Lonavala Trekking...

It’s about Lonavala trekking Trip:

When I was working in Mumbai - JPMorgan Chase & Co as Polaris support, Mumbai Polaris arranged for a yearly trip to Lonavala. I and my friend Prakash joined the trip, total almost 230 people. 5 vehicles were booked.

I got prepared for the trip. I have taken printouts about the place and the mail which organizer sent about the trip. That mail has dos and don’ts. Don’t know why I have taken 2 copies of the print (I used to have 2 copies of my flight ticket).

I woke up by 5.30, took bath and prepared everything in an hour. I was at gate by 6.30am. We got into the bus by 6.45am (everybody was standing outside, curiosity has reached the top). Organizers had a plan that all vehicles should reach one junction before starting from Mumbai. And it was scheduled by 7.30am. But our bus reached only by 8.30 (We are the one who reached first). The junction was near by one McDonalds shop. Volunteers requested all to get down for tea. We got surprised that how come they are getting us tea/coffee in such a big shop like McDonalds. In very few min we understood that tea is going to come from shop (very small shop) near by McDonalds. It came soon… and you know it was awesome.

The whole area had been occupied with my colleagues in 30 min of time. It was too colorful. Everybody was looking too good with smile on their face.

Finally we decided to start after feeling pain on our legs (Readers needs to excuse since I forget to make a note of time)… All the 5 vehicles was over taking one another, we had 4 buses and 1 mini bus. We were calling that mini bus as ‘Chotu’. Chotu was always rushing. It was really good to see that 5 vehicles on a row ceasing one another with sounds (because of cheer). Volunteers severed breakfast on the move to save time. Had good food, with soft drinks, and they even served water bottles for trekking.

Guess you are too excited to know about the place, its here:
Korigad, which is a hill fort at an altitude of 3050 feet situated near the base village of Ambivali in Lonavala region. A thick forestation at the base, enough potable water from the lake on the top and from the reservoir situated half way and easy climb attracts many enthusiasts to this fort. Two nice lakes on the arid, flat top really takes one by surprise. Ganesh temple and a cave are situated half way and a temple of Koraidevi is situated on the top. With waterfalls flowing along the flight of stairs that lead to the hill fort is an abode to enjoy! For some time, all one encounters is greenery, trees, slippery trail and the sound of birds chirping in the forest.

On the way to the spot, we traveled in Mumbai-Pune highway (Readers: try to travel once at least). We crossed many tunnels, and many bends, ups and downs… It was wonderful journey.

Once we reached the spot, we got banana’s to get strength... The climate was not so nice… we started together… we walked, claimed and reached the bottom of the hill. Started sweating, whether was not good… I have taken few snaps on the way. Place was too good.

Prakash got a call from him PM, while talking in the phone; he fell down because of slippery. Even though we are in so much height we were getting full signal… Official life didn’t leave us… got two three calls…

Then we started claiming on the hill, there were steps, not proper one but okey. I couldn’t claim continuously. Taken so many breaks, but Prakash was standing all the time. He never takes rest while doing job… and I have come to know that even while claiming (he he he)…

We reached the top by 1:00pm. It was too gud… It’s a flat top full of gross… My eyes are failed to find colors other than green.

... Dubai Times ...

First On-site, First Air Travel...

This trip is short noticed...
But i had full confidence on myself, which helped me a lot in this trip. Self confidence is not the key but the confidence, my PM and PL had on me.

Just two days before only I did shopping. My friend Ramesh and Myself went for that.
Those who are going for on-site more than a year will go silently, but I created the scene like anything. Ya, I bought so many things, sent so many mails/messages.
I was on cloud # 9.

Jun 30 '07 was the date.

I took Call Taxi to my office, had discussion with my PL and PM both officially and personally. And met my colleagues and off-shore support team. As I was new to that project, got so many inputs from them. Because of this official work I couldn't spend "last mins" with my close friends.
Bhagee, Pency, Kutti, Rasu, Arvind and Viji came to Airport. I was Happy about that. I didn't expect anyone.

My brother was not feeling well, he was in my native. So he couldn't make it.

"Final Call for Boarding for the flight number GF 052"
this sound increased my heart beat thrice.

(to be updated...)

...Those Days HYD...

Its about my official trip to Hyderabad...

I asked my PM for a project change. Within a week time i got this Hyderabad project.
I was too happy, because the trip was only for two months... I took this offer with many dreams...

I started from Chennai Sep 9th '06.
My friend Bhagyaraja, Ramesh and Pavan came to railway station for sendoff. Let me talk few words about them... Bhagyaraja is my college mate, roommate, my well wisher and what more... Ramesh, he is the one who used to pin-point my mistakes, ... And finally Pavan... my Team Leader, sorry to use these kind of words... Like this only i got Pavan's intro. But he is my friend (soon will post a seperate blog about him)... I mean it.

I used to go for these kind of sendoff, so I was expecting few more friends at that time. But they couldn't make it... My friends bought some books and snacks for me... Really speaking, those things helped me a lot in that journey...

First time in A/C coach. Got surprised with everything...

Next day morning I reached HYD... no one came to pick me up... but I liked that...
I took an Auto. that time only I came to know that anyone can cheat me easily... yes! that auto driver cheated me... I met my college friend Mohan and his roommates... They are working for TCS.

3 of my friends (Ashok, Ajay and Prabhu) already reached HYD and they started working in that project. From day 1 I started enjoying there with friends...

First day itself we visited many places. Hi-tech city and nearby places. Shilpa Ramam, very peaceful place with full of art work and nature art. Took many snaps there. (I have uploaded the same in my Picasa web album : picasaweb.google.com/raja.bitu).

Within two days, I faced speed break for my happiness in that trip. I got malaria. That was the worst part in that trip. Those 6 days I faced lots and lots of problem. One day I thought like I may die... ho! no...
yup! I suffered lot. was totally down. I can talk something for minutes that's what I did nothing more than that. One of my friends was there in On-site that time... she used to call me daily. That was the only console...
Staying away from home and friends is hectic... you can read the sentence easily, but i felt that heavily.

After that weak point, I slowly started my way. Day by day, hours by hours, mins by mins...Office hours didn't go well, I spent nice time outside office. I used to get calls from my friends, it lasted for hours... The same time I prepared JAVA for SCJP exam as well. But i couldn't complete that...

Every weekend we used to go out, somewhere....
Hi-tech City, Shilpa Ramam, Golkonda, Charminar, ABIDS, Kotti, Ramoji Film City, Birla Temple, Hussain Sagar Lake, Laser Show, Lumbini Park, I-max, Paradise and many more...
This is not the list of tourist spots in HYD, rather I visited these many places within two months...

Last two or three weeks I used to go to my friends room which is near to Polaris Guest House. Mohan, Manoj, Srini and Lokesh. Their frequencies are not same. But they are staying together. I found lots of adjustments. I played with them, I went for shopping with them... Had really nice time with them...

After sometime, I was waiting for Nisha in HYD Airport with hand full of flowers. I never ever bought for anyone. I know... She was very happy not only for the flowers. She didn't jump physically, her face was so bright. I spent two hours in Airport I guess, really wonderful moments. She shared many things. That time only I realised my role, it's vital in her life.

After few weeks, the day came... I started my journey and gave full stop for HYD trip.

(Yet to update...)

...Sweet memories...

Ooty... I can't forget those 2 days in my life...

It was a nice experience...

Thanks to Shyamala (One of my Best Friend).

Shyamala and her friends decided to go for a trip. First I thought not to go with them, because I am new to that group. My friend Shyamala didn't ask me whether I am coming or not, rather she said come to central railway station in time.

I took some time to think about and finally I joined. They didn’t treat me as a new friend. I couldn’t identify a single difference between my childhood friends and them.

Going to use names… don’t mind.

First I was speaking with only Shyamala, that time Krishna (Shyamala’s good friend) pulled me inside their circle. He is the person who shared things with me first, other than Shyamala. I thought to kill him for waking me up early (never woke up by 4AM before)... ha ha ha. We couldn’t get hot water not even plain water… in that ice water we took bath… Chanceless…

Raghu and Mithun stayed with me in the same cottage, actually speaking that was a beautiful refrigerator. After one hour girls gave us a nice job, security job. Krishna took responsibility and did that job well (just kidding…) I slept well (as I do normally at times).

Anil and Krishna both guys are caring, rare to find, but we found. Anil and Vikram both perfect in all. Vikram jolly character couldn’t get much time to laugh with him. Viki you didn’t show your experience in your behavior there, that’s the place where I liked you.

Shooting place is the one I liked much.

I was planning to nominate Sowmya (Max) story for Oscar (not Kidding, wonderful love story)… And we have taken so many snaps (few photos are available in my picasa album – id:raja.bitu )… In that you have to see Hema’s snap which taken in cab with specs and cap… it resembles Aishwarya Rai still which I used to have in my hostel room as wall poster (this much ice only I can keep on her head).

Got all our snaps through Hema, hope those will bring the days again in my memories. Hey this is the time for cat walkers, Prem and Merlin. Ya we had Cat Walk Show. They both have many talents it seems. We teased them well but they didn’t get angry on anyone… there they are!

Although we enjoyed a lot, Shyamala health ruined me. She got fever. I was helpless.

Ok… I m back to the form… Campfires, Games in the cab and botanical gardens filled our camera. Pykara falls, lake, dam and Rose gardens those places are unlucky (we have missed out those places).

Once again thanks a lot for all who spent time with me in that trip...

Sweet Memories…

..... ? .....

Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it...

Will open things shortly!

..... ! .....

Hunting for words...
Give me sometime...