Go on, ask – why would someone who does this regularly find it an adventure? Its all in the logistics.
On the first September, which is last week (I’m always late with these things) Raka and I accompanied a group from Cleartrip.com that we were sending for a day’s outing on the river Kundalika, and the region around Nagothane.
Considering that the booking numbers fluctuated all the time, and we had multiple pick up points, I just had one of those feelings. Raka and I were due for a break anyway, so we went along for the ride.
The morning pickups were predictably a nightmare and we managed to get out of Mumbai at a record breaking 6:30 with me praying constantly that the water held. White water for the rafting is really a matter of being at the right place and right time, as the Rafting depends on the release of water from the Bhire Dam, further up the valley in the direction of the Tamhini Ghat.
The group was excited and quick on their nerves and it was a mission to keep people moving fast (like it always is with high energy groups). With a few pick ups and some miscommunication, we caught the tail end of the water and I heaved a sigh of relief to see the participants depart on their rafts at the starting point.
This is when I really stopped worrying and caught up with the moment. As always, this region is a pleasure to be in, and it was my trip to catch up with people. I was visiting the Kamath Residency resort after quite a few months, my rafting field staff after even more, and to top it all, I happened to run into Brig. Sushil Bhasin of Empower Camps right there near the rafting equipment, as he drove by with some guests.
For a moment, I wondered idly, if Raka and I should simply hijack one of the vehicles and go ahead to visit Garudmachi – the High Places campsite – who knew who else we could meet out there? Instead, we chose to arrive at the ending point of the river run early and wait for the group to arrive and spent a nice hour watching the tiny fish nibble at the banks and clouds doing their best to impress us with added impressions of peace.
A couple of groups who had left earlier arrived, and I met yet another old friend – a rafting instructor I used to know as Kumar when he was a straggly youth figuring out this job, when we did the pilot run for this route 3 years ago. Now, he looks totally classy with a low ponytail and all that. Honestly, i hadn’t recognized him at all until he came up and shook hands.
Soon, out group came, and it was time to go back to the resort for a well deserved lunch and some lazing around.
Then, we left for a waterfall nearby, and managed to get thoroughly confused by the route and our own mismanaged communications, and out hike to the waterfall turned into quite an adventurous and highly enjoyable hike in the area of the waterfall. It was good fun. Particularly considering that the rain at lunch time had made all the flowing water too muddy to appeal in any case.
On the way back, we hooked up with an online friend of mine – Abhijit Rao and we went over to his place to continue into a weekend celebration that didn’t end until Monday evening.
All in all, one of my not-smooth bits of management, but a fun day even then. And yes, I’m planning to upload pictures, and it isn’t my usual “one day” scenario either. The thing is, I’m waiting for some pictures from Ameya Salvi. Its a new excuse this time.
Update: Some photos from my mobile are up, and can be found here. Ameya is also planning to upload his photos here (one fine day)
