I crave to travel, and till that craving has a remedy called
“pack your bags and start for exploring a new place”, I am hardly at peace.
This time, I wanted to travel to hills. I had no idea where would I land. I quickly spoke to some
friends, under a hope that I would get a company, like each time.
For the craving to travel, for the favorite month of the
year- February, to live the passion of photography, for collecting and creating
more stories, for testing own stamina, for knowing self more, for knowing the
unknown, for treating self with happiness, for making the best out of
pre-birthday weekend – I treated myself with A Solo Trip.
To travel alone, two things are very important: - Safety in
terms of place to stay & Secure Mode of travel. Rest of the things can
alter as per the mood, requirements and climatic conditions. I figured out a hotel as per my requirements and I made sure
that I had a confirmed booking in Himachal Road transport Services Bus, since
it’s safe and comfortable.
I reached the ISBT Kashmere gate bus station on time and
figured out the bus I had to travel in. Boarded the bus and like always as a
childhood habit and interest, I acquired my window seat for the night. Window
seat has its own kind of privacy and at the same time when you are travelling
alone, you look for the face who is gonna be your neighbor for that particular
journey.. somehow it always matter to us, isn’t it. Be it in flight or in a
bus. Unknowingly it defines our comfort in our minds. As per the booking an
Uncle was suppose to be my neighbor, but interestingly I got to have a
conversation with a group of young people travelling to the same destination
and in that group I happened to communicate with this girl, named Puja, who
happened to be my real neighbor (seat was exchanged with uncle). We had a great chit chat time and shared
videos on travel, we shared songs and we shared our plans that we had in our
minds for destination which’s going to be. I love journeys and all kind of
journeys, even a bus journey does excite me. The Volvo bus has this great glass
which has support of the frame at broad distances and so the view that one can
see outside is so damn clear and appealing. The roads of Delhi were clear for a
change and while we moved through Karnal road, the dhabas at Murthal were
refreshing my drives from Delhi with various friends to this part.
The room with a view was waiting for me, it seemed. I have
been very lucky on all my trips to get a corner room, having a window opening
towards east, the sun rises calmly from this side and each ray has so much to
absorb. This time again I had this opportunity and smile that window view gave
me, gave a kick start to the trip. The tall trees loaded with green leaves and
somewhere in between them, the sun rays making their way to the window of the
room, It was just perfect.
The hotel care taker served me delicious parathe with chai
and I was all geared up to explore the hills around and the beauty they carry.
i walked through the market area and local residential areas for about 3 kms to reach Bhagsunath temple.
View around the road side -
We walked through the market together and reached 2nd
Spot- ‘Dalai Lama Temple’
The moment one steps
in its premise, one feels the touch of peace. There was a sitting area on the
ground floor and on the first floor was the temple.
Look at these vacant benches, clean, polished, ready to
welcome… quarter part of this area was seated, and the other part was vacant.
Stepping in this part seemed to be disturbing the elegance of the view, the
sequence of the benches; seemed will break, the sunshine and then shaded area,
grass filled area and rocky area, it seemed to be a planned view to show the
beauty of life and its shades. I found
life in this view, which is open to challenges and is warm, which is hostile
and is beautiful. Opposite to this view was mountain of Dhauladhar Range, with
snow of course, but also clouds; clouds which were moving so fast that they
were looking like smoke, but a deep look at the view, showed the real them.
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| The vacant benches at Dalai Lama temple |
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| Smoky - Cloudy View |
The first view of Lord Budhha at Dalai Lama Temple was to
hold time ; there is unique kind of harmony that each look of his has and this
was one of such looks. People visit the temple to meditate. They light Oil
candles and pray for peace and harmony.
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| The very first view of Lord Budhha @ Dalami Lama Temple |
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| Lit candles! |
The market area –
Like a regular hill station market, the market of this place
is. One can find souvenirs made up of stones. Jewelry of various kinds can be
tried, decorative show pieces are nice enough.
Unique ear rings can be bought. I ended up buying key rings for my loved
one’s. Look of the market –
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| Market Area |
On the way back, we had lunch at Moon Peak café. They have
range of food from Itlaian to Indian. We were so damn hungry to grab the food…
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| Waiting for lunch at Moon Peak cafe |
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| The food was tasty enough !!! |
3rd Spot- St. John
Church –
Its an Anglican church in the forest near Forsyth Ganj. This
neo gothic stone building was built in 1852. In the earth quake of 1904 in
Kangra region, this church was damaged badly. This monument was rebuilt and
saved as a archeological site and is of importance in the history of the
region. Since 1958, the church doors are closed for public but is maintained by
the government under Ancient and archeological sites and remains act 1958.
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| St. John Church |
4th Spot- Dal lake of
Mcleodganj-
Its highly over hyped place. The water stinks. It is on the
way To Naddi. It is video shooting point. In this not so nice place, I found
childhood, which finds fun in everything it comes across and this child
reminded me to create motion, if there is too much of stillness around; he was
doing so. ;)
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| Child play at Dal lake |
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| The View of Dal Lake |
5th Spot- Naddi & Sun set point –
The road ends here. There is no further going from here. Yet
the walking paths gets divided into two. One shows the range of mountains – the Dhauladhar range and other part leads to the sun set view point. Naddi is
located 2000 meter above sea level. The way which leads to the view of the
range, also leads to a government school. The walking way is nice enough to
experience silence and experience the best of the times of conversation. It’s a
perfect way to walk + talk + understand + unwind= live.
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| Dhaulandhar Range |
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| The path way |
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| Cloudy hills |
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| The lush green view from Naddi |
Around 6 pm that day, the sun was ready to set. I spent
about one and half hours watching it set and nature painting the sky in
different beautiful forms. Have a look –
My Sun sets to rise again. Setting could be such a beautiful
thing, I have been able to learn this from the way the Sun sets. The way every
second it beatifies the sky and leave a speechless time for us. I was alone,
sitting in Sunset café, an open café; and I had so much to delve into. It was a
perfect time of self introspection and really knowing my own needs. I believe
that the sunset watch is one of the most romantic things that we can treat
ourselves with. Well, I treated myself greatly that day. Every sunset point and
watch is very very different, and so was this, yet each time the beauty it
gives and goes away is just unique in its own way.
6th Spot- Norbulingka Monastery –
These welcomes you to Norbulingka Monastery -
Norbulingka Institute was founded near Dharamshala in 1988
for preserving Tibetan culture, literature and art. The institute is named
after Norbulingka, the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas in Lhasa,
Tibet.
The institute primarily works towards carrying on Tibetan traditions and
heritage by providing training, education and employment to Tibetans in the
region. Norbulingka produces high quality art objects, clothing and home
furnishings.
The institute also has the two-storeyed 'Seat of Happiness Temple' (Deden
Tsuglakhang) set amidst the Japanese inspired Norbulingka gardens. It is
especially known for its 1,173 murals of Buddha, frescoes of all the Dalai
Lamas and drawings from the life of the 14th Dalai Lama.
Norbulingka’s art studios include Tibetan statue making, Thangka painting,
screen-printing, applique and tailoring, woodcarving, wood painting,
papermaking, and wood and metal craft.
As soon as you enter the premise, there is an
inexperienced air that surrounds you. Its just magical. There is so much of art
& knowledge around. People – calm and soft spoken, smiling and welcoming.
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| The entrance |
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| Majestic, isnt it! |
There is Losel Doll Museum which has diorama displays
of traditional Tibetan scenes, using miniature Tibetan dolls in traditional
costumes.
The scenic view up in the sky and through the terrace was
beautiful.
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| of course the trees added to the beauty... i could have sat for hours and watch the moving clouds changing the view of the sky. |
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| The terrace view :) |
The day I was there, there was cleaning and painting going
on, because on 9th March’17, Dalai Lama was suppose to visit. In the
preparation of his welcome, there was lots of preparation going on. Hence I
couldn’t witness the Golden coloured Buddha statue in the monastery. But yes
clicked picture s of the hall to keep the memory that why I couldn’t see him,
yet watching all these activities was interesting enough.
I spent time with the weavers and painters and artists. The
most astonishing thing was when I saw one of the framed wall decorative hanging
in a shop and I enquired the price of the same, which was Rs. 76000, I wondered
what can make it so damn expensive and this took me to the hall where the
artist were making the such piece ready, there was a designer making the
design, the cloth pieces cutter and then there was a lady who was stitching
each piece of the cloth with a silk thread and very thin iron thread. She
showed me the way this is created and I was amazed at the art work they work
for. Have a look on the way they do it –
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| This piece has been created by stitching n no. of cloth pieces and then this is framed with brocade cloth around |
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| Hand Stitching |
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| A person making design to be cut and stitched.. |
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| The weaving machine |
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| Men & Women at working in weaving room |
These painters that you see are reputing the colors on the walls
of the entrance to the main building area. They’re focused and perfect, with
music in the background.
I found this curved dried flower, hanging silently with
beauty in every bit, I couldn’t take my camera off to click it.
7th Spot- Gyuto
Monastery –
One of the most famous monasteries
in Tibet, the Gyuto Monastery is known for its study of Tantric meditation,
Tantric ritual arts and Buddhist philosophy. It was founded in Tibet in 1474 by
the main disciple of the first Dalai Lama, Jetsun Kunga Dhondup. After the
communist Chinese invasion in 1959, the monastery was re-established in
India.
The monks here practice the major Tantric texts including Guhyasamaja,
Chakrasamvara and Yamantaka. They have passed these lineages on to the younger
generation of monks for more than 500 years.
The main chamber of the monastery has a majestic statue of the Buddha and with
the backdrop of the snow-clad mountains; this is an extremely serene and
peaceful place to spend an afternoon.
I spoke to various monks; some of
them were very surprised seeing me travelling alone. They inquired and were
anxious how it to do so is! Well, I could only smile back and tell them that
its really going cool.
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| Gyuto Momastery |
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| Inside view .. Holy! |
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| Peaceful, isn't it! |
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| Dudes !💗 |
Post this where I landed
is one of the most beautiful thing that I have ever witnessed.
8th Spot – Masrur
Temple, in Masrur Village, Kangra
From Norbulinga Monastery Area it
took me 2 hours to reach Masrur Village. The village area in Himachal Pradesh
is clean and the roads are well constructed. It was only the last 500 meters of
way that was raw, which made me feel that I had entered the village area ;) . The
very first glance on the temple back side wall, made me feel stunned. It was
beauty never seen before. I took my entry ticket and walked in, took off my
shoes and each moment kept wondering of the structure, sculpture which was
right there in front of me.
Kangra faced earthquake in 1905 and these temples were
also were victim of the same. There was extensive damage that the occurrence brought, their unified
scheme suggest that the temples were to follow a ‘sarvatobhadra’ plan (accessible from all cardinal
directions). The excavation of the temples , however, couldn’t be completed for
unknown reasons . Inherent texture flaw in the “mother rock” might be one of
the reasons to abandon the excavation midway.
Most probably, the Masrur Temple
complex was built by a paramount ruler of ancient Jalandhar kingdom of Punjab
plains or by a Katoch ruler under the supremacy of Yashovarman, a king of
Kanauj.
The place didn’t seem to be very
famous among tourist as I saw only two foreigners and some local people in
its premise.
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| Masrur Rock Cut Temple |
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| Ram Laxman Sita Deity |
Have a look at the stairs inside
the temple –
And a look from the terrace –
The Ruins -
The cloudy afternoon it was –
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| Foreigners appreciating the beauty of the premise and history ! |
On the right side of the temple is a Senior Secondary School
. The students of the school looked very smart and disciplined. It was very
nice to witness the reach of education system that some of our states have.
On the way back to Kangra main district from Masrur Village,
the cab driver Viay Bhaiya suddenly saw lot of lambs and goats and showed me the
same. I couldn’t resist and went out of the cab to look at what was so
wondering that he being a local person got so excited.
The exciting thing about that view was this that the goats
and the lambs were sitting on the sliding side of the hill, there was hardly
any base for them to set themselves, the wondering thing was their adaptation
to the Hills.
Between ‘Masrur’ and ‘Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association
Stadium’, on the way was found this unique view of goats and lambs standing and
then roaming on the wall side of the hill. How they roam around in groups,
without human interference and how they make their way to their home is
amazing. Without expression of words they understand each other and the
circumstances and stay together. They make their own way and have their own
style. It’s a grand treat clicking them and capturing them in the video, hope
you too enjoy the show.
Spot 9 - Himachal
Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium –
I am not a Cricket fan at all and so it’s a simple thought
to have that I had no aspiration to really step in a cricket stadium ever in my
life , specially by myself. And there I was in the most beautiful cricket
stadium of India, which is at an elevation of 4110 feet. It is overlooked by
Daulandhar Range ; OMG the snow capped peaks 3 times higher and the vultures,
eagles flying over it. When the bowler must be bowling here, he can be clearly
defined as the one bowling right from Himalayas.
That was the first look as soon as
I entered –
And then I had to spend time there feeling the joy of
cricket fans and cricketers waving at their fans and the commentator room view.
The people working over there on the ground and cleaning the
ground and cutting the grass, looked so engrossed in their work and happy J
I didn’t know I could come back from a stadium so happily J
That evening I saw the sunset settling with dark clouds and
I thanked my stars for I had a beautiful sunset view a day before ;) at Naddi.
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| click from Kangra Art Gallery |
Spot 10- Kangra Art Gallery
Its an okay kind of place to have a crisp look on history.
One can finish the round of looking on each display in half an hour max. It’s a
small gallery showcasing Kangra culture, ornaments and 1905 earthquake state. I
didn’t click any pictures over there.
The very next morning the sun rise view was such from the
window of my room-
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| The sunrise view from the hotel room :) |
A view, which alarmed me to get up totally and get set ready
for the trek to Triund. I was all set to start the trek at 7 am when suddenly
it started raining. Actually it was drizzling but then I didn’t know if it would be okay to start for the
trek in rain. After waiting for 15 minutes, Sanjay bhaiya (hotel care taker)
told me to not to take risk, since I would trekking alone and the plan got
changed. I took a drive to Kangra fort that day, so as to not to spoil the day,
but I didn’t know the day had some other kind of surprise.
The way to Kangra Fort view-
Spot 11- Kangra Fort
I would mention here that fate took me there. I had no plan
to go there, I just happened to reach there. Kangra fort is at outskirts of
Kangra. 20 km from Dharamshala.
It is the largest fort in Himalayas and probably the oldest
fort dated in India.
The fort of Kangra resisted Akbar's siege in 1615.
However, Akbar's son Jehangir successfully subdued the fort in
1620. Kangra was at the time ruled by Raja Hari Chand Katoch of Kangra
(also known as Raja Hari Chand II) Mughal Emperor Jahangir with
the help of Suraj Mal garrisoned with his troops.
The entrance to the fort is through a small courtyard
enclosed between two gates which were built during the Sikh period, as appears
from an inscription over the entrance. From here a long and narrow passage
leads up to the top of the fort, through the Ahani and Amiri
Darwaza (gate), both attributed to Nawab Saif Ali Khan, the first
Mughal Governor of Kangra. About 500 feet from the outer gate the passage turns
round at a very sharp angle and passes through the Jehangiri Darwaza.
The Darsani Darwaza, which is now flanked by
defaced statues of River Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna gave access to a courtyard,
along the south side of which stood the shrines Lakshmi-Narayana Sitala and
Ambika Devi. In between these shrines is a passage that leads up to the palace.
It is one of the most beautiful forts in India.
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| The entrance |
While I was entering the fort I thought to carry the book
with me, thinking that I might get bored inside. Then, I decided not to. The
clouds that day really added to the adventure and beauty. Under the dark messy
clouds I entered in the fort as the first visitor at 8:05 am. Some of the
fellow men joined in few minutes. Where ever I looked, I found a ruined,
majestic, alone living beauty. It seemed as if Walls / passages / the steps
calling me and asking to be with them.
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| The sun hiding behind the clouds ... and providing the view ... magical!! |
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| The passage |
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| Inside view of the fort .. walk towards Laxmi Narayan Temple |
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| The deity |
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| Add caption |
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| The river view from Kangra fort |
There were birds having their own time and there were bigger
birds, making their own passage. Somehow I always happen to click duo birds.
There were trees with leaves loaded and then the ones with no leaves and there
were those who had new born leaves. Each view was so very different as if
various places had got combined in one.
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| There isn't anything more fulfilling than togetherness 😇 |
Sometimes in the air and sometimes on ground - Togetherness is beautiful
Being alone is beautiful.
Being alone make you courageous enough to face every bit, bcoz you
don't have a choice and be so. Being alone makes you know yourself better.
Being alone makes you know your needs candidly.
Being alone on a travel leads
to become a storyteller. They say the world needs more
storytellers than engineers, doctors or technicians. Let us heal our
minds.
#Solivangant feeling
it was to click this.
After about half an hour a group of students from a school
with teacher had come over and of course I could recall my school time and the
small visits around.
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| The nature with ruins of the fort |
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| last inside view of the fort |
This exit door is of
Kangra Fort. Look at this, you'll find some unusual scribble. Rather than the
usual 'I love so and so...' You'll see 'I am single..' Etc with the names.
Discovery of an unusual sort of declarations... !!!!!
While I was stepping out, I witnessed for seconds the view
in the sky where in hundreds of birds were flying in one direction. It was such
a sight of unity and togetherness and bonding and leadership and happiness and
peace and what not, there was no competition; there was only a way, a common
way to fly and reach to a new destination to have more fun. The moment I sat in
the car to get back to Mcleodganj I wondered if we humans could be that
relative and sequential, without any agony and competition live like that,
happily! Imagine, there would be so much of peace and dancing and celebrations
only, if at all we don’t compete and greed !!
Spot 12th – Triund Trek
Vicky bhaiya, my driver for that day pushed me to go back to
the hotel, change my shoes and take chance to trek to Triund. He told me that
the weather might have changed and he checked with his local friends and hence,
the trek to Triund happened.
The first view of valley from Gallu point
There was a Café at Galu point ; its called café but is
actually a shop; that bhaiya served me Egg Amulet and Chai. It was my breakfast
and I was so damn hungry to grab all.
At the starting point at Gallu point Police men have to be
on duty and they ask every visitor, who goes on trek to make an entry with
details in a register. I guess they do so for safety measure and
information sake. There are a lot of
junctions on the way to Triund where
phone network doesn’t appear and hence connectivity could be a concern;
but then one sometimes need to be away from man made traps and stay in the lap
of nature and enjoy every bit.
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| Step 1 😎😍 |
The way to Triund was really interesting. In starting it
felt as if I was walking through a forest and then there were hard rocks to
climb on.
Yes I did it, the Triund trek.
Indradev showed courtesy and the rain stopped, the weather improved and I took out
my trekking shoes, tied the laces and started..
Out of 5 kms from Galu Devi, I could trek for about 3 and 1/2 kms on the hill
and had to return as it started raining heavily. Raincoat used to the
best
😂.
Nevertheless I am happy to share that I dared to go that far and up…. Alone!
It's an amazing way and the feel's ineffable. While going up all I had in mind
was the snow point , while walking back all I had in mind were favourite songs
and finally it was a perfect walk on the hills, with the raincoat, songs on the
lips, zig zag way, wet leaves, shining ones, cold breeze, strangers greeting
each other, and the view down - beautiful.
After all the view is always worth the climb.
My favourite saying - 'ye safar hi to hai, Jo khoobaoorat hai, kahin pahunch
kar Kisi KO kuch nahi milta'
/ I have enough and much from this
trip
.
I am so proud and grateful that during childhood,I have been taught to climb
mountains (mountains of life and the mountain in real)and have been made strong
enough.
I happily returned to the hotel and spent my rest of the day
in the market by having famous Pizza and Chocolate fudge at Jimmy’s Italian
kitchen. I visited Kalachakra Temple, as my last spot.
Spot 13th – Kala Chakra Temple
Its very much in the market area. Surrounded by a lot of
prayer wheels, has a huge statue inside and the view of sunset from the second
floor up there was very beautiful. Have a look.
Heavy clouded sky
meets another sunset and I standing speechless staring at the magic that the
nature brings each day. Click from a monastery at main chowk of Mcleodganj. So
much shower of hopes this view has, isn't it.
Take away from my second Solo Trip-
- I was treated so very well by every person I met, from hotel care taker to
restaurant wala, to strangers who met me in the bus to everyone.
- A stranger proposed me to marry (someone I met just for 15 minutes, for may
be he found me bold and different travelling alone) and I could take it as a
compliment and very politely could tell him a No, yet smile and feel good, ya
it was a good feeling he gave. We bid each other bye and look, you are reading
about him here J .
- I was in connection with my friends on whatsapp and I shared pics of the
places I was visiting time to time. The cutest thing I was told by my one of
the (girl) friend is “she felt as if she was travelling with me.”
- I so much second this thought that when you travel alone, you are not alone J
- I am a more confident person and have got more experiences to share.
- I had bought Trekking shoes especially for this trip and I guess have created
an asset that way.
Things I couldn’t do in these 3 days of travel-
- - I carried a book with me thinking that I might
need it, when I get bored. – No book
read at all, not even a page.
- - Carried a note pad, no write ups ;)
- - I carried an I-pod –full with songs – didn’t
listen to any… there was no need. The interesting part about music was – Driver
bhaiyas on all days had songs of 90s and that was pretty interesting to listen
to and refresh the list to be heard.
Promises Break.
Hearts break.
Strings break.
Relationships break.
Knee too.
Sometimes bone,
at times your will.
Plans fail.
Energy lost.
But we again get up, make up for every break, failure, loss, misplacement and
start a new journey every day.
Keep getting up, keep reading, keep exploring, keep learning and keep
travelling.
A very Happy Travelling 😍
Stay Merry.
Hope this read was interesting enough & useful.
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