The Year that was - 2014

Roomies at Room No 8, Left to Right, Neha, Mariko, Bijoli, Me, Amri, Ela and Jeny

The year would have begun on a sad note when I was still fuming from last month’s arguments and my behavior. But God had something better in mind! On the very first day, I went for a drive to
Mahabaleshwar. And travelling on very first day marked this year as Year of travelling for me.

Team Wanderers at Mengjai Hill

Then came first weekend and after a long time Team Wanderers had the first re-union at
Mengjai hill. And then came second weekend and I lived through another dream of climbing Harishachandragad via Nalichi wat. This route to get atop Harishachandragad mountain is said to be one of the toughest  routes. Highlight of this trek was also that I was only lady with a crowd of some 30 gentlemen.

Then I put stay as a metro was awaiting my arrival.

On February 1, 2014, I left for Kolkata for my rakhi-brother- Samrat’s wedding. Here I stayed with a typical Bengali family. Understanding the customs and day today life of a Bengali family was a very
enriching experience as human being. It only made me more Indian. Typically I only understood that love given is always returned triple fold. After a week spent entirely in suburbs of Kolkata I returned
home on 9 Feb 2014.

The top of Salher Fort

It was during the train journey back home, my inward journey began. This was the time to
grow as person and standing up for what I was. I was not happy with my job. It was killing me fast. There was a war going on between, mind and heart.

Meantime on the weekend of 15 - 16 February, I went for a trek to Maharashtra’s highest fort, Salher and other 4 forts ( Salota, Hargad, Mulher, Mora) near it.



During the war between mind and heart, I finally quit my job on 20th February. I utilized my time best in terms of hiking and exercising. Month of March saw me in mountains at Mangalgad and Rajgad(again!)

In April, I met my long lost friend Vasota and Babukada through Nageshwar. This was accompanied by Govalkot at Chiplun and Junglee Jaigad near Koyana Nagar.

I also went to Vasai fort and then another long time dream came true with a trek into Kundalika Valley.

This year also took me to a kid's camp at Koyana Backwaters as an outdoor expert. Once back home, Torana called me urgently before April ended.

Riki had been sick since this Torana trek. And thus I reduced my outings and treks. Yet, I went to Lonavala for searching route to a mountain and to Gorakhgad and Sandhan Valley.

With the Ferrari already sold, this Monk had only one journey to take, The journey to
center of my heart which is always a treacherous one. I took long three months to reach my destination. On 1st June 2014, Zenith Odysseys was born and became the center of my existence.

On 16th June, I attended a family function with Riki which turned out to be his last. I went for couple of other minor treks of Vairatgad and Pandavgad.

Now, it was time for launching Zenith Odysseys with her maiden trek to Kalsubai on June 21 2014.

Zenith's second trek was to Karnala which did not go that well. And as August barged in, I left for my heavenly travel to Ladakh, Date was 3 August 2014. I returned on 16 August only to repent my decision.

Ladakh Story Part I

Ladakh Story Part II

Ladakh Story Part III

Ladakh Story Part IV

Ladakh Fact File and Trivia bits

Riki passed away on 20th September.

Less than a month after this I went on with fulfilling another dream of Basic Mountaineering Course at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, 13 Oct 2014.

Graduates of HMI BMC 304

On our way back from Base camp to the Institiute we spent a day in Yuksom. I met few of the Golden hearts here and have the confidence that this friendship will last all life long. I graduated as a Basic Mountaineer on 10 November 2014 and returned home on 13 November 2014 after spending sometime in Kolkata. By the time I returned, it was wedding season and two of my cousins, one each on either side ( maternal & paternal) were ready to get married. After all the chaos, I returned home on 5 December.

Flamingos at Bhigwan

I had spent so much of time outside that I felt as if I have moved to a new home. With all the changes happening in my life, I moved to my room after almost 4 years .

On 18 December, I along with few friends went to Bhigwan, Dont ask why, bird watching is not part of my life. This was followed by Trek to Kailasgad with my best people. This is so very much part of my life.

Now I am looking forward to the last weekend of the year with a party on rooftop with my cousins and a celebration of New Year with my close ones.

This year was really too good in terms of travelling & personal Growth. I fulfilled a lot of dreams and started dreaming a few new ones.

2015 onward, my trek and travel stories will be published Gypsy Princess and this blog will hold stories of my experiences.