Honnemarudu

Before, now what looks like a eternity, a week, a couple of my friends, and their friends and colleagues left for Honnemarudu - A forlorn place next to the river 15 kms from Jog falls. A 9:30 ultra-deluxe Rajahamsa left us at Tadeguppa early morning in the company of a LOT of stray dogs and some early morning fisherman.

Soon a sumo materialized. We and the first rays of sun landed together, after traveling together on rain sodden mud roads, before a shackle and bleary eyed Nayan, who was going to be our guide for the next two days. The conditions were read out - No plastic covers, bottles or any form of non-biodegradable trash; Blue colored drinking water from a well garnished with dead leaves and algae; Two toilets to be shared located on the far end of a little road with a huge sintex tank with water outside;
Our accomodation (rather the cloak room) on top of a little hill making sure we climb a hill if we forget a towel or a soap. What wasn't told but was later found out was that we have company. Space wouldn't be a problem until you let them rest on you for sometime because they grow on you - LITERALLY! Leeches. Lots of them. My only images of Leeches is from the movie Anaconda-II where co-travellers gasp at a guy's back teeming with crawling vermins. Was quite surprised to see how small they actually are, and how fast they could grow (on someone else's hand!). Was granted closer examination of look and feel inside the loo in the worst possible position and time (when mobility is quite limited as you might agree)
All this and more were compensated amply by one pristine elixir - Water! Long long ago, a lean, chirpy 22 year old swimming ignoramus decided to try scuba diving in the Mediterranean resting his faith on the blond trainer and buoyant waves. Exactly 13 minutes and 42 seconds later, the oxygen valve slipped out his mouth and he had a whole sea for an evening drink (a little tangy, I should admit). Since then, he's stayed away from water because the moment he dips his head under water, he was practically reliving the whole experience. He didn't believe Nayan, those around him or even his own eyes. But by jolly! You actually float when you wear a life jacket. And soon you realize you are the thorpe-(do) and swish swash your arms around pretending to do back stroke (.. and the whole package!).


And now that you are comfortable with water, bring on the coracle and the canoe baby! The nearest island? Miles away? No problem! Hop in and we shall travel even to the stars (rowing our way through the milky way, wow! how romantic! :) And so rowed and rowed until we tired and bored. Nayan would then give us permission to jump into water and watch the heaven beyond the blinding rays.


The shower, which feels wonderful when you are in water doesn't really paint a pleasant sight when you are getting ready for a campfire in a deserted island. But we did go. Rowed our way to an island which is a forest with cleared spaces like bald spots right on top. We set up our tents, found whatever firewood was dry in the forest and burnt effigies of rafi, kishore kumar in a game called Anthakshari. 8 o clock - hot dinner (hunted and barbecued wished I, but packaged and carried unfortunately) served in open spaces that were surprisingly warm.


Another day of rowing and swimming after that. By noon, when we left we had enough fun for a weekend! Brief stops in Jog and Sagar. Some more photos ("cheese please" moments reminding me of those days in school where they make you stand on green benches and take a classroom photograph, the flash going just when you are eyeing the girl in the row below!).

The best thing, as always was company. Most of the faces there were unknown and now after the trip we are not chuddi buddies. But excellent sense of humor, wonderful company for adventure and very affable! What more would one need in a trip!

In keeping with the tradition of long posts, here's 7000 words more. If the link doesn't work http://photos.yahoo.com/on3rdjuly > Honnemarudu.

Ensoy!