Me, Myself & My Journey

She's gone... Friends have settled... Now its just me and you! Didnt we plan to have a blast this year? Didnt you promise you'll be wid me throughout the year? What was that you told me in the begining of 2007....??? One trip a month. So totally 12 Trips in 2008! I am sure I did my duty of bitting u every month throughout the year! But you didnt notice. You got distracted somewhere... Why did u forsake me? Anyways, lets forget whats bygone. I just wanted to assure you that I was and 'll always be right here waiting for you. Yours everloving, Travel Bug P.S: We have lot to do.. So pack you hiking bag, dust your trekking shoes and common yaaar!

If someone had asked me a year ago, "Do you know anything about Ratanwadi Village or Ratangad fort?", my answer would have been "No". But now, whenever I hear the name, beileve me, I still feel the Adrenaline rush! The journey, the rains, the greenery, the streams, the hills, the waterfalls, the forest, the ladders, the caves, the fort... Oh god! It certainly is not for the kids! It all started with a forward mail! The first time I saw the pictures, I was shocked! Is this in India!... That too... near pune!! Just 5 hrs from Mumbai!!! Anyways I knew it in my heart that I have to go to this place! No matter where it is! Googling for "Ratangad Fort" provided Terabytes of information that even Shivaji Maharaj himself would not have known about his fort! As usual, I Begged , Brainwahsed and even Threatened my friends to come with me on this trek. As usual, my friends didnt disappoint me! Some went absconding, Some got deadly diseases, Some went to coma! But

Getting There & Out: Delhi to Haridwar :- MUSSOORIE EXP from Old Delhi Railway Station (10:15 PM) Haridwar to Joshimath :- Board any bus going to Badrinath/Joshimath (220/-) from the GMOU Bus Stand near Haridwar Railway station. It will be evening by the time you reach Joshimath and the last gate between Joshimath and Govindghat closes at 4:30 PM. After the last gate you cannot go to Govindghat. You have lot of accommodation options available there. So no need to worry. Stay in any hotel in Joshimath and go to Govindghat the next morning. Joshimath to Govindghat :- Shared Jeeps (15/-) or Buses are available from Joshimath. The first gate opens at 6:00 AM. So make sure to reach the taxi stand before that. You will reach Govindghat before 7 AM. Govindghat to Ghangeria :- 13 Km You can either hire a horse (easiest way) or walk 5 hrs and reach Ghangeria. If you walked, then forget any further activities that day. Just take rest and get ready for the next days trek. Ghangeria to Va

Day 5: Aug 15 2007 Delhi Before dozzing off, I was trying to recollect all that happened before & during the trek and all the people I met! I was happy I did this trek. I got a lot of time all to myself. To think a lot, to understand a lot, To learn a lot! I learnt a lot in this trek! I met many good people, many like-minded souls! Not even a single moment I felt lonely! (though I wished my friends were with me to enjoy these beautiful places) I always had the feeling I was at home! There was also a sence of achievement! The realization that I could do anything if I really wanted to to! ( even if that means I am alone!! ) gave me great satisfaction! It was 7 AM we had crossed Mohan Nagar when I woke up. When we entered Delhi, Army was waiting with loaded guns and policemen were busy diverting the traffic (Independence day security!) It was 9AM when I got down at ISBT. As soon as I started walking towards the metro, some 4 or 5 auto drivers came to me and were trying to convince me

Day 4: Aug 14 2007 4:00 AM Ghangeria I woke up at 4. Got ready by 5 and said bye to Ghangeria at 5:20 AM. It was pitch black and no one was on the way. My plan was to reach Govindghat before 8 AM. I hurried down the hill as fast as I could! Since it was dark and nothing to see I just concentrated on the path and walked fast. Soon it was bright and my photographic insticnts also rose! This slowed my pace and it was 9 when I reached Govindghat! I ask around how I could get to Rishikesh/Haridwar and found a qualis whose driver promised me to drop me at Rishikesh by 4:30/5 PM "Chalo.. Chalo.. Lets go.. lets go!" One ticket was 330/- and we were 7 of us. Driver was waiting for one more passenger. However said we all wud share it and pay for that seat! So for 370/ I was comfortably sitting in the back seat with 2 others! We were going fine until Devprayag, and then the landslides started ( i mean the lind slide areas started) This slowed our journey and it was 8:00 PM when I reach

Day 3: Aug 13 2007 11:00 AM Its 11:00 AM now. I can do the 6 km trek in approximately 2 - 2 & half hours. Its just 6 Kms. No need of paying 500/- for a horse! I can do it! But later I realised, how foolish I was! After walking (its " CLIMBING " actually) for some 400 or 500 mts, I started feeling tired. I shouldn't be walking this fast! That is making me tired so soon! I slowed down my pace. However, after walking a 100 mts, again started feeling tired. Then I realised that I didnt eat anything since morning and I have been walking since 6 AM . That could be the reason! Now what to do? Today I didnt carry anything with me to eat and there were no shops nearby! Maybe after some time there will be shops and once I eat something I should be ok! Afterall its just 6 kms! But the truth was far from this! " The climb to Hemkund sahib is so steep that it makes u tired after waking a few meters! Also as you go higher, the oxygen level comes down and you find it difficult