Makes the remembrance dear…

Someone said: “Makes the remembrance dear…” and so we “The Gang” decided to make our remembrance dear…

The best reason for having a dream is that in a dream, no reasons are required. Our trip to Konkan/Mahabaleshwar last week was not less than a dream…

Yes, Last weekend we took Sanyas from the big, bad world of Internet and SMSes and took off to the lovely beaches of Konkan and beautiful hills of Mahabaleshwar.

This trip was different from all my prior trips. I think one of the most significant difference about this trip from other trips were the people I've been meeting and spending time with. There are generally three types of people you meet in any trip...people who are passing through, acquaintances and people who would have a significant impact in your life, the true friendships... In priors trips I was lucky enough to make a lot of good friends whom to this day I still keep in touch with. I could be wrong and it may be too early to say but most of the people I've met recently fall in the first two categories. There may be a handful of people I've recently met who will turn out to be one of the later. At the moment, that remains to be seen...only time will tell. Experience has taught me always to expect too much.

Our trip started much before the commence. We started discussing and planning about trip at least 15 days in advance. It was very much required since the no of people joining were quite significant and from different places as well. Finally we all started from our respective places on 20th/21st of Dec. I would like to introduce all our participants.

Rasmi Ranjan: Second meeting with Rasmi but feels like we are good friends since ages. He is the kind of person who can easily make you so very comfortable in no time. What a gem of personality he is…
Julie: I had a chance to be along with her in my previous trip as well and let me tell u, she is such a character who can add energy just by her mere presence. Can’t afford to miss her in any trip…
Haran: Great guy came all the way from Chennai for the trip, now you all can imagine his desire of fun. Normally he is a very straight forward guy but we all witnessed a different Haran this time. Perhaps we need few more trips like this to know him better.
Arul: Another fun loving character from Chennai. Perhaps it was her first trip but her desire for fun and energy never let us feel like that. It may appear that she need some time to get mingled but once she is conformable enough, she will never miss an opportunity to pull your legs. So lession learnt, if you want to feel comfortable, don’t let her feel comfortable…
Divya: I know her since quite some time but even I can’t say how many trips and trekking she has gone through so far... No matter what kind of trip it is, she has to be a part of it. Such a complete package of fun and energy!!! One of the most unavoidable members of any gang…
Rachna: Another great gangster. In very first meeting it self she will make u as comfortable as if she is along with you since ages. Seeing her I’m compelled to say that all great things come in a small package. She has a unique quality of breaking every single word. Most of the time even words themselves get confused…
Vartika: Rather silent and composed gangster. Well, I shouldn’t conclude about her. As of now I can just say that looks are very deceptive. The general open of the gang (and mine as well) is that she possesses very good knowledge and understanding about every thing, just every thing…
Soma: Second encounter with Soma and she started giving me surprises. Anyway this time it was a pleasant surprise, so always welcome. As a personality she looks simple and great fun loving creature but as I said, looks are very deceptive…
Sarmistha: I know her since quite some time but till last trip she was a puzzle for me. Now I think I started knowing her a bit. Another one or two trip will help us knowing her better. You will always find a naughty smile (or rather laughter) on her face. Never know what’s there in her mind for next moment. Nice fun loving girl…
Pinku: A sweet simple guy. For him it may be tough to interact with other but he will never leave ant stone unrolled. He will try to get the best out of moment and his this very quality makes him very special in the gang…
Anjana: Apologies to accept but I don’t know her name confidently. Anyways, Shakespeare has said, “What is there in name!!!” More importantly, considering the fact that she didn’t know any one of us still she made for trip all the way from Mumbai. Now you all can imagine her eagerness for fun. I didn’t had chance to talk much along with her nevertheless I was so very comfortable in few seconds it self. Perhaps few more trips and we will have enough to pull each other’s leg…
Somu: One of the hosts of this trip without whom this trip would not have been possible. I know him since his birth but every single time I meet him I learn something new from him. Very impressive guy with lots of hidden talents. Hope I’ll become like him some day…
Sanjeev: A nice guy with lots of determination. For me looks very well managed. He knows what he wants from his life. Another very important host who managed virtually every thing throughout this trip. Special thanks to Sanjeev from all the gang…
And last but not the least, the macho…
Durgesh: If life is a fun show he is the jockey. He knows how to keep entire troop on their toes. Perhaps the most unavoidable gangster of the gang.

Wow this introduction list went pretty long. This simply means the game goes bigger and we all love that…

Our base location was Pune and we all reached Pune on 22nd evening and what a welcome. Tire got punctured... They blamed Sarmistha for the happening but first time, it may be just a coincidence even!!! All machos tried their hands opening the bolts of tire and finally one got success. Put jack under 4 wheels and took out the punctured tire but things were not that easy going for us. There where 2 tires in the cabin but no wheels. “What a fish” These were the obvious sound coming out of Somu’s mouth. Finally we decided going home by an auto rickshaw. This time things were even surprising. We booked the rickshaw and went near the car to take our belongings. Mean while that rickshawwala ran away!!! Perhaps he got scared of our dimensions or may be he is not carrying stepney! So when we booked next rickshaw, we made sure that he is having his stepney well in place. On the way home, we planned first vehicle for Sarmisth. We say it “The Stepney”. Sarmishta was very excited about her new vehicle and started imaging herself along with her loved ones on/beside her so called new vehicle, The Stepney. Even I could imagine and see them standing on red signal waiting for green light.

We all reached home and got refreshed. It was very much required after long train, bus, car and rickshaw journey. The accommodation was sufficient and really very good for all of us, considering the fact that the apartment has got a games room and a good restaurant in same building it self. Perhaps that’s all Divya could have asked from her life…

After games and lunch we all went to bed since we had to start for Konkan early in the morning. Surprisingly, Haran took the responsibility to wake every one up in the morning. I know he loves troubling other but getting up early in the morning is not his style. In fact he loves sleeping. Don’t know what keeps him awake now a days!!! He is no more same Haran… Rather a better Haran.

We all started at around 6.45 in the morning in two different vehicles and very soon we were out of city. We took it easy, stopping every now and then to take in the breathtaking views of Mulshi Lake and other eye catching spots. This is what every one was waiting for…Lush green valleys, lake side drive, such a treat to eyes… Hills look so very beautiful in the morning that I can’t describe. Especially their image in the clear lake water makes the morning so beautiful that none can stop themselves capturing the memories. This photo session continued through out the journey, any why not! It’s always worth capturing such a beautiful memories. We hit NH 17 at Mangaon at around 10, and then took off into the Konkan.

We reached Konkan by 11am and boarded in a so called Bungalow. We rather prefer saying it guest house. The guest house was not very big but the best part was that there was no mobile network. We all came back to nature after long time and words are poor to express our feelings. We all had our lunch in the back yard of the guest house which was perhaps the beat place in the guest house. By now every one was feeling lousy but no one can stop them self going to beach and enjoy fun in salty sea water. The tides in Arabic ocean were not high and beach was rather clean. We all planed fun on the beach well in advance and arranged a volley ball. We guys tried impressing girls with our diving catches and dribbling skills but all in vain. Perhaps I was the biggest looser in the lot but no regrets; I was not the only one who missed. I was giving good competition to girls at least but even they ere better on many occasions. Rashmi, Julie, Pnku and Anjana joined us directly on the beach. To me Pinku looked the best in the lot. Even Anjana was quite impressive but she preffers observing the game more. May be she didn’t want we guys to feel mortified (which I was anyways). No wonder why Mumbai produces such a great sports persons…

Durgesh took the charge of entertainment from there and didn’t stop till the end of trip. No one can forget his “Darde disko” dance in sea water and his sand castle which later turned into dog eventually. Hey, no offense Durgesh. It’s Vartuka who says that your castle looks more like a dog. I personally still find it better than castle of Mysore.

After prolonged beach bath we all came back to our guest house and enjoyed candle light bath. So far every one experienced candle light dinned, first time it was such a memorable experience of candle light bath and I’m vary sure that none of us can forget it. I still remember that moon lit night. The night was so very romantic that few of us could not stop ourselves going for a night walk. Few of us tried our hands with camera even. Finally we all had delicious dinner and went to bed. It was planned that we will leave guest house early in the morning so that we can spend more time in Mahabaleshwar.

There was bit of communication gap between two vehicle and both took two different road to Mahabaleshwar. We crossed lovely valleys and reached Mahabaleshwar at around 1pm. On the way, Arul and Divya had lovely photo session. Perhaps looking something good for their orkut profile or may be for matrimonial.com. Somu, Haran and myself where not more than free photographers over there. Guys, we will charge next time onwards…

We people were asked to carry warm cloths since the weather was expected to be chill but carrying warm cloths was not more than weight training for all of us and especially for Arul. For Soma, Mahabaleshwar was a hill station until this trip but don’t know what happened suddenly, this beautiful hill station turned into a hot station. Must be because of fire in the gang… Am I right Soma?
We saw few of the famous spots in Mahabaleshwar which were really a beauty of their own kind. People on other vehicle reached bit early and privileged to see few other famous spots as well. Earlier I thought I missed them but the feed back suggested reverse, so no regrets. We people on two different vehicles planned to meet at around 1.30pm but unfortunately the vehicle on which Sarmistha was there again got punctured. This time I didn’t had any argument in favor of Sarmistha. Even I was convinced by now that it must be because of Sarmistha. Suddenly I remembered her new vehicle “The Stepney”. Finally we all got assembled in a restaurant and had lunch together. Food was really delicious and gracefully served. Many of us went for 20-20… Even I gave a genuine competition. Full credit to the restaurant and management. Sanjeev and Durgesh tried their hands with ping-pong. I thought India got a strong wining TT pare for upcoming Olympics but scarcity of time didn’t let their practice last long. But I can assure you at least one gold medallion in Olympics this time. Perhaps the first in ping-pong for India. All the best guys…

We had a chance to enjoy boating in Mahabaleshwar and surprisingly water in the lake was really very cold. Don’t know which refrigerator nature is using. Hot weather and cold water in same place!!!

Then our gang moved towards Panchgani. I was amassed to see such a big flat ground on top of a hill. Local people said that the span is over 6 kms. Durgesh tried his horse riding skills and no wonder even horse got confused. Which way to go? We had a precious photo session along with Rashmi, Julie, Pinku, Anjana and rest of our gangsters… Of- course Durgesh was missing in the action since he was busy convincing hose to get back. Only he can tell how successful he was. By the way, I saw him coming back walking… We all witnessed one of the most beautiful sunset there and started return journey to our base location Pune.

Haran and Arul Left for Chennai that very night. Hats off to booking skills of the great “Haran”. Personal suggestion: Araul, rather you take care of bookings now onwards…

Next morning few of us started for Lonawala. Most of the time destination of a journey is the most awaited part but this was few of the journey where travel it self was the most exciting part. We all came on Pune-Mumbai freeway very soon and first time in my life I was moving over 130 km/hr on the road. We all were feeling on the top of this world. I just realized the feeling of F1 racers, perhaps the fastest moving creature on planed earth. Sarmistha was thrilled to see that vehicle is taking tern with a speed of over 100km/hr. If I’m not wrong, we went beyond 130 km/hr at certain point of time. Tunnels on the way gave a filmy touch to our travel. First time in our journey we all were interested in travel more than reaching destination. Finally we reached Lonawala in just one and half hour (or may be less..) and decided to get some famous Lonavala chikky. One very strange thing we noticed in Lonavala… Every second shop over there was named Maganlal. Vartika had a serious and genuine concern, how these shop keepers might be getting their post correct? We all had a descent shopping in Lonavala. On the spot we all decided to see the famous Amby Valley. We were not allowed to get into the premises but Rachna promised me that next time when I will come, she will take me in. Perhaps she will get her own property in that Amby Valley then. Anyway I have taken her contact number and now I have enough reason to be in her contact. She is a very good friend of mine now onwards… We all came back to Lonavala. It was lunch time and every one was interested in some Chinese stuff. Very soon we manage to find a Chinese restaurant.

It was the time for me to leave the dear ones and join many new ones waiting for me in the train. Physically we left the gang in Lonavala but emotionally we were still the part of gang. Divya and Myself started our journey back to Bangalore on 25th evening. Trip and the participants were the centre of talk through out our return journey. We recollected all beautiful places we saw and all beautiful moments we spent together as a gang. It was a rather emotional end to our much awaited trip.

To me, every trip is like a complete life cycle. We meet, we make friends, we create memories and then we depart but the most important thing is that we live every moment of the trip. During our return journey to Bangalore Divay said, “Today is the most beautiful gift by nature to mankind, perhaps that is why it is called PRESENT”. This very sentenced changed entire way of my thinking since then. Now I am living every moment of my life. As I said in the beginning, this trip was different indeed…

From Left to Right:

Arul, Divya, Vartika, Rachna, Sarmistha, Julie, Rasmi Ranjan, Soma, Sanjeev, Haran & me...

Somu, behind the camera...

(Can't find Durgesh since he is busy convincing his horse to get back...)

Cheers,

Shobhit