Madhuri Gunti meets Nanda Ghunti - My first Himalayan trek

Me and my gang from Hyderabad

My First Himalayan Trek aka Bramhtal Trek. 

 Proud to accomplish one more trek and happy to say Madhuri Gunti went to meet Nanda Ghunti (Nanda Ghunti is a 6,309-metre-high (20,699 ft) mountain in Garhwal, India. It lies on the outer rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. The mountain was first surveyed by T. G. Longstaff in 1907). Ghunti is different in pronunciation and is nowhere related to my surname Gunti but I was happy that the name of mountain sounds like my surname.

Madhuri Gunti meets Nanda Ghunti

Bramhtal trek is in Uttarakhand where we witnessed awesome Mt Trishul, Mt Nanda Ghunti and Garhwal Himalayas decked with the blanket of snow. The most memorable part of the trek was visualising the mountains in Chilly wind where sun was playing hide and seek to make us feel warm.  Apart from that lying down in meadows and watching the clouds dancing with happiness to meet their favourite mountains was mesmerising view for one and all.

I successfully finished this trek with my old trek mate Sayantan (a passionate photographer & trekker), his wife Shalini (caring and lovely wife who is equally passionate about photography & travel) and their friends Dew Maria (a tiny bomb who can blast you with her enormous knowledge about World War II and star gazing. Her high spirits and communication has bagged her the most enthusiastic trekker award for this trek and Shivam, Finance background IT freak from Lucknow currently working in Bangalore who changes his job as we change clothes and keep his company on his toes and he is a foodie. Shivam joined us in Delhi airport from Bangalore whereas me, Shalini, Dew, and Sayantan reached from Hyderabad.

Me, Shalini, Dew, Sayantan and Shivam

We were later tagged along with another 21 enthusiastic trekkers from different parts of India with a diverse backgrounds, interests and skills. Mahesh Karve – an excellent cook, traveller and software developer at boeing and his wife Bhavani – who captures beautiful birds in her lenses and enjoys her husband’s dishes :P are from Banaglore, Bhavani’s brother Kiran software Engineer and his wife Bhargavi faculty at IIT ramaiah in Bangalore. A group of young boys from Jalgoan including -Mahesh Ozha, traveller, consultant and Marathoner, Rushabh Jain, CA, marathoner and who is recently engaged, Rushab Shah who is an International chess player and owns his own company. He changed my name to Manisha from Madhuri during our round of introductions. Abhishek Limaye, Harshal, Venugopal from Jalgoan. Another Tumkur gang including  Abhishek Rajashekahra – National Yoga awardee, Pratik Agarwal, Deepika, a photographer  & Pradeep VR, hard core sonu nigam fan who  got a beautiful voice & he sang lovely songs for us. We had another badass best friends like in 3 idiots from Bangalore – Mayur – Jovial person who made sure that everyone is alive by shouting- come on come keep walking and Breathe in and he always take an alternate route throughout the trek. Muthu Raj calm observer who owns his real estate business and is an excellent cricket player who dived into the edge of sleeping tent to catch a water bottle during a game  and Ravi Kumar – Photographer, HP tech employee who is getting married on this April 27. Lady from Bhopal,  Neelam – doctor at Indian air force and avid traveller with her BFF Shilpa from Delhi – silent brilliant lady with wonderful hidden talent. Aparna aka Aps and Vivek from Mumbai who both were into marketing and investing sector.

Gang of Bekaltal Trek we 26 with trek leaders

Lovely to meet each and every one and keep in touch.

I want to thank Indian hikes who had provided all the logistics, support and care from the beginning to the end of the trek. Job done by each and every member of India hikes at all the campsites, online and offline support is tremendous. Let me introduce the awesome people who virtually helped us during the trek.

Chachaji giving me finish certificate behind me Varun and Pratap

Our trek leader Varun who is not only an excellent trek leader but also a doctor, story teller and entertainer. He knew so many stories and games to keep us engaged all the time.  I will always remember him for his high energy levels throughout the trek and Oxymeter reading. He made me scratch my nail polish as it was not reading the accurate measurement of the oximeter.

Our Guide Bhagat chacha (who lead the route & trek) aka chachaji was eldest of all about 59 years but always was the first person to reach the basecamp & waiting for all of us with the same smile and patience which he showed at the beginning of the trek. He shared couple of stories of Bekaltal and Brmahtal Lake. Pratap Bhai our Sweeper (who makes sure no one is left behind on the trail) was a good story teller, player and singer too. These people are the ones who makes the entire trek lovely, lively and memorable. Each of them have different stories to share about the place and trek.

Bramhtal lake, in Uttarakhand, is said to be a sacred place where Lord Brahma once mediitated millions of years ago. This lake becomes spectacular in the time of winter when it reflects the himalayan ranges on its frozen cover of ice. But unfortunately we can just see few clusters of snow from far a distance and couldn’t experience the snow fall. Pine trees all over and paths lined with Rhododendren, made our trek more beautiful and fun.

Daily Routines at all camp sites

-          6:30 am Tea and hot water

-          7: 00 am breakfast

-          Oxymeter check before and after the trek (Oxymeter monitors your oxygen level)

-          Packed Snacks and Lunch

-          Filled water bottles (water was not available on all trials)

-          6: 00 pm Tea and hot water

-          7: 00 pm Dinner

-          Stretching exercises before and after trek

-          Games in the evening at every campsite.

-          Washing lunch box and glass with freezing cold water

Trek Begins ……

We flew to Delhi on 23^rd March and later went to railway station where we took rest at IRCTC lounge for couple of hours. We caught a train to Kathgodam on 24^th March at 6 am which reached to Kathgodam at 12 pm and took rest in our pre booked hotel Relax Inn. Next day morning on 25^th March we were picked by cabs from Kathgodam railway station parking point to Lohajung. We all started in 4 cabs to our destination with stops for Lunch and tea in between.

25^th March Day 1 – Lohajung (Base camp at 7,600 ft). It took 10 hours drive to reach there.

This route to Lohajung crosses Nainital and we can see beautiful views. But I had to take Avomin to stop vomiting during narrow and curvy roads. We reached around 6 pm to Lohajung. The base camp, Lohajung, is a small market area that started off with catering to basic shopping requirements of people from the nearby villages of Culing, Mundoli and Bank. This is also where the very popular Roopkund trek begins. There were quite a few shops stocked with gear required by trekkers. We all were introduced to fellow trekkers and trek leaders with some info on do’s and don’ts on treks. We shared rooms in the basecamp.

Start at Lohajung

26^th March Day 2: Lohajung (7,600 ft) to Bekaltal (9,885 ft); 5 hours, 6.3 km

After finishing our breakfast and offloading our bags (it’s optional) and storing the extra luggage we don’t need for trek we kept aside at the base camp. We had our lunch, water and snacks packed for the day. We all started the trek around 9 am with chacha ji through the trials, ups and downs climb was a daily routine. However fit you are, the trials will put on the edges to drag yourself to the base camp. By huffs and puffs I made it to the day 1 campsite with other trekkers. We all reached around 2 pm to Bekaltal. We sat near the lake and heard interesting stories of the lake has been named Bramhtal Lake. Freshly cooked dinner- Dal, roti, sabji and dessert was served at dinner. Black tea and hot water was provided at every base camp. India hikes volunteers made the tents ready for us before we reach the site. Tents were shared by 3 in a tent with Sleeping bags, liners and sleeping mat. It was cold during night around 4 degrees. I had my 3 layers on and pushed myself into my sleeping liner and bags. It need lot of patience to change inside the tiny tent and then sleeping inside the cold sleeping liners and bags. Toilets were arranged as small pit holes with commode fixed on it. This is the only day we had wet toilets rest of them are dry toilets aka no water. If we are using wet tissues, we have to carry them back to city as we cannot throw them on trails.

me in my tent

27^th March Day 3: Bekaltal (9,885 ft) to Brahmatal (10,440 ft); 5-6 hours, 7.2 km

Washing face and brushing with hot water in chilly mornings was like a punishment. It will be cold once you pour water on your body. Packing and unpacking backpacks was a difficult task too.  After having breakfast and offloading the bags, we started at 9 in the morning. The trail starts out of the campsite and climbs steeply into the Oak and Rhododendron forest. After an hour of ascent, we descended to a meadow. This was the summit day. The gently ascending meadow walk brings us to the highest point of the day at 11,500 ft. From there, it was a very gradual descent to Brahmatal. We reached Bramhtal around 4 pm and played some games outside our base camp. This campsite was livelier as we had dhaba where we spend time in having tea, Pakoda, Jalebi and singing songs and playing various notorious games altogether. We were welcomed by a sweet girl Babitha and his father who runs the dhabha. After dinner we continued to share some stories. The temperature was dipping and we slipped into our sleeping bags and liners. I was feeling so cold that I had to keep heating pads on my hands while sleeping.

Babitha and her father in dhaba

on way to next mark

me on my way

dense forest

28^th March Day 4: Brahmatal (10,440 ft) to Tilbudi (11,240 ft) 5 hours, 6 km

Next morning we started at 9 am to Tilbudi which was ascend and decent through scary narrow curves but beautiful valley surrounded with mountains and forests. If we slipped from the trail it will be fall from 11,240 ft. There were snow blocks in between which were melting and making the ground more slippery and muddy.  We could see a vulture on the top corner and all the photographers tried capturing her. Somehow we made to the summit at rested for an hour. Later we walked to Tilbudi campsite descending. We reached the campsite and played different games including interesting game Mafia introduced by Dew and Shalini. Best part of Dinner was we got to eat delicious hot gulab Jamun as dessert. The temperature was very low around 2 degrees that night.

found a chunk of snow in hidden rocks

scary route before summit

group pic at summit behind are all three mountains

29^th March Day 5: Tilbudi (11,240 ft) to Lohajung (7,600 ft) via Wan (8,000 ft); 2 hours trek + 1 hour drive

Next day morning we started at 9 to our final destination of trek Lohajung through a small village Wan. This entire trail was descending which was hard on my knees. We reached by 1 pm to Lohajung and had our lunch. Wan village was very beautiful so were the villagers and kids. Whenever they see us they will greet us Namaste it was very welcoming and heart touching gesture. We travelled by car from Wan to Lohajung before lunch time. Evening 5 pm we had our wrap up session by Varun and his team. Dinner was provided at the campsite but couple of us had chicken at the nearby hotel. Most of us showered and took rest and boys played cricket with locals and won the game. Later we packed our bags for next morning drive to Nainital. All the groups departed to different destinations. We 5 from Hyderabad and Mayur, Muttu, Ravu, Aps and Vivek decided to go to Nainital. Accordingly buses and cabs were arranged by India hikes and we paid to the driver at the destination.

30^th March & 31^st March Day 6 & 7: Drive from Lohajung to Nainital. We reached Nainital by 6.00 pm .

Morning we started with all our luggage to Nainital. My condition was horrible, instead of Avomin I took Vomistop which couldn’t stop my vomitings and I vomited thrice throughout the route. At lunch point I took Avomin and slept for 2 hours. We reached Nainital at around 6 pm and took rest in our hotel. Next day morning we met Mayur, Muttu, and Ravi and went around Nainital sightseeing. Nainital was a beautiful city with beautiful lakes, botanical garden, waterfalls and Caves. Later we met Vivek & Aps at Lunch. We 5 of us departed to Kathgodam to catch our train to Delhi at 8:40 pm.

caves in Nainital

1^st April - We all reached Delhi at 5 am and departed to different destinations. I went to see my family friends in Ghajiabad and later took my flight back to Hyderabad at 5 pm. Delhi airport was crowded because of 4 days long weekend.

My trip ended with lots of beautiful virtual memories and learnings

Learnings  

        

  We can survive without social media aka phone, whats app

-          People can survive in mountains with basic needs.

-          We just need food, air and water to lead a simple normal life.

-          Until you push hard you never knew your tolerance levels.

-          Do what you like rather than what other likes you to do.

-          Give time to yourself to fulfil your dreams, desires and passion.

-          Take a break from routine busy life and spend time with yourself in mountains :P

-          The more we travel and explore the more we can adapt new culture, tradition or situation.

Hope you like this !!

My First trip to USA

‘Better late than Never’ It has been a while (approx. 3 months) I came back from my first trip to USA (21 May to 10 June 2017). However, was lazy & busy to write down my experiences. During this trip, I visited my brother’s family in Seattle, lovely cousins & maternal uncle and ex-student Max’s parents in California and my best friend in Virginia. Also met my six ex- CIEE students from the past batches in Seattle. It was such a lovely experience to see all of them and had a memorable trip with each one of them.

I Landed in USA, Seattle after taking 19 hours long flight via London Heathrow where I took 2 hrs layover. I could not sleep much in flight but watched most of the movies collection they had onboard. Enjoyed all the meals and hot beverages served on board. Technology now days is very advanced and I was able to connect to my family before boarding the flight, in London airport and in Seattle after landing. Free wi-fi with a whatsapp calling facility is a bliss having said that you should to know how to use it. I was impressed with the London airport facilities for transit and other transport support.

After working for CIEE (an American organization) for more than 7 years, it was not a very different cultural experience for me in USA aka foreign land. This might be for several reasons but a couple I felt were as follows .

-          Had a family and friends to take care of me and show around places

-          Ample exposure to Americans and American Culture.

-          Already travelled outside of India to Istanbul, Turkey and Cape town, South Africa

Many people asked me how was I feeling being first time in USA, honestly I felt I the same when I was like in Turkey & Cape Town. Definitely, my first trip out of country (Turkey, Istanbul in 2014) was much more fearful. However, trust me Istanbul is a beautiful place in the world to visit. That Journey gave me an idea to get along in a foreign land where you meet different people, places, eat different food etc. My second trip out of India was to South Africa, Cape Town in 2015 that was different and unique in its way. Both of these places have a different history, tradition, food & culture. I enjoyed both the places and had a different experience in each of them. I got a chance to roam around all alone which itself was a success.

Sweets market in Istanbul

Colorful market in Istanbul

Blue Mosque 

South African traditional face art- got painted with friends

Enjoying Ethopian food in Cape town

Half way through climbing Table Mountain

My fellow climbers to Table Mountain - Me , Martin, Chris & Raffa

After climbing the Table Mountain 

I climbed Table Mountain with three other CIEE colleagues from Berlin, Brazil and Spain. That was the first time I ever climbed any rock/mountain without rope support. It was approx. 3000 ft from sea level. In Istanbul, I went around seeing the local touristy places, lost my way to Blue mosque, and tried to take help from local college going students who were standing on the street. No one in Istanbul speaks any other Language than Turkish. I literally sat down and show them how people do namaz and draw mosque on a paper too J then they understood I was looking for blue mosque they explained me with directions in Turkish Language but I understood. My drawing and signal skills worked there. That was my first experience abroad. Here are my experiences in Seattle.

Seattle –

Loved the green city with lots of greenery around and covered Space Needle, Pike market, Bulleve, Rattlesnake Park, Redmond, industrial museum, chilhuly garden, jazz perfomances, Museum of POP culture, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy cruise, Olympic Sulpture Park, Lake Unioin, Pioneer Square, and many more. Ride the ducks of Seattle was lots of fun where you will go by bus that will cover few places around and later take same bus into water. Taking a city pass was a wise thing to do for an economical city tour. Apart from city tour, I learned how people fix their own furniture; discard their trash & carton boxes on their own. There are no house cleaners, helpers, or technicians for these activities. We can opt for technician to fix furniture but he will be very expensive to afford. Pedestrians were kings on the roads, if a car or bus any other transport will see a pedestrian trying to cross the road they will stop their vehicle at a distance so that these people can cross the roads. Pressing the button to cross the road was a very safe method, which will tell when to cross the road to avoid accident.

Tried different food including Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and Indian too. Visited Amazon and stayed in a colony where most of the Indians are staying. Trust me you will not have the feeling that you are in USA, there are tons of Indian’s around. Missed the hike to the mountain in Seattle. However, apart from meeting friends & family did my first tandem Sky dive. As far as my knowledge, I am the first female in my both Paternal and maternal side of family to do such a daring thing of this kind.

First Starbucks store in Pike Market Seattle

downtown in Seattle

Aunt & Nephew time :) 

Family time at Rattlesnake Park

Me & my brother with his wife 

Way down from Olympic Park to downtown in seattle 

Chilhuly glass garden Seattle

Me & Aruna aunty on ride on the ducks tour 

Fun time with capation

Space needle free photo shoot :) 

Round two Space needle photo shoot - Me, Dev & Megha

Me and past CIEE students - From left Kristen, me, Hannah, Mike, Sarah and Gary 

Tandem Sky diving – One of the craziest things I have ever done in my life. But No regrets

I never even dreamed of flying in air but was excited for my first skydiving; I just wanted to do for thrilling experience. Initially my brother was not happy that I wanted to do such a crazy thing in my life and he tried to convince me that it was dangerous (of course, it is no doubt) and I should drop it. However, I was very firm that I wanted to do it and later we found that my brothers other three colleagues also wanted to do the same. He was a little bit relaxed that I have partners in crime with me who wanted to do this. He drove us all to the Snohomish Tandem Skydiving center.

Let me give an idea what exactly it is - Tandem skydiving or tandem parachuting refers to a type of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected to a harness attached to a tandem instructor. The instructor guides the student through the whole jump from exit through freefall, piloting the canopy, and landing. Tandem Skydive is the technique where a trained professional will help you throughout the experience, he will jump with you.

Me & my bro before the flight

Training before we go on flight 

After finishing the Skydive - certificate with my instructor 

Me in air 

My brother and his colleagues 

There were different slots in every half an hour where 8 people will be on board with their instructors to experience the fall from 13500 feet high. We signed No objection form where every line speaks that you may die because of this. If any of my family member will have to sign this, they will never allow me to do this crazy thing. Once we sign the risk awareness form we were explained the rules and few steps to be taken care before and after the dive. I paid extra for video coverage of the entire dive; it is worth it to look your scary shouts if you are alive J worth paying if you are daring to do this. We were asked to put on separate clothes to prevent injuries withhold cold. Our instructor or fly partner helped us to get along all this procedures. I was little nervous but was happy that I was able to do this. My package was free fall of 60 seconds and then parachute. My instructor make me understand the rules and try to make stress free. 3, 2, 1 and each one of the fellow skydiver started jumping off the plane from the distance of 13500 feet. My turn came and I was feeling like falling down from air and it was damn cold as the temperature was 7 degrees. I was unable to breathe properly in between. That fall of 60 seconds was most thrilling experience where you do not have time to think at all you just feel the fall and once my instructor opened the parachute I shouted with excitement. The view of Seattle was beautiful at the same time I was happy that I was aliveJ. I was in air for another 4-5 min enjoying the beauty of Seattle. Here is the link to the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf4-1AsWGyE

 California and Virginia

I stayed in Seattle for 4 days and decided to visit my uncle and cousins in California I took a direct flight to SFO (San Fransico) and my uncle was expecting me arrive at 11 am as I boarded my flight at 9 am. At 10 am they announced that they will be landing at Oakland instead of SFO as there were some repair work going on at the runway. We were told that a bus will pick up from Oakland and drop at the SFO or we can even book Uber to reach and the airlines will repay us the cab money. That was a warm welcome by California. I communicated this new changes to family and uncle who was waiting at the SFO airport first they were worried but later they understood the situation. Finally, I met my uncle after 2 hours whom I met after 7 years. He drove me around and later visited to my aunt’s office. I stayed 3 days in California and nest day my paternal cousins took me around places in California. I met Max’s parents (Max was in CIEE in 2011 and unfortunately we lost him in tragedy) He was a sweet boy I met in our program, I was glad that I could meet his parents near my uncle’s place in California to share their sorrow. It was such a pleasure to meet his parents and Paula (Max’s mom) cooked all of his favorite food for us. I spent unforgettable moments with them. Thanks for Social Media to connect us.

Max's Parents 

Paula cooked Max's fav food - Corn bread and eggplant baked 

Californiaidaries with cousins

Avacado toast - Yummy 

California diaries - cousins meet 

After successful three-day tour in California, I went to Virginia to meet my best friend and stayed for 3 days. They showed me around Washington DC, White house, Maryland and all the nearby places. I visited Washington DC on Memorial Day and the celebrations were grand on that day. It was a great feeling to witness their patriotism.

Whute house at the back 

Like counter a different experience - Banhantia restaurant 

Latha akka, Bava, Jeetendra anna and his family in Virginia

Memorial Day celebrations 

Shilpa's house and Car

My friend shilpa, her husband Krishna Pradeep and son Krishik in Virginia

I also visited my dad’s extended family whom I met for the first time. They welcomed my friend’s family and me warmly and gave us a delicious dinner. It is always happy to spend time with family. After exploring Virginia, I took back flight to Seattle where I learned that I could get a tea, coffee or water on flight only if I have a credit card. I had cash only with me, I requested my fellow passenger who was student in the nearby college. He generously agreed to pay for me and later I paid him cash. So, better to have a credit card in US. Spent a week again in Seattle with my family, ate many cuisines, shopping and back to India.

 Learnings from my trips : - 

- Observe, adapt, adjust and enjoy your stay

- Try to taste the food offered at that place 

- Explore the city as much as you can

- Feel free to ask help strangers, not all strangers are bad.

- Meet as many as people you can and stay in touch.

- Be dare to try new things do what you like and love to do.

 "Contest entry for The Adventurer Blog Contest November 2017 by Bikat Adventures"