Saturday, March 29, 2008

A journey of life!!!!!!!!!! It never ends until yu breathe the last breath out of ur heart... have yu ever thought, all those wonderful moments of your life jus flew pass by yu and you could do nothing much to stop it!!!! Well yu aint GOD nor am i...so no complains...


There are a million wonderful moments in our life...hundreds of these moments are beautiful...but only a few are unforgettably Special, Wonderful, Beautiful and yu wanna live them all your life...but off-course if these moments live for life... we would hav never ever understood the importance of it. All that apart, have you ever thought of archiving all these wonderful moments... Well you wld say ... "Archive????????????? ... We already have them stored in our soul....for all our life"... Accepted.. But how does one expresss himself... expresss these moments to all their loved ones...its difficult at times to make them understand how wonderful those pass by moments were...

Yup i have something in my mind...after a not so fairy tale beginning to my life... it jus started getting better!!!!!!!!!!!....better n better....n then came a phase of my life were i was all upto my own self...i had the resources i thought why not archive some of the best moments of my life!!!!!!!!! of-course through a blog...Although i had some wonderfully beautiful moments when my life was goin through ups and downs...i jus couldn't capture it!!!!! though i have them all within me!!!!! Watchin m lil bro grow rite in front of my eyes gave me some of the most wonderful moments of my life...he's 13 yrs younger than me!!! Well that was the wonderful past n now is my present and the future that would come ...... yeah yeah!!!!!!!! i know yu ve got it..... yup...it would be my future...Smart huh! very Smart!!!

All that apart!!!!!!!! Let me take you through some of the very Wonderful moments of my life...i can very simply classify them


...My Treks...
_________________________________
Gangotri-Tapovan (Jun 05')
Loacation: Uttarakhand
Travel: Rishikesh-Uttarkashi-Gangotri (Public Transport/Jeeps)
I was studying in my first year in ISM doing my masters...when we had a long summer vaccations, after our summer internships in ONGC Ahemdabad...me and Somak decided we need a break...we lied to our parents saying we have to do another project in Dehradun ONGC...saying that we were off for a terk to Tapovan.. travellin from Dehradun to Uttarkashi and from there to gangotri town in a local bus, there were lottsa pretty local gurls who got in and out of bus...Once after reachin Gangotri a 18km walk to Bhojbasa were we had a night stay in tent, next day we went to Tapovan...the rest of the story is described here...
Manali-Chandratal (Sep 06')
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Travel: Delhi-Manali (Volvo/Delux Bus), Manali-Batal-Chandratal (Jeep/Local Bus)
Once i joined in Cairn Energy, located in Gurgaon, Delhi, I had all the freedom in world to go to the mountains, without my parents knowing it and i dint hav to ask them for money too...this was when one fine Wednesday before a three day weekend approached, i booked tics to Manali and from there i rented a jeep all the way...i was lucky to get the glimpse of Raide-de-Himalays motto rally...well yeah yu werent...so check this..
Chopta-Tugnath-Chandrashila (Oct 06')
Location: Uttarakhand
Travel: Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Chopta (Local Bus from {Rishi-Rudra} then Jeep to Chopta)
Yet another 3 day off weekend..2nd october (2006) it was i guess...two of my colleauges first planned to join me and later as usual they ditched me, so saturday early mornin i travelled all the way from Delhi to Rudraprayag. Booked a jeep for nex day, got up early mornin 4 am n left for the trek. I was feelin feverish and had a major headache...wonderin weather i did the trek...look into this one..
Mc Loed Ganj - Triund (Jan 07')
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Travel: Delhi-Dharamshala-Mc Loedganj (Volvo/Delux bus upto Dharmshl, local bus/Taxi to Mcloed ganj)
I couldnt have done a better trek than this in the month of January (2007). Me, Pankaj, Sumani and Pranab, we hired a Qualis from Delhi all the way upto McLoedganj and back to Delhi. I still remember the excitement of Sumani and Pranab before we actually started climbing, and their expressions when we reached Triund...stayin in forest rest house and playing in snow has a different feel all together.... trust me
Valley of Flowers.. (Aug 07')
Location: Uttarakhand
Travel: Rishikesh-Joshimath-Gobindghat (Jeep/Local Busses)
August 2007 when me Pankaj and Vivek ventured out to explore heaven on earth... Valley of Flowers... after reachin Gobindghat nex day early mornin we trekked 14km to Ghangria, our first halt. Next day we trekked 7 km into the valley of flowers to get back some of the most unforgetable memmories with us... and the return trip...i wish yu were wit us and the Paaaji'ss from Amritsar... "Amritsat ji No1 hai No1"...
Beas Kund (Oct 07')
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Travel: Delhi-Manali-Solang Nala (Volvo/Delux Bus to Manali further by jeep)
Solo trek..just me and the guide...we lived in tents, cooked food for ourselves and trekked to Beas Kund. Trekking from Solang nala to Bakar tach crossing the Beas glacier yu reach the kund. Its always advisable to take a guide when ever yu cross a glacier, for your own saftey...Well how did my trip go....Fun...
Nag Tibba (Mar 08')
Location: Uttarakhand
Travel: Mussourie-Kempty-Nainbagh-Panthwari (Local Busses / Jeep)
Most recent as of now...march 2008....jus a few weeks back... i did the Nag Tibba..its well described in the blog. After reaching Panthwari...nex mornin me and Hriday started early..climed from one ridge and got off from the other ridge!!!!!!!!!!.. How??????????
Patalsu Peak (Aug 08')
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Travel: Delhi-Manali-Solang-Patalsu Peak (Volvos/taxi, local bus/ trek)
Standing at the height of 4,470 m AMSL, looking eye to eye with the Rohtang Pass, this Aug 08 i attempted to scale Patalsu Peak, but couldnt. Bad weather and natural dissasters hindered me from doing so..nevertheless let me share with you an experience of lifetime and a strech of trek that i could manage...
Chandrashila & Devariya Tal (Sep 08')
Location: Uttarakhand
Travel: Rishikesh-Rudraprayag-Chopta (Local Bus from {Rishi-Rudra} then Jeep to Chopta)
Previously being unable to reach the peak this past week i made sure i go rite up to the top... and waht a spectacular view it was.. I could Manage some time for another small trek to Devariya Tal..a mysterious lake... so here its me, Pankaj and Shubhodip trekkin the Gharwal Himalayas..
Kuari Pass (May 09')
Location: Uttarakhand Travel: Rishikesh-Joshimath-Auli-Kuari Pass (local busses/ taxis and then Trek)
Very famously know as Curzons Trail, this trek is on the mind of every enthusiastic trekker. The only reason being the view on offer. On a clear day you can see Chaukhamba, Trishul, Neekkhant, Kamet, Mana, Hathi Ghoda Parbat, Barmal, Dunagiri and Nandadevi. Kuari pass can be approached from Joshimath or Ghat or Tapovan, doesnt matter cos the view is magnificent from anywhere. We did the Auli-Tali-Kuari Pass-Tali-Dhak route. enjoy the journey with me
Kedarkantha Peak (March 2010)
Location: Jaunsar, Uttarakhand; Travel: Dehradun-Sankri-Kedarkantha Peak-Sankri-Dehradun(local busses/ taxis and then Trek)
Situated in the Jaunsar region of Uttaranchal, well broadly!! One of the not very often trekked route, close to Har Ki Dun valley, is the Kedarkantha Peak. Its a continious climb, through thick forest and provides you the sight of Swargrohini, Harkiduna and Bandarpuch peak. Its a 4 day trek, done by a idiot like mein in 2 days ex-travel. Hope you enjoy this blog and live the trek with me..
Dodital-Dharwa Top (August 2010)
Location: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Travel: Haridwar-Uttarkashi-Sangamchatti-Dodital-Dharwa Top-Sangamchatti-Uttarkashi-Dehradun
The lake of Trouts as its famously know and the Valley of 80 water walls the Assi Ganga are the two most prominent features of this trek. Long but not difficult, one crosses the small streams several times. After gentle climb, this trek gets steep only when you reach the final climb for Dharwa Top. Personally I would never ever forget this trek for few things; an Ankle injury (1st in 5years of trekking experience), Mutton curry on a trek and the Leech bites. I still have tohose bite marks and everyday they remind me of a trek I did; The Dodital-Dharwa Top trek. An extensive blog with lot of write up and tons of pictures, hope you enjoy it as much as i enjoyed my trek...
PATALSU PEAK (October 2010)
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Travel: Delhi to Manali to Solang to Patalsu to Manali to Delhi
Patalsu is an towering peak standing at the height of 4470m, but I guess we managed about 4200m only. Its a massive peak, visible from Manali bus stand and from solang village, when on top of it you look down at Rohtang. Oh btw I attempted it once back in August 2008 and it was a tragedy. But this time round, it was what I planned..Read on
Stok- Stok La- Rumbak - Ganda La- Chilling (August 11)
Location: Leh, Jammu & Kashmir. Travel: Fly from Delhi to Leh, drive to Stok Village, Trek to Chilling and drive back to Leh.
This was my first trek ever in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. With a weeks time on hand to acclimatize and trek, the all famous Markha Valley trek was not possible. So Tsering offered us this custom made trek route, less taken. Along the route offers spectacular views of the Stok Kangri range and the Stok Kangri peak. Somak joined me from Bombay and we trekked along this route for 5 super days..here's the link to know more and all pictures...
Dhundi-Beas Kund- Shitidhar (Attempt) (October 11)
Location: Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Travel: Volvo bus from Delhi to Manali, Drive to Dhundi.
A promise made to friend had to be kept.. On the Dusera weekend of 2011. me and Vivek, made an attempt to tame Shitidhar Peak. But mother nature had a different plan for us. Heavy rucksacks, poor weather and topped up with a snow storm is everything we could ask for (sarcasm intended). So what happen then.. Did we take on the mighty Shitidhar standing at 5290m AMSL.. read on..

Gurgaon-Chamba-Kugti-Dalhousie-Gurgaon (April 2012)
Location: Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. We call this one as trek and drive trip. Just before my Bachelorhood ended I had planned either a small trek or a long drive to some place nice. Opportunity arrised and not only did i manage a small trek but also a road trip. We drove almost 750Km to Hasdar from Gurgaon, then trekked to Kugti village and further up to Keling Temple and then drove back to Gurgaon! Here's the trek n travel louge... 

Roopkund - Whitewashed (April 2012)

Location: Wan, Kumaon, Uttaranchal. Off-late this is one trek which was an instant decision. Kedartal as planned dint happen (Damn that JINX!!) and instead Roopkund happened  But as they say, if one thing goes wrong its more likely other will too.. Story of my trekking career..Read on to know more.. Roopkund was suggested to me by my friend with the time span I had.. Roopkund was always on my list to do..But so unplanned was never the plan,..Journey unfolds, trek begins, climate changes and what happens next, have a read here...

...My Travel...
____________________________________

Khirsu, Uttarakhand
Long been on my to do list, Khirsu is about 380km from Gurgaon, beyond Lansdowne, in the Pauri district of Uttarakhand. There are two approaches to this beautiful hamlet, one the rather less traveled, further ahead of Lansdowne, via Pauri and other, the more often visited by the tourists and the pilgrims via Srinagar, along the Haridwar-Badrinath highway. Khirsu, is a quite town with a panoramic view of the Gharwal Himalayas, like a theater displaying the snow laden peaks, one could enjoy, while sipping the hot tea and chomping on the hot crispy pakoras. Best time to visit this place would be peak winters, when this hamlet is covered by snow, unfortunately we were a bit late and missed the snow..
Kashid and Murud
A weekend gateway from Bombay, along the Aligaug highway, would take you to Murud and Kashid. Its a place that I have visited with family and friends, quite a few times. My dads friend stays at Murud and Kashid is famous for its beach resorts. Have compiled a photo blog and here's the link...
Nayari: My Native
The place I cherished most as a child, craving for those days to comeback again in my life, I will have to wait all my life and yet they will never ever come back to me. (Grampanchayat) Nayari, (Taluka) Sangameshwar, (Jilla) Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. 13 km off the Bombay Goa highway is the place where I spent my vacations as a child, playing cricket, dipping in the rivers, roaming in wild, chomping on wild berries and eating away the variety of Mangoes, my village had to offer. This is a small compilation of what my gaon has to offer now, a bit more civilized but depleted with people, but the setup never changes. Amidst the Western Ghats along the river, let me take you to a journey, I was thrilled to take as a kid, now and until my soul perishes..
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary (Feb '11)
A swamp, a forest and an island amidst the swamp is all that characterizes the sanctuary. Apart form the exotic migratory birds, common Neelgais and deers sometimes. This place is just about 15 km from Gurgaon along state highway 15A. Jan-Feb is the ideal time to visit this sanctuary and make sure you reach there by 7:00AM at least. I spent a lazy Sunday morning at this place, looking at these fabulous birds and chomping on the delicious breakfast at the sanctuary restaurant..here's the link to what all I did..
11th Raid De Himalayas (Oct '09)
Call it Version Tanzeem. Got an opportunity to go to Raid with my friend Aman and I grabbed it with both my hands. I was to lead his service team, but that was not it.. Doing the route form Manali to Leh had always been my dream and here came the opportunity knockin on my door. Not only that, we further went from Leh to Srinagar and that was an added bonous.. Here is what I saw and experienced and what happen to our team at the raid.. the dont just call it "The worlds toughest and highest rally." Just follow the link below..
OTHER SIDE OF THE HORIZON (Jul '09)
Work takes me back to rajasthan again and again and again...So what do I do there, work of-course and take some pictures.. Of the beautiful sky, the massive rig in the silhouette of sun and some birds and all possible creatures roaming around my work place...now this ones about the various shades, textures of the sky who seemingly flirt around with the rig.. making a mechanical giant rather different.. klick the link below..
MANGALA-PAD-8.. (Jan-Feb 2009)
As said before, i gotta go to rig in Rajasthan as a part of my Job... cant help it.. its aint entertaining but it provides me the jam for my bread and butter...this time round i was in a very dusty part, cos of the construction around...the outcome of dust.... variety of colours in sky... beautiful sunrise and fabulous sunsets..few days they were as good as the artists job on a canvas...let me stop here and let the pictures do the talking...
Rajasthan Rig 807.. (Oct-Nov 2008)
well work says i gotta go to Rajasthan on the rigs... we consider work our entertainment when on the rig..but this time with my new camera i was in for some change in definations for entertainment on the rig...wonder what!!!!! checkout the blog and you will know what...Cheerssss!!!!
Kuala Lumpur...the city of Joy...
last week i went to Kuala Lumpur for one of my trainings....i had a real nice time in and around city...made new friends...and the Euro fever in KL...absolutly rocks.....here check out the blog...
Narkanda...valley of Apple Orchards...
one of these weekends...myself along with two other friends, we made a trip to himachal...Planned something and did something else...all and all it was great fun...a small trek to unknown peak...cricket...and pahadi food...check it out...
When i went down South...
wonderin where..areey no no....not Kerla!!!!!...i went to places like Vizag, Kakinada, Rawa.....i know yu mus be thinkin wats so special bout these places!!!!!!!!! i ll tell yu... the untouched beaches, yummy sea food....and off-course our company rig-sites why i was here to these places....
Then came Rajasthan...
yeah yeah...i know...Rig sites again....but we had our halts at blue city of our country!!!! Jodhpur....its got this eautiful fort..no matter that...those barren lands, those blue skys, those baige sands, those drops of water, those patches which are green..many colors of life...desserts arent as barrren as we think they are..

...Moments of My Life...
__________________________________________
The Indian Grand Prix
A weekend full of excitement, the aura of the whole event, the sound of the rumbling engines, the speed the glamour, made up a very spicy combination. Its a proud addition to the Armour of Indian Motorsport, to have the second fastest circuit in the world, having an average speed of 263km/hr, a track loved by every single driver. It was a mega successful event, which makes us Indians proud of. Here's my story to share...
My Random Photos
I have this habit of taking pictures on weekends or anytime I see something nice or worth of clicking pictures. But mostly it happens on weekends, since I set a perfect example of being LAZY..and if not on weekends then its got to be on my treks and travels, which I eventually end up making blogs of. But here, I plan to keep this blog updating as and when I have new photos worth sharing.. So keep hanging on to this one..here's the link to the blog
The Cricketing Days
My short lived cricketing carrer almost ended when i left Xaviers...but to my delight wheni joined Cairn India i had a hope... we had a nice team and still have one which is buildin up after loss of important players... we practice almost every weekends.. and play matches... i thought why not accumulate these golden memmories in a blog...so here it is...
The Black Stallion
It was June 2007 when i bought my Bull...Thunderbird....it was a Sep 2004 make...i bought it second hand cos i wanted to modify it...after a long wait tat Appu Bhai made me do, i finally got the bull modified.... n now its roaring... I call it the Black Stallion..Check it out
Life In Xaviers
3 years of my life no one can take them away from me...these 3 years of my life are the most precious moments of my life....i made the best of friends i could...had absolutly rockin time....Actually this was the phase of my life when life just started getting better for me... Xaviers thought a lot to me...so di the people here... the friends the profs... everything of Xaviers is so special to me....i would give up everything to live this three years of my life...Everything...
Dhanbad Rocks
An Absolutlyy wonderful institue with variety of characters and places....its very descriptive... yu better see the blog for description...trust me it would be worth a tour...jus let me tell you...i was here to do my Masters in Geology and this is the place where my company selected me....
Dr Mondal
Dr Somak Mondal....no no hes no PHd...we gave him PHd for his doing's...but surly a very good friend of mine...worth a mention..everybody who knows him is amazed by his deeds...Dr Mondal..he is a genious....
Days of My Life
Jus thought for compiling a blog..which would carry day to day moments of my life....nothin so excitin but different YESS!!!!!!!!!!