Wanderlust continues..

Why do we travel or love the concept of traveling, although we leave a huge sigh just when we return to our doorstep and scream at a pitch high,  “Finally Home!!”, at the end of a trip? Is it that we love our home so much, that we justify it with a sigh? No, it can’t be; that would question the quintessential need for a trip at the first place.Right?

So what else could be the reason?

I think “Home” is the reality( A reality show indeed!) and we, by all means, try to escape reality. A dream is needed, now and then, to illuminate our screwed up reality. And there are many modes to achieve that dream state. One such is travel. Other potent modalities include writing, reading, booze, drugs etc. 

As we reach our middle ages and realize our own reality, we are struck in, we try to create an alter-reality with these modalities and try to reach an impassable cloud nine. And we compromise ourselves by believing that we are actually satisfied with those rare moments of nirvana and name it in different nouns like “wanderlust”(like me in this instance).

My Best Companion, this year.

Enough of the customary introductory ramblings. Let me continue from where I left you on the previous post(Wanderlust diaries -2018). The second half of the year was an equally joyful period, perhaps a little more.

August initiated the traveling spree of the second half with an academic conference to the God’s own country. Thekkady was the chosen spot and we were just endowed with the first batch of surgery post graduates in TKMCH. Needless to say, we were excited about the prospects of an another department tour, this time with the post graduates, to yet another hill station. But which tour has materialized all along as per the plan, especially the number of participants, which as the anticipated date arrives, keeps on dwindling. This tour was no exception and although it was a small group, it was good to know the freshers, who would be working under me for the next three years. Wait, did I mention an academic conference? Never mind! 

Somewhere along the western ghats..

With the Post graduates..

Then came the September with its strictly bachelor tour to Anaikatti. It was the largest gathering with maximal attendance after our MBBS pass outs in 2010. We were staying in a resort amidst the forests and hills, that a wild elephant found our bachelor camp amusing and decided to be the chief guest, uninvitedly. So we were running in and there, with food on our plates in the wild night, to greet the majestic “son of the soil”. Overall, the feel of the tour was like that of a short concentration camp because we were toiling under the hot sun with cricket bat; trekking into the wild so steep, both up and down, that our lungs pleaded humanely to stop; swimming(or is it called walking?) rigorously in the pool; on a wild goose chase of the elusive nearby river dip; Yes! we saw our age catching up! But I have to admit the highlight of the tour had to be “the Malibu” and “the Blue label”. Speaking of which, I vaguely remember the reason for the get-together being the marriage of a foreign return friend, who graciously sponsored the above said spirits. :D

Anaikatti hills..

Cricket - Ist batch Vs IInd batch, after a long time..

The elephant wilder than us!

Full formla irukkom, 13teens..

And we made a promise on that tree to meet atleast twice a year sans family.

Alas, the Sponsor's marriage..

October had to be the family pleasing time, given that our adventures of the last month didn't hinder, in any way, for an easy meal, daily at home(Soru mukkiyam, amaicharae!). Three families packed up and reached the Carmelia Haven, a spice plantation resort nearby kumily, yet again to the western ghats, overnight. And woke up to this amazing estate rich in spicy aroma and greenery all around that even sunlight hesitated to peep in and disturb the peace and serenity, inbuilt. Quality family time, great food, the chill breeze, abundant play area for kids, a bharatha natiyam by the local people, cheap prices for us(luckily), all made this a memorable one, this year.

The neurons of the nature.

November had me pulled to the courtallam, twice in two weeks. Once for a reason and then without any reason. A refreshing shower under the moonlight without any restrictions in old courtallam falls followed by a chicken feast from the famed “border parotta stall” to quench the burning appetite will remain as one of the unforgettable reflection of the year. Also I want to accomplish this to those who keeps asking those silly questions, “what would you do, if you are gonna die today?”. Come on, be realistic guys!

December, my favorite month of the year, has never failed me in adding experiences to my life. This year’s list ended with a stay in coco lagoon, a picturesque lake resort created in the middle of a coconut farm in pollachi. The photo will speak the rest about the resort, as I am running dry of words to describe. Also it is the best way to. From there, we climbed up 40 hairpin bends to reach a colonial bungalow in valparai, for a night stay. I still can’t figure out, how my fellow travelers didn't throw up even a single time, both up and downhills(such is the notorious past history of motion sickness with them).Reaching up, I realized how I had missed a golden opportunity to visit athirapally falls, which I came to know was a two hours drive from there. 

Thanks to all the tours that didn't materialize, I don’t have to write about them and make you read with green envious eyes.

As I said before, this year had been very good on this traveling front. But there are many fronts and life is all about balance. It need not be the same every year or need not be the same in all fronts(like personal, professional,financial,etc). Its up to us to delicately place the long stick in your hands and keep your balance steady and “keep walking” straight on the tight rope called “life”. Neither look back nor look down.

Wish you all a Happy new year 2019 :)
Lets explore the unexplored, be it anything( new places, new people, new books, new music, new ways, new lives..)

P.S. Ever since the advent of social media, the line of demarcation between "sharing" and "boasting" had become almost non-existent. Hence, I would like to reiterate the fact that, this is strictly "sharing" my experience.
Peace :)