 |
| A ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ - Sam |
Memories and Nostalgia: that’s what life is reduced to, people often say. If so, we lived life to the limit during the last weekend on our last batch trip. The destination was Munnar, along with a short detour to Thekkady and two days couldn’t have been spent in a better way.
The trip commenced from our bus journey on Friday night. All the exhaustion of the week was forgotten in a flash as bags were packed swifter than one could say ‘Hallelujah’. This was followed by a wild and crazy night where we showed off our best and weirdest dance moves while attempting to emulate the ones which were exhibited during the likes of ‘Lamberghini’, ‘Breakup Song’, among others. It got so crazy at some point that I twisted my arm, sat down for a minute during which it miraculously ‘untwisted’ and then started dancing again. While many of us showed off our moves, a few of us chose to witness the scenario from afar and captured so many of our precious memories together.
The journey lasted 7 hours. We had commenced at roughly 21:30. Hence, due to the exhaustion of the week and the crazy dancing, many of us fell asleep quite soon. The rest of us resorted to the bleak company of the glowing screens of our cell phones as we quickly uploaded a few of the many pictures we had captured and posted status updates about our trip.
The trip had a pit stop in between where we relished tea. There was also a church nearby and the beauty of a ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ suited it well. After refreshing ourselves we again tucked into our seats on the bus and drifted away into our dreams, only to be awakened at 5:00 a.m. Our destination had arrived. The beautiful town of Munnar was as if we had entered into a trance. The chilly morning only served to remind us how fragile our bodies were, as luggage was quickly opened and jackets quickly wrapped around.
 |
| To humble beginnings. Image Credits-Samvram S |
Checking into our rooms, we decided that the best course of action would be to sleep, considering the long day ahead. However, it soon turned out to be a lost cause as our nerves were too fired up to sleep. This turned out to be a boon as we witnessed the mesmerizing sunrise at Munnar, which truly seemed out of this world.
 |
| Because the night must end. Image Credits-Mohit Soni |
Einstein was right when he said that time is relative. Soon, it was time for us to leave for the day. We had a sumptuous breakfast, partly owing to the fact that none of us had had anything to eat for the last twelve hours and the rest of it due to the fact that the food was a fresh reboot from the kind that we were used to in our mess.
The day saw us all in a new vigor. Our first destination for the day was Eravikulam National Park. We were astounded by the absolute magnificence of our surroundings. We kept climbing upwards and it seemed as if the Hill station had a new layer of beauty to add with each step that we ascended.
Needless to say, we tried- quite fruitlessly- to capture as many of these moments in our shutters as we could. On the way to the top, we also spotted three Nilgiri Tahrs grazing on grass at a small height above us. The Tahrs were so brilliantly camouflaged that some of us had to strain our eyes in order to distinguish them from the surroundings.
 |
| Morning exercise, don't mind the humans. Image Credits-Samvram S |
When we did finally reach the top, we didn’t stop. We kept on clicking photos. Not to brag, but I had the brilliant idea of clicking some candids-real ones, not the fake ones that many use today. We also saved up some photos to roast our friends later on. Because as Khalil Gibran said it: "
In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
Alas, as time and tide wait for none, we had to begin our descent. We noticed physics at play when we all descended in only a fraction of the time we took to ascend the peak.
We also witnessed the power of the law of large numbers when we spotted a single Nilgiri Tahr and were quite pleased when it decided to climb down to our elevation to grace us with its presence. It is noteworthy that the Tahr was certainly more photogenic than a lot of us. We had a lot of fun, running behind the Tahr, as it crossed over to the other side of the road, in order to take that one perfect click that photographers often yearn for.
Upon descending from the top, we felt an urgent need to relieve ourselves and after we had done so, to eat. So we consumed ice cream and munched on chocolate cupcakes, lest our appetite for lunch be affected. We were waiting for our bus to resume the rest of the day’s journey when we noticed our juniors, the 2nd years getting down from their bus to explore the National Park. It was a bit of a Deja Vu for us, as we watched them getting excited, clicking photos with each other and eating ice cream.
Meanwhile, we resumed our journey for the rest of the day. Shortly afterward we stopped at a restaurant where we ate hungrily at a meager 160 INR per head. With a satisfied mind, tummy, and wallet, we set off for our next destination: Echo point.
 |
| Different walks of life. Image Credits-Samvram S |
Echo Point proved to be a brilliant spot which soothed our eyes as well as our soul. The lake all around us and the front staring us straight in the eyes could only have been carved out of a fairytale. The distant mountains made the scenery even more surreal.
In our intense excitement, we tried to test the worthiness of the name of the place. However, in the beginning, none of us were successful in producing an echo. But after several attempts at various pitch, we found our match. And then we felt a strange serenity within us.
 |
| The valley of shadow and death. Image Credits-Samvram S |
A few of us also opted for boat rides: pedal boats, or ferries. I, along with another friend of mine, hired a pedal boat and set out to explore the scenery from a different perspective. It was a different experience altogether as we soaked our minds fresh with the aura of the place.
 |
| When grown adults turn into kids. Image Credits-Samvram S |
And then, just as the sands of time run out, it was time to go. On our way out, we saw our juniors again, getting excited and clicking photos of themselves, together as a batch. It made us feel nostalgic and made us remember our first batch trip two years ago when we were just as enthusiastic, if not more. But let that be for another day.
 |
| A cue from our 2nd year Batch trip in Ooty-Samvram S |
The journey back to the bus and subsequently back to our hotel proved incrementally exhausting as we felt the day’s labors gain on our tired bodies. However, that didn’t deter us from taking a few pit stops along the way and being mesmerized by the numerous tea gardens that Munnar is famous for. We clicked several shots to capture the moment, as our eyes feasted on the timelessness of the spot.
 |
| Some moments are meant to be captured forever. Image Credits-Pratabidya P |
Meanwhile, it was time for dinner. Having roamed about all day, we quickly devoured the simple yet delicious chicken curry that had been prepared for us. After such a hearty meal, we set off towards the bonfire. It was time once more to exhibit our crazy skills as we danced to songs from nearly all genres and regions. In some ways, we would remember this as the last occasion when we danced freely, without any inhibitions, together as a batch.
After the bonfire, we again made way to our respective rooms. However, the excitement of the trip soon outnumbered the exhaustion of our bodies. We started chatting about all kinds of things: relationships, college, studies and opened up such a heavy and at times, unseen portion of ourselves that we were later bemused at our own actions.
As would be expected, we again spent the night without sleep and witnessed the beauty of the rising sun. It truly was a sight to behold. The orange tinge of the sun, which spreads from a single point, just before sunrise and rises up to cover the entire horizon, is not something which can be described in words. Better men than us have tried and failed.
A major portion of the next day was spent in traveling, where we clicked photos of tea gardens, hills, forests and many more.
Our first destination was a trekking point. Unfortunately, many of us had worn normal sandals, instead of sports shoes or other trekking gear. Hence, it was slightly more laborious for us. However, we soon forgot the excess labor as we began trekking and after a while, arrived at the first sightseeing point. The view from the point was breathtaking. The sheer beauty from such a height was unfathomable.
 |
| Miles to go before I sleep. Image Credits-Samvram S |
We continued climbing upwards and we reached very near to the top of the highest peak. If the earlier view was breathtaking, this view was unbelievable.
The windmills in the distance, along with the background of distant mountains and forests truly made for a picturesque landscape.
 |
| Nature's miracle from afar. Image Credits-Samvram S |
Being witness to such a view, we soon forgot all our troubles and lay there, sitting as if in a trance. As if this world didn’t matter anymore. As if we were there for all eternity.
But soon, it was time for us to go. Hence, we started descending from the peak. During our descent, we also explored a relatively smaller peak, opposite to the one we had climbed. The view from there was equally astounding.
 |
| Too many things to discuss, so little time. Image Credits-Mohit Soni |
Although getting back from that peak proved to be a bit laborious, we were back on our seats in the bus in no time. Our next destination was Tiger Safari.
However, time was not on our side. When we reached the Safari, it was already past 16:30. and we thought it would be better to fulfill our empty stomachs which had long digested the meager idlis from the morning breakfast. Hence, nearly all of us entered a popular restaurant in Thekkady. As fate would have it, the food was not what we expected. One couldn’t be sure if it was the impatience in us at the tardiness of the restaurant or the actual taste of the meal we were consuming which led us to be slightly disappointed with our lunch.
In any case, we set off after lunch, to explore the area, as a few of our friends joined the Safari. The town seemed lively, with people roaming around restaurants and shops. We also witnessed a marriage procession nearby and marveled at the simple yet elaborate rituals of the natives.
Meanwhile, we treated ourselves to famous local chocolates and looked at local markets. Time went on and soon all our friends were back from their safari. As soon as all of us had settled back into our seats, we set off for our college.
It was a long journey and everyone was tired. Hence, there were no songs played on the journey. However, there was still loads of fun involved. Many of us shared horror stories with each other while others spent the journey ruminating over the details of the trip. As the bus proceeded towards our college 200 km away, we all gradually fell asleep. Some of us stayed awake and spent the time, giving company to each other and engaging in the kind of deep, thoughtful conversations one would expect from people staying up late at night.
As the bus made a final pit stop near a tea shop, a few of us got down to stretch our legs and to indulge in the refreshing beverage. The warmth of the tea gave us vigor as we boarded the bus for the remainder of our journey. Soon, we were back within the confines of our college, safe and sound.
Hunger knows no bounds, it is often said. Hence, upon reaching our rooms, we requested a few of our friends, who hadn’t gone to the trip, to prepare the one indispensable component in every hostelier's life. After we were done feasting on the twisty noodles, we talked and ruminated about each and every aspect of the trip. The conversation soon turned to the deeper aspects of life but before we knew it, our senses overpowered us and we fell asleep.
The next day was a Monday and some of us had lectures to attend. We were reluctant to get up, to return to the normal routine of our mundane lives. We wanted to remain bound to the ecstasy of our trip when our minds had breathed freely. However, we soon realized that life has to be lived full circle. Only when one has experienced the mundane can one realize the extraordinary. Only if one has lived the extraordinary, can one hope to understand routine and regularity!
 |
| Random moments of happiness. Image Credits-Samvram S |
Comments
Post a Comment
Let us know what you think about it here...