Beside the water stream

Tripoto
25th Sep 2015
Photo of Beside the water stream 1/8 by Ankisha Mathur
Bonfire and party
Photo of Beside the water stream 2/8 by Ankisha Mathur
River water
Photo of Beside the water stream 3/8 by Ankisha Mathur
camp area
Photo of Beside the water stream 4/8 by Ankisha Mathur
River
Photo of Beside the water stream 5/8 by Ankisha Mathur
Camp area
Photo of Beside the water stream 6/8 by Ankisha Mathur
Camps
Photo of Beside the water stream 7/8 by Ankisha Mathur
Rafting
Photo of Beside the water stream 8/8 by Ankisha Mathur
In the river

Travelling is exploring more about life.

That is what I realized from my last jaunt to a place brimming with the beauty of nature, a perfect break from the messed up, hectic daily routine.

Shivpuri in Rishikesh, a place not so famous but, one of the most splendid place you can experience being at.

I, along with my sister and some of her friends planned this trip for the occasion of my sister’s birthday. So, we started with a train journey from Delhi to Rishikesh, we were uncertain about the plan even 2 hours prior to the arrival of the, however while leaving home we were already running late, but were lucky enough to catch the train. After landing in the daylight of 26th September in Rishikesh, we prepared ourselves for the rest of our journey; and set out our ride towards the destination. Then came the first step of our trip, Rafting! Heading down through the twisty roads over the mountains, we watched the water move closer as we advanced down the path.

“When I say rest: stop paddling, when I say forward: start paddling and when I say stop and jump: you may jump in the water, holding on to the rope of the boat.” The instructor instructed every one of us. ‘HURRAAYY’ we were set for the ride on our raft in complete excitement, as it was going to be an 18 kilometer long ride. Cutting through big water, cheering every moment of our ride, we felt the thrust and energy of the stream that rejuvenated us each time it hit us in our faces. After travelling around 15 out of 18 kilometers, instruction came “You may jump in water” and we all jumped in the mighty Ganga, being in the river, surrounded by cool water gave a feeling of being retrieved from the daily stress we were habitual of. Everything was beautified in the moment and about the water around us. This made our trip worth experiencing and rafting marked an exciting start to our trip. Also, having pani-puri just after rafting was a different experience, that doesn’t happen every day ;)

Afterwards we travelled and travelled towards our camping site, it took hours to reach and by the time we arrived it was already dark and the party had just started. The night of 26th September that was coming forth, this was going to become a memorable one. We moved in, our camps had a wonderful location that was beside a fine and clear river, so close that we could hear the sound of flowing water. Then there started the real party. With loud music, bonfire and drinks in our hands. We danced along, carefree; around the bonfire, feeling the heat in the chilled surroundings, the moment was to enjoy like never before. We had dinner and, after 12 we sat by the river, talking, our feet immersed in the smooth running water, spent time by the water stream, feeling the moment and the quality time we had, with the scenario around us, stood there until it was almost morning and then went to bed, only when we were too tired to sit anymore.

The next morning, was like none other, with the reward of waking up in the pleasing scenario. It was 27th September we woke up in the morning to the aroma of fresh air, untouched by the intrication of life and the light that came chasing us between the mountains, made another day worth! And best part? We played volleyball and badminton beside the river, one unique experience it was. While the sun started to come over, we had breakfast, after which we played in water enjoying to the core, we played until noon and then we had to leave. Unfortunately we couldn’t catch the train so we had to board a bus to Delhi, and that was a hard thing, to find a bus at that hour of the day; somehow we found one! After travelling all night, by the time we reached it was 4 am in the morning. This day was also my sister’s birthday and this trip made it worth remembering. A place, so beautiful, so calm, that you would want to live there forever. Between the mountains, that was the place so mesmerizing that we can never ever forget! :)