Wandering Wonders 3: From Mountain Tops To Cold Underwaters

Without wasting more time, Enroute to the next destination on the trip- Mussourie to ring in the New Year Eve!

Checked in into the suite room with French windows opening to dark green valleys and a snowy top mountain as your view. Next up, all kicked about exploring but end up into the fluffiest spongy bed with smooth blanket and lie in the moments.

Mussorie, a quaint little town on a hilltop is a delight to watch at night. But disappointment is the fucking expense! We had too fancy ideas of gate-crashing some parties held for the 31^st night but unfortunately the watchman was too strict at every gate. Left with not much, the big bed in the suite was the best place. Gulps down, we made sure we mixed it right through the system by dancing with the hotel staff on the small drums they played in the cold weather. Temp update: 0° C Whattey Fun!

Laal Tibba- the highest point in Mussourie deserves a mention. Zigzag by-lanes climbing atop and watching the Himalayan range present itself in the most scenic sober manner. The skies are plain, the wind is messy, the mountains alluring, atmosphere heavenly.  I feel poetic that you can also guess.

Absorb, Breathe, Live

By now, plans of everyone contributing and buying a property here to settle down had begun. 

Strolling through the lanes of this place again was done and nothing surprising caught our sights. By now we had realized that the only way to make the most of it was ‘Meet me in your hotel room!’ *wink wink*

We turned our room into a playground cum ballet dancing floor and performed our rowdiest moves because after all ‘Badtameez Dil Manne Naaaa!!’ Bringing in the New Year under the stars when you’re already so high! Lounging in the terrace post midnight because body needs a colder acclaim; clicking random pictures that will sure bring you joys of laughter and tears of nostalgia.

Clearly into the hangover, next day we headed to the last destination on the trip- Rishikesh. It was a long road trip once again. The only intent here was to experience the thrill of White Water River Rafting! The patch of 17 kms had to be covered with 5 rapids (falls)

Let's Do It! 

All kicked about it, the first chill was stepping into the boat passing from the cold water. It sent shivers, forget getting all wet! We started rowing ahead and putting the chilled water behind as we approach a small wave. Seconds later there’s water splashed on us, all are cold and teeth are tattering. We approach a rapid, in all might set to have fun….

FACKKK! Next thing I know I’m falling out! WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED? I was in the boat, now I am into this ICY CHILLING WATER dragged by the boat going through a rapid, the waves are SLASHING my face, the guide is watching at me, others in front have NO idea I’m down, I fear getting HIT BY THE ROW of the person in front, all this is too quick. I am ALIVE, I am going to be! Gone is the rapid and slow is their rowing, I am NUMBING down and finally the guide gets up to pull me in. BACK IN THE BOAT. BUT WTF JUST HAPPENED!

If you ask me, it was CRAZY to another level.  My body was numb and skin was all red, minutes within starting the joy-ride I’d the experience of a lifetime. Later we did plunge into the water but then we knew the coolness. I went in at a time when I didn’t even want to!!

Passing through the next rapids we went swift. But all were so numb by now that when the guide mentioned a spot where you could get a sutta and Maggie, we all were joyous than a kiddo! On the riverside there are small stalls at a point where you can get Maggie, biscuits and of course tea with smokes. Life is Good. Shivering forks with hot Maggie noodles looking at the calm beautiful river flowing! Such moments make life so worthwhile. 

Reaching to the end watching the beautiful sunset, crossing the Ganga Bridge and passing by the daily ritual of Ganga pooja, we felt divine. The wind was swaying in and our bodies felt colder. Next we still had to figure how to reach Delhi airport to catch our flights back home the next morning. Suddenly we didn’t feel like coming back. Just like I don’t feel like writing anymore.

Calm post the zeal.  Part of a reel?

I am still swaying in the boat, my thoughts are on this riverbank, calm, enticed. The night is falling too dark, maybe this trip will end in the next post. Or maybe not!