The Weekend Trip: 22-24 Nov' 10

An overnight trip was due for a long time. Friday night after work, my flatmate, Biju and I got on the MC road and rode towards his home. The main central road, connecting Trivandrum to a town in Ernakulum district, is a better option because the road is wider and traffic is less. This was a welcome ride—The last time I’d done a 100 plus ride was almost a year back when I’d gone to Kanyakumari with three other friends. We reached Biju’s house at around midnight. Within 15 minutes, we were sound asleep. 

The next morning, after having warm idlis at his uncle’s place, we toured around Malapally for a while. By afternoon, we were ready for our next destination, Thekkady. We’d hardly covered 10 kms when there was a sudden downpour, giving us little time to find shelter. I wasn’t looking forward to this. After about 15 mins, we were on the road again. Minor drizzle continued. We understood that taking refuge from the rain would cost us a lot of time. So we depended on our jackets (which obviousy weren’t waterproof). Biju had heard of the meadows of Vagamon; I doubt if he’d been there before. So, he advised that we should take a detour from the KK road and go via Vagamon. The road was bad, but the first look at the small hillocks of Vagamon and I knew it was worth it. Unfortunately, it was raining heavily and we couldn’t take any photographs or relax on the meadows. There's always a next time, they say.

We were hungry, but we had no cash. We had thought we would come across ATMs in the town. None. The figure of hungry souls in the world had just increased by two. Finally, an SBI ATM by the fuel station. Withdrew some cash, refilled the tank, and then our stomachs. We were completely drenched and it was going to get dark soon. We had another 60 odd kms to cover. I badly wanted to change into dry clothes. Decided against it. By about 8 pm, we were in Kumli. That was where Biju’s friend had booked a hotel room for us. In the room, I got our stuff out of the bag. Nothing was completely dry. I put on the semi-dry clothes and wrapped myself with the blanket. After a while, we helped ourselves to vodka, followed by some food.

We woke up late the next day. Headed to the resort where Biju’s friend works. He had invited us for breakfast. We did not have enough time, so we entered the Wildlife Sanctuary just to view the lake, which was beautiful.  We then entered Tamil Nadu to see the water pipelines that feed the Tamil Nadu fields.


We had been in Vagamon on a rainy day. Why not when there’s sunshine? We took a detour again on our way back. We passed the beautiful tea gardens through the narrow, winding road. The half hour spent in Vagamon was the high point of the trip for me. Never before had I seen such sprawling lush green meadows. This state of nature was picturesque in every sense. I hope it remains this way; I hope we do not bring in the commercial concrete to satiate the never-ending human excess.

Saturday afternoon in Varkala: Second Oct'10

Varkala is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve come across in my country. The cliff is one of the best things here. The numerous restaurants on the cliff overlooking the sea are occupied from people across the world. I’ve been here many times, but by myself, for the first time. Felt nice. The beach had been swallowed by the hungry sea but I was safe on the cliff. Most restaurants were being renovated for the next tourist season, I suppose. I decided I would walk to the other end of the cliff. An artist had displayed his beautiful paintings outside his workshop, his proud signature on each of them. Inside, he was dedicatedly stroking his brush on an incomplete canvas.

After a couple of shops, I stumbled upon a small bookstore selling second-hand books. Born to Oriya parents, adopted by an English couple, I don’t know how Lakhiram had landed up in Varkala. He had a very good collection though, which spoke of the man's good taste. He was impressed with my Bengali, though he admitted that he could only as much as understand the language. I picked up a couple of translated Greek classics and one of Coetzee, and procrastinated the walk to the other end of the cliff. I was thirsty and hungry. I scanned the restaurants as I walked back and settled into one. Drinking beer by the sea is always amazing, it’s even better when you do it on a ‘dry’ day. Finished Plautus’ Pot of Gold and the beer. As I got up to leave, the rain gods lashed their fury all over Varkala. A 40-km ride in the rains is not a very pleasant thought. As I waited for the rain to stop, I started chatting with one of the waiters who happened to be from my home town. We talked of home, the people, and politics. We hoped for better days. The rain had stopped, if only for a while. 

NAUKA

It was an arbitrary thought, sparked off by a casual conversation between two old friends who'd not been as close as they'd be by the end of the trip. Kabbu and I were batchmates in Baha'i and so were Anoop, Nandi and Ujjwal. Of the four, I'd been closer to Nandi and Ujjwal. In fact, I was not at all close to the other two. Anoop, I personally used to find a little too snobbish. Just how prejudiced a human mind can get!

When we came up with the idea of a reunion, it was envisaged at a scale larger than what it turned out to be. However, at the end of it, each felt that it couldn't had been better. It wasn't easy, of course. At times, we faltered. There were two basic impediments—cash and leaves. Kabbu was going to manage the leaves anyhow, and I needed a desparate break. Anoop and Ujjwal, however, were finding it difficult to manage their managers. Nandi had her own problems. Finally, for the good of it, everything was settled—I killed my dead grandfather, Ujjwal and Kabbu became ill, Anoop was honest, though not for long. He later fractured Ujjwal's hands and hospitalized him to extend his own leave.

Anoop also paid for our flight tickets to Bangalore. I don't know if it's because I started my first air trip without paying for it, I haven't had to spend my own money for any of my air travels till date. Get me a wood! But before this happened, we'd to decide upon the destination. It'd to be affordable and easily accessible—easy enough for people from Sikkim, Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore to manage. But once Prashant, Udai, and some others opted out, the five of us decided on Bangalore. Kerala had long been on my list of tavel destinations and I let the idea seep into Kabbu's mind. She spoke to Nandi and suddenly, we were all set for Kovalam. Ujwal and I reached Bangalore on Friday night and the next evening we were on the bus to Kovalam, much to the annoyance of the elders in the bus as we were creating a raucous there. Already, we were the best of pals.

The next few days were full of fun as we cooked, ate, drank, and played. We were back in school!

Coming back was tough, emotionally. We promised each other to meet once a year no matter what. We failed to keep the promise as Anoop flew to Shanghai, Ujjwal started his momo business, and Kabbu left for Gangtok. Though we've managed to meet each other after the trip, it was never with all of us together.

Though we don't mail or speak to each other every week or every month, I know we remember each other every now and then.

P.S.: The reunion took place almost three years ago and I'd written this a few months later. Today, it found its place here with minor necessary updates.

away from home...

I've always considered myself lucky to belong to the hills. We are not arrogantly ambitious or immensely intelligent, but we are warm, friendly, and cheerful. I haven't spent a lot of years in Pedong, but I know I belong there. I hope one day I'd be able to watch the snow-capped mountains as I've my cup of tea.

Kalimpong is the nearest town from Pedong. There is no easy way of getting there. A plane journey will reach you to Bagdogra, from where you can either take a cab to Kalimpong, or go to Siliguri (in a cab), and then make use of the abundant shuttle services at your disposal.

Once you leave the crowded pockets of Siliguri and get onto the NH 31, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hills on one side and the river Teesta down below. People not familiar with the curves of the hills may find the journey too adventurous and some may even complain of motion sickness. But, if you love to travel, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy it through the dizziness of your head.

Kalimpong used to be famous for schools, Tibetan cuisine, cheese, flowers, and sunrise. A few years ago, Ms. Desai decided to rewrite the course of Kalimpong’s history through fiction. Natives did not like it, the panel loved it.

Momos, thukpas, and sya-phaleys are popular food items—my personal favorites are pork momos. Chang is a popular drink that people enjoy but parents try to keep their children away from.

People make their living through varied trades. Some are employed with the government, while some are their own bosses. Though most people are simple and fun loving, they are easy to incite and minor brawls are almost commonplace. The younger generation is highly fashionable similar to their neighbors in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Music and sports is a culture in itself.

People do not usually agree on the best time to visit Kalimpong. Some prefer the chill, some the warmth, and a few other, the rains. I love April in most parts of the country.