Riding and Dancing in Lanka

Topi riding Rickshaw

From Airport we hired a tuk tuk (in lanka, rickshaws are known by this name) for Negombo. We thought that will go for scuba diving but it was very costly-75$/person, so we changed our plans and headed for lunch, when we were moving towards restaurant, our driver stopped for paan (a stimulating 

Default Dish-Meduvada

and psychoactive preparation of betel leaf combined with areca nut and/or cured tobacco), and we were waiting inside tuk tuk, suddenly my friend asked permission for driving his rickshaw, he was so cool, that he said ok-go ahead. Funny thing Topi was not even able to start it in the beginning, but once driver started, he was driving it like its own car. 

EGB-Ginger Soda

Obviously I was little bit scared, after some time we stopped at restaurant and were provided with a default item in their menu (medu vada). Its default dish weather you order or not. While we were eating, I saw a mother giving some yellow colored liquid to her 2yr old kid from a bottle which looked like daru bottle (hard drink), but I thought it can’t be possible, so to know what it contains us also ordered a bottle of Egb. When I looked at its sticker, it read as real ginger. Then we knew that it was ginger soda. Since that mother was giving it to her child, so it was clear that it is a local health drink. Note that lanka is famous for natural herbs and hence the drink was.

Dance like nobody's Watching

After Egb, we moved onto our new adventure-Dance.

Yes dance was also an adventure, the way we did it. We were walking on road and I saw a joker dancing in front of a Bata showroom with blasting sound, I was so excited to see him that I joined him (It’s a natural talent whenever I see a person dancing, I also starts, it has happened before also when I was out with my school friends.) It became a road show. All the people were looking at us. But I didnt care about all such things,  I was there to enjoy not to think about what others think and we should be like that only, we should feel free to express ourselves, because if we keep thinking to please others, we won’t be able to live.

Pic with Bald Uncle

When we were back on track, one bald uncle was looking at us and smiling, he asked about us, where do we belong to, what we were doing there and then he showed us his vintage car, we took some pics of his car and then the conversation turned about our adventure that we are looking for scuba diving. So this bald guy called two of his friends and invited us in his car. He took us to his other friends who go for fishing and scuba. These people were not professionals for scuba but they were experienced locals, they asked about our experience of diving, we informed that we have no idea about it, so they said it is not possible without proper training. So bald uncle dropped us at the same point plus he hired a rickshaw also for us to place, where we can get training for scuba. Meanwhile we asked about his profession and knew that he works in Pharma Company but at that instant he was out there for some social work which was really good and image of uncle was again raised in our eyes. I would like to stress on the fact that Sri Lankans are ready to help anyone and everyone, without having any personal agenda behind that.

Entry in Sri Lanka

Day 1

Chennai International Airport

I was planning a trip to Andaman and Nicobar with a good friend Topi and while we were discussing the plan, he informed me that Shri Lanka round trip is cheaper than Andamans, this small chat resulted in a adventurous trip to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean-Shri Lanka. It is known so because of its natural beauty. Sri Lanka has also been called "the teardrop of India" because of its shape and location, and "the nation of smiling people". I invite you to have a virtual tour with me to the Pearl.

Guess who?

We were flying like a shooting star. As soon as we stepped down in Bandaranaike International Airport, we used free wifi on cell phone and net enabled computers at the entry. Yes they were providing free internet 24 7 for tourists. Now we were moving in and authorities were not allowing us to go inside as we have not mentioned local address in immigration form also on the other hand they are themselves telling us to put anything hotel like “Colombo hotel”. I have to say, they are helping people, normally Indians have myth that Sri Lanka is a dangerous place, but I cannot agree on this anymore. The best part, they gave us free local sim.

Topi

Finally we entered in and my dear friend Topi had to shit, so he went inside washroom, as soon as we entered in, it was smelling so good as if it was not a washroom but a aroma factory. You may not believe, but it was the first washroom which actually smelled awesome. Now we were moving out and many people approaching towards us with different travel plans, all looks very costly as they were offering us cars and being 2 people crew it was costly affair. 

Ram Setu

So we dropped all those and came out. when we were about to leave port, one more man approached us with a plan, but we asked him for money exchange, so he approached a business person (people who exchange labours between countries) who gave us exchange rate of 1.97. Meaning if we give him 1INR, he returns 1.97 Sri Lankan Rupee. Since we didn’t had any LNR with us so we agreed at this rate for a small amount 1000 INR, I knew that we can get rate up to 2 also and later we got to know that 2.10 is also available. We came out of Port and then it was time for many rickshawala to approach us but unlike India they do not start fighting themselves, if one person is approaching another would not.

I hope you liked our entry, stay tuned for complete trip.

Running in Kathmandu

Country: Nepal

City: Kathmandu

Crew: Pahadi, Anna, Maag

Boudanath Stupa and Yellow Color

Our Last day in Nepal spent in running on the streets of Kathmandu, we had to cover complete city in a single day of course only Superman can do that without a private cab, in our case, we chose Local conveyance. Note: if you have a single day and you plan to roam complete city, it’s always better to go for private cabs/cars because it’s a big city and to go from one site to another takes a long time via local. Initially we planned to cover whole city, but as the clock was ticking, we had to wrap it up after visiting 3^rd site.

First we saw Pashupatinath Mandir, next we moved to Boudanath. It’s the biggest stupa of Nepal which stands on 3 tired platforms raised over crossed rectangles in order to bring yantra form. 2 interesting incidents happened here, 1^st: Stupa was all white in color and the authorities were pouring yellow colored paint on it, so we fools were mocking on it saying that “stupa has been here from thousands of years and now authorities found time to color it”. But later we found out that they are not just throwing color on it, they are making a lotus shaped painting on it and it’s a practice. It is interesting even if we don’t know something; we can laugh on it, fools. 2^nd: when we were clicking, one old lady called Maag and said something due to which she had to change and stitch her dress, it is better not to go into details on this point. It was another funny instance that took place in Boudanath.

Narayanthan

Next we moved to Changu Narayan (Narayanthan) located on a magnificent hill top commanding a fantastic view of Kathmandu valley. This temple of Lord Vishnu is full of art works in metal and wood, finest example of Nepalese Architecture. This is the place where we understood that all along the journey we were just running from one place to another (due to time constraints) and hence we slowed down here and enjoyed the place. At this time we also learned that last bus to border leaves at around 6 PM (later we knew that it was not the fact, you can even catch bus last by 8-9) so we dropped other spots since it was already 4 o clock and again started running to our hotel in a local bus. There were 3 locals sitting behind us and they only knew English so I was continuously talking with them about the routes, time and about them, kind of flirty, but fun, they were also enjoying. Then I asked Maag to take pics of us.

Then we reached hotel, collected bags and moved to bus station, as soon as we stepped down there, one bus was leaving so we boarded the bus. Later we found out that the bus started before time so other bus drivers didn’t allowed any passengers to board it and hence bus returned station, after an hour or so again started from there.

This journey took the same time (12 hours) to reach border, where our bags, identity cards were checked properly. When we moved to another country Nepal, nothing was checked but when we came back to our own country everything was checked, funny isn't it. Then we had the most favorite snack of India: Samosa as our lunch and headed back to railway station: Gorakhpur.

View of Kathmandu Valley from Narayanthan

We had some time before boarding our train so we thought of visiting Geeta Press or Gorakhpur Mandir, but both were far away from station and there was a possibility of high traffic while returning  so we dropped our plan and relaxed on station only.
Since sleeper coach waiting rooms didn't had proper bathrooms, we paid some money to care takers and entered into AC coach rooms for proper bath. After all this adventure Maag was hell tired, fall sick and slept there for 30-45 minutes, but even this little time was enough to get her strength back.

We boarded our train and headed back towards our routine, I had some private chat with Pahadi about the ups and downs of my life, since she was the only one who can understand it. Anna felt bit jealous due to this and same was seen in whole trip, Maag always seemed to be in her own space. I, Pahadi and Maag stepped down at Bhopal, while Anna continued in same train towards Mumbai. There was a cab waiting for us in Bhopal which was sent by Dad, all boarded it and then finally returned our homes.
Overall it was a nice trip with lots of ups and downs, adventures, secrets and fights. I am never gonna forget this trip and its true that for Naturally Nepal, Once is not enough.

Shri Pashupatinath Mandir-God and Death at the same place

Country: Nepal

City: Kathmandu

Crew: Anna,Maag, Kuntal and Pahadi

Entrance of Pashupatinath Temple

Our last day in Nepal was planned to roam around in Kathmandu, but first things first was to visit Pasupatinath Mandir. Once you enter the temple, you will get caught in its vortex, it is totally a different world inside it. Here the Shivling is panchmukhi meaning 5 faces of God in the same structure, but we could see only 4 gates to enter and worship, so we asked the security person standing at the gate about the catch of last one. He said “it’s present at the top but invisible”. Pashupati actually means “The Lord of all pashus which are living as well as non living beings”.

Baba in Pose

As we moved further maag went into dhyan (she meditated for some time) and rest of us were roaming around here and there. I saw a person giving tilak-chandan in a leaf, so me and anna also took it and applied on our forehead, this was the first time I have seen tilak being given in a leaf.  Some people were chanting bhajans in a corner and obviously Pahadi was attracted to her passion-music. Sound of bhajan was mixed with the environment in such a way that its part of whole shanti (peace) prevailing in the temple. When I looked at the backside of temple, there was a river (Bagmati) passing, in addition to that I can see that it was a cremation place with few bodies in process. Also there was a person with oxygen pump in a corner, he was there as if it was confirmed that he is not gonna make it and has to be here. It’s the only temple where I witnessed Gods image at one end and death at the other.   

Inside the Temple

I was frightened by the look of that place so I told my crew members that we should move out now, but I was not the only explorer out there, Maag wanted to see what’s there at the backside, so we all moved there and rest of my crew members saw what I was afraid of. It was the first time Pahadi had seen a dead body and she was always afraid of the thought of looking at a body. So for her it was a nightmare come true and photographer Maag wanted to take pics here also and she was standing right beside a body, I tried not to take body in the picture. 

Bagmati River: Backside of Temple

It is said that there is aura present around everything / person, and if our aura conflicts with others, it signals that we should move out of the place as soon as possible. It was happening same for me, I was feeling to move out of that environment as if there was something which was telling to move out from there.

Chennai to China

If you are following me, you will know that I am working in India-Chennai in an MNC and right now I am writing about my trip to Nepal for an International GERA Conference. It was already completed in my last post and in this post I am gonna describe the journey from Nepal to China Border. We didn’t had all the time in the world to roam complete Nepal but whatever time was left with us, we planned to utilize it to the fullest. We heard that the route to China border is like Laddakh, so we hired a car and started our journey; for me it was like a journey from Chennai to China. I must say this was the awesomest part of our Nepal trip.

Waterfalls on our way

Thinking about the trip, images of Himalayan Mountains, simple people, exotic locales come to mind. Trip was all this and more. Words can’t do justice to the beauty of the land and you have to hike through its hills and valleys to witness its beauty and the majesty of its people especially girls. It was a beauty beyond description barren Rocky Mountains had an exquisite beauty of their own the shattered looking landscapes splashed with small but brilliant patches of green and black. Pahadi stepped out and collected some black rocks for research.

There were quite a number of water-falls on this Road. They seem like falling from the heaven. It’s a place where the road plays hide & seek all along. You have to be careful while driving in these roads. There was a time when I thought that this is it, we can’t go further from here, our car was stuck and driver was working hard to get it through, even then I was cherishing the moment thinking that we have made so far and whatever we have covered was none less than than an achievement. What can I say the journey was important not the destination. There was music flowing in our ship all the time courtesy: Pahadi. We also observed a trend as we were moving towards China in people’s physique.

Our car stuck on road

Finally we reached Nepal:China border, it is actually a bridge known as friendship bridge between the 2 countries. It was a cool border if you can think in a different way. There were more than 4 border policeman posted from the China’s side and only one from Nepali that too was having fun with us and talking all the time. There were 2 guards at Chinese side who were standing straight in attention position for more than 15 minutes so I asked Nepali guard, why he is in the same condition, he informed me that they have a duty of 2 hours, they will be standing like this way not even blinking eyes, this is called as discipline.

Friendship Bridge between Nepal and China

We could not take the pictures of the main entrance of China-border as the Chinese police posted there, prevented us from doing so. Hence for you, I have googled and found some old pics of the bridge for you. We were standing right at the red line: the border line between the 2, so we were in both countries at the same time that was a moment. Then we had some Chinese dishes in a restaurant nearby and headed for a hot spring: Tatopani, which is a major tourist attraction. People come here from far & wide to take a bath to cure their skin ailments, etc. After all this fun we reached Kathmandu, had dinner and stayed in a hotel near Pashupatinath Mandir.

Overall, it was a good experience for us. Only if we had the same facility as Nepalis enjoy (one day free permit to visit the bordering Chinese town) but for us Indians, Visa is a must. So we returned, overwhelmed with the nature's beauty.

Link for Friendship Bridge-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Nepal_Friendship_Bridge

Conference 2nd Day-The Fight

Angry Pahadi while giving Feedback

Next day we woke up early as always, got ready to reach the venue. This time too we were not sure that we will be returning to our hotel or head directly from venue to Kathmandu, so we packed our bags and took everything with us. Nothing was decided and everyone had their views so we had a small fight on the choice to check out from hotel or not. Anna didn’t want to check out but Maag and Pahadi thought it is good to check out, so we can directly go to Kathmandu, Anna got angry and took his luggage in rains to venue. We all followed since he was running to escape rains. 

When the conference started only half of the people joined rest either left or started roaming Nepal, they were the people who only wanted certificates. When conference was complete, there was a feedback session in that, Pahadi showed real face of her group members and also of those who came there only for certificates. Up to this time, we planned that will be moving to see Pokhara valley; I was very excited to see it as I heard from many people about its beauty and also we had sufficient time.

Kathmandu Market Pic

Girls from our crew talked to few people and were misguided that its gonna take a long time and will be a hectic journey, so both of them backed out and said that if we want to go we can move on our own, Anna was ready to do it, since he became very angry on this move of girls. In morning, both of them were ready and in evening they backed out, it was very wrong doing on their part. They should not be changing plans on their own from morning to evening which was completely unacceptable to Anna, I was also angry and tried to convince them, but they were adamant. In last we all came on one page and decided to quit Pokhara valley plan, next we headed to Kathmandu with our Mentor and few more people just for shopping. This small journey was a mess from all angles, none of us wanted any shopping, but to roam in Kathmandu we joined, also the cost of this trip was too much and the best part, Pahadi acted weird all the time, that too without any issues. She wanted not to go Pokhar, we all agreed then too she was angry all the time, even I tried to talk her out, but nothing fruitful.

Nepal's famous Rudraksh

Night, we got back to hotel angrily, I was angry because she was acting weird all the time even after agreeing on her idea, then too I tried to talk, but she didn’t wanted to say anything, Anna was also confused what to do next. Maag was all messed because we 3 were fighting, so in night she arranged a meet to solve this fight, after all shouting and sorrys we all agreed to forget the fight and plan for coming days.

God is there, Saved me 2nd time

Dear Readers, this is the second blog where I cannot reveal what actually happened, because the some of my readers are my close ones and they may get worried about me, once they hear what I have been through.

Let me keep it simple. I was being diagnosed for an infection which I had in my salivary glands (something which helps in keeping our mouth wet), so my Doctor sent me to get an ultrasound done. In that report, it showed that I had a small calculus (stone) in my duct. Now to get a clearer picture, Doc sent to me to get one more test done and this time it was a big one, it was CT scan. Since, I am living alone here, I try to take everything very lightly, I don’t want to make it something very big or else it will create problem for me and my parents, once they knew that I am getting these many tests done, they will be worried. My mistake was that I put my scan pic on whats app and my relatives saw it, next they called home and my parents also knew about it.  

When I visited for CT, they first took scans without some chemical in my body and it was simple, but they didn’t found out anything in that, so they again put me on bed with Contrast in my body, which had serious problems, if you are getting it done alone in a different country, remaining story is quite interesting but a serious one, better we should keep it up till here only.

Some points to solve mystery…     

 Local Bus
Dizziness
TCS
Cab
Somehow reached

In the starting of this blog, I mentioned that this is the second blog with secrets, well the first one belonged to my previous blog and its link is mentioned below…  

Emergency Exit