Saturday, 10th Jan
The day finally dawns on the 10th Jan. The cell phone's alarm clock wakes me up at the appointed hour, 0315 hrs. Usually I've a habit of waking up later that the scheduled time by snoozing the alarm. But, this time, due to the excitement of the trip, I awoke immediately. Brushed my teeth and shaved. Whilst shaving, Akhil (my neighbour) calls me at 0320 hrs to wake me up. Later after completing my bath, call up Abhi and he answers the call with a sleepy tone. On hearing the tone, I guess that they (Abhi and Rishabh) were still sleeping and I was like the alarm clock for them. Called Viju and he answered the call promptly. Thank God, atleast one person was fully awake. He promised to be here by latest 0430 hrs with the entire team (Viju, Harsha, CR, Rishabh and Abhi). Also Chetan was also supposed to be at Viju's place overnight. However, he wasn't. Anyway after a long delay, they were here finally at 0515 hrs. After a long exchanges of greetings, the troop finally left in 2 cars. There was a Ford Ikon Flair with Viju as the driver, Harsha as the co-pilot and Akhil and me as the rear passengers. The other car was Hyundai Getz with Chetan as the driver, Rishabh as the co-pilot and Abhi, CR being the passengers. We then drove towards Mysore and on our way picked up Raghavendra. He was in the Getz. After a long drive, we then decided to halt at Kamat's hotel for breakfast. After a good breakfast of Idlis, Dosas and Coffees, we were now on our way to Bandipur.
After a long drive, we finally reached Bandipur at around 1230 hrs. We then checked into our room which was prebooked by Rishabh at Jungle Resort. This is now located in Gudulur, which is around 15 kms further Bandipur. Bandipur is now almost at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Actually its in Karnataka. Gudulur is in TN. Anyway, we reached the room and washed and refreshed ourselves. The room/cottage consists of 2 rooms and a huge hall. It was impressive and we all liked it at the first look. This place also had a small park with a small playground for the kids. There were 2 swings, a slide and perhaps a merry-go-around. Also there were a few ducks (which looked like so to me atleast), a turkey and a few love birds. All the camera experts were clicking away each trying to outdo others with their photography skills and also trying to impress the others with the clarity of the camera. After the guys were exhausted, it was time for lunch. We informed the cook that we were now ready for lunch and were informed that it would take sometime. In the meantime, we were informed there was stream nearby. All of us then took the decision to visit the stream and all of us changed into shorts, suitable to play in the water. Some of us even went to the extend of carrying spare clothes to change incase we were wet.
After a long walk in the nature, we came across the 'stream'. All were aghast seeing the 'stream'. It looks more like a trickle of water flowing than a stream. It looked more like the case in Bangalore, whenever we witness a heavy rain, there is a stream of water on the roads near the footpaths. All were highly disappointed. However, since we've walked all the way to this place, we decided to atleast venture into the stream to wet our feet and enjoy of whatever we could. As soon as we put our feet in the water, we could feel the numbness setting into our feet. Yup, the water was very cold unexpectedly. As we waded further, the depth increased somewhere till our calf muscles. Couldn't go any further for the rocks/stones were very slippery. After some time 'playing' in the water (which looked like wading in the water, actually), we then decided to head back to the cottage. On our way to the cottage, we came across a very scenic forest. It contained a lot of bamboo trees on either side, which were very tall and were crossing each other a the top creating a kind of a arch. It looked beautiful and all were enticed by its beauty. Some of us were also prepared to see what lies beyond. But after some discussion, we decided not to venture any further, for perhaps there could be an elephant trap. After sinking its beauty into our minds, we finally headed towards the cottage for lunch.
We had our lunch and were deciding what are the activities that could be covered for the rest of the day and the next day program was also decided. Post lunch, we decided to play a game of Bluff. Played infact 2 games, which lasted for nearly 2 hrs. Had a great time whilst playing this game. All of us knew each one was bluffing but were afraid to call it a bluff. The second round was never completed for we knew that it was impossible to end the game. Finally it was 1700 hrs we decided to end the game abruptly.
It was pre-decided that we shall go for fishing to pond near by. The manager of the resort came and led the way to the pond. We were then taken to the pond by a young lad, who had a good experience with fishing, or so he claims. We all took turns in fishing at the pond, but we all were unsuccessful. We then realised that were was no such thing as beginners luck. After an hour or so a useless fishing, we decided to spare the fish (if there were any) and withdrew the plan to fish further. We headed back towards the cottage after shopping for a couple of coke bottles. Back at the cottage, we had a few snacks and then we had dinner. All I remember of the dinner was the soup, which was unpalatable. Wondered what was in front of us. Somehow, I was the only one who managed to complete the soup, by adding cheeslings to it. At this, the others were threatening me to finish their share too. Threat was that they would not pay their share of the cottage money, if I didn't complete their share too. However, I was stubborn enough and did not have the rest of the soups. The dinner was atlast completed and we were now ready for a night safari.
The driver turned up with a jeep, which was perhaps older than me. There was space enough for just about 7-8 lean people. For people of my size, I guess it would be around 5 people. There were 10 of us, driver included in the jeep. Somehow we managed to fit into the jeep and we were off for the night safari. Managed to see few animals such as a herd of elephants, monkeys, deer, wild bison, boars etc. On our way back, the jeep was experiencing problem, but our expert driver took great care in not letting us know of the impact of the problem and took us back safely to our cottage. The jeep developed an accelerator problem. All through the return journey, the driver was accelerating using a tread, rope which was connected to the accelerator. So the driver was actually using the rope instead of his feet. How wonderful. Had this happened to us, we wouldn't have ever thought of doing this. He must've enough experience in the past for he was very cool throughout the safari ride.
After the ride, we built a nice camp fire with the help of the locals. Or rather the locals started and built the fire for us and we just helped them in keeping the fire alive by feeding it more and more fuel in the form of dried twigs and occasional leaves. Later, we decided to have a game of dumb charades. The team of 9 was later split into 2 teams. Team A consisted of Abhilash, Harsha, Rishabh and me. Team B players were Vijay squared, Akhil, Chetan and Raghvendra. Had a blast with this game for this went on till around 0130 hrs, with Team B getting nearly every movie unguessed and Team A having just a single or perhaps 2 movies left unguessed. Although the team was really imbalanced (Rishabh suddenly left the game without informing anyone), Team A won hands down with just 3 players playing the game. Did we win because we were all too good in guessing the movie name or enacting the movie name pretty well, I'm not too sure on this one. However, Team A had 2 hefty players in size (Abhi and me), so don't think we were imbalanced in terms of weight atleast.
Sunday, 11th Jan
Finally at 0130 hrs of 11th Jan, the game ended with no further movie names entering into our minds. After that we retired to our beds. Earlier it was decided that we shall go for an early morning trek at around 0600 hrs. Now it seemed to be a remote possibility. By the time all were asleep was atleast beyond 0200. At around 0700 hrs, Abhi and self were the only guys who were awake at that time. As all others were sleeping, we also decided to sleep and Abhi, God knows what was in his mind, suddenly started playing some unearthly music, pretty loud. Within less than an hour, all were wide awake and were blaming Abhi for waking them up. No one ever pitied me for the nearest man to be tortured was me!!!
Anyway, all of us were wide awake by around 0830 and breakfasted by around 0930. We had to immediately vacate the place for we were instructed that we could have the room till around 1000 hrs only. After a bit of hurrying up, we finally bid goodbye to the cottage at around 1015 hrs. In this hurriedness, poor Akhil lost the remote control of his brand new camera :'(
Outside, we then started discussing regarding the rest of the day's agenda. Initially thought of going to a lake called as Moyar lake. This was supposed to be a scenic lake where you could boat too. This was then given a boot as the was nearly drying up. Didn't want to repeat the incidence we had y'day I guess. Later, we decided to go to Gopalaswamy Betta (mountain) which is located at Gundalpete, a few kilometers from Mysore. So, with everything in place, we all drove towards Gundalpete. On our way out of Bandipur, we came across our closest cousins, yep, monkleys. Couldn't click any with the camera for there were too many of them. Some were even pleased to see us and started to come very close to greet us. But we decided to move on. A few mins later we came across a herd of elephants with a calf amidst them. A very lovely sight and was delighted to watch them so close by.
Reached Gundalpete, and somehow, I missed out the way to the mountain. When enquired the locals, they replied, we have come a long way from that place and we need to go back by atleast 10 kms to reach the road towards the mountain. Again around round of discussions took place and we decided to drop the idea of visiting the mountain and instead decided to head towards Mysore. Have lunch at Mysore and go to the B.R.Hills which is in the vicinity of Mysore City.
Reached Mysore at around 1330 hrs and headed towards Guruprasad Restaurant. Had a good lunch. Actually, we were dining with a group of celebrities which consisted of the cast and crew of a Kannada soap called "M****". We felt like celebrities having lunch with them. Unfortunately, they didn't offer to pay our bills. Guess recession time has hit them too, for they just had the regular thali meals. Anyway paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant. Again another round of discussions took place and after voting, the majority decided to Bangalore straight.
On our way to Bangalore, somewhere near Madhur thee is a McDonald's. Now, Harsha feasts on these kind of stuff and chicken's his favourite. Stopped there for some French Fries and a round of Pepsi. Sat here and settled the accounts fully and I got my due of the share.
It was around 1800 hrs and then we split up and finally headed back home. Reached home at around 1930 hrs and was totally beat, stinking and a bit cheerful.
So that was the Bandipur trip. This was my first trip or an outing that I've had with my friends. Planning to have many more of such trips in the future. There is a plan for Belum caves. This plan is in its infancy stage. Nothing has been planned as yet.
VG
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