This one was with "Lets Walk Gurgaon" - Bhondsi Ashram Walk- 9/11/2010
Imagine you sneak out at 4:30 hrs. out of the comfort zone, lace your trekkers, sling your camera, carry some water and step out of the condominium leaving one guard snoring at the entrance and answering the other on "why so early....hope no emergency??" This has become a routine for last couple of days, having attended 6 walks with some recently made "happy go lucky" dosts on the paths less traveled.
Imagine you sneak out at 4:30 hrs. out of the comfort zone, lace your trekkers, sling your camera, carry some water and step out of the condominium leaving one guard snoring at the entrance and answering the other on "why so early....hope no emergency??" This has become a routine for last couple of days, having attended 6 walks with some recently made "happy go lucky" dosts on the paths less traveled.
The air is fresh with no signs of pollution, habitation is low to force you think different, different than your high occupied life, terrain is undefined, different shades of green fascinates you as much as the sky depicts its true colors. The timing seems odd but the weather perfect. It was drizzling in patches, sometimes it pours so heavily. You don't actually look out for shade as this is the best you deserve to start your day.
The air is fresh with no signs of pollution, habitation is low to force you think different, different than your high occupied life, terrain is undefined, different shades of green fascinates you as much as the sky depicts its true colors. The timing seems odd but the weather perfect. It was drizzling in patches, sometimes it pours so heavily. You don't actually look out for shade as this is the best you deserve to start your day.
Many times we had stepped literally in the middle of nowhere in some of the walks. But the excitement to be there surpasses the mere thought on the consequence of reaching late at work. The best of the best was the Wednesday Walk, no it was the Saturday walk...hmm it’s so difficult to pick one. Seems as if you are on a vacation, seldom you forget when you started.
Many times we had stepped literally in the middle of nowhere in some of the walks. But the excitement to be there surpasses the mere thought on the consequence of reaching late at work. The best of the best was the Wednesday Walk, no it was the Saturday walk...hmm it’s so difficult to pick one. Seems as if you are on a vacation, seldom you forget when you started.
It’s hard to believe that the Condominium City has so much to offer. The recent one is "the Bhondsi Ashram Walk". Unbelievable but true, the trek we took is just 5 km’s away from the place i stay. So close and undiscovered. To keep the sanity intact, we parked 5 cars at vatika city, the groups meeting point and squeezed comfortably in rest of the 5. The drive was beautiful while we crossed the CRPF camp on our right. We were not the only few; the security force had already started their regime.
It’s hard to believe that the Condominium City has so much to offer. The recent one is "the Bhondsi Ashram Walk". Unbelievable but true, the trek we took is just 5 km’s away from the place i stay. So close and undiscovered. To keep the sanity intact, we parked 5 cars at vatika city, the groups meeting point and squeezed comfortably in rest of the 5. The drive was beautiful while we crossed the CRPF camp on our right. We were not the only few; the security force had already started their regime.
We headed the un-treaded path after the cars were safely parked. It drizzled as we ascended a small hill. The thick trees across the path joined hands/heads and gave a good cover. It wasn't dark now, the mist and the fog was streaming through the branches as if we were walking in the clouds. The first impression was WOW, awesome, unbelievable, amazing, deadly....as i overheard from a few. This came naturally, no adulteration in thoughts. The path was green, rich green with yellow wild flowers inviting to walk further. The path was defined hence the chances of getting lost was minimal. Mimi silently and softly kept reminding the group to maintain silence. Her attire, neck time and collar imprinted on her round neck top, added the impression of a leader talking sense. In silence one could hear the birds chirping, woodpeckers tapping for their breakfast and peacocks mewing.
We headed the un-treaded path after the cars were safely parked. It drizzled as we ascended a small hill. The thick trees across the path joined hands/heads and gave a good cover. It wasn't dark now, the mist and the fog was streaming through the branches as if we were walking in the clouds. The first impression was WOW, awesome, unbelievable, amazing, deadly....as i overheard from a few. This came naturally, no adulteration in thoughts. The path was green, rich green with yellow wild flowers inviting to walk further. The path was defined hence the chances of getting lost was minimal. Mimi silently and softly kept reminding the group to maintain silence. Her attire, neck time and collar imprinted on her round neck top, added the impression of a leader talking sense. In silence one could hear the birds chirping, woodpeckers tapping for their breakfast and peacocks mewing.
There was not a human settlement en route, just a machan popping out of the thick green valley. The birds spotted our caravan. We circumvented the valley and were awe-struck to see the beautiful lake as we descended. The water was still, fog and mist bordered the water body, the reflection of a huge banyan tree was unmatched. Nature had some surprise in store for us, and it poured, it poured heavily as if the cloud had burst. Umbrellas and snacks popped out of the bags and the cameras went inside. A few turned around and smiled for a shot with the lake at the background.
There was not a human settlement en route, just a machan popping out of the thick green valley. The birds spotted our caravan. We circumvented the valley and were awe-struck to see the beautiful lake as we descended. The water was still, fog and mist bordered the water body, the reflection of a huge banyan tree was unmatched. Nature had some surprise in store for us, and it poured, it poured heavily as if the cloud had burst. Umbrellas and snacks popped out of the bags and the cameras went inside. A few turned around and smiled for a shot with the lake at the background.
Not wanting to, but we moved ahead wanting to get lost in the valley. The entire stretch refreshed my memories of my first trek to the Valley of Flowers. The rain stopped, the clouds dispersed as we went up and down the hill till we reached the Ashram. Temple hopping, beautiful havan kund/sthal, Mata ke darshan and hot halwe ka prasad was like an icing on the cake. Some of the walkers returned back from this point and some stayed back to enjoy Chaaj and Chai. We rode back to return again. The 7-8 km’s trek was not so exhaustive, until i hit the sack after a nice warm shower.
Not wanting to, but we moved ahead wanting to get lost in the valley. The entire stretch refreshed my memories of my first trek to the Valley of Flowers. The rain stopped, the clouds dispersed as we went up and down the hill till we reached the Ashram. Temple hopping, beautiful havan kund/sthal, Mata ke darshan and hot halwe ka prasad was like an icing on the cake. Some of the walkers returned back from this point and some stayed back to enjoy Chaaj and Chai. We rode back to return again. The 7-8 km’s trek was not so exhaustive, until i hit the sack after a nice warm shower.
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