more than a jog would do.  So my number, 13, indeed was to prove lucky. By the way, the result, went our way 10-6. It was on even keel until the half-way mark when our dogs (and bitches :P) cut loose. 

Stand-up kho-kho in a circular formation was the next game played. I joined only at the very end, but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless. There was another game also played, something like a tag team game which was interesting. I did not participate in this game. 

It was disappointing that wonderful game ideas mooted by Devang, as Dumb Sharads did not enthuse any interest as such and a lot of quality time was wasted. Soaked to the bone and chilled to the spine, we clattered our teeth and trembled as we headed to our bus at around 4 pm. Sadly, there were no clicks taken as the rains did not present an opportunity with the well-being of ruining our cameras at stake. 

On our way back home, we stopped for tea at Ponda and continued our 'full on' fun in the bus with loony acts and wild singing.

As under our some pics taken by me (excepting that of my own pic) on our return trip home:

                   The beautiful Meg, fresh as a daisy after her shower :)

                                   They had a great time seated at the back !!

                              My good yo-man pal, Devang with Malikarjun (L)

                                           I think you know him well :)

                                               Anoop with his pal, Ashwini

        A Friendship Taken Shape - My new buddy, Virender with Ankita 

                                                   Robeen (L) with Saiesh

                                Apa with one of his crazy expression. LMAO 

Did he cry ??

                                        This girl, hehe, find her a sample :D

                   He maintained this posture for most of the return journey, I know of at least :)

                                           Mukesh & Apa full-on masti !!

                                     Apa & Robeen - Brotherly Love 

                                       Radha & Anoop - up to nataks :P 

                             The return bus journey really rocked with em :)

I was dropped back home at around six, carrying memories of one of my better 'get wet in the rains' experiences, and hope of many to come in the course of the season.  

Bondla brings The Magic of Monsoonal Trekking Back

Been a few months now, as with other avid trekkers, we yearned for trekking in the rains when nature is at its best and the call to the great outdoors is very refreshing. What better than when three of the elements of nature - Earth, Wind and Water intoxicates the senses, and the Fiery Heat melts down to our relief.

Its almost been a week, but the memories of Communing with Nature, while celebrating World Environment Day in its wake at Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary was an unforgettable experience.

The Goa Hiking Association - organised trek which was restricted to those who attended the National Himalayan Expedition organised by them, to my surprise and disappointment elicited not too encouraging a response with only around 30 of the expected 60 odd (there were roughly 100 trekkers who attended the Himalayan Expedition) turning up. The weather may have seen the Rain Gods showering their blessings from the early hours of the day and the few days earlier cancellation of the certificate distribution for the Himalayan trekkers on the particular trek, may have made the others decide otherwise. If this be the case, it is really appalling to say the least. The 'Love of God' that we trekkers realize in 'Mother Nature', this was a blasphemy.  I still am chagrined by these so-called trekkers, most of whom I am sure came up North of the country, not to trek really, but to sight-see and say wow we experienced snow.So disgusting. Sheeeesh.

Going back to the trek held on Sunday, June 5,  the overcast conditions as I left home at quarter-to- nine that morn, was  a foreboding of an ideal monsoonal experience. It was a matter of minutes that thewalker found  strides of this fast walker had him reach the Mabai Hotel, Margao pick-up point. In time, few other trekkers came and we all eagerly waited for our bus that was coming from the other side of the State and picking up cheerful trekkers along the way. At 9.30 our bus came, and the few of us boarded the bus to enthusiastic greetings . We made another stop at Ponda to pick up a few more passengers, before we were finally dropped off at Usgao Tisk.

After a breakfast at one of the restaurants near to where our bus halted, our trek began along the asphalted road towards Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. The rains began to build up as we walked up the road, and the umbrellas opened and the jackets were zipped up. Along the way, we asked the villagers, who directed us along the right path. I was up front with my trek pal, Chandresh Revankar and we were told in the course of the trek to take the middle path as the road forked into three (reminds me of a certain story, where three friends took different paths on a forked road that determined their destiny). Moving along, and in time, we sighted a lovely mountain at the distance that looked mystic and mysterious in the misty air. We were up ahead, with a few other guys who took in this wonderful sight with awe and admiration while the others gradually caught up with us.

With our trek leader catching up with us, our trek eventually resulted in a diversion to the left, off road and into the wild. We steadily made our ascent up a slope that wound its way up and further up as the rains began to measure up and throw up a challenge to us, not quite daunting but challenging nonetheless. At a particular point it became quite risky as the path was narrow and a false step could lead to our peril. The girl a little up ahead stumbled slightly that had me a bit worried about her and self, and take a little more cautious approach. Until then, I was contemplating on taking a picture of the the challenges posed by the treacherous terrain. While we moved up and away from there, safety wise things may have improved but we were now dodging murky, accumulated rain waters by stepping across protruding, larger stones as we could find. But eventually, we had to squelch our foot-wear across the muddy waters. Yuck, the muck, but what the heck !!

The few kilometres stretch of the trek may have not been tiring but a little challenging and a tad risky, but it did give us an opportunity to behold upon the sights and sounds that Mother Nature had to offer us.

                                                    The Kulio-Catcher :P

                                               Romancing Milipedes :)

                                           And the actual trekking begins !!

                                    The sweet Girisha leading the way ....

                           The ever-cheerful Meg leading her pack. I luv her verve :)

                                   Yes, I love to pose alongside trees :D

                                           Isn't that tree a beauty ? 

                                               Making their ascent 

 
                                     Taking a chill pill on a tree branch :)

                                 The rains pouring down in all its might .... 

                          That smile would warm the cockles of any heart in this dreary weather :P

                A super-enthu trekker, Anoop, who braved the rains or may be he was water-proof :0