I am not sure what's the exact definition of a Travel Blog. So I won't dare to call this as one. I am not a writer nor do I have a creative mind. I am just here to share my experiences as this is the only way in which I can do better. Some people can talk and explain things, but I need a pen and paper (Virtual, these days) to pour my heart. I don't need any specific event to happen for there is no event bigger than life. And it happens to us everyday. Some events we might want to forget but many of them are memorable.
Today, I am going to share one such event. Few known and a couple of unknown faces came together to spend a weekend. And bwoy we did had a blast. At 28, if I say I am going for an overnight stay picnic for the first time. I will surely end up being a laughing stock. But that's a cross I had to bear uptill this trip. I had been outside, but only for work purpose. Nothing more. Alibaugh finally kicked off the first ever outing with friends.
Original plan was for May end 2016. Actually I wasn't there when the plan was initiated. But that's the beauty of friendship. You are counted even before you are aware of the event. For me it was all of a sudden. Initially the head count was good. As the plan was made in office so all the usual suspects were counted in. Patil, Priyanka, Dabke, Kinjal, Jagruti, Pramod, Niki, Kishan, Swapnali and ofcourse me. I hope I didn't miss out any. Two were not from Radius, so we came to know their names only when we reached the destination on D-Day. I was wondering whether actually people are going to come. As in any group, last minute cancellation is very much common. So why would we be an exception.
Now when the plan was finalized, I didn't had any option but to be in exception list as I was the one who had postponed it from its original date. The final head count though, came down to Six. Among the six I knew three people (Niki, Pramod, Kishan) whereas two were new. Good thing is, for the first time I wasn't involved in the planning process. So everything was being served readymade on my plate. Rarely I get such a luxury.
So on Thursday, a day before the plan, we had a small meeting during lunch time. We decided the shopping list of things to be purchased for snacks. Then we also had to decide our travel mode as we were going to travel by our traditional Red Bus. We also had another option, Hirkani. But unfortunately that wasn't available during our time. Hence we finalised Red Bus from Thane. Timing of the bus was 1900. So we all planned to come early and hence leave early to ensure we don't miss the bus.
Day was fixed. Quorum was confirmed. Fortunately we already had a house which belonged to Nikis' uncle. So lodging was not a concern. Now the question was traveling. I had come back from a week's leave, that to during peak season. So bunking wasn't an option for me. So I said that I can leave on Friday evening and reach by the same night. Kishan and Pramod also agreed for the same schedule. One among the two unknown was having his car. So those three decided to leave on Friday morning. Basically they went to do the cleaning stuff of the house, so we could get a red carpet welcome. Niki did the shopping work for eating items.
Stage was set. On D-Day, first batallion left in the morning. With all our luggage, the remaining three reached office earlier than usual. The other three were providing us their updates of travel as they had started their journey. I could barely sit still due to the excitement of the evening.
The first set had reached by late morning. After the cleaning procedures, they started roaming around for Dev Darshan and were sending us selfies of the same. All we were doing was looking at those pics and then at our watch.
Finally our clocks ticked 1700 signalling time to leave. After the bye bye ceremony, which is usually long, we three came down and took an auto for Vikhroli station. One guy ran for the ticket line to take two tickets to Thane as I had my pass. We were trying to rush so that there won't be any last minute running, as I am not interested at all to embarrass myself while doing any Usain Bolt stuff, that to with luggage. I had asked one of my Thane friend regarding how to travel from station to our bus stand. So according to that guidance we stood in the auto line. Reached the spot in almost 10minutes. Clock was at 1815. Pramod wanted to take toothbrush. So we went ahead to do the enquiry. I was reading all the platform names in expectation of one with Alibaugh in its list. It was there at almost in the end.
I went in the ticket counter and asked the people. They said the bus standing their will be leaving at 1830. You can board that as well. So we decided why to wait for the 1700 bus. Let's take this one, might reach early. I asked one of the conductor whether we have to do booking in advance. They shared a light laughter and said, you will get that in the bus. Being first time this is bound to happen. Part of the experience. So after confirmation, we went inside sat on the first seat itself. As in any other seat I was going to face problem for leg space. We called up Pramod to ask where is he and also to come fast as there is some change in plans.
Me and Kishan sat on the first seat while Pramod took the window of 2nd and the journey began. After all the planning, coordination, people in, people out, what to do, what not do discussion. In the end to see this execution, is indeed priceless. That sense of satisfaction that we are getting a break from all the hustle bustle of Radius and the feeling of excitement of exploring new place, meeting new people. The adventure, however, began in bus itself.
Kishan was most of the time in sleep mode while Pramod was in 'being in his own world' mode. So I was now left alone. I sleep less in travel, as I love to see the new surroundings from the window as they pass by. So initially all was going good. But the going became tuff when I could sense some pain in my legs. After and hour or something in the journey I realised that my legs are fixed because of less leg space and I can't move them either right or left nor can I stretch them ahead, being first seat. This was now making me restless. I was thinking of the next halt so I could atleast get down for giving my legs a break. Bus had reached Panel bus depot. But as soon as the door opened people flooded inside in the same force how water travels when the dam gates are opened. I dropped the idea of getting down as I might get solace for few minutes but will have spend the remaining journey standing, in the most uncomfortable way.
I had to divert my mind. So just kept staring outside the window. Either the journey was too long or may be my leg pain made me feel that way. As the stops came in bus was getting filled up. I was avoiding any contact with the standing people. As it's normal for someone to make an innocent child like face just to get a seat, which I wasn't interested to give in.
Nothing memorable happened in the bus, as others were sleeping and I was counting the distance and time of the destination. Niki was calling up and taking updates of our current location and then doing some calculations about hours remaining to reach. After every calculation she use to add a punch line, "You guys are almost there now". But for me every minute passing by was like an hour. So, that almost was a bit painful.
As twilight turned into darkness, there was nothing to watch outside now. And the way bus was packed, nothing inside as well. Net being 2G, Jio yet to launched, not much luxury in that department too. Clock was ticking around 10pm. I was wondering what would have happened had we boarded the planned 1915 bus.
Finally those golden words fell in my ears for which I was desparately waiting for, "Next Stop, Alibaugh." More than me my legs rejoiced in happiness. Almost after four hours they will be sensing the joy of movement. So as soon as the bus halted, immediately I stood up and it was like Ganpati Bappa Moryaaaaaaaaa with a big sigh of relief.
In the 28.5 years of my life, finally I landed in Alibaugh for the first time. We called up niki and updated her our status. She said stay on the road they shall come to pick us up in 10minutes. I was just walking around, stretching my legs, a bit of self massage. After some 15-20, our pick up finally arrived in WagonR. We kept our luggage and the caravan moved ahead. In the mid niki asked about dinnner. As I belong to the forever hungry, I asked for some rice or noodles. We took that enroute. As the ST boys didn't have the capacity to move, so the other three got the parcels after which we finally reached home.
I kept my luggage, changed, freshened up and sat together with everyone in the hall. Dinner was ready. When all were there niki introduced us to Ajinkya and Pranali. So now no one was unknown to each other and we started our dinner.
Normal talks were on. We were sharing our travel diaries whereas they were talking about the entire day how they spent doing cleaning, then temple visits and some selfies. There was no itinerary as such for the trip. So once dinner was done, we sat for the charcha of What Next? Kishan had brought a selfie stick, so I was just trying to operate it. But while opening the same, the mobile holder came in my one hand and stick remained in the other. So I also quietly dropped the idea of clicking pictures and involved myself in the discussion. A broad consensus was reached on playing cards.
We took out one pack and were now in a huddle to decide upon which game to play. Out of 6, 4 knew Mendicoat. So that was finalised. Fortunately I had learnt the game last weekend only, so not an pro but surely not an amateur. Kishan and Ajinkya didn't knew the game. Whereas Nikki, Pramod and Pranali were experts. So we had to split ourselves on two teams. NPA VS SKP. Both Kishan and Ajinkya were provided an induction on the basics and then we kick started it. On paper my opposite team was strong. But the outcome at the end was stupendous, The paper tigers had won enough coats to survive even the GOT Winter. As the cards were on, time was just a number. We were like travelling in Interstellar. That fun, those "WTF is Going on" faces of Pramod and Nikki, the hi5s of me ajinkya and pranali were just classic. Something no matter how I much I dig into my mind hut (Coz only Sherlock has the palace),I just won't be able to recreate those moments again.
The night was getting darker and we all were done with the card game. So it was time for another charcha for What Next? As no one had any drinking plans so usual suspect was of roaming in the night on the beach. Everyone was in for it. So we all kick started our adventure of Finding Beach.
Fortunately the rains hadn't started in its full force yet. So the roads, though wet, were walkable. Now the most important terror of the night after humans is Dogs. So that was something I was dead scared of. Since it was my first time, I was not aware of the way towards the beach. Ajinkya and Niki said they are aware so we started following them.
Initially we all were walking in group, talking, fooling around. It was quite on the roads, not a soul around. Something which a Mumbaikar is not used to. No matter whatever is the time on the clock you will find some or the other person(good or bad) on the roads. But in this village it was different. So our voices were echoing everywhere.
2-3 Google maps were On in order to keep a check on the way, incase we turn in a wrong road. Though we all were walking with a small hope that we are about to reach the sea. It was confirmed that we had lost our way and we are just doing circles of the same route. All thanks to our guides Ajinkya and Niki. Like others, even I tried a hand on my Maps to check where we were exactly. Being 2G, it opened somehow. Though in its own time, and showed my cursor in water. Pramod was telling this to all, Sid is already in water.
After some time we made it official that we are lost, when we came to one same lamp post again. So we took a break of few minutes under that lamp post to relax. The experts were planning next steps. They seemed to have come to a consensus as I could hear it from the side, when being in relax mode. And thus we began our journey again. This time our steps went in right direction. As my GPS entered further into water itself confirmed we were on target. And finally, we had the Mr. Bean (movie) feeling when he had seen the sea after all the adventures and had shouted in peace 'Sunset Boulevard'. Well, not sunset but we were up for a treat of the serene night sky with stars-set.
We got a place on the nice organized rocks to sit and chat upon. The sea was in front of us, but it was like Live imagination. There were a few heads hopping around. So we weren't alone. Night was quite but it is we who poured a syrup called life in it. I couldn't remember on which topics were we talking as the boundary was pretty wide. I remember one moment wherein Niki had told Ajinkya that you have company to discuss politics with Sid. Though we didn't on this trip lets hope we can have it on some other one. Everyone was either sitting or lying. But I was the only one who was standing. Everyone just got tired of asking me to sit but I didn't. Its this thinking of mine that conversation is great when you are sitting face to face, literally, and not parallel to each other. So normally I don't sit in such situations until my legs permit. Everything was going cool until Kishan got something in him and he started all these ghost stories. Pramod too joined in with some his. Its nothing of a shame to say that I get scared of these stuff. Though the intensity is less compared to my fear of dinosaur. Everyone suddenly was enjoying these stories. And I was getting kind of bored. Thats exactly when we got company, unwanted one. Some local guys came in and were blabbering. Also there was this one hide and seek game with the cops. As soon as these guys would show up flashing their dandas and telling us to vacant the beach, we use to start walking slowly down the road as if retreating. And the moment their car vanishes in the dark we use to comeback again. Clock was ticking so we started our journey towards our house again. Ofcourse we did click picture at the beach. Some more better ones on the road while coming back home. The return journey was comfortable as we had learned from our mistakes about the route. There was another scary thing about the night on the road. Big Bad Dogs. Not only are they scary but just by initiating one bark they call up their entire gang and try to pounce on you. Thankfully Pranali was the strong one as she told me just be calm and they wont harm you. It is easier said than done, but somehow that trick worked. We finally reached our home.
Time was around 430am. I thought of getting some sleep. Others were continuing their chats, but my body was not agreeing to my hearts demands. So I went in and slept. Kishan hadn't eaten his dinner yet, so the Chinese Rice was still there. I got up immediately, though, at around 545. Not sure why and how. But just got up. Saw Kishan sleeping with his specks on, might be the hangover. I asked him to remove the specks. I didn't feel like sleeping so just got up and went on to do my morning chores. By the time I was ready clock was ticking around 630. Everyone was still asleep. So I quietly went outside in search of Tea, something which I can't live without. To my luck I found a restaurant nearby. And double luck was they were serving Kanda Poha too. Nothing more could I ask for to make it a perfect Saturday morning. After wrapping it up I started walking back. And still no one had woken up. So I was all alone doing some TP. Finally people started coming down at around 9-10. It was the our day for outing. We had planned to visit some famous beaches and have our lunch in the very famous Tausalkars. But that was for the afternoon.
Morning was lazy. So we thought of playing something. Antakshari was a suggestion, as we all were quite exhausted of giving coats to the opposition. I took the initiative to start a song. Everyone expected it should have been a good one, but I went for Hum Bewafa Hargij Na The. I could see the reaction across the floor, as they were expecting the start should be with some good song. But it didn't matter much as the game had begun. The round of songs just went on and on. Then we were kind of exhausted with the same words popping up and no songs remained in any ones list. So we switched over to singing any song whichever one feels like. To some extent it was cool but then everyone started getting bored. So we decided to switch over. Out of the blue we started playing throwball. Randomly throw at anyone and anyhow. Being the smiley ball as such it wasn't going to do much of damage. The best thing about this which I remember was Pramod banging his head on the wall while trying to catch the ball.
As afternoon was nearing I couldn't resist the temptation of the sea food which we were going to have for lunch. So after all the games, we all sat down to chalk out the plan for the outing. We had plans to visit the beach which were famous for all kinds of water sports. But being monsoon they all will be shut now. Atleast we could have some fun on the beach. Eating was surely the biggest event in the ToDo list. So we decided to make a move to get ready. Ajinkya was getting his car ready for the drive. Me Kishan and Pramod had taken our seats in the back and were busy in our mini photo session. We took all the bottles of water, some snacks for the route. Finally when the girls came down we all were set. Niki locked the doors and then Captain Walke ordered to remove the anchor of our Maruti-nic as we were going to sail on the islands road.
The ride was long, but worth it. For I just love traveling like anything. We came across a couple of beaches on our way only to find them empty. All the people who had been here where kinda shocked to see such an empty beach. Being first timer, it was like Black Letters-Buffalo, Equal. So I didn't try to poke my nose in the areas where I have least knowledge. We also came across a factory of some kind. Though I don't know what it was, appeared scrap but still fascinated me. This is something about travel. You don't love things which come across you on the route coz they are different, its just you have trained your brain to look upon them in such a way that it will appear interesting no matter how much crap it can be. Like the great non living Robert Langdon said, "The mind sees what it choses to see." Since I didn't knew anything so it is always good to take a local help. And we had one (or that was our belief) of our own in the car. Niki belonged here, so I kept asking her every thing whatever intrigued my eyes while looking out of the window. Apparently I didn't get any satisfying answers so I later gave up. Instead of answering she use to keep changing the songs in the stereo. So we finally concluded our local help was not so local. (Someone might kill me after reading).
The journey was a good 40-50 kms one way as we finally reached the spot. Sea food was waiting for us. We parked our ship and ordered our stuff in almost every variety we could manage amongst the six of us. The food surely was going to take a lot of time, so we thought of using the pleasant afternoon for some pictures. Ajinkya had got this inventive selfie stick which could be attached on the bark of trees or on any rod which can hold it at a position from where we need to click. We did all the posing things weird faces but they came out as memorable pictures in the end. By that time, even the food arrived. It was heaven to watch all those plates served on the table. Everyone having a unique dish. Just couldn't resist for any moment and we all pounced on it. Only disturbing thing was the ants below the table. I am not sure if there were any talks while having lunch as I was so much mesmerised by the taste. After the lunch, which apparently was at 430pm, we dropped in the local market. Niki bought some dry fish. I use to love it once upon a time. But too much of it makes me feel boring. There wasn't much to stroll around in the market. So we went back to the beach. It was almost sunset. That air blowing on your face, the sounds of water. That's all what we come to seek.
We were like walking cameras. Clicking picture at every moment. Now the question which was there in everyones mind was whether to get wet or not. I had made up my mind not to. But sometimes that moment might beat you and I could have changed my decision. This time though it didn't happen. To my surprise even others opted out. Niki and Pranali went towards the water once and came back. Ajinkya had taken a good panormic picture of the entire beach. As we were enjoying the peaceful moment suddenly there was some activity in the beach. Everyone had started running as if some Godzilla had arrived. When we figured out it was a huge army of bees launching a massive counter attack. By the time we had figured out they had crossed the LOC and were in our ground. All we did was kept our hand on our ears and run. Run to save our life. We took cover in the tables of the restaurent where we had lunch As the army receded, we started our walk back again. Ajinkya took the car and parked it in a new place which was nearby to us as we all had came way ahead of the restaurent. All, except me and pranali went for a long walk on the beach in the dark. We both prefered to relax on the spot. These guys went for almost an hour.
The return journey was a bit quiet. We reached the house and took our places to relax. There was nothing on the cards. So we started a bit of card came again. But it was like we had almost exhausted the number of times playing that game or I should say my team was just tired of winning it. So we ventured again in the dark towards our beach. This time we didn't need the help of Google Maps as we all were aware of the way. Niki had planned to stay at the beach till sunrise. I was excited too of the prospect of seeing the sunrise. However I didn't feel my body will support me. Last time I had slept was Thursday night. And since then it has been a marathon. At the beach, we were sitting on the seats which were specially made for the cool beach view. Though it was monsoon but it wasn't that much of chill. This time the talks were not about any ghost. Some were sitting, some were roaming here and there. Police did came once and told us to walk away, so we started walking on the road. As soon as the cops disappeared in the dark we were back on the beach. We took one selfie at around 330 AM. I started feeling sleepy now. Pramod and Kishan were already having a nap. I too took one place and slept. But the mosquitoes were not in a mood to allow me a peaceful sleep. So I finally tried to force everyone to lets walk back as I was not able to continue any more. It took sometime, but everyone agreed and we were back by around 4AM.
Back home we weren't in a mood to sleep though. As Kishan had brought Bluetooth speakers, so we had a dance session on the mind. I was trying to sleep but then everyone was up. So I too joined in. Niki made the lights dim, so no one will feel shy to dance. Some new songs were being played, which is why I couldn't get the feel of the same. Finally a song named Jaanu Meri Jaan played in and the mood was set. I too joined them. Then there was no stopping. Our Session went on till 5-530 AM. The thought of sleeping struck again. It had been too long without sleep so had to get some sleep.Finally I called it a quit and went towards my bed. Pramod and Kishan too joined me. Pranali had already slept before the dance session. NIki and Ajinkya had no plans to sleep. So they went on to complete their sunrise target. After two days, I got sleep of some four hours.
I got up at around 9AM. Kishan and Pramod were still in their dream world. Suddenly Niki and Ajinkya came in from the door. They had brought tea and breakfast. I don't remember what they had brought but they had Omlette Pav without us. It was Sunday. Time to pack up. I freshened up and did my part of packing. Others followed the route. Morning was scheduled for cleaning of the house. We left Ajinkyas bed separately as he had to get sleep for he has to drive late in the day with Niki, Pranali and Kishan in the car. Rest all were into the Swacch House Abhiyan. The weird part of this cleaning abhiyan was we didn't had any duster to carry out the cleaning process. There was water in the Kitchen floor. Now to clean that we had to put newspaper across the floor in order to absorb the water. Speaking of kitchen, we had also brought Maggi so that we could make some in the trip. But we were so much involved in enjoying the days that we actually forgot that part.
Now it was time for travel plans. Pramod decided to board a 230pm bus. Mine was a bit early. And it was giving me Thane halt. Plus the most important thing about this bus was it was way too comfortable than the one we used while coming. Hirkani by ST. Comfortable seats and most important, leg space. I immediately got a seat too in the bus. So finally I bid everyone good bye and began my journey. While leaving the house we had taken a cool picture of whole group together. I uploaded that on Instagram with my way caption.
It indeed will be a memorable trip. Different people, some whom we met for the first time. All came together, had a blast. This account won't even be 10% of what we actually experienced in those 2 days. Those small moments, the fun, laughter was just incredible. Something's must be left in the deep corners of the heart. For they are something which are your own. And no matter how your future might be, no one can ever take them away from you. That belongs only to you. This write-up may give an aerial view. But the true stories, the memories belong only to those who actually lived them.
Cheers !!!
PS: One thing happened with Pramod in the bus which he told us after we all joined back our office. He was sitting on a seat number which apparently was a reserved one. The conductor was shouting his seat number but he, totally unaware, didn't raise his hand. After 3-4 calls conductor got frustrated and said, "What to do about people who inspite of sitting on the designated seat aren't raising their hand when I am calling their seat number whilst staring at my face." Suddenly he realised the fact, and quietly got up and took another seat which wasn't reserved.
-SR.
