tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6105482628253765512024-03-18T03:30:45.934-07:00A Cup Of Coffee (C)Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-90821928672373436332022-06-29T10:34:00.023-07:002022-06-29T10:39:07.951-07:00Kedarnath - A note of gratitude<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Longing to visit Kedarnath has been for years. I would be in tears seeing the pictures of this sacred place on instagram and little did I know I would go there soon, and on an auspicious day, HIS birthday, Tera May.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqI8XFlU1ZRLscMG4O3VMl2FIIS_gJbJ6llapi7oQ91BLhh5wSOP2WeYxc6HTfQuT8GupMC7tyqlBAX3F5ccBEFX3RR-nfU7903_7o5nvEbClhlHVFkebyT0bE4WYf0ui-vnG9Cqea59ZeKKbQVnLwIacShFy4d_9ZN2CmeP1OvUT76mR_nlR9r4g/s3088/IMG_1158.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqI8XFlU1ZRLscMG4O3VMl2FIIS_gJbJ6llapi7oQ91BLhh5wSOP2WeYxc6HTfQuT8GupMC7tyqlBAX3F5ccBEFX3RR-nfU7903_7o5nvEbClhlHVFkebyT0bE4WYf0ui-vnG9Cqea59ZeKKbQVnLwIacShFy4d_9ZN2CmeP1OvUT76mR_nlR9r4g/w400-h300/IMG_1158.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kedarnath Dham</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I left Rishikesh on the 9th May, the plan was to stay in Ukhimath for a couple of days and figure out where I go next. But I had change of plans and Tunganath happened. I realised later that Tunganath was on my go-to list too. When I reached the temple, I looked around the small sanctum, soaking in all that was around, I sat in a corner for good few minutes and touched the walls of this ancient temple in pure admiration. The temple is simple yet captivating. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwH2cTtOB2FraCQulvepSXQ72ByXe_IEhb71h88jFMP26T0KZmraWKKGtnu6jX0jAjDtxQKKf1Y2KsNOqfxTARKrWZSe-jt2rbv8HMC8hAIdIUt89wuMV6sYvJBPjqANPkwsbGCffOOVDEZdGOtzxvbx19hx_KXX_K0uCYQ1EUJ7caD1cVdTddVof/s1481/IMG_1477.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwH2cTtOB2FraCQulvepSXQ72ByXe_IEhb71h88jFMP26T0KZmraWKKGtnu6jX0jAjDtxQKKf1Y2KsNOqfxTARKrWZSe-jt2rbv8HMC8hAIdIUt89wuMV6sYvJBPjqANPkwsbGCffOOVDEZdGOtzxvbx19hx_KXX_K0uCYQ1EUJ7caD1cVdTddVof/s320/IMG_1477.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tunganath Temple, Chopta</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After Tunganath, I was all the more eager to head to Kedarnath. Mentally. Physically I was very tired. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since the number of piligrims flocking towards Kedarnath were uncontrollable, there were rumours about the temple being closed for 3 days, 4 days, 10 days and what not. This news, did not, even for once, question my decision to head towards Sonaprayag. Yes the weather is a factor which is not in anyone’s control, the flash floods in 2013 is still fresh in our minds but something inside me was so sure and at the same time kept praying that the walk and temple remains open. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My health was yet another thing I was feeling would challenge me from doing the walk. I had not done a long walk for ages. My knee had a hard time walking down from Tunganath to Chopta. It was so bad that when I reached Sonaprayag around 9 pm, I could hardly walk without moving my leg crookedly so that it doesn’t pain. I had also picked up a stomach bug on my previous travel and it would show up every now and then. A 20 km walk without a toilet break was something I had to be prepared for (JFYI, there are toilets on the way but the usability is highly questionable) </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I still remember, that moment when I stepped out of my room at 3 am the next morning, wondering if I start the walk or stay another day for the body to heal. It was still dark but noisy on the street. Many had started their walk already and looking at them, it struck, that its not the fitness or the gears that would take me or anyone up there. It is only one thing that would, and that’s, faith. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I started my walk at 5 am from Gauri Kund. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Weather gods knew what’s best for me and had managed to set the scene perfectly. Nice clear day, not too sunny, not too cold. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l5b8JpiPM5eu2FjAC-DxZNNkaD6tgYyLU-Lr9pDlddNptfDv4oIxoppMyCSLsAUjVb3csk2r3xTjincn5Vqv4j8WShqpaVCn1UO5NQ8gft3VjgGS0MGqNVFVlwHIJNhcNe2XLHgrQqvOaZ3x8FMEiicw_PtIMI_P1aRZE4IzUADHMJGu5bHIdItE/s4032/IMG_1146.HEIC" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l5b8JpiPM5eu2FjAC-DxZNNkaD6tgYyLU-Lr9pDlddNptfDv4oIxoppMyCSLsAUjVb3csk2r3xTjincn5Vqv4j8WShqpaVCn1UO5NQ8gft3VjgGS0MGqNVFVlwHIJNhcNe2XLHgrQqvOaZ3x8FMEiicw_PtIMI_P1aRZE4IzUADHMJGu5bHIdItE/w240-h320/IMG_1146.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">River Mandakini gushing beneath your feet, accompanies you pretty much all the way up.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The knee pain seemed to have disappeared even though it felt like I dint get any rest last night. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was half way (10 kms into the walk), I felt this is all I could do. I cannot walk another step. I thought some food might help. Up until now I was only munching on salt roasted channa. I stopped for a Aloo paratha which instilled some energy for sure. I resumed my walk. But the walk was only getting harder with every step. And the climb got steeper from here. There was no way I would hope on a horse or dholi or basket. My only option was to walk. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I knew it wasn’t going get any easier so the only option left was to get stronger. Luckily, being HIS pataka guddi always been my biggest strength. Mind is indeed a powerful tool, and HE tools to encash that power always comes in handy. From here on, something pushed me up.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was 1230 pm when I reached the temple. I wept like a child for 30 mins. I was excited too and called my husband but had to hung up halfway because I wasn’t able to speak a word. It was a blissful afternoon and I could just sit there forever. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EFELJIYUpNP6WkwBHP5V0UnZdu9q5I1hgYuGUNGrc2D8G5tv9vwohrR1FIvvME1GAD6z92ZBWR_WCFSyhIubZYSKiOiLRfWmqSmbHXGEyj9Kfm6nUkTPIfkVbubTL8jBXHvA_mYB4xiNyfJ1_FKitoyaH2vXkqpd13xASGAY-hhOaaoAvyD0lpkL/s4032/IMG_1199.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EFELJIYUpNP6WkwBHP5V0UnZdu9q5I1hgYuGUNGrc2D8G5tv9vwohrR1FIvvME1GAD6z92ZBWR_WCFSyhIubZYSKiOiLRfWmqSmbHXGEyj9Kfm6nUkTPIfkVbubTL8jBXHvA_mYB4xiNyfJ1_FKitoyaH2vXkqpd13xASGAY-hhOaaoAvyD0lpkL/s320/IMG_1199.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I managed to get the darshan twice in the evening. Never enough, for the inside of the temple is pure magic. It captivates all of you. The evening Aarthi is like his Tandav, mystic and mesmerising. The energy levels are hightened and very palpable. One can meditate with open eyes here. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_TFSHYo9JVYqUmgDlSjYJHikIwmEaI1X_rF7vG-NK8hJrbIrFsj4ZpH0lLEtw40rTTnY5Zipc4R0WNu1UPitZAjaUWDLXXTDic2ZFQdxl0RDaTiKpgf-liPCEgvjyej2LVpHSAAH91lHN9F_QnYXIbOk6yFEklR_6pcQQuhReTHIRhEjQ5oKcQvP/s4032/IMG_1174.HEIC" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_TFSHYo9JVYqUmgDlSjYJHikIwmEaI1X_rF7vG-NK8hJrbIrFsj4ZpH0lLEtw40rTTnY5Zipc4R0WNu1UPitZAjaUWDLXXTDic2ZFQdxl0RDaTiKpgf-liPCEgvjyej2LVpHSAAH91lHN9F_QnYXIbOk6yFEklR_6pcQQuhReTHIRhEjQ5oKcQvP/w400-h300/IMG_1174.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sri Adi Shankaracharya's Samadhi</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Bheema rock, behind the temple, is a proof of HIS eternal protection. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On HIS birthday, the 13th May, I joined a long darshan line at 445 am. The temple opens at 430 am. It was 8 am when I reached the temple. The wait was joyful. Watching the first ray of sun touching the snow peaks, the glittering slopes of ice, like HIS armour made of gold. It was beyond just beautiful. HIS adobe is not something anyone can describe in words. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xWOP0Pmwq2qyooUopzQ3x3eRpfG9l3dd661Cp1QqQvu6LZBEjfLq2Dc2iWuALoYxry5fFAjrk5A5T-p7r5ziIWLeyTSGniwnXn8gxJb3cU_CK98CcwOie-W_1fd7L2cOi4BNjhJ0R2HewfffUUAN0RrC3rY5Qr7L26FBKAeRUGgDHaztkD4e3d0T/s4032/IMG_1181.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6xWOP0Pmwq2qyooUopzQ3x3eRpfG9l3dd661Cp1QqQvu6LZBEjfLq2Dc2iWuALoYxry5fFAjrk5A5T-p7r5ziIWLeyTSGniwnXn8gxJb3cU_CK98CcwOie-W_1fd7L2cOi4BNjhJ0R2HewfffUUAN0RrC3rY5Qr7L26FBKAeRUGgDHaztkD4e3d0T/w400-h300/IMG_1181.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I entered the temple this time and stood in front of the shiv ling, the bear lingam is so powerful that I experienced a jolt of energy in my body, which at the same time, felt like an innocent, pure consciousness. It was like a gentle greetings from HIM. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDeU7KMk7V4OxOeZ2r3vLfQucmFjUQ_8XkyA0YlKoPLkrsjOrQe9CtWzU_wjyZdNF9bQASsVkno_vlLSEfmL623S3DQQntp610TKfDAVwzOkVsuUVvwbG7rq8ocMTOYmKTS3PXwPD-GG37l3q6qHk3skcx7RSfvZkeEod-45tPrLZAPChY4W2EPaK/s4032/IMG_1202.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDeU7KMk7V4OxOeZ2r3vLfQucmFjUQ_8XkyA0YlKoPLkrsjOrQe9CtWzU_wjyZdNF9bQASsVkno_vlLSEfmL623S3DQQntp610TKfDAVwzOkVsuUVvwbG7rq8ocMTOYmKTS3PXwPD-GG37l3q6qHk3skcx7RSfvZkeEod-45tPrLZAPChY4W2EPaK/w400-h300/IMG_1202.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When it was time to leave, I stopped my walk after a kilometre, unable to continue any further. The emotions welling up once again. And I blabbered to myself, something I wouldn’t understand, but mostly tears rolling down in gratitude. Not wanting to leave this ecstatic place, I questioned, Why. And pat came the answer, HE himself won’t stay here all year my dear. Imagine what would HE experience when it's time to leave HIS adobe come winters. I left with that answer. Feeling extremely grateful. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lots of Love</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">P.S., For most it won’t, but if the mind is stuck figuring out whether I address Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar or Lord Shiva as HE/HIM/HIS, see if you can drop it. If not, probe into it. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More love. </span></p>Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-88656705427534481942019-02-05T10:54:00.001-08:002019-02-05T20:12:16.475-08:00Nadi Pariksha (Pulse check) - story of a miracle at 4 am<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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06 February 2019<br />
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Its 4 am and my body woke in pain. The whole of my lower back mainly the base of the spine in excruciating pain.<br />
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I first noticed a slight pain yesterday as soon as I woke up. It wasn't very bad, I could still do my regular yoga practice, sat through for 8 or more hours at work and then little more running around into the evening, by which the pain had considerably gone up. By bed time, I was hardly able to get up or sit still and was walking like a penguin. I left a message to my sister who is a healer to do her magic.<br />
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And come this morning, I was immobile. Even the slightest thought of moving my lower body was painful. When I touched my lower back, I felt a chill raising up the spine. I have never had such pain or anything closer so far in my entire life. In distress I reached out to my phone to read my sister's response that she was very sick and she cannot heal in such conditions as the sickness could transfer to me. Staying miles away from family and not knowing anyone around who can rightly point me to the root of it, made me anxious.<br />
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At wee hours of morning, in the peak of New Zealand summer, I could not think of any reasons which could have caused this acute pain. In my head, I was skimming through the last few days trying to figure out what could have led me to this. Did I not sleep in the right position, was it during the yoga or gym or the usual culprit, my sitting posture at work. I was clueless & started listening to hymns which gives me some calm. I texted couple of people asking for blessings which came right away. In utter helplessness, I also texted my Nadi Vaidya (Pulse doctor) whom I consult on a regular basis. I get my pulse checked when I go to India and on few occasions she had done it over the phone. I was hoping she could do that again.<br />
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I have shared our conversation below. These pictures will do better justice than my words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlqXGym5cYVMhVtqLrTv-qq8K8naRrf5xF9_aWeVw6jZj9xMaeH8Dtbb6NCvAPj0LuAFZu-NTTQTfz1i1InpD-UbJXqZLGneW1UmrPiX6c7fPzW6u3Z3GqeYrPIbjgLTo5337ZX758aY/s1600/Nadi1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1284" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlqXGym5cYVMhVtqLrTv-qq8K8naRrf5xF9_aWeVw6jZj9xMaeH8Dtbb6NCvAPj0LuAFZu-NTTQTfz1i1InpD-UbJXqZLGneW1UmrPiX6c7fPzW6u3Z3GqeYrPIbjgLTo5337ZX758aY/s400/Nadi1.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you're amazed by what you just read, I'm with you. She din't even need to call me. I had only heard that with siddhis (special powers) one could connect to the other person from even miles away, well, my turn to experience it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx3TMYUuWW7pEViyDv8qTI8UA2LIgYaJUEjdAhE76imuLl31Z19vjI4ZK5LkyLxufTP8UE-YALGx82yeuAJ6mTYjyd8U5QrP8OcC936T16OD0x5z-ntNPwsZFAjiGhxArL2CfuL5exFM/s1600/Nadi2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1281" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx3TMYUuWW7pEViyDv8qTI8UA2LIgYaJUEjdAhE76imuLl31Z19vjI4ZK5LkyLxufTP8UE-YALGx82yeuAJ6mTYjyd8U5QrP8OcC936T16OD0x5z-ntNPwsZFAjiGhxArL2CfuL5exFM/s400/Nadi2.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I was not only able to move my legs, like I said, I was completely surprised that I could do 3 rounds of Pavanmukthasan (Wind relieving pose) which helped me sit up in Vajrasan (Kneeling position sitting on heels). I did a good 5 minutes of Vayu mudra, Vayu (air) mudra (hand gesture) which as the words say helps to regulate and reduce air element in the body.<br />
<br />
In a matter of 1 hour, the pain which did not let me move a millimeter had now calmed. All the margaritas, wheat noodles and raw veggies over the last few days had created Vata dosha (air imbalance) which directly affected my movement.<br />
<br />
Although I was aware of the power of Yoga (in its wholesome sense which includes Ayurveda, Postures, Breathing techniques, Meditation and a plethora of holistic sciences and sustainable living), today I had a first hand opportunity of experiencing it at a much deeper level.<br />
<br />
For now, I am still walking like a penguin, need support to stand up, but at the same time still in disbelief that I'm able to sit up and write this post. 60 minutes and the energy had complete transformation. As this was to me, nothing less than a miracle.<br />
<br />
With all my love & gratitude for all those who directly and indirectly helped me on this mission and to this incredible knowledge floating around us, I wish you all good health, peace and prosperity.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Antaraathma<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-11782307106922153832018-05-29T04:26:00.002-07:002018-05-29T17:16:51.819-07:00Sustainable Menstruation <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This post is about - Why and How, I made the transition from using cloth to pads, to tampons and to
menstrual cup.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZVmNM37ZdDQSnsk-9lTdAh3Bs7Wu2DDVXRl3Lhl4TOEEQUrgeom9VU4rgDPsuMRPP8UPrke0krFmsg09bKbAlLWKV_1jzD1hN1_z4Tgy8U1jqPxKLCPPF8i2jpx3tthyphenhyphenJ5bebfofV0o/s1600/menstrual-cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZVmNM37ZdDQSnsk-9lTdAh3Bs7Wu2DDVXRl3Lhl4TOEEQUrgeom9VU4rgDPsuMRPP8UPrke0krFmsg09bKbAlLWKV_1jzD1hN1_z4Tgy8U1jqPxKLCPPF8i2jpx3tthyphenhyphenJ5bebfofV0o/s400/menstrual-cups.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Since the age of 15, I have been told to use the pads because it was considered more
hygienic than using cloth to collect the period flow. So for more than 15 years
now, without questioning this myth, I have been sticking in a pad which comes
wrapped in colourful papers, sprayed with pleasant scent and few even patched with
floral designs on their inside. It felt heavenly to be switching from clothes
to pads, because it needed no washing. Use and throw was the trend then. It was
easy to ignore the plastic going down the drain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have to thank the whole interlude of Padman movie and the volume of conversations
it spurred on Social Media around Menstruation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I came across menstrual cups on one such posts and was very intrigued.
Trust me, inserting anything external into my vagina, till then sounded very
bizarre and freaky. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I spent days exploring/reading/discussing about this whole new
discovery. It instantly rang a bell for two main reasons. One, Sanitary pads,
obverse to my understanding, turns out to be very dangerous to your vaginal
health. Two, sanitary pads take centuries to disintegrate. Not sure if they
ever even decompose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Let me just scratch the surface and highlight the impacts of Sanitary
Pads on Health and Environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Health</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The impact of Sanitary pads and tampons range from skin rashes to infertility
to cervical and ovarian cancer on a long run. The commonly used chemicals
include dioxins, cellulose gel and plastic components in majority. Few
manufacturers use harmful pesticides and herbicides as bleaches. It takes no
effort for these chemicals to enter the blood stream as they are directly
exposed to the vagina.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ONptvJl88JXBHckbw4ya46NcWw7sO4ZrNAa0SljHCfhom9hramUSksh8CS9IFBG2ItC8q11Zu8AOqdHQ2RHh2Eksu4guk9NgMLETsi066k-8fsuClQ0xV-rlaCOGpkyxtu5H3xUcxQ/s1600/cup7.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4ONptvJl88JXBHckbw4ya46NcWw7sO4ZrNAa0SljHCfhom9hramUSksh8CS9IFBG2ItC8q11Zu8AOqdHQ2RHh2Eksu4guk9NgMLETsi066k-8fsuClQ0xV-rlaCOGpkyxtu5H3xUcxQ/s400/cup7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Composition of a Sanitary Pad, taken from google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Environment</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A quick math highlighted, I was dumping 20-30 cotton pads which is made
of 90% plastic with varied doses of superabsorbent gels, every month, which
comes up to approx. 360 pads every year. Now let me NOT go any further
multiplying this number with number of years, number of women population using
pads and stuff. I am so sure that the number is massive and alarming. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here is to give you a glimpse of the journey of these pads, the raw
materials are mostly petroleum products and bleached wood pulp. There are treated
with several chemicals to make it hygienic and is dressed up in colourful
pouches. Only to sit under your vagina collecting all the period flow, and
eventually end up in a landfill. They easily take centuries to disintegrate
which means all the pads that you once used as a 15-year-old are still intact
in some corner of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is NOT fun at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Uz85QVhDDOhbt42B2LiJvxMKoy9GL24fhWlxFLV3B_VwwnDI7HfWkRr3SfTMZy7taVgTH2ZCU12YcSCJlMu3-zlIXRDqHNc-bH6JLRd5OaczpEMpHQ6yRUNqIyDJxtAcksQs9riKeU/s1600/cup4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1056" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88Uz85QVhDDOhbt42B2LiJvxMKoy9GL24fhWlxFLV3B_VwwnDI7HfWkRr3SfTMZy7taVgTH2ZCU12YcSCJlMu3-zlIXRDqHNc-bH6JLRd5OaczpEMpHQ6yRUNqIyDJxtAcksQs9riKeU/s400/cup4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some more statistics, taken from google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">So, what are the eco-friendly menstrual options out there<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Cotton pads/tampons<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Though I had switched to cotton pads/tampons which are lot less harmful
to your body, they are still dangerous to the environment unless they are
disposed in a sanitary disposal unit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Cloth Pads<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The conventional cloth pads are certainly eco-friendly and hygienic,
however, the process of washing and drying them in sunlight is essential and a
task. It’s bigger a task while you’re traveling. Inspite of being an
environment freak, the idea of switching back to cloth pad was NOT something I
was ready for just yet. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Menstrual Cups<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is a flexible silicone or latex rubber cup which collects your period
blood. They are folded to insert into your vagina, springs open and rests
against the vaginal wall. Inserting and removing the cup involves some learning
curve, and when inserted correctly, it is hardly noticeable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">As a first step, I switched to cotton tampons with applicators, later to
tampons without applicators and once I got a hang of inserting it, I was ready
to try the cup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k0eA1J13ChxrLnq2NNJDuWgQbgX0i_XlFAagjzrXiod9m-_-9qKhxLYdfvLTMUFIsTpYSOTJE_WmrZiK9U6koqG1HQ2Zree4LbyTN5rQZ4xI-if3DI2y19r4h-M8HIzgi9RvqxcVCqc/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k0eA1J13ChxrLnq2NNJDuWgQbgX0i_XlFAagjzrXiod9m-_-9qKhxLYdfvLTMUFIsTpYSOTJE_WmrZiK9U6koqG1HQ2Zree4LbyTN5rQZ4xI-if3DI2y19r4h-M8HIzgi9RvqxcVCqc/s400/cup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Few hilarious experiences,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-AU">I was, on one of the attempts, searching for my own
hole. That's how ignorant I was about my own body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-AU">For some strange reason, I always thought having an active sex life will make it easier to insert the cup. But NO, it doesn’t
matter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-AU">The first time I was inserting the cup, I realised the
value of the F word. I freaked out the first few seconds, but wasn't giving up.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">I'm sure there will be heaps of reasons/stories stuck in the mind. It's all OK. Trust me, these are just assumptions/crazy ideas we carry in our heads. Time to break them all. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Few advices that helped me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Finding the RIGHT CUP IS THE KEY. There are heaps of
forums where you can find one that works for you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Fingering yourself to understand the vaginal track
helps manoeuvring the cup in and out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Using a lube (I use a good quality coconut oil) makes
inserting lot easier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Drink lot of water. This is because, when you insert
an external object into your body, it may cause irritation. Water keeps your
internal system hydrated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">ALWAYS wash your hands before using the cup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Cut your nails, else a scratch on your inside pains like
hell. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Follow the cleaning instructions carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Get used to seeing your period blood up close. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Talk about it to friends/family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIfaBks6uRzmQA0Ujak_-52keF7sIGEiwQqxZmVjb3FcG38wKGCTZSSzWsU4g7iOXo5ehGx4t_Z-EFf-r3AH5D5DinGt7fVhWcO27yH0ES5QuzmVTRrHqrfzeoIdKlP87U3Q9gAnAVTA/s1600/cup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="591" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIfaBks6uRzmQA0Ujak_-52keF7sIGEiwQqxZmVjb3FcG38wKGCTZSSzWsU4g7iOXo5ehGx4t_Z-EFf-r3AH5D5DinGt7fVhWcO27yH0ES5QuzmVTRrHqrfzeoIdKlP87U3Q9gAnAVTA/s400/cup3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from google images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pros</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Reusable (one cup for the whole period)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Cost effective in a long run (cups can be used for
years)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small; text-indent: -18pt;">Cleaning is fairly easy (remove - rinse - reinsert)
and sterilise in boiling water before and after every period</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">You’ll understand your vagina better<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Forget those rashes, pain, stain (even after an
intense yoga session)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-AU">Can be worn for long durations (up to 12 hours) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cons</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was hard to say good bye to long nails which I fancied so much. Yo ladies, if you love your nails, I'm sorry, you gotta get rid of them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Final words,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have never felt so good about Periods before this. It feels truly
empowering and liberating switching to cups. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I wrote this post with an intention to reach this message to more women
out there. Please don’t hesitate to share this with friends and family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I found some of these links useful,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://www.menstrupedia.com/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://www.menstrupedia.com/</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://youtu.be/_G87oBd6rOw"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://youtu.be/_G87oBd6rOw</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainablemenstruation/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/sustainablemenstruation/</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://menstrualcup.co/blog/"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://menstrualcup.co/blog/</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/zero-waste-periods-menstrual-cup"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/zero-waste-periods-menstrual-cup</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://lunette.co.nz/">https://lunette.co.nz/</a></span></span></div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-53079054688786306862018-03-09T02:28:00.002-08:002018-05-18T18:45:30.510-07:00Stories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently joined a Whatsapp group. The same group which I had left few years ago for some forgotten-for-good reason. This group has few of my really good friends with whom I have spent good 10 years now. With my plans to move to india in near future, joining the group sounded really exciting. It was almost like a virtual home coming for me. Not that I wasn't in touch with them individually, but I always thought bigger the number, better the fun.<br />
<br />
But Haaaaang on... I was completely wrong on this.<br />
<br />
This is what happened, I joined this group and said my greetings. Minutes pass. NONE of them replied. Not believing my own eyes, I kept looking at my phone for an acknowledgement. Hours pass. NONE came. Bewildered I was, I kept checking anyone has even read the text, only to see all 20 have read but NONE responded. After feeling the initial phase of butterflies in the stomach which turned into anger, frustration and insult, I collected myself and stopped there before I made any judgements about MY friends.<br />
<br />
Thoughts fly left, right and centre.<br />
<br />
More than feeling let down by people, I stopped and wondered what could have caused this sort of reaction from people. This event stayed with me for a long time. I refused to give up on it, for one, it was the most unexpected thing, second, I was jobless. LOL. I chewed on this so much that, soon, it was not about the group and my friends anymore. It was about empathy and the dynamics of today's lifestyle around it.<br />
<br />
By now, I had done some research around the psychology of SM and its impact on our lives. However I was still struggling in my mind to find an explanation to, according to me, a dangerous stage of (r)evolution. Just when I thought I was straying lost like a headless chicken, and was giving upon this exercise, I found this amazing video by Rabia Kapoor.<br />
<br />
Watch the video - <a href="https://youtu.be/qHVColObQJs">https://youtu.be/qHVColObQJs</a><br />
<br />
Rabia talks about how caught up we are in this generation of Internet. I highly recommend you to watch this video if you're reading this post and still not arrived at the conclusion that I've lost it. Being an active Social Media member myself, every word spoken in this video is very very powerful and eye-opening.<br />
<br />
Few lines, which resonated with me, quite literally were these -<br />
<br />
* "We are living such carefully manipulated virtual lives that, sometimes, we end up envying ourselves."<br />
Yes, this has happened to me lately and I have almost freaked out. This is ... SCARY.<br />
<br />
* "We have felt indestructible and vulnerable at the same time."<br />
<br />
* "Where you can reveal yourselves completely and still be able to hid."<br />
<br />
* "We watched each man becoming an island in so many ways."<br />
<br />
* "Stories generate empathy, between any two people who can as different as can be, if one is a story teller and the other is a story told."<br />
This is where she sets the scene for me to find what I was looking for.<br />
<br />
* "Stories make us to empathise with people and situations that we never would have been able to otherwise."<br />
<br />
* "We live in world where everything moves so fast. People are so busy. You don't get time to tell your stories and worse, you don't get to listen to theirs."<br />
I got my ANSWERS. Somewhere down the line, we have stopped telling our stories and have restricted our conversations to small talks.<br />
<br />
* "Law and Rules will hit you from outside, a story gets you from within."<br />
<br />
After this video, I rested my case but not the story.<br />
<br />
I prayed that our stories don't die out untold.<br />
<br />
Tell your story.</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-58224758139392504622018-01-06T22:49:00.000-08:002018-01-06T02:18:04.079-08:00It's time for a comeback!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
06 January 2018<br />
<br />
I’ve have been wanting to write this post for a while, in fact I’ve been wanting to write. Write about many things. I wasn’t at my best self as a writer over the last few years. Not just in terms of having a right frame of mind to write but also about having the discipline to write. It requires lot of discipline and commitment to write, I’m sure all bloggers out there will agree with this.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Thanks to some people and few events that made this happen. It feels like a comeback for me at this stage to my blog and writing in general. Though Instagram became an easy and trendy platform to express myself, I constantly wished that I could do more. Having said this, I knew very well that writing cannot be forced and it had to happen with time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
In the meantime, journaling my travels felt monotonous. I’m not meaning to say, I won’t write about travels anymore. I even today agree that writing about my journeys is the best way to relive and preserve those memories for a long time. I will definitely continue to share those immensely fulfilling travel stories. However, I don’t want this blog to be just that.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I’m visualising that this blog go beyond this realm of my Identity, my perceptions of life, my idea of right and wrong, my analysis. May this place be a ground for all ideas, rants of the self, at different layers of existence, without any doership. May this be a portrayal of the rest of my journey as I let Nature to drive the show. I lay my life at its doorstep with complete trust in its planning, timing and execution.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
On this pursuit of purpose and meaning of this life, may these expressions show me with time, my naivety, my flaws and the hysteric dance of this life. As I make this journey towards a better self, may these rants help me understand the pettiness of everything and allow me to merge with the higher self.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
On a lighter note, I’m NOT on marijuana or any spirit while writing this. Well, I’m never on it for sure. Just bear with my random rants and I promise you will love this ride as much as I do.<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="p1">
Action items, finish what you started Sahana. Long due posts on last year's Road trip will be there soon.</div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-29083024145520697522017-08-13T02:37:00.002-07:002017-08-13T02:37:51.152-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 13<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
4 January 2017<br />
<br />
Sunny day finally!!<br />
<br />
I woke to a stunning morning, the view of the beach, outside the window, in the dazzling hot sun was a real stunner. I could hear the sound of the waves as I sat on my upper bunk bed. I dint want to move, for everything around was so beautiful and cozy. I scribbled something in my book and stayed in until I saw the girl below my bed was pulling out a placard to write her next destination.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKKmeJax0CyNnjPNMcBiPf5D8ozlxcfywlLkhHNZoEYlqAN_6vo73huIXz-bv6gaKex65YfYq5ePaU7nAT-SxCZO_YQaM9tEwPJkm4HuZerZfI88l1yWoKpSECxL6qq167e02x-qZKFo/s1600/IMG_0402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKKmeJax0CyNnjPNMcBiPf5D8ozlxcfywlLkhHNZoEYlqAN_6vo73huIXz-bv6gaKex65YfYq5ePaU7nAT-SxCZO_YQaM9tEwPJkm4HuZerZfI88l1yWoKpSECxL6qq167e02x-qZKFo/s400/IMG_0402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cape Kidnappers on a cloudy day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3nNGJTGnr6XiGXScx58bxCs9AGKgZgCOe5_ukSaR0L0EJUr3wZ6enVjZ6x3RknYqL0TAVPKpnKtLCsrT-SWkuEOMojJ1wAIjvEexHRHycT2QG9Rsr8xzBOqgj2iWWw4b1OZ2qFYNf1M/s1600/IMG_0449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3nNGJTGnr6XiGXScx58bxCs9AGKgZgCOe5_ukSaR0L0EJUr3wZ6enVjZ6x3RknYqL0TAVPKpnKtLCsrT-SWkuEOMojJ1wAIjvEexHRHycT2QG9Rsr8xzBOqgj2iWWw4b1OZ2qFYNf1M/s400/IMG_0449.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cape Kidnappers on a sunny day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I asked her where she was heading. She said, she was doing the Cape Kidnappers walk and after 10 am there were low tides. I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at it again, on a sunny day like this. So we thought we could together. I checked out of the hotel and go into my car. Not far off, there were two boys waiting for a ride. They hoped in with their huge backpacks. The small car was now fully loaded and still doing quite well. They got off at Clive, not too far from where they joined but we had to turn left.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCe8PzUjJpGH1yvxnjsbriV9QhIfDC_EC9zub7H9ILv48ui0nrMwDjL9Uxk-h9FJHz9OUnLRIYXWgNHo4xN-QjVdfmkjmma926a91MRDo95CRJY-h40cpx7lnZIJlNvxpOYze6aHg690/s1600/IMG_0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCe8PzUjJpGH1yvxnjsbriV9QhIfDC_EC9zub7H9ILv48ui0nrMwDjL9Uxk-h9FJHz9OUnLRIYXWgNHo4xN-QjVdfmkjmma926a91MRDo95CRJY-h40cpx7lnZIJlNvxpOYze6aHg690/s400/IMG_0453.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Lovely sky over Napier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From here, we parked our at the parking lot and started walking towards the beginning of the walk along the shore. The place looked completely different and so much more colorful than yesterday. The color of the sky and the water made all the difference. It's a shame, I could not do the walk as I had to drive a long way back to Turangi, but I was sure to come again to Napier and for this walk.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoDopKGbDtY4zZ-dP0MIRvfw_KL17xv7tYUpzEGYtninHVTt-S15ts3gaSWVlW_L13JetxpEAbIrp2nd2Wn-wWdYqgRVO-SEBMYGTB-Q-QDKUDpaW35atk6oSel0o6ESlQI0dyT4VW60/s1600/IMG_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoDopKGbDtY4zZ-dP0MIRvfw_KL17xv7tYUpzEGYtninHVTt-S15ts3gaSWVlW_L13JetxpEAbIrp2nd2Wn-wWdYqgRVO-SEBMYGTB-Q-QDKUDpaW35atk6oSel0o6ESlQI0dyT4VW60/s400/IMG_0459.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View along the drive from Napier to Taupo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I bid bye to my co-traveller from Canada but now a wellingtonian. I returned to Napier and then towards Taupo. I was soon joined by a french boy hitchhiking to go to Taupo. We started talking but soon realised that his English was like my French. We sat mute for the rest of the journey. The drive was so much smoother and lot more picturesque this time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxRqSRNxTnm1aK2fXGFamsWvBI1Sujxc8mhaRsI1VC0CsAZTDekILQkd2rL_eqw2-U9LNaA75ytFKhFY74LN1JdmKatpBH2w5bQjrLrGxaUAeg9H9vRKGmbC4dUV2zYSkj_rmAZ2KT7U/s1600/IMG_0464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxRqSRNxTnm1aK2fXGFamsWvBI1Sujxc8mhaRsI1VC0CsAZTDekILQkd2rL_eqw2-U9LNaA75ytFKhFY74LN1JdmKatpBH2w5bQjrLrGxaUAeg9H9vRKGmbC4dUV2zYSkj_rmAZ2KT7U/s400/IMG_0464.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Back in Taupo, the mountains where clearly visible</td></tr>
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Once again, I had time to stop at some lookout spots for a stretch and ate some food we had packed. I offered him some of my kichdi. Not sure if he liked it, he dint come back for more and ate his energy bar. We spoke once again, closer to Taupo, and figured out that he was also doing the Tongariro crossing and was staying in Turangi that night. I offered him to take him to the backpackers I was staying at and he was more than happy.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpkjhVLuKqvSxEefpDPxueJUDYt_v9oaexMSOJBOt-l6gmIP63QFxCgwjyKrTym9d7Ll0RPXdwJD2cDMTUO4MeNVUd5MAhggEM_iJEKruuRY24h14L8-uiXmctV284hTcdK3-VtjXsM0/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpkjhVLuKqvSxEefpDPxueJUDYt_v9oaexMSOJBOt-l6gmIP63QFxCgwjyKrTym9d7Ll0RPXdwJD2cDMTUO4MeNVUd5MAhggEM_iJEKruuRY24h14L8-uiXmctV284hTcdK3-VtjXsM0/s400/IMG_0473.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Taupo Lake</td></tr>
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Back at the lodge, once again buzzing with more people this time. All the rooms were pretty booked out. We prepared some lunch for tomorrow's walk, had an early dinner and the plan was to start at 4 am from the lodge. We made groups of 8 people each, two cars, each one parked at both ends of the walk. We walk from one end to the other so that we have a car to ride back to the start and then reach back. You'd end up paying 30 NZD just for the ride otherwise.<br />
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We were off to bed super early.</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-65950042005093154922017-08-10T02:08:00.002-07:002017-08-10T02:08:55.740-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
3 January 2017<br />
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Another beautiful day in Napier!!<br />
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The sky was more clear this morning. I wanted to go easy today, nothing elaborate. Cooked breakfast, read and leisurely spent the morning in the Youth Hostel lounge. I booked in for another night in Napier than driving any further.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8vLj5c76h66AWAXliYIrGXg9f7MRGAE6lm0ZPIA72it5hSYq-fWulmJa8mQ2f1v_98JIYbQ21l4MJzFgmKQg9tL-Y6Pbb7dqL23OrLNcNTc6op8N5wtQMHhcV7KbTmSOifsmquvsK5k/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8vLj5c76h66AWAXliYIrGXg9f7MRGAE6lm0ZPIA72it5hSYq-fWulmJa8mQ2f1v_98JIYbQ21l4MJzFgmKQg9tL-Y6Pbb7dqL23OrLNcNTc6op8N5wtQMHhcV7KbTmSOifsmquvsK5k/s400/IMG_0350.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injured penguins at the National Aquarium</td></tr>
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Visited the penguin feeding session at the aquarium. The little penguins were rescued from their habitats because of some injuries and are fed regularly by the staff. They were extremely cute creatures. Few too shy to come out of their nest and few others grabbing the food from your hands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjQL8jgDe8rAD6n_ISjVQ789XZyHOZ8tRWPS4XdXtvUVzGArRSCN-fE6_-X0kEUI_isE1Ytb0-jRh_f6H95mONZMh79BbO-SY8tCTEZWSQGb0pVmY6hW68YCiIt7Oa097xXqTvvTunzk/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjQL8jgDe8rAD6n_ISjVQ789XZyHOZ8tRWPS4XdXtvUVzGArRSCN-fE6_-X0kEUI_isE1Ytb0-jRh_f6H95mONZMh79BbO-SY8tCTEZWSQGb0pVmY6hW68YCiIt7Oa097xXqTvvTunzk/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Penguins are the National Aquarium </td></tr>
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It was so humid outside and I could go out in a T-shirt, finally felt like summer in New Zealand. I drove further south to Te Mata peak. It is a decent walk if you want to but I preferred driving all the way up and walked around from one hill to the other. The landscape was so unique with breathtaking views all around. On a clear day, one can see Mount Ruapehu towards West and Ruahine ranges down South. Not today though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ue64R2tL5QpCeoSCD6Elk2pw-rNZhbvup9G5qYC9lEiEqAMJfYTFMpndR3Ok7p1voRmgJu5cg-ZHY88qBP00Z9Pw_hYxQPKg1iTXGZHfgEeInFpuORqaidtyh7b1vA8jkRPlTkEZ5gI/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ue64R2tL5QpCeoSCD6Elk2pw-rNZhbvup9G5qYC9lEiEqAMJfYTFMpndR3Ok7p1voRmgJu5cg-ZHY88qBP00Z9Pw_hYxQPKg1iTXGZHfgEeInFpuORqaidtyh7b1vA8jkRPlTkEZ5gI/s400/IMG_0410.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from Te Mata peak</td></tr>
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My next stop was at Cape Kidnappers, sounded interesting. It is a good idea to do this walk on a low tide day. The walk can get very risky and challenges when the waves get stronger. I preferred, once again to drive and walked to the beach. It wasn't an ideal day for the walk.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Yn92P_EQYbVz7mr0ZDCO-fXmt6x6wprbSc7ySHOPAWH2kz5iHQcj5hoYdXiS6D2VDWlsepdc-u393pbB7S6M4Wel8fYd3ap97iFRAaKE3XJFQm1RuX6x543aT2ptC1wsY85lCnUFiU/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Yn92P_EQYbVz7mr0ZDCO-fXmt6x6wprbSc7ySHOPAWH2kz5iHQcj5hoYdXiS6D2VDWlsepdc-u393pbB7S6M4Wel8fYd3ap97iFRAaKE3XJFQm1RuX6x543aT2ptC1wsY85lCnUFiU/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from Te Mata peak</td></tr>
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From hear I went searching for Tuki Tuki river, according to google maps it was 13 kms further South from Te Mata peak. When I actually reached the spot, I found myself stuck in a narrow road with no clue of any river what-so-ever. I couldn't even reverse the car, with some struggle I reached the paved road again and gave up the idea of locating Tuki Tuki river. Some misadventures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OWCOAiasmBuG1Y1SyfHesW2AjfbYmIVqncqzF0Y-TpnPSKMJ8c1KyWBYZPdaXoxuFjfYV_UsMYImDp0O_H1VNeFK9eFldJ0OCQP87h-CsNWvsyHyJfvlv7SL1dKRFhCORaRMAsuoAho/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OWCOAiasmBuG1Y1SyfHesW2AjfbYmIVqncqzF0Y-TpnPSKMJ8c1KyWBYZPdaXoxuFjfYV_UsMYImDp0O_H1VNeFK9eFldJ0OCQP87h-CsNWvsyHyJfvlv7SL1dKRFhCORaRMAsuoAho/s400/IMG_0429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">View from Te Mata peak</td></tr>
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I was back in Napier for another relaxed evening. Took a stroll in the city enjoying the warm breeze. Back in the room socialising with co-travellers, sharing stories across the table. Tomorrow I was heading back to Turangi.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKDKWCpW6rqje1ZWs6kKKhUP_f7xMYDTLRC2e52d0s48yhzl_YAjcaRa_3mJvwJAh8cCAWdlME9nvi0osG5PmHPVZ-D8gq8EkSCWjZV5sBXZmtQpEEKGmefI4dPPJnyPtutTsPVgWR10/s1600/IMG_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKDKWCpW6rqje1ZWs6kKKhUP_f7xMYDTLRC2e52d0s48yhzl_YAjcaRa_3mJvwJAh8cCAWdlME9nvi0osG5PmHPVZ-D8gq8EkSCWjZV5sBXZmtQpEEKGmefI4dPPJnyPtutTsPVgWR10/s400/IMG_0437.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Te Mata peak</td></tr>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-17846187201025113722017-08-10T01:17:00.004-07:002017-08-10T01:18:58.798-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
2 January 2017<br />
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The most challenging day behind the wheels!!<br />
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It was very cloudy as expected the next morning. I dropped the American lady to Taupo and drove towards Napier. The drive was so beautiful that I stopped at most of the lookouts for a short stretch. Ian had also passed on a tip while driving, to take a stretch every 1 hour of driving to avoid soar muscles. I was applying that tip right away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4URQYJsVXwqKTJyTFi0FTPRlu_H9tY31ubLAa0rNycCOlgu8YgG4hymapuvZyd3cPGzZdq_kchQqVv5rdTNYS-YLa537Z5PHRg8enTr7ch6ruGLqH8UvR6Bz-0B63rHkxZV1fp1WEr60/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4URQYJsVXwqKTJyTFi0FTPRlu_H9tY31ubLAa0rNycCOlgu8YgG4hymapuvZyd3cPGzZdq_kchQqVv5rdTNYS-YLa537Z5PHRg8enTr7ch6ruGLqH8UvR6Bz-0B63rHkxZV1fp1WEr60/s400/IMG_0457.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The view of the falls from the scenic lookout</td></tr>
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I stopped at one of the lookouts to discover this gorgeous waterfall. It was raining by this time. The visibility as I headed higher altitudes got worse and I was struggling to keep pace with my driving. This was the most challenging one so far when it came to driving. The whole route was over an endless range of mountains and tall trees covering the sky above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hJqc3KQqBptGbNtTEPnC2Zqz-YxHeeaNdclIS1HJb5tZ92fCdMloUM15gMl9sM-4zYodkPTsC45xF7zngrqnkuXjIoYIlounU1U957b3Pru5xM3F3zQ7N9B4gPnwwxobrHgn1MRgp84/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hJqc3KQqBptGbNtTEPnC2Zqz-YxHeeaNdclIS1HJb5tZ92fCdMloUM15gMl9sM-4zYodkPTsC45xF7zngrqnkuXjIoYIlounU1U957b3Pru5xM3F3zQ7N9B4gPnwwxobrHgn1MRgp84/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the way to Napier</td></tr>
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I managed to stop at few more spots for a stretch when the rain gave break. It was post lunch when I reached Napier, another coastal city. It was light drizzles and as it was a public holiday, carpark wasn't an issue. I checked in at Youth Hostel on one of the main roads, located perfectly overlooking the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn4wfRYYyOo2m2cZiN2Tz2VFV0H-cSKR4dP6YUYU4bD-g27EoJ5pagSA_biDFw4rcghTMBZevBbUivfe6vBNqSoa2Hass6qxMUiy2gRruzxbDvQqXaW8xgJx8c3DOhyjfMtrzK5BvGNc/s1600/IMG_0335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn4wfRYYyOo2m2cZiN2Tz2VFV0H-cSKR4dP6YUYU4bD-g27EoJ5pagSA_biDFw4rcghTMBZevBbUivfe6vBNqSoa2Hass6qxMUiy2gRruzxbDvQqXaW8xgJx8c3DOhyjfMtrzK5BvGNc/s400/IMG_0335.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the way from Taupo to Napier</td></tr>
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I shedded my luggage at the hostel and got into my hiking shoes and did short walk just around the city, Bluff Hill walk. The sky was very cloud and the views weren't very colorful, yet the harbour looked stunning. Overlooking the city from the viewpoint, I realised, I had already fallen in love with yet another New Zealand city, Napier. The city has a vintage feel and flaunts its own character quite different from the rest of the country. It is also bestowed with lot of sunshine, warm weather and very old architectural structures.<br />
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From the bushes, I headed into the town for some grocery shopping. It being a holiday, the city was so quiet and not many people on the streets. It felt so homely here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dp8eTeGP1cf9Jfhh8ZJVlWS61ldCLuaXrosCnJH96OXsk532c0qSYAfP6PJUpazBskU7onmFeGH4rXrsvzi1VDb9Tr2N7oyWzomG9iV2H_rt0krlLvBn-Y8LW46M1EUJ9M8OsPdPDU4/s1600/IMG_0384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dp8eTeGP1cf9Jfhh8ZJVlWS61ldCLuaXrosCnJH96OXsk532c0qSYAfP6PJUpazBskU7onmFeGH4rXrsvzi1VDb9Tr2N7oyWzomG9iV2H_rt0krlLvBn-Y8LW46M1EUJ9M8OsPdPDU4/s400/IMG_0384.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">At the National Aquarium, Napier</td></tr>
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I made a yummy dinner and sat around a table and struck a conversation with a japaneese girl across the table. She was writing a postcard to someone, I couldn't control the excitement and asked who was she writing the card for. She said it was for her granny in Japan. She continued her story and told that she was here doing a English course for past one year. She makes sure to drop atleast one card every month to her granny. I was glad to hear to her story. She was completely taken aback when I read, pointing at her card, are you writing Happy New year 2017, Ha Ha. She caught me in a bit when she realised that she had written the numbers 2017 in English.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWbq2XaqRUD_h_ngk08lViyjMoL4VeHhv_ChXmbQzhWqpC0mGLAWdIhwwzoTHdK2bqbrqwjzldmc1LNflJGNJAtkgtSCavy0ZexDzf3O6gr_j1-UbMVCSR9J8yxaOTLYLbUNByDpaXo0/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWbq2XaqRUD_h_ngk08lViyjMoL4VeHhv_ChXmbQzhWqpC0mGLAWdIhwwzoTHdK2bqbrqwjzldmc1LNflJGNJAtkgtSCavy0ZexDzf3O6gr_j1-UbMVCSR9J8yxaOTLYLbUNByDpaXo0/s400/IMG_0391.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">At the National Aquarium, Napier</td></tr>
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Later in the evening, I visited the National Aquarium. I'm always fascinated by places like Museums, planetariums and aquariums. For the reason that I get transported to another world when you are in there. I spent generous time going around and reading every bit. There live penguin feeding events were over for the day by then so I requested if I can revisit next days event on the same ticket. They were very kind to say yes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK5xIL1VTJGjAw3Hhz7_t7xot2OQoldzy0e-RkMtqBs8Dt3BOIvaY5oxQEAPZ2tDJmXUGW8QINaHKoZsF8lUnlGAGKfNTlsJnylrnh0wnG-WxZAflBQvM6-5rl92NEssQ8BEKVxDVddc/s1600/IMG_3412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK5xIL1VTJGjAw3Hhz7_t7xot2OQoldzy0e-RkMtqBs8Dt3BOIvaY5oxQEAPZ2tDJmXUGW8QINaHKoZsF8lUnlGAGKfNTlsJnylrnh0wnG-WxZAflBQvM6-5rl92NEssQ8BEKVxDVddc/s400/IMG_3412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the National Aquarium, Napier</td></tr>
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I was happy to have another day of hot shower back in the hostel. After enjoying a good meal, I went back to my books after a long time (about 2 days now). </div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-79517056463199843222017-08-09T01:09:00.003-07:002017-08-09T02:02:51.187-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
1 January 2017<br />
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Taupo was busy. </div>
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I was in Turangi before 10 am. I was intending to do the Tongariro Alpine crossing the next day and Turangi is an ideal stay option. The start of the walk is less than 20 kms from here. I checked into a vintage-looking, characteristic backpacker lodge. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQEiEdvDONkM3m7fB323XunBl7wuViSx1mHoe5n45IBNAmNrKObrGC3q-qdUdQ6SmT79KfKblSDWLo-ZBIVAXzlUxSGr2TMpZe6JsHehyphenhyphenckfK9j0CzgduWnI4HiROD_v67SjvhQPSEPs/s1600/IMG_3368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQEiEdvDONkM3m7fB323XunBl7wuViSx1mHoe5n45IBNAmNrKObrGC3q-qdUdQ6SmT79KfKblSDWLo-ZBIVAXzlUxSGr2TMpZe6JsHehyphenhyphenckfK9j0CzgduWnI4HiROD_v67SjvhQPSEPs/s400/IMG_3368.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the backpackers</td></tr>
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There were already a bunch of people who were also planning the walk next morning. However the weather wasn't very great and Tongariro is not a place to risk. The weather on mountains can change any moment and on a cloudy day, its no joke. I wasn't very happy about it but it is how it is. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW7GO5_cSgcdO4EqQRsZ7WC70yao5Si3b3v3m7gl_4NEIO8Cou9YIpP7I6vMbEhy0Atohb1GDJfxS9759CRcWNapuT1j-r14LGf3DGgziGXSVfP0KEMKOq5f1EsHkvNvKyZJ7uZbibFo/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW7GO5_cSgcdO4EqQRsZ7WC70yao5Si3b3v3m7gl_4NEIO8Cou9YIpP7I6vMbEhy0Atohb1GDJfxS9759CRcWNapuT1j-r14LGf3DGgziGXSVfP0KEMKOq5f1EsHkvNvKyZJ7uZbibFo/s400/IMG_0321.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walk along Tongariro river </td></tr>
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Ian, the host suggested to go see around other places and return in two days as there was a small window of weather getting clear. He drew out a plan for me to drive East coast to Napier. The moment he said Napier, it rang a bell. Though it din't sound convincing that I had to return to Turangi again in two days, the plan to visit Napier stuck with me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walk along Tongariro river </td></tr>
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We sat down and listed out the places I could check out on the East coast. Sounded exciting!!</div>
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I made some nachos for lunch and enjoyed the warm couch, large maps, birds chirping in the lounge, Candy (Yes!!! Candy it is, again), their pet dog lazing around. It was a perfect place to just stay in and read books all day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Walk along Tongariro river </td></tr>
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Later in the evening, I and another lady from America, travelling here for a month, did a walk along the Tongariro river. She talked about her Son and his girl friend as we walked. She was completely surprised to know that I was an Indian and was still unmarried at 29. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy</td></tr>
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At night, there was so much buzz in the hostel that we all sat around watching a movie on the TV and went to sleep only by midnight. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk along Tongariro river </td></tr>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-20808889068321307322017-07-23T03:37:00.000-07:002017-08-09T02:02:39.790-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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31 December 2016</div>
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The last day of 2016.</div>
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The plan was to spend the New Year Eve in a serene place just like the last few campsites. However Taupo, my next destination doesn't have many campsites and those few are accessible through private. So there was a bit of uncertainty around my stay but I had a full day to figure that out anyway.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiimJYUAYyejybM_I7tAjOaJqVbig_sf3tLy9aNaHwzQC2unHzYg_cbOVr_kXJYHju5qdDfUi20-ltB5H8MFdmq8KtuDvpmLRGulLVlQHWJHHIoDHpvYQMgny83vtDoNrxF7gLmNAQLRo/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiimJYUAYyejybM_I7tAjOaJqVbig_sf3tLy9aNaHwzQC2unHzYg_cbOVr_kXJYHju5qdDfUi20-ltB5H8MFdmq8KtuDvpmLRGulLVlQHWJHHIoDHpvYQMgny83vtDoNrxF7gLmNAQLRo/s400/IMG_0263.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Champagne pool</td></tr>
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I started early from Rotorua and visited Wai-O-Tapu, the thermal wonderland on my way. I'd highly recommend this place if you are keen to check out thermal pools and natural geysers up close. Here is all that you need to know about this place, http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's bath</td></tr>
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It was an extremely hot day and quite a bit of walking around this place. The colorful sights definitely keeps you going as long as you don't mind the strong smell of sulphur. In particular, the Champagne pool and the Lady Knox geyser will definitely amaze you. I spent a generous amount of time here before heading to Taupo.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lady's knox</td></tr>
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I was in Taupo late afternoon having nothing in particular to do. So I thought I might as well get my Sky dive scheduled for tomorrow. I wanted to start the year jumping off the plane. WHAT THE HELL. WHO DOES THAT. Anyway, I went to Tandem Skydive only to realise that they were closed on the 1st of January. But the receptionist asked if wanted to jump now. I was like, NOW??? NOOOO. And in the next one hour I was flying on a 12 seater plane with a big handsome man tucking me to his chest like a like a Wallaby tucks its young ones in its baby pouch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pTWmiI0XBnBrdS3iuCzkUl6VFoMgQv07LEIV6WRLi1XqJGpMJaT8TtC9Wwxz1PFSLFgUOCBfH-T_0rvSdo7JyIC-5ymm3V4SzSAmiJvSwkqd_0cKRStPk1wCGeJeNYIbna0RH8oX5L4/s1600/IMG_0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pTWmiI0XBnBrdS3iuCzkUl6VFoMgQv07LEIV6WRLi1XqJGpMJaT8TtC9Wwxz1PFSLFgUOCBfH-T_0rvSdo7JyIC-5ymm3V4SzSAmiJvSwkqd_0cKRStPk1wCGeJeNYIbna0RH8oX5L4/s400/IMG_0287.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My first jump. Heights doesn't scare me. I still wanted to experience it. We were the last one to plunge. I dint see anything below from 15000 ft as there was a blanket of cloud below us and soon we entered the cloud and it was freezing cold and I struggled to breath. After passing through the white cold hazy path, the view cleared up with the Taupo lake right below us surrounded by mountains. Those couple of seconds where I felt like we were just hanging there middle of the sky and there is this MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT unfolding below us, was so precious. I would be there just gliding down slowly and ask for nothing more. </div>
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The big hunk was now bored, he kept talking to me. He was explaining me places that were in our view. While I just wanted to some silence. Now he decided to make it fun, according to him, which was to do a roller-coaster ride and I lost it. I lost it completely. I shouted STOPPPP for GOD'S SAKE. You'll have the apple juice which I had this morning if you don't stop it NOW. </div>
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And from now all I wanted was to get down and kick that apple juice out of my body. I landed grumpy and flimsy, hardly able to carry myself any further. I HATE that feeling. It took me almost an hour to gather myself and drive back to Taupo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXPFtZza72E0vXVk9xXnjppLOHBJd8RQEnsGCjISLTvX0dy1E_r7PVpOIH3GTrUmm701UTDiDWJzywVP-6TR1Wl86XPOiFnbodVJJGKlFG_giPDsj4c5fT7uEtpZQfAtHU7VlhhUuxbk/s1600/IMG_3350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXPFtZza72E0vXVk9xXnjppLOHBJd8RQEnsGCjISLTvX0dy1E_r7PVpOIH3GTrUmm701UTDiDWJzywVP-6TR1Wl86XPOiFnbodVJJGKlFG_giPDsj4c5fT7uEtpZQfAtHU7VlhhUuxbk/s400/IMG_3350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was so hungry that evening and to my luck there was one and only restaurant open and had just started their dinner services. I hogged a full plate of Thai noodles in less than 10 minutes. After trying my luck with few campsites, I had to check-in at a backpacker lodge for the night. Taupo was high on music while I surrendered to a peaceful slumber.</div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-76891377432052025362017-07-23T01:21:00.001-07:002017-07-23T01:22:42.254-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
30 December 2016<br />
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It was one of the most beautiful mornings. The ducks grazing around the tents, sun was already out. The warm water in the lake was very inviting and I enjoyed a good swim to start the day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes6VJ3vnt4nf5i6iwr4FmwICE6lFrrEP1qCgII2R_TWtwbHiZZueh7f2b7NLsEf45JDUGsrZTvm6_elLkzIrMQTKLSGVukg1omoq1ZUVXiciIL1v6ryfYD5VdzBiwe5th_3QJT1dW_oM/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjes6VJ3vnt4nf5i6iwr4FmwICE6lFrrEP1qCgII2R_TWtwbHiZZueh7f2b7NLsEf45JDUGsrZTvm6_elLkzIrMQTKLSGVukg1omoq1ZUVXiciIL1v6ryfYD5VdzBiwe5th_3QJT1dW_oM/s400/IMG_3314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning scenes at the campsite</td></tr>
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There is so much to see and do in Rotorua and also the campsite was so beautiful that I decided to stay in for another day. After having a good breakfast, I headed to the Rotorua i-site to find a walk around the redwoods. There are plenty of walks around redwoods, I chose to do a walk for couple of hours. It was a very sunny and hot day. The walk was in the woods and was cool in most parts.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfR2IY_UunCn6GuaEoy1sizgdQYt7IjupN4hXuk5yqYn9SB4fjsUNwClwMSJMAg58N69mzBu6LQJi2dm3JlQpNmiHENxfa86f9XInpM7uR4zPHPbaHNqt6RXCqcxyFaGHdidpFrOdwGw/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfR2IY_UunCn6GuaEoy1sizgdQYt7IjupN4hXuk5yqYn9SB4fjsUNwClwMSJMAg58N69mzBu6LQJi2dm3JlQpNmiHENxfa86f9XInpM7uR4zPHPbaHNqt6RXCqcxyFaGHdidpFrOdwGw/s400/IMG_0173.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermal pools</td></tr>
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<br />A walk in Redwoods is a must when you are in Rotorua.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKs8Sf1kM07etUWVTQ2A8cRNsUtaLbSDA9DfgG_4PNQZIya0Lr1Kb31HyB_szUUdxvulZr_EjBfBb-D6IKNnltW7s3by2V27-XwGiPuVraqXOx9mQ5lpJhzmrjDjN0CTSLF9I44h3ixA/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKs8Sf1kM07etUWVTQ2A8cRNsUtaLbSDA9DfgG_4PNQZIya0Lr1Kb31HyB_szUUdxvulZr_EjBfBb-D6IKNnltW7s3by2V27-XwGiPuVraqXOx9mQ5lpJhzmrjDjN0CTSLF9I44h3ixA/s400/IMG_0202.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The healers standing tall for hundreds of years</td></tr>
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The nature is such a healer. This walk helped me heal wounds which were digging a grave in my body and mind for a long time and like a swing of magic wand, the walk in the woods made me heal everything. I will probably never forget that moment.<br />
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I was so grateful when I returned to my car for my lunch. The walk was tiring and I took a nap in my car parked in the shade of those trees. I slept like a baby honestly.<br />
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I decided on the fly to take a ride in the Rotorua Gondola. It was a perfect day to take a bird view of this beautiful city filled with lakes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdC1zq5Chr-p9cmY72938kKwOjaH8sDW5CL9saS5LVe7uz_NaTaLHl8MrJymlbRuPQEi7E46n2lSFQEFIOpo6MB7nbbX_M42Co7RzWOpq2yWxhXd7L8c15qcY607tR8PXjza0eArhS3Y/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdC1zq5Chr-p9cmY72938kKwOjaH8sDW5CL9saS5LVe7uz_NaTaLHl8MrJymlbRuPQEi7E46n2lSFQEFIOpo6MB7nbbX_M42Co7RzWOpq2yWxhXd7L8c15qcY607tR8PXjza0eArhS3Y/s400/IMG_0221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Gondola ride</td></tr>
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<br />I returned early to my campsite and made an amazing dinner. I felt so light by the time I went to sleep.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4xNYmBwrCsnzxMr_MnnbRj0EdIdUatjVo5wbRJGEztZrebWgRSu-EHYW4Wxps8I2QDgKg0ifYuAr8-YE0CXuO-gk7k9RuA1iQAhnv5ulpB_fEjHYmb4rordsjJ3hgJOFUJkGLoBmurE/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4xNYmBwrCsnzxMr_MnnbRj0EdIdUatjVo5wbRJGEztZrebWgRSu-EHYW4Wxps8I2QDgKg0ifYuAr8-YE0CXuO-gk7k9RuA1iQAhnv5ulpB_fEjHYmb4rordsjJ3hgJOFUJkGLoBmurE/s400/IMG_3326.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing the feet after a long day</td></tr>
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I was experiencing what I ONLY read in books and heard from others about the healing power of nature. This was just the beginning.</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-59026941218276391922017-05-20T22:44:00.002-07:002017-05-21T01:37:51.154-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When going gets harder, take a break, not quit. </div>
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29 December 2016<br />
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I reached Manganui before 10 am to climb the famous Mt Manganui. It was a brilliant day with so many people climbing up to get the best view of the city from the summit. Finding a carpark closer to the walk was next to impossible. I finally managed to find one almost 2 kms away from the start of the walk.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZdwQRD5jHW-oBUFC-a_nhZeKYXVQiXv6zsLv4qxiGmbWnU6R9KoZ6s6Wz7CSB-6h7lKOIFERnPBrbho79xQ-VrTfDdDd7qdSaFl8aNVWq9e2-0Veh_4qdw5PJ3KDfPcoaASM6a5V7sY/s1600/IMG_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZdwQRD5jHW-oBUFC-a_nhZeKYXVQiXv6zsLv4qxiGmbWnU6R9KoZ6s6Wz7CSB-6h7lKOIFERnPBrbho79xQ-VrTfDdDd7qdSaFl8aNVWq9e2-0Veh_4qdw5PJ3KDfPcoaASM6a5V7sY/s400/IMG_0074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Mount Manganui</td></tr>
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The city was crowded and so much happening. It was buzzing all the way up to the mountain. It was indeed a breathtaking view from the summit, which was not more than an hour's walk. It was challenging too at the near end but the view of the sea and the city keeps you going.</div>
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It was already lunch time when I got back to my car. I was craving for Potato wedges, Pita pit was outside the city of Manganui. I was determined not to settle for anything less that avro. By the time I reached and filled my appetite with potatoes, I realised that I was already on the way to Rotorua. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPWO5kbrnEevNkjPicSBOSJhoKTgGOSfUpWE1TM5IF6swn25gFzaOeVxW0om0_vXI61GQK9TwD1dDySt-5_0l7NPaqfa5-qqR5bbEd3NqFTg-ps2DnpaHBAF-Mf6iGBFLKFOQ7Anbyac/s1600/IMG_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPWO5kbrnEevNkjPicSBOSJhoKTgGOSfUpWE1TM5IF6swn25gFzaOeVxW0om0_vXI61GQK9TwD1dDySt-5_0l7NPaqfa5-qqR5bbEd3NqFTg-ps2DnpaHBAF-Mf6iGBFLKFOQ7Anbyac/s400/IMG_0113.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Okere</td></tr>
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The drive on motorway gets boring, following line of cars and trucks, speed limit and lanes. But this wasn't a long one to reach Rotorua. And it got better as I got closer to the sulphur city. The sulphur in the air is so apparent, that you won't miss it. I stopped at Okere falls, least expecting to see a splendid falls hiding in this forest. A good couple of hours walk along the river was so satisfying. </div>
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I din't want to raft, why? well, I wasn't prepared for one. I wonder, what do I mean by that. Lets be honest, I dint gather myself to just say yes and do it. </div>
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I drove towards Blue, Green and Tarawera lakes from here. These lakes are known to be formed approximately 13,000 years ago. It showered lightly when I reached Blue lake, filling the sky with white clouds, the color of the water reflecting the same. I got back to the car and drove further till I the end of the road at Tarawera lake. And not finding the way to reach the Lake Tarawera campsite, I decided to check out Late Okareka campsite. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mc2n8H3dRn_W_t8Fgan6tvD64Pwg84Z8Xknk1hbqdNcxSdksXAHyIitLir0R0qWk1E0rTC4zGnQHnpZFRpEePsr9Y-iChnrdieYfmPyJoe9VFiNwg0bvul-Xach3rL9re82QPPlmymg/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mc2n8H3dRn_W_t8Fgan6tvD64Pwg84Z8Xknk1hbqdNcxSdksXAHyIitLir0R0qWk1E0rTC4zGnQHnpZFRpEePsr9Y-iChnrdieYfmPyJoe9VFiNwg0bvul-Xach3rL9re82QPPlmymg/s400/IMG_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudy Lake Tarawera</td></tr>
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The campsite was stunning. Without a second thought, I got my tent out and pitched right in front of the lake. I had run out of the my water supply, so had to drive into the city which was, to my surprise, just 10 mins ride from the campsite. I was like, WOW, I love Rotorua. I might consider moving there in future :) And this time, when I was driving along Blue lake, the sight had changed completely. The clouds had cleared out, gorgeous blue sky, white sand on the bank and the turquoise blue water. It just felt so right about everything, give it some time and the clouds shall pass. Something inside resonated, "This shall pass too" </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7KavBmA-jZuV6hYeXo6una8LigmppXfMx9U0JKA0o3WUh2sNunG6vCR2Sxs6Io8W5shF6BOGIjXMfuPhHZUBHD-6lHWBAulQwIrOnUQTqVZnTm82YZmmhJLZwPyg5AMV45hs9GxOIg4/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7KavBmA-jZuV6hYeXo6una8LigmppXfMx9U0JKA0o3WUh2sNunG6vCR2Sxs6Io8W5shF6BOGIjXMfuPhHZUBHD-6lHWBAulQwIrOnUQTqVZnTm82YZmmhJLZwPyg5AMV45hs9GxOIg4/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Lake</td></tr>
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Back at the campsite, when I had finished cooking some dinner, I sat in front of the lake, the ducks swam closer to the camp, the sunset changed the colors of the sky every second, the water reflecting the colors through some ripples. I was a moment of bliss to become part of the nature. It is hard not to feel that bliss when you are in amidst that quietness and serenity. It just happened very naturally and effortlessly. There wasn't any I left to explain that experience. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Pko9aeNyV11SY55Aes_NieyTgRLR99MP46KK17ooTahLKNTCiVpO-VaZPwGLFohLIjzUjNDjH6nvW64SjkO7XtmxW4nN4fmOyOAFn2EtjFx7S8i_otwIh7AfuS5XgDuUy7-nDI6m_04/s1600/IMG_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Pko9aeNyV11SY55Aes_NieyTgRLR99MP46KK17ooTahLKNTCiVpO-VaZPwGLFohLIjzUjNDjH6nvW64SjkO7XtmxW4nN4fmOyOAFn2EtjFx7S8i_otwIh7AfuS5XgDuUy7-nDI6m_04/s400/IMG_0168.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Okareka campsite</td></tr>
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If there is one moment that has stayed with me even after 5 months of that trip, it is this. I am sure it will, for the rest of my life. </div>
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The power of that moment is so strong that it sends me positive energy even today, and I'm sure, the power will not fade with time. </div>
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I live for those moments. I re-live them through memories, impressions, this blog. </div>
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At this moment, I was complete and content. I felt, the whole purpose of coming on a solo journey called life was fulfilled. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACO8OdxcUBCFh1pzwiyD48mMpfp0wEyf-wvMYMXocwsG9JaW44R1R2G7aofHE9EN8Ntla7GHOp3PxbV6D9T3I_eexeZ0lLQcPwV7K4wTJc8v9lq2-PEr6hR20KWhW7yGNsjbl4DG6vyo/s1600/IMG_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACO8OdxcUBCFh1pzwiyD48mMpfp0wEyf-wvMYMXocwsG9JaW44R1R2G7aofHE9EN8Ntla7GHOp3PxbV6D9T3I_eexeZ0lLQcPwV7K4wTJc8v9lq2-PEr6hR20KWhW7yGNsjbl4DG6vyo/s400/IMG_0163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's put-your-feet-up-and-relax me</td></tr>
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[LONG DEEP BREATH!!]</div>
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I slept peacefully until I was forced to wake up to the slow moans from the tent beside. The act had just started. I put on my ear plugs and went back to sleep. </div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-59697201220626092042017-03-27T01:02:00.001-07:002017-05-20T22:49:48.619-07:00Road trip in North Island - Day 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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28 December 2016</div>
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The morning was extremely quiet. I pulled out myself from the tent for a short walk around the campsite. The nature around was still sleepy, the fog around the mountains, the morning dew still falling on the leaves, chilling stream of water flowing down. It was absolutely fantastic to be there at that moment. Every time I see the pictures of the stream, I relive those moments and it is just as enriching as it was when I was there. It was indeed a very special morning, I was very grateful that I could spend a night in such a pristine place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4Olit2PNIQnBdikfJzQIbYZKzxDljmGsHweOrropYvRRAbW29A0n9si-O5Uq0nvD2G6WL5KzynVZEeMV_HtrBCyrdua9l4nhdYXSSFBodvU63ewr20Iyd-8uwguu8DwhXaTzE9yBeGQ/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4Olit2PNIQnBdikfJzQIbYZKzxDljmGsHweOrropYvRRAbW29A0n9si-O5Uq0nvD2G6WL5KzynVZEeMV_HtrBCyrdua9l4nhdYXSSFBodvU63ewr20Iyd-8uwguu8DwhXaTzE9yBeGQ/s400/IMG_0030.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine it is</td></tr>
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Today when I’m writing about it and recalling those moments, I feel I should have stayed in for another day in the camp, I’m not sure why I dint consider doing that. I wasn’t interested in driving north again to visit those busy beaches of coromandel, instead after having a muesli breakfast, I drove towards Karangahake gorge. I was there 3 weeks ago too, when I visited Auckland for a friend’s wedding. Well, the reason I wanted to stop here was to revisit a spot which had stayed with me during my previous visit and also, to enjoy wood fried pizza at Falls retreat. The pizzas are a must try.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFgMYPmdzWDg3EmvZkweiodYMcWQmU5qNNdEZ5L2hVSjtFiqH6X2OXw19Yw-MwB2mfYKy_q5SgBfEywMMqbt5zWzTz461etgYg34nTeZrLJ841XHR52x4V7oizBQRqMeiVO1vCAxIEGY/s1600/IMG_3279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFgMYPmdzWDg3EmvZkweiodYMcWQmU5qNNdEZ5L2hVSjtFiqH6X2OXw19Yw-MwB2mfYKy_q5SgBfEywMMqbt5zWzTz461etgYg34nTeZrLJ841XHR52x4V7oizBQRqMeiVO1vCAxIEGY/s400/IMG_3279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That wood fried pizza man!!!</td></tr>
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I reached Karangahape Gorge around 12 PM. I was already hungry, thinking about pizza and also the The Falls Retreat cafe is always quiet busy. I was at cafe around 1230 PM, I was attended after 45 mins (of course they clearly mentioned that the order will be taken only after 40 mins) and when I finally got my pizza it was 2 PM. I was starving by then and in no time I had hogged all except 3 slices. Not willing to push any further, I got that packed for the night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wfJAXqHVkcPfg7x4Od5NWnNh9y15cHxFSWmBrDoM9UfXPFtHnBHwm98jy_k9tKpdpA1NM2TJ5kFnJIAxS6TgQlScqZgZzV8ip2t0wXjaNB65Du60OEuLD8j0myyQPLDt-up5ZKt_JCA/s1600/IMG_3281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wfJAXqHVkcPfg7x4Od5NWnNh9y15cHxFSWmBrDoM9UfXPFtHnBHwm98jy_k9tKpdpA1NM2TJ5kFnJIAxS6TgQlScqZgZzV8ip2t0wXjaNB65Du60OEuLD8j0myyQPLDt-up5ZKt_JCA/s400/IMG_3281.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This spot for some reason stayed with me</td></tr>
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After this, I visited the spot I captured on my last visit, it was not more than a 10 mins walk. Who would want to walk after a heavy meal of this sort, atleast not me. I just wanted to find a cozy spot, get comfortable and take a nap. Just then, a random thought came in and like an adamant kid, refused to leave. I wanted to sit in a place where there is shade, the water flowing and there are birds around. Above this, I dint want to walk too long. I just kept walking ahead and came across a sign board for a waterfall in 700 mts. It seemed doable and it lead me to this remote corner, a steep section and I reached a small waterfall, hardly any water but a perfect shady place to rest. I sat there, searching for birds and after a while, one small bird flew right in front of my eyes as if it was there only for me. I now felt silly, for those stupid things I ask for. I sat there looking at the water and the bird occasionally, which were the only two things that were moving around me. I couldn’t gather courage to meditate here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was this water fall, enough shade and a small bird</td></tr>
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After sitting there long enough, I returned to my car. It was around 5 PM now, too early to reach the campsite which is not too far off. I thought let me go early anyway, as there was nothing else to do. I reached Dickey Flat campsite in next 30 mins. The most crowded campsite, and what was wise planning again to reach early. There was hardly any space available to pitch a tent. Not what I expected, but no complaints, I found a small corner, next to the tree, pitched my tent. There was a stream running behind the camp, I got into my togs and took a dip. Washed myself and lazed around for a while. And I locked myself in the tent for the rest of the evening. It was so noisy, but I was busy with my books so nothing mattered.<br />
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-52829759366158051952017-03-04T21:34:00.004-08:002017-03-04T21:36:00.295-08:00Road Trip in North Island - Day 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
27 December 2017<br />
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I got my laundry done at a near by laundromart before heading down south. It would be a long day in the car as I was driving all the way to Coromandel. I started early so that I could visit a couple of places in Coromandel before calling it a day. The drive from Paihia to Whangarei was stunning. There was bit of congestion closer to Auckland was mostly on the State Highway. SH2 towards Coromandel was mostly long stretches of roads, where I could blindly drive without needing to apply breaks for very long stretches. I sat back and stretched myself as I drove and listened to music on my iPod, driving on long straight roads can be boring but a good idea to stretch. The last bit of the roads were windy and kept me on my toes, as always I enjoyed driving this bit.</div>
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I had some kichdi packed for lunch from yesterday’s night. I pulled over at a nice lookout point for lunch and a good stretch. It was around 5:30 pm when I reached Coromandel. With long day light, there was still lot of sun and I drove towards Cathedral Cove and Hot water beach. Both the beaches are on the eastern coast and not too far away from each other. From my research, I was told that these places will be very busy, and the hot water beaches has a narrow window of time during which only you can enjoy the hot pools. I dint want to miss Cathedral Cove, so drove there first, and looking at the time I dint have time to visit both the beaches the same day. </div>
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Parking for Cathedral Cove was almost a couple of kilometres away but I tried my luck to find one at the smaller parking lot and drove all the way to the top and to my surprise there was one last parking space available. Life is made so easy for you. The view was stunning from here, the walk to the beach down there to the cove was about 40 mins walk. It was an extremely hot day, but the walk was inside the bush which made it easy. There were heaps of people all along the walk and by the time I reached the cove the sky was dark navy blue sky the sun stayed on the opposite side of the beach. The water was cold with high tides. </div>
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I dint have any idea where I was staying for the night. All I knew was that there are 4 campsites on the northern tip of Coromandel Peninsula and I wanted to stay in one of those. I also knew that they need prior booking as it was a busy time. These thoughts occupied me as I was returning to the car. I waited until I reached the car to find out how far these campsite were. It was easily couple of hours drive to any of these campsites, thanks to the windy roads. Also there was some uncertainty on the availability, so I rang the i-site to find out. No answer. I was slightly disappointed and searched for other campsites down south closer to where I was. Broken Hills campsite was 47 mins drive from Cathedral Cove, I was not very convinced but there wasn’t any option left. </div>
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I drove south west, pretty much the same way I had come. After a point I had to turn right into Puketi Valley, one of the finest and most pristine places on this trip. It was gravel road with beautiful landscape in all directions. The tall mountains on the far end of the east, the rivers, the bridges, the farms, everything on the way convinced me that it was not a very idea coming here. At some stage, it almost felt like I was lost and wouldn’t make to the camp before dark. I could recall a similar ride to Turtuk few years back. I finally made it to the camp around 8:30 PM and there was still daylight at the camp as it was on the western side of the peninsula. Before I could pitch my tent and settle in, I found myself staring at the tall mountain and realised that I always dreamt of staying in a place like this, in a forest amidst mountains. At this point, once again, I was left dumbstruck at the way the nature understands every small dreams and fulfils them for you. I was filled with gratefulness.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken Hills campsite</td></tr>
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There were not too many people at the camp. I cooked my dinner and made some warm milk before I hooked onto the books inside my tent. After staying in a busy city, a long and adventurous drive, a long walk up and down the cove, this was the best thing that could happen to me. I felt so peaceful sleeping in the tent that night.</div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-90770921012238344602017-03-03T00:57:00.002-08:002017-03-03T00:57:23.039-08:00Road Trip in North Island - Day 4 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
26 December 2016<br />
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After paying for the campgrounds at the local grocery stores, I drove down towards KeriKeri. I was so looking forward to this place for some unknown reason. It was an amazing drive once I was off SH1. This small town of KeriKeri has a rich history and you are bound to fall in love with its beauty. I drove to Rainbow falls around 11 am. I was curiously looking for a way to head to the back of the falls. As I got near the falls, there was this board with couple of walks and I imagined one of them would lead me to the back of the falls, though, they headed in the opposite direction. I started walking hoping that at some point there would be a bridge to cross the stream to walk back towards the falls. As I walked past no such bridges for a while, I was not very sure if I was on the right track. A passer by said yes it would, while the second one I asked said no. Instead, she said that this path would take me to Stone store. It was a 4 hour walk return. And I had not come prepared for this, however I had by now walked almost half way. So I searched for Stone store images on google and the images encouraged me to continue walking.</div>
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Stone store was originally built to store and sell produces from the farms. And till today, they have preserved those huge storages for displaying. Some of them, like the rice storage racks, were similar to what I remember seeing in Kavi Mane in KuppaLi. Quiet possible, as both countries were British colonies, at some stage. The architecture of this stone store was stunning. And the day was so sunny and gorgeous that it was worth the walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOR6Q8komUdr0WA3CwxXGN7mXUCi4HkOUizuY3g82pCV16CC_HsKAigMDEeu3DVKj98DzhXu4GkVdsgNKXC92piUVm-nsYwz4qETpTzWhVhzKSSj-5Sr95barmUDB47bhCHFXJQNhnB0/s1600/IMG_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOR6Q8komUdr0WA3CwxXGN7mXUCi4HkOUizuY3g82pCV16CC_HsKAigMDEeu3DVKj98DzhXu4GkVdsgNKXC92piUVm-nsYwz4qETpTzWhVhzKSSj-5Sr95barmUDB47bhCHFXJQNhnB0/s320/IMG_3205.jpg" width="240" /></a>It was 2 pm when I returned to the falls. And this time, I saw few people who had ventured to the back of the falls, but I was too tired to walk any longer. I returned to my car, had some trail food, almost giving up the idea to visit the falls. At that moment, I recalled one of my experiences of walking to the top of Onake Abbi falls in Agumbe, it was hard to miss another such opportunity. I got back to the falls and by then these people were returning. As expected, I had to cross the stream. With my hiking boots on, I ventured in and walked up the trees to reach the falls, the soil was moist making it quiet slippery. At some places I had crawl on all fours as there was not much clearing to stand upright. I clicked enough pictures and for a moment, I was standing there watching the water fall right in front of me. It was once again a magical experience watching every drop of water falling down and your eyes trying to race with the water as it drops.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIbWEGeftH2hBFnuxB2OXHEaQb8IgIE5KKdj3jRYgbWV01ri2hhYeCl9fGLJvsS9Bc-QZbWnUq0wynrxJ2Ra_pTNU9W15jGHaQPheT44UrQX3B6uI7lOoyoWm8wvkoEjKHVqotvkuhSg/s1600/IMG_3218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIbWEGeftH2hBFnuxB2OXHEaQb8IgIE5KKdj3jRYgbWV01ri2hhYeCl9fGLJvsS9Bc-QZbWnUq0wynrxJ2Ra_pTNU9W15jGHaQPheT44UrQX3B6uI7lOoyoWm8wvkoEjKHVqotvkuhSg/s320/IMG_3218.jpg" width="240" /></a>After spending about 15 mins, I was back at my car with soaking wet boots. I drove into the town, hoping to grab a good lunch. The city was deserted because of Boxing day and not a single resturaunt was open. I managed to grab a subway bar and drove to Bay of Islands. I reached the Treaty of Waitangi grounds around 4 pm. This is where the British and Maori signed the Treaty and eventually the government was formed. Most interesting section in the museum is the movie which enacts the treaty and its developments. Also during Summer, there are Hangi & Concert which gives an insight into the Maori culture and you get to watch the Haka performance.</div>
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The treaty ground is huge and has amazing bush walks along the coast. As I was passing by a bush, I was greeted with a small family of birds (I couldn't recognise the bird), two adults and 5-6 yong ones. I had never seen anything like this before. The only little ones I had seen in the past were chicken, reared chickens. Seeing young ones in their habitat was a rare sight and I was so fascinated watching them run behind the adults. I stood watching them as long as they were in sight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKw_eWmLP9xpUDgidKqRyZYHHPHZfbniPBYv2CqHFqih7Hw-OiwlHc80GVHd1X_fI1wGq2DXbvgXryqBtzNevJQ9NSN2GEDoJyUS9j_IbLHzRpfJU1yrfKGwHhj08d_hE2yZj3_UiIJ0/s1600/IMG_3217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKw_eWmLP9xpUDgidKqRyZYHHPHZfbniPBYv2CqHFqih7Hw-OiwlHc80GVHd1X_fI1wGq2DXbvgXryqBtzNevJQ9NSN2GEDoJyUS9j_IbLHzRpfJU1yrfKGwHhj08d_hE2yZj3_UiIJ0/s400/IMG_3217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bay of Islands is a busy city. After staying at quiet campsites for last few days, coming to the town din't seem good. The city was buzzing with tourists and ironically, I felt bored for the first time on this trip. However, for the fact that I needed a hot shower and had to do my laundry, I preferred staying in the city. I checked into YHA and enjoyed a hot shower. And took a stroll to the beach in the evening, returned to my room right away not liking the vibe. I cooked some dinner and mostly stayed in my bed for the rest of the evening reading and meditating.</div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-85977736577106055892017-02-05T21:02:00.000-08:002017-02-11T21:31:59.563-08:00Road trip in North Island - Day 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
25 December 2016<br />
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When I started this trip, I wanted to travel as much and see as many places, that was one of the reasons I chose to drive rather than taking bus. I'm glad that it dint quite work that way though. I realised early into the trip that the most fulfilling way to travel would be to slow down and make the most out of every moment, which I would have missed if I kept travelling from one city to another.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqp69d7VUirbVYTvoRo6mFONIhXGEANjcil2U0hh6DZmtIBH8OsBwWps-XN85fwvG6hvg_CqjZ-LuDGXphkKjybw1J4bq8UXmbVKUx-zOIHig_ZSKODMkdt-7dp6gg24Ev3QFKLxJR_c/s1600/IMG_3170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqp69d7VUirbVYTvoRo6mFONIhXGEANjcil2U0hh6DZmtIBH8OsBwWps-XN85fwvG6hvg_CqjZ-LuDGXphkKjybw1J4bq8UXmbVKUx-zOIHig_ZSKODMkdt-7dp6gg24Ev3QFKLxJR_c/s400/IMG_3170.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall trees in a row on which countless birds nested</td></tr>
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Like any other day, I woke up early, did yoga, had my breakfast, packed all my stuff into the car and waited for the camp in charge to arrive. I roughly remember her mentioning that she would come in the morning. I had kept myself ready to leave as soon as she arrives. I just hung around, read my books, checking for any cars coming into the camp. The mind complained, why did I not carry the cash, why did I spend the cash to hire the sand board instead of paying by card there. As these conversations went on in repeat mode, I saw a couple meditating near the river. I parked the car under the shade and sat down for a short meditation and when I opened my eyes, I actually saw things around me, I noticed the river flowing, the tall trees and heard the birds chirpping, felt the breeze. I was in the moment finally.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vtm8USrKuAPZ_WbmhqLZNysBOfwhfmWIRgx26FSUnwrajbU8wB06ecQg_I3WmujLZ_5vex9GWcWDMXAepIi8TU7VaUjDSClOcsGYY2eSGC8piBzWNCE8awFrr0oDSHQh_YI7NabVUg/s1600/IMG_3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2vtm8USrKuAPZ_WbmhqLZNysBOfwhfmWIRgx26FSUnwrajbU8wB06ecQg_I3WmujLZ_5vex9GWcWDMXAepIi8TU7VaUjDSClOcsGYY2eSGC8piBzWNCE8awFrr0oDSHQh_YI7NabVUg/s400/IMG_3158.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yesterday nights dinner, super yummy tomato gojju</td></tr>
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This camp had pretty basic facilities, the water had to be boiled before drinking and there was a cold shower. Now I was tempted to take a shower so ventured in with my clothes and toileteries. When I was ready to go stand under the shower, I realised that the door latch was not working, every time there was a strong wind the door would open wide and a gust of cold air blew in. It was away from our tents so it dint bother me leaving the door open but the wind was real chill and a cold shower on top of that wouldn't feel good. So I ended up taking bath the funniest way. One limb holding the door, reaching out to the shower and other limbs taking turn to hold the door. Ha ha, but I felt fresh at the end of it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiY0aqP0WQlZFAh-J2y33BJbPzr5HBHfipsXr23FCxUo6KTd7alY4T7bQbM4L0W_tXyN_QPC2u8ygr987hhRA8GZo1zup-InR-PaXyWti59G1ZUpR1AOqMXRHJFvGL8RdWtEJCPnb5cU/s1600/IMG_9926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiY0aqP0WQlZFAh-J2y33BJbPzr5HBHfipsXr23FCxUo6KTd7alY4T7bQbM4L0W_tXyN_QPC2u8ygr987hhRA8GZo1zup-InR-PaXyWti59G1ZUpR1AOqMXRHJFvGL8RdWtEJCPnb5cU/s400/IMG_9926.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White sand path to the beach</td></tr>
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It was close to lunch time and taking the luxury of time I had today, I decided to make Kichdi with ghee. It was a super hot day, the sun was blazing hot right on top of my head. I enjoyed cooking my meals with that small stove, the pressure cooker was much bigger than the stove itself.</div>
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When the mind had finally stopped asking what next, it become apparent that I was to stay here for one more night. Its hard, its hard to convince the mind to let go of its plan and just be. But thats the whole point of travelling, to realise that it is not always going to be how you wanted it and letting the nature take over. I felt at peace and enjoyed a hot serving of kichdi. Without second thoughts, I pitched my tent again and took a much needed nap. My back was craving for some rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6uo5xp1OPdCbgyPTU0Wj7qmHRAyu1SLzKjxZGFxnImhSgaLgBWkT1gO4er5W9WkauO5Tyi3Tl4QcfwWMXowbxmqVUQFewqOAST8uvB_smkRJfnbJlNYMxYnRAYUsZJZv9yheMsa2YkI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-02-12+at+6.30.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6uo5xp1OPdCbgyPTU0Wj7qmHRAyu1SLzKjxZGFxnImhSgaLgBWkT1gO4er5W9WkauO5Tyi3Tl4QcfwWMXowbxmqVUQFewqOAST8uvB_smkRJfnbJlNYMxYnRAYUsZJZv9yheMsa2YkI/s400/Screen+Shot+2017-02-12+at+6.30.17+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That yummy kichdi, I posted on my instagram @sanamysore</td></tr>
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Later in the evening, I had an interesting conversation with the couple whom I saw earlier this morning. They shared their travel stories, they were sort of hippies, visiting various yoga festivals across New Zealand. I asked this guy how long they gonna be travelling for which the answer came, as long they have money. Wow! The lustful love to wander kicked in as soon I saw their small campervan, filled with so much character. When I shared my travel plan, they suggested me to visit Keri Keri falls, where one could actually go behind the waterfalls. I was thrilled.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx_6Y791z38QNPdRGUQzhWo2kgELVAaSlSX33joAlzb4c_jURkaJBwHNlchGAV6QgC-JpefEQBJ3_xyOxgBkvCrKw6XgFC0KlnGenMJJcSLSY68iTEwbx5ymtEyOnSnOItWJXBEZBfMg/s1600/IMG_9936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx_6Y791z38QNPdRGUQzhWo2kgELVAaSlSX33joAlzb4c_jURkaJBwHNlchGAV6QgC-JpefEQBJ3_xyOxgBkvCrKw6XgFC0KlnGenMJJcSLSY68iTEwbx5ymtEyOnSnOItWJXBEZBfMg/s400/IMG_9936.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirror shot at the beach</td></tr>
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I took a walk to the beach which was 5 mins from the camp site. It was white sand beach, waves gently washing the shore with small and coloful shells. It was beautiful watching the waves and I could spend hours sitting there on the sand playing with the sand. It felt so surreal, as I kept reminding myself that it is indeed a reality.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJyVkl8Rsqnah9ApW4b9cKyqS_arjBNr92G0Qi2R8oWnLLYs59qAgVv7zBIpJvJkDeXlbBaQ6dFmDXrU6ZAfR-6ryq8UDvIBvpBNTbF_gB_xnmU3u7UnJNTiARcltyKYLb-YGao7GHHo/s1600/IMG_9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJyVkl8Rsqnah9ApW4b9cKyqS_arjBNr92G0Qi2R8oWnLLYs59qAgVv7zBIpJvJkDeXlbBaQ6dFmDXrU6ZAfR-6ryq8UDvIBvpBNTbF_gB_xnmU3u7UnJNTiARcltyKYLb-YGao7GHHo/s400/IMG_9938.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't do justice to this sight, it was actually so much more beautiful</td></tr>
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When I returned to the camp, I realised the birds had already called it a day, back home, no one is singing/chirping except few attention seekers in the group. And I wondered how birds tune themselves with the nature so naturally. They raise early in the morning, set off finding food, procreating, nesting and when it is dusk they all fly back to their nests. Who teaches them, their constant chirping, is that how they communicate, so many such questions to ponder on. Only to make you wonder how beautiful the nature is designed. Do we have any time for this these days, I wonder. Isn't it a lesson we all need to learn from birds, to sync our life with nature. This reminded me what my naturopath told me few months ago, probably this is what she meant when she explained, how a body responds to a good sleep. Made so much sense and at the same time I laughed at our stupidity, for ignoring these lessons the nature is trying to teach us every day.</div>
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The camp in charge lady turned up finally in the evening, to say, if I could withdraw some money at the nearest ATM and drop the money with someone at the same stores which had the money wending machine. She said she could collect it from them. It was 13 kms south, on my way towards Paihia. I said thanks for making me stay in for another day and she laughed with me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ho7DZh33BXTcYxS9-BY5TzRnM65_IgND1ij1sUiCiiNKhH4-iA6aUpeLJpHt7n6jBdElYH0OqJG1yp83sPHNGFQxeMR3VHxpNqRa68OMb5aGT6DXrH32GKdqTxYFUla-1mpmGcCvsxg/s1600/IMG_3163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ho7DZh33BXTcYxS9-BY5TzRnM65_IgND1ij1sUiCiiNKhH4-iA6aUpeLJpHt7n6jBdElYH0OqJG1yp83sPHNGFQxeMR3VHxpNqRa68OMb5aGT6DXrH32GKdqTxYFUla-1mpmGcCvsxg/s400/IMG_3163.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me monkeying inside my tent</td></tr>
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The left over kichdi was sufficient for my dinner. I got into my tent early, with my books. I enjoyed reading the books as much as I enjoyed visiting places. I longed for this time of the day, so that I could read. I would read a chapter, munch on them for minutes and end up in tears of gratitude. Strangely, I used to be in tears every night, filling myself with such gratefulness and love. Everything out there in the nature is there to fill you with joy, if only we have it in us to notice and appreciate it. I had heard of stories of people healing from nature, it makes so much sense. </div>
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I had developed cramps by the end of day, again it was best to take it easy today. Nature knows it all, leave it all to that super intelligence. I felt so secure in its lap that I dropped all my worries, plans and surrendered to sleep.</div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-56011970647064066152017-01-28T16:16:00.003-08:002017-01-28T20:43:38.953-08:00Road trip in North Island - Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
24 December 2016<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhvHgdoDi9J-pZtflP6Z1sHYsY97Tr_LsLybAuNxWX2vaHcu8W0D-u97G46WYtu53Z0mlPLSPVRzKV4P2aEPWmV2IpxbVeXGRIcfrcgO5ZT0MfqhAY2Uq-JZ0wVEorbKDcuquKvLPEXs/s1600/IMG_9815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhvHgdoDi9J-pZtflP6Z1sHYsY97Tr_LsLybAuNxWX2vaHcu8W0D-u97G46WYtu53Z0mlPLSPVRzKV4P2aEPWmV2IpxbVeXGRIcfrcgO5ZT0MfqhAY2Uq-JZ0wVEorbKDcuquKvLPEXs/s400/IMG_9815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My morning mate</td></tr>
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The drops of mornings dew sliding on the tent before falling to the ground woke me up, the morning was really quiet. I stuck my head out of my tent and this Hare wished me morning. It was 530 am and the sun was already shining bright, I crumbled in my tent and managed to sit straight with my head sticking out, the mind, letting it all sink in from the previous day and reassuring a good today. I wished to sit there all day long, however I had a long way to drive today.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whangarei Falls </td></tr>
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I quickly collected myself and a $2 coin for a hot bath, a luxury not to be missed. In the shower, there was a box to insert the coin and a red button next to it. Naturally, the mind assumed, drop the coin and press the button for the hot water. I dropped the coin and there you go, the shower opened, Oh shit, I am not yet undressed. That day, I broke all records of quickest undressing and in the next few seconds I was under the hot shower, looking up at the blue sky, feeling the cold breeze as I soaked in the comfort of the warm water.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTH-v2YUNvUUE_OlpAqmRI30U3lbU0MLU4EsSm3FyvgpNlei5DXhYC4xZxGuRhHgGobj-LoIfDNYs6ZsZPMY3P6e6K0F-7rXhlAhHcwT2o3m1vsAq05Mb3b5_f3i50ZpKZsBDc4CcXkY/s1600/IMG_9875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTH-v2YUNvUUE_OlpAqmRI30U3lbU0MLU4EsSm3FyvgpNlei5DXhYC4xZxGuRhHgGobj-LoIfDNYs6ZsZPMY3P6e6K0F-7rXhlAhHcwT2o3m1vsAq05Mb3b5_f3i50ZpKZsBDc4CcXkY/s400/IMG_9875.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those long stretch of roads running towards the northern tip of the country</td></tr>
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A good 1 hour of yoga in the sun is something I won't miss in this quiet space. I was looking forward for a muesli with hot milk breakfast, but for some reasons the stove din't want to work. After few failed attempts I settled for cold milk muesli. I was guessing it could be because of the dews that must have accumulated on the burner as I had left it open inside my car overnight. I hoped it gets fixed by evening and packed all my stuff into the car and hit the road around 9 am.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgGR6qByZ2nVPMuw5ad9z6yBd-WmvuEE4L0kOzAE_CI4VRzVd1mc8ab7uRdTqvWJc-YpzQVc6N1DgQV_Yv92ENiB6wFYVQnZqbX_po1CHzgkXFroYU6AjMp61WLwtn0Axb2VSkVQiQ94/s1600/IMG_9882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgGR6qByZ2nVPMuw5ad9z6yBd-WmvuEE4L0kOzAE_CI4VRzVd1mc8ab7uRdTqvWJc-YpzQVc6N1DgQV_Yv92ENiB6wFYVQnZqbX_po1CHzgkXFroYU6AjMp61WLwtn0Axb2VSkVQiQ94/s400/IMG_9882.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach towards the south east of Cape Reinga</td></tr>
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Whangerai falls was a small detour on my way to the northland. Water falls are filled with positive energy, it made a perfect start for the day. This stop here helped me to drive the rest of the morning and dint feel like it was a all-drive day. I stopped at Kaitaia to refill the fuel and grabbed a sub for lunch (it-sucked). As I drove further north, the roads got narrower and very few passing lanes. I had to be mindful not to slow down the cars behind me, I took it easy and enjoyed driving, especially the scenic forest stretch. After this stretch, the roads are mostly long stretches, plain and no music in the car, a dangerous combination, so I decided to think aloud and sang songs loud to keep myself going. It worked!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1aVWnW85BG68P3ymeBkWrb1roihS7mYkePit5r3xqJk69rSqafceUGc-B_pqFb8PSgqThQ_mUYWPggkFmVt15KUjkDNoYnFDO357Y3NebaOKp9EzQgnCgUmRyLQmF1eDLZJz4KsSpIE/s1600/IMG_9904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1aVWnW85BG68P3ymeBkWrb1roihS7mYkePit5r3xqJk69rSqafceUGc-B_pqFb8PSgqThQ_mUYWPggkFmVt15KUjkDNoYnFDO357Y3NebaOKp9EzQgnCgUmRyLQmF1eDLZJz4KsSpIE/s400/IMG_9904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the road!!!</td></tr>
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I reached the southern tip of 90 mile beach around 1:40pm. It was super windy carrying the loose sand with it. I and my camera were coated with layer of sand in no time. The sun blazing was draining me off, though I kept myself hydrated. I stopped at Lake Waiparera for some rest and shade. When I finally made it to Cape Reinga, it was 4 pm. This place is of great significance for the Maori, it is believed that the spirits make a trip to the coast before taking a leap to the underground and return to their homeland. It is truly a very spiritual place, which is very apparent in the vibes. I was happy for finally making to THE NORTHERN MOST TIP OF NEW ZEALAND and at the same time, felt very strongly inside me, the reason why I always wanted to come here. This one will stay with me forever, I am sure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCBhK0hLiyo7I3K6D0bWurxo9b22V5hQBxDF5wPrS5uXuX63D_weZ5rKXKVEB1_8q8eFTrEp2S3C6g1hD0cCShaoNQA-hjL4BsQpKzoBsSIslOt9Nh_6pm1ndPlV6JmkRObXB6Ee7fUU/s1600/IMG_9893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCBhK0hLiyo7I3K6D0bWurxo9b22V5hQBxDF5wPrS5uXuX63D_weZ5rKXKVEB1_8q8eFTrEp2S3C6g1hD0cCShaoNQA-hjL4BsQpKzoBsSIslOt9Nh_6pm1ndPlV6JmkRObXB6Ee7fUU/s400/IMG_9893.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Cape Reinga, towards east</td></tr>
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I sat there on one of the stone benches watching the currents play as the Tasman Sea meets Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse, the rocks, the endless beach down south, the ocean ahead, and the end of the road, everything about this place is so deep, beautiful and yet there is a strong vibe of something beyond the reach of these 5 senses. I definitely knew that I'd be coming here again and again to leave something of me behind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PyTETistBulfYmxT5fKBiORNATgU9EE8wxJIeqjZr4INzCxnlcv6D97ejZY5PctZ2epqStNKjmOFLe7cQ_MiAvByf2Ua85bXTdWTZcYM77E9Zol5kVy5Qb7_4Qfqw7WU7_pGMYKagc/s1600/IMG_3140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3PyTETistBulfYmxT5fKBiORNATgU9EE8wxJIeqjZr4INzCxnlcv6D97ejZY5PctZ2epqStNKjmOFLe7cQ_MiAvByf2Ua85bXTdWTZcYM77E9Zol5kVy5Qb7_4Qfqw7WU7_pGMYKagc/s400/IMG_3140.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magnificent Light House</td></tr>
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It was time for a visit to Te Paki Sand Dunes. I wanted to come here as the last thing for the day to avoid the sun and the sand you roll over. I hired a sand board and started climbing up the dunes. The wind made it such a struggle reaching the top and the slide down was shit scary. I looked down and it was very close to a vertical drop. I set off saying a prayer and I was surprised how scared I was when I heard myself screaming on top of my voice and landed safely at the end of it. Few people before me had crash landed with the sand all over them. I dint want to go back for the second one.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0SoBip0tUrBQJ86mX9_7NG-kI1pQMEUEW_tzB3Z_gr1AwobV25iU8f3gIR6JDWzbgnEPVxKtSiWqMFn3oTh8C2ykZcL2JpQFNvfDxckHGC-wsWoNmtAONOKGGALQZV50iOsxxtSDiS0/s1600/IMG_3154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0SoBip0tUrBQJ86mX9_7NG-kI1pQMEUEW_tzB3Z_gr1AwobV25iU8f3gIR6JDWzbgnEPVxKtSiWqMFn3oTh8C2ykZcL2JpQFNvfDxckHGC-wsWoNmtAONOKGGALQZV50iOsxxtSDiS0/s400/IMG_3154.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This vertical climb man.</td></tr>
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It was almost 6pm now, ample day light left to drive to some camp for the night. I enquired the lady who lent me the sand board, she suggested to drive up to Tapotupotu, the northernmost campsite. I was somehow keen to drive down south and stay at a camp I had passed by on my way, Rarawa beach camp. I was tired and was looking forward for some yumm dinner and hoped that the stove works. I had to feed on some cucumbers and tomatoes for the night otherwise, as there was no clue of markets anywhere nearby.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYpGCe1W2jsP8GZsLCC1aUASy2f9RVrZlbh1DYeLXwQe0ePDGOZk3Q2sTS9hBoI34MXx1UDjO3Cz37O9xNnQQeV4dUolQAG4Y49S0YJSsRQAucHhCXusVtGmw89KLbKQ9LDMa1RHYVrg/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYpGCe1W2jsP8GZsLCC1aUASy2f9RVrZlbh1DYeLXwQe0ePDGOZk3Q2sTS9hBoI34MXx1UDjO3Cz37O9xNnQQeV4dUolQAG4Y49S0YJSsRQAucHhCXusVtGmw89KLbKQ9LDMa1RHYVrg/s400/IMG_3155.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The patterns on the sand at Te Paki Sand Dunes</td></tr>
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I reached the camp and quickly checked the stove and fortunately, it worked. I made a yummy tomato gojju with pita bread. While I was cooking, the lady in charge of the camp came along, I dint have cash to pay her so she suggested that tomorrow she'll return with eftpos machine. I said, sounds good, I'll wait. And was in my den right after for a good sleep. I am sure I dint take some time to reflect on the day then, but now, if I recall, it was such a fulfilling day for more than one reasons. I enjoyed my own company immensely while driving, those amazing views, the food and the list grows. Something inside felt different by the end of it.</div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-5911249824584967602017-01-22T01:14:00.000-08:002017-01-22T15:47:54.676-08:00Road trip in North Island - Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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23 December 2016</div>
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430 AM, I started walking towards the bus stop to catch the first bus to WLG airport. Though there wasn't much I was carrying from WLG, I ended up with a backpack, a daypack and my camera bag. Some layers on me though it was pretty hot even during that early hours. Sun was still rising up when I reached the airport, its a bonus if your Jetstar flight takes off on time, luckily in the next one hour I was in AKL. As expected Sun was dazzling hot and I managed to reach my friends place for breakfast. I din't want to relax yet, as I had a long day, to collect the car, buy food, tent, stove, canisters. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOM-2i_u2uh22eNnGRkuqyrun8G-mHUd6K9fFwHcoBRP0flSsmZaUFPjLJZ8PMFC_BcfQ1Hs8vVvdSIJ2aaPa0Rd4YwIvDHbt37JZH0Y-0NMSdzK02ZWRNyCn3j1vf4r4mq_-7cGZ0Q4/s1600/IMG_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOM-2i_u2uh22eNnGRkuqyrun8G-mHUd6K9fFwHcoBRP0flSsmZaUFPjLJZ8PMFC_BcfQ1Hs8vVvdSIJ2aaPa0Rd4YwIvDHbt37JZH0Y-0NMSdzK02ZWRNyCn3j1vf4r4mq_-7cGZ0Q4/s400/IMG_3108.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured my reflection on my way to the WLG airport</td></tr>
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It was a busy day at friends place, so I took 2 trains to finally reach NewLynn around 230 PM, from where I was renting the car. It was all very simple, I was introduced to my companion for the next two weeks, a white Hyundai Getz. With the keys in my hand now, my heart was beating slightly faster. AKL traffic is crazy and I was driving for the first time, except for a couple of occasions during no peak hours. I looked at the gear, plain, it was an automatic car. But there was a +2 on one of them and I was like what is that, others were fairly straight forward, R for Reverse, D for Drive, N for Neutral. I ran back to this guy and asked for N instead of +2. He looked at me with a tinge of shock, I am sure he was now skeptical about my driving skills, I don't blame him. He explained all the gear options in one stretch. I returned to my car feeling silly. Got in and mumbled a prayer and placed his picture on the dashboard. I put my hands up, looking at him and said, you are driving me now. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW-p2HjgmErCEgE_gab1kEtCOIuj3LD8UYP5NtUeKt0Eiiimd4no5fn8jO0XtDLHgG4hN0y6NSzsKowLHOYKh2KvKlz-q9lLK8r3bY3z_X6GqOYc2eKNUiOlzVgmSJfEAlqU1-DjOPXs/s1600/IMG_9940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW-p2HjgmErCEgE_gab1kEtCOIuj3LD8UYP5NtUeKt0Eiiimd4no5fn8jO0XtDLHgG4hN0y6NSzsKowLHOYKh2KvKlz-q9lLK8r3bY3z_X6GqOYc2eKNUiOlzVgmSJfEAlqU1-DjOPXs/s400/IMG_9940.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Ruakaka beach from the SH1</td></tr>
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Hesitantly, I hit the streets of AKL and as usual it was busy. I struggled initially but kept going. Fairly long stretch of roads helped. I managed to sail through till warehouse to buy the mobile holder, first need. The Christmas rush was maddening, the queues at the shopping malls were the longest I've ever seen and all I had to buy was this mobile holder for $8. Cursing my last minute plans, I returned to my car with the holder to do yet another silly thing. I dint know how to fix, after few trials I gave up and youtubed the video (yea, I did), and this li'l boy in the video explained me the rocket science. Well, again, I did feel stupid but was happy to get that sorted. Next stop, not far off, the tent, stove, canisters checked. Drove to PakNSave for food shopping. I dint take long, and it was 430 PM when I was all ready. </div>
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I had two options, drive back to friends for the night and start next morning or start the road trip now. I quickly checked from the campsite manual, the closest campsite on the way to Northland. It was only a couple of hours ride and I started preparing myself for the leap. The motorway and the North Shore bridge. I braced myself and recalled the prayers once again and in the next 10 minutes, I hit the motorway. The small car did fairly well so far and I was getting along with it quite well, my eyes went in circles for the map on my mobile, speedometer and back to the road. I managed to take the exit towards North Shore with perfection and even before I could celebrate my victory, the next level of challenge was right ahead, the bridge. I straightened my spine again and my eyes was back in action taking rounds on the various navigation tools in front of me. The view from the bridge is amazing, I knew, but I would not dare looking at them now. I did well once again, and now I was on the SH1. Tan Tadan!!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUgvsJsReSy1PmHQEwQMp762hPZ3ntxc1giT0ELPfCyvYfIn4tCpzL5ubVY_JZ_l961ODsDK9z2Fe8TSquYmBaKDe31EFOfP0GXNNMbM1Ja1IZ_yadS-VLGsFxMA9O4gmthJ-p5cz2Oo/s1600/IMG_3114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUgvsJsReSy1PmHQEwQMp762hPZ3ntxc1giT0ELPfCyvYfIn4tCpzL5ubVY_JZ_l961ODsDK9z2Fe8TSquYmBaKDe31EFOfP0GXNNMbM1Ja1IZ_yadS-VLGsFxMA9O4gmthJ-p5cz2Oo/s400/IMG_3114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sunrise at the Uretiti campsite, the next morning</td></tr>
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This is how it is ay. You face a challenge, you sail through it and right at the end of it is the next one waiting. Its so similar to what is happening in my life at the moment. Anyway, I was now tired of sitting like a cricket fan watching a match between India and Pakistan, so I stretched a bit and lazed back. The small car struggled a bit to catch up on the fast lanes, I understood it early and so kept myself left and took it easy. Somehow driving on SH1 seemed easier, there was not much of Christmas crazy traffic just yet. Now that I got comfortable with the driving part of it, it struck to me that I was not listening to any music. I searched for the AUX cable slot, only to realise it would be just FM or no FM. I choose no FM option and the rest of the journey was extremely quite. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ6WirCWnPxGDu2S8emRT3FS00drzpe0OWCM5FqQr8LLsM9zp7xDVlwj9pveVEf6ed2t6gxzccxwsHY7IeAX0VLQowWn-0GW5b2gthkm98FksDMVu9Ez94EF5N3wyoI1ZjWCNpcZ_GVk/s1600/IMG_9825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQ6WirCWnPxGDu2S8emRT3FS00drzpe0OWCM5FqQr8LLsM9zp7xDVlwj9pveVEf6ed2t6gxzccxwsHY7IeAX0VLQowWn-0GW5b2gthkm98FksDMVu9Ez94EF5N3wyoI1ZjWCNpcZ_GVk/s400/IMG_9825.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View behind Uretiti campsite</td></tr>
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It wasn't too late when I reached Uretiti Campsite which was adjacent to the SH1. I checked into my first ever campsite in NZ, it was fairly equipped with card options to pay, drinking water, chemical toilet and, and HOT WATER SHOWWWWER. Yes! It had hot water shower for $2. My joy had no bounds when I discovered this. I found a flat surface behind a bush to park and pitch the tent. I opened my brand new tent, Mono V2, which is a super light weight tent, ideal for hikers and bikers, it is water and wind resistant, which was sufficient to convince me to buy this. Only to realise, after having it pitched that, I can't even sit straight. ROFL, well as I just said, I could only roll on the floor and sleep, thats pretty much it. I came out of the tent, which is like put your leg half a step away and you are out of it. I looked at it and wasn't happy. A fellow camper passing by my tent, looked at me and exclaimed, BIG TENT ay. We both laughed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilygIoaoIoOzt5EHKYCOtpoCGlB_xdTFoGq3DaVCGf0nD0k0lE4eMMLs7palRNq7AWifBGdvm9Mo3wNn_OZD0qex8vvih-ROiyuybWzg08vcf9Hro8XkSVvE3SiQwpA9JMfhPg1htrX5Y/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilygIoaoIoOzt5EHKYCOtpoCGlB_xdTFoGq3DaVCGf0nD0k0lE4eMMLs7palRNq7AWifBGdvm9Mo3wNn_OZD0qex8vvih-ROiyuybWzg08vcf9Hro8XkSVvE3SiQwpA9JMfhPg1htrX5Y/s400/IMG_3111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm, the bigggg tent next to my small car</td></tr>
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I went back in with my mat and sleeping bag this time. I looked around to find some options to hang my torch and with few other things here and there, to convince myself that it is not so bad either. Come on. Now I was hungry, so got busy with other thoughts, my dinner is simple, boiled sweet potato or Kumara (in NZ). Again, opened my brand new stove, chopped some kumara and chucked into the boiling water. I love my food, so enjoyed every bit of it followed by a glass of warm Almond milk. No luxuries compromised when it comes to food. And thanks to the stove, it seemed to do a great job, pat on the back. </div>
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I strolled around the campsite before calling it a day. The Ruakaka beach was right behind the camp. It was already dark by the time I returned. I grabbed my books and off into my den and, ready to get transported to an all-together different world with my books. I had been reading Ringing of the Cedar book for a while now, but Tales beyond the Known was a complete surprise to me. After reading the first few pages, I realised why this book had to come along. It is a book filled with grace and love. I was in tears within minutes filled with gratitude, at the end of the day everything came along so well. All the drama around driving, will I be able to do this, that, if so, then what, where, then, everything seemed such a waste of time and energy. At the same time, I was still trying to believe the fact that I was here today. </div>
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As the campsite was right next to the SH1, the vrooms of vehicles continued one after the other, as long as I remember into the night. The wild hares, a few I had spotted while cooking, kept hoping around my tents and here I was tossing around my tent reading my books and soon dozed off under the stars. </div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-78633756346487206922017-01-20T20:28:00.002-08:002017-01-22T15:45:07.979-08:00Road trip in North Island - Setting the scene<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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December 2016</div>
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When you have a desire, you visualise it, work towards it and then let go. Letting go is not giving up but dropping the feverishness of achieving it. Intention, Attention and Manifestation, this is exactly what I’m talking about and this trip was one the best examples I could possibly use to reassure myself for the rest of my life, that using IAM technique anything can be achieved. For several years now, I wanted to do a solo road trip, so this is how I imagine, what happens. All our dreams/ideas/thoughts/intentions, will start its journey from your consciousness towards higher consciousness. And then different forces, call it nature/angels/people-who-have-crossed-over-to-the-other-side/masters will act on them and make every effort to manifest it. This dream of mine, took a similar journey and my angel, my guru, like he always does, assured me that this too will be instrumented, the most beautiful way. And it turned out to be the most fulfilling trip, leaving me humbled, spellbound, forcing me to remain a student trying to comprehend nature’s way of nurturing you, when you let her do. I am totally bowled over by the unfathomable amount of grace showered every minute on this trip.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XnRgbgsLbMjghpQyaWzPzURNPkMnNh7f2H9Tu8K-v_aKkxcx_fM00Geh8_SUPrjfixXstqa-KnSDSBWAfJF391JDfc6Je1tRrYeBfBtw3B-wRv7r3e_WR3w4_7QWg5RYiUwNwQ0WIoI/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XnRgbgsLbMjghpQyaWzPzURNPkMnNh7f2H9Tu8K-v_aKkxcx_fM00Geh8_SUPrjfixXstqa-KnSDSBWAfJF391JDfc6Je1tRrYeBfBtw3B-wRv7r3e_WR3w4_7QWg5RYiUwNwQ0WIoI/s320/IMG_3136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at the norther tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga</td></tr>
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Before, I write any further, I must mention, and you may have already sensed it, that this post is heavily influenced by some of the books, people and situations that happened in my life in the recent past. So, necessarily, this travelogue will stress the emotional journey I experienced on my road trip. It will, for sure, be philosophical, spiritual than any of my previous posts. Someday, I might write about those books, people and situations. But for now they all mean one thing, NATURE.</div>
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Alright, now, Christmas break was around the corner, New Zealand with its perfect summer and long days, looked like a good time to travel. And somehow I was very particular about traveling in the North Island, and for some unknown reasons I had this random list of places I wanted to visit, I don’t know how they got into my head.</div>
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I remember visualising, going to the northern tip of New Zealand and click this particular picture, visit Rainbow falls in Keri Keri, imagined myself strolling on the streets of Napier in the evening, and ending the trip with Tongariro Crossing. So I came up with a crude plan, starting from the Northern tip, driving down to central and explore the west coast. You notice, Napier was not in the plan.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjC2SUDk1Cdsfag0FmP05K6vM9neUQq5otBAjp0EIZMJe3w1WG1y96GJSuu4F6RsEh-H-LddrM8v5OSu-uBHurQJO6_gZTOunqXS4mY0lvyRNKGWy3UqCbOfcaOaoWQlG1kNgPXu0QWg/s1600/20-12-2016+12-59-26+p-m-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjC2SUDk1Cdsfag0FmP05K6vM9neUQq5otBAjp0EIZMJe3w1WG1y96GJSuu4F6RsEh-H-LddrM8v5OSu-uBHurQJO6_gZTOunqXS4mY0lvyRNKGWy3UqCbOfcaOaoWQlG1kNgPXu0QWg/s320/20-12-2016+12-59-26+p-m-.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My initial plan</td></tr>
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But me being me, wanted to do a safe, extremely economical, boring bus journeys which meant staying in hostels, not being able to travel independently. Somehow every time I tried to book the bus and hostels, the idea dint sink in, so I dint book any. I booked my return flights from WLG to AKL. Friends warned me that there won’t be any stays available as this is the busiest time in NZ.</div>
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In the next couple of weeks, I found myself browsing for rental cars. Again, friends put me off when I shared this idea. They suggested to take driving lessons and what not, I was now slightly skeptical about the whole idea of driving and booked the classes thrice and for some reasons not one happened. I said fine, I am renting a car. Go to hell with lessons and DL, I am sure I won’t crash into anyone nor would get killed on road. The week before Christmas, I booked for one of the last few rental cars available in the market.</div>
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“Don’t you get bored to travel alone ??” – a friend asked. I consider myself extremely blessed for the fact that, I love my own company more than anything. And traveling alone, I tell you, is the best gift you could give to your-self. Of course I don’t mind a good company but this one was meant to be a solo trip for a reason.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwCGBG_SFyXCs6CXzDFGrqhw8V3DzBb92X20SAUAlTkbKucV3Oh26Gw5xutBDgN0uQAWF7BezKMieBgK74K2MMcdpwAdtqqS1jfe7EdgXlqM8tzqbKvOWbUJxSw-YQAOsr3bXy_FogeA/s1600/IMG_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwCGBG_SFyXCs6CXzDFGrqhw8V3DzBb92X20SAUAlTkbKucV3Oh26Gw5xutBDgN0uQAWF7BezKMieBgK74K2MMcdpwAdtqqS1jfe7EdgXlqM8tzqbKvOWbUJxSw-YQAOsr3bXy_FogeA/s400/IMG_0460.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This awesome li'l car which gave company all along this trip</td></tr>
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Two days before the trip, everything was ready, but ONLY in my head. The list of things that I needed to buy in AKL and WLG, things to be packed, campsites to stay, camping food recipes, books to carry, how and where to drive. At this point, I heard my mind saying to myself that this is not going to happen. Too many open points, not enough planning and above all driving, anxious and like a loser, I had second thoughts. I had foreseen this happening, so before my mind could trick me with reasons to drop the trip, I knew what to do, I reminded myself, the flight tickets I had booked several months ahead and lured it by recalling images from my visualizations. Works like charm!! See, the problems and solutions, all lie right here, inside me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxydUccmhyk-Y2M0adjOfiIWSHZt1ZbskqLkNeuCLFGD4aKO3UykzbtDzy0AtfTQ2Ip6DgLtKjwLXOSU9pE4rO8Gdw33FTHHhsf_gvTFzymR_NnwHuzEcuKkvRdEHckFnMqzJCDoOfvk/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxydUccmhyk-Y2M0adjOfiIWSHZt1ZbskqLkNeuCLFGD4aKO3UykzbtDzy0AtfTQ2Ip6DgLtKjwLXOSU9pE4rO8Gdw33FTHHhsf_gvTFzymR_NnwHuzEcuKkvRdEHckFnMqzJCDoOfvk/s400/IMG_3710.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some amazing reads during my road trip were from these tow books</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I finished shopping in WLG the next day. Rolling my finger on my books and my fingers stopped for these two books, which accompanied me to the trip, again the best stories one could read while on a trip. My roomie and her kid had just arrived from India, not getting distracted I packed my bags and off to bed as usual at 930. I would miss my room, my bed, my yoga mat and my prayer corner for the next 2 weeks. Feeling grateful for all the luxuries, I put on my prayer beads and before securing one of his pictures in my bag, we grinned.</span></div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-39668337715198369392016-11-11T18:20:00.000-08:002016-11-11T19:30:36.259-08:00On this journey ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">12 Nov 2016</span><br />
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In a jiffy, I decided to move to New Zealand. It was a very easy decision for various reasons. They were certainly not positive reasons, but the result was indeed very positive, which I realised at a later point in time. All I knew then was, I wanted to GET OUT. I din’t realise it myself that this was an unconscious effort towards LETTING GO & MOVING ON. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">After coming to New Zealand, no doubt I had lot of time for myself, with myself. But I still consumed myself in the same situations, people, thoughts as they were back in India. I ignored all the warnings, continued the drama and justified them efficiently so that I don't loose my self-respect. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-small;">Photo credits: Google images</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I shied away from realising nature's intention behind this leap. Naturally, this ignorance created lot of turmoil in the mind. I shut off from all the beautiful things in life and focussed all the left-over energy on possessing happiness from that one object of attachment. Until I finally heard a stern voice, loud and clear, demanding an answer, an action,<i> -"What is it you are hanging on to? How long will you continue this play, this DRAMA? What is happening? Hmm?". </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The journey had just begun, I knew it will be a bumpy ride. I did not weep yet. Bottling up feelings, good or bad has been my favourite hobby. What unfolded in next few months on this amazing roller coaster ride, gave me the pleasure of realising what it really feels like when your soul is squeezed and juiced for the last drop of spirit left in you. Every twitch had a bundle of learnings to offer. I collected all of it and treasured them for the foreseen rainy days. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I grew quieter now. I stopped talking to myself. Easy. Keep yourself busy. To only realise, that one day, it would leave me paralysed. Only at this stage I realised that I needed help. And I returned to my home, where my heart is!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">I took refuge in the lap of mother nature for several days. Every moment spent with her was an experience beyond comprehension. The memories of which will leave me remain grateful for the rest of my life. I returned healed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jkqnBuAQI4JFz5F38auwz7kgkG0sYMo-5SskE-SBE3DrlW3bOH_tSiguJuLDRDat_wUirUkv7soCM4nWljehcuWe2xYotrroJuagc9BT_y4jkmwBQ70qSC8XXuFHRmn8rSBSbexDTI/s1600/letgo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jkqnBuAQI4JFz5F38auwz7kgkG0sYMo-5SskE-SBE3DrlW3bOH_tSiguJuLDRDat_wUirUkv7soCM4nWljehcuWe2xYotrroJuagc9BT_y4jkmwBQ70qSC8XXuFHRmn8rSBSbexDTI/s1600/letgo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3; font-size: x-small;"> Photo credits: Google images</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Throughout this ride, I was awed by the nature's way of reassuring me, "I love you my dear and I will take care of you". </span></div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-17994066181714887022016-04-15T17:25:00.001-07:002016-04-15T17:25:17.171-07:00Nelson Lakes National Park - Day 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">25 </span>Jan 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We woke up to a splendid sunrise. To get a better view of the sun, I climbed up a mountain in front of the hut and sat there watching the show.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunrise at Angelus hut</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">The last day of the walk was the
longest with 20 kms to walk and unlike yesterday, it turned out to be a sunny
day. Though we had a long way to the car park and catch the ferry back, we took
time to get ready and start the walk. The initial walk was a drastic downhill
along the waterfall for more than an hour.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pic by Nipuni</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5L2PF5F2jleJnhlS2PuoUZutSI78A_A1cWrUqmqE_zPekLOlH8hOANS3k8QG8_RAXcFrB3RJg3OmAc7b0QTfaxCF7I99hdYIy7K3-AiYbd83IIvgM5h84RE9ur3G22Dnw-05_uKy25o/s1600/IMG_8938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5L2PF5F2jleJnhlS2PuoUZutSI78A_A1cWrUqmqE_zPekLOlH8hOANS3k8QG8_RAXcFrB3RJg3OmAc7b0QTfaxCF7I99hdYIy7K3-AiYbd83IIvgM5h84RE9ur3G22Dnw-05_uKy25o/s320/IMG_8938.jpg" width="212" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">I struggled with the heavy camera
hanging on my front making it difficult to run down. Few sections were really
challenging, forcing me to come on all-fours to get down. I was already tired
by the time I reached the bottom of the hill. The view from here was splendid.
The tall mountains all around and waterfalls running down from them made the
walk worth it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC945l6jysCGWR49WVDRm76wbPFoVv1eaeYmyyVBAJ7HJyR81hZtMOR8q3r8Hzx5kSXmwUvi_JoYQjrlchzYUb4ebu5JobiI-DSj4qPhWmFviLnprzoJXEtH_1zQ3af7kuT93ycFS4Qo/s400/IMG_9013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walk inside the forest</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">The rest of the walk was on flat ground inside the forest with
beautiful flowers fully blossomed in purple and yellow kept us going. The views
of the clean blue sky was gorgeous and I was very tired to stop and click
anymore. We stopped at Coldwater hut for a quick lunch break and it my first
encounter with Sandflies here. They are real monsters even with a repellent,
which gives me a hint of how bad Sandfly Point on Milford track could be. The
hut faces the Lake Rotoiti, with ducks swimming close to the banks. It felt so
relaxing soaking the feet in the water for a short while before continuing
along the river bank for the last stretch of the walk. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoHWpCmWRnXRnSB9edDbAYd-73sdSfcFZjpiZQGHsH_ESOQa7dCGy0Go2O9TUboiQsadGWgmwf_c66MoPDRSdWsEuUL_3hKaJFa-Nq-jfS-cBhL-32NJiBKLcJh6VZ-j8akwdGvphPFA/s1600/IMG_9032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoHWpCmWRnXRnSB9edDbAYd-73sdSfcFZjpiZQGHsH_ESOQa7dCGy0Go2O9TUboiQsadGWgmwf_c66MoPDRSdWsEuUL_3hKaJFa-Nq-jfS-cBhL-32NJiBKLcJh6VZ-j8akwdGvphPFA/s400/IMG_9032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View from coldwater hut</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">The route to Whiskey falls
suggested a 45 min walk, which never appeared until 90 mins. We were slogging
so slowly. We sat for a break at the falls which was a 10 mins climb up in the
forest. I was not able to pull through any extra mile but the sight of the
falls could not be missed so we threw our bags by the side and went up. In
about 5 mins the tall falls appeared in the scene. The water drops falling on the
face felt soothing and it is always mesmerizing watching nature’s grandeur. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIgQs6pES7J2XFP_22FK8VdBycX_CPWftzkKC8KCgSmEVZPuMe-aCsyCRukwxVf323kK2t6jSSe_picosdQBzi_rnQ02IO2dgl3_v8lzPWkDeUyHDbiMcxSFxfqAhGlKZ6QR5rSRYIAE/s1600/DSC09255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIgQs6pES7J2XFP_22FK8VdBycX_CPWftzkKC8KCgSmEVZPuMe-aCsyCRukwxVf323kK2t6jSSe_picosdQBzi_rnQ02IO2dgl3_v8lzPWkDeUyHDbiMcxSFxfqAhGlKZ6QR5rSRYIAE/s400/DSC09255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whiskey Falls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">Back on track, we walked towards
the carpark as swiftly as possible. Scott, our organizer went ahead to drive
the car closer to some save time as we were behind schedule. Our return ferry
was at 915 from Picton which was more than an hour drive from Nelson. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraOnLHNA30rIFy9aWQ5QwOh0fdwLnkvC8yb8y_-Do1QiEUctFHleldzbdKHlkhQ2g2mGghXJhORp9M71hio0TeU78iGLXSG4aB42UoKRE0nGcoUvZSGJtYXmpyOaze-ecZ3Ca-hL2LSo/s1600/IMG_9005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraOnLHNA30rIFy9aWQ5QwOh0fdwLnkvC8yb8y_-Do1QiEUctFHleldzbdKHlkhQ2g2mGghXJhORp9M71hio0TeU78iGLXSG4aB42UoKRE0nGcoUvZSGJtYXmpyOaze-ecZ3Ca-hL2LSo/s400/IMG_9005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View of the surrounding mountains</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;">When the last person hit the road,
the rest of us were lying flat on the ground waiting for the car. We threw
ourselves inside the van and I only opened my eyes when we reached the ferry
station. I had bad cramps already and struggled to get off from the van. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcaTH7fZ6LJAYrpVJWCTh5mWc2zLQENfwN5fvnf7JT8CFC2vmkNfb1AHaRxl7qtqOKHx1qD1R2g6Du51eEV_NlcRTd_mAT0Dhd4__bsi673x66cbRNBqkVLxEAVOwr2-Q9zWRUxGWAg4/s1600/IMG_8919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcaTH7fZ6LJAYrpVJWCTh5mWc2zLQENfwN5fvnf7JT8CFC2vmkNfb1AHaRxl7qtqOKHx1qD1R2g6Du51eEV_NlcRTd_mAT0Dhd4__bsi673x66cbRNBqkVLxEAVOwr2-Q9zWRUxGWAg4/s400/IMG_8919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View from Angelus hut</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The café in the ferry served hot
dinner. We were all so hungry that we grabbed plate full of meals and hogged.
Joked around the table pulling each other’s legs and found a place to catch a
nap for the rest of the journey.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-90600665766558956902016-04-11T21:16:00.000-07:002016-04-11T21:16:21.788-07:00Nelson Lakes National Park - Day 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">24 Jan 2016</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The best part of travelling for me
is to wake up in the morning in a new place, in a tent, a hut, a bunker. I sit
there looking around me with a feeling that haunts you for a short while, that I
might never visit the place again in this life. It teaches me detachment. Just
before setting off, I always look back one last time at the place, I feel sad,
terribly sad. It’s strange, as it doesn’t happen in every place. But when I do,
I know that I am leaving behind a part of me, forever. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy me!!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This morning was one such
experience. I woke up after a tight sleep, to see some early clouds hanging
outside. There was light in the sky, already. I did my morning prayers and went
back to sleep. When I opened my eyes again, the hut was busy. People making
breakfast, morning tea and soups, few still in bed. We had Granola for
breakfast, it was yum, healthy and filling. A perfect tramp food. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM9GXVIOIcCuI7S61r1SSIkSYkb68R6hwN8Y_wj6VzpWl2esoVJw-2YlrsloPBIqRxz14nQoblDPNuMLI6tbX9k7Se0G-d3Tp4hOGe-vIHdI-XW2xXz-3vXcthJ-cYhR-syHiF1VJCcg/s1600/IMG_8863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM9GXVIOIcCuI7S61r1SSIkSYkb68R6hwN8Y_wj6VzpWl2esoVJw-2YlrsloPBIqRxz14nQoblDPNuMLI6tbX9k7Se0G-d3Tp4hOGe-vIHdI-XW2xXz-3vXcthJ-cYhR-syHiF1VJCcg/s400/IMG_8863.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clouds surrounding the mountains</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other groups left before us. We had
all day and the next hut was only a 9 km walk. The weather looked cloudy today
and seemed perfect day for walk. We started walking around 1030. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm3a7GMgK7yIr8RRrlyW5Yo3z0UK_vSlfFx4jmoPPaOpF7G3V8dFcuseh5sqAS3DtNcBc_VZM9yh_7sDZnCCxeiV70FEZavSeO26SzGeO6UzuBM8Szfv8IrV2A20U0fwuVOY4OTTr3Qo/s1600/IMG_8864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm3a7GMgK7yIr8RRrlyW5Yo3z0UK_vSlfFx4jmoPPaOpF7G3V8dFcuseh5sqAS3DtNcBc_VZM9yh_7sDZnCCxeiV70FEZavSeO26SzGeO6UzuBM8Szfv8IrV2A20U0fwuVOY4OTTr3Qo/s400/IMG_8864.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">View of the lake around the Angelus Hut </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just after walking for about half
an hour, there was an abandoned hut and we reached the ridge. From here, the
walk was along the ridge, with gradual incline and at places a drastic climb. The
wind was hard along the ridge, making it difficult to walk. Just the way,
walking in a tree’s shadow brings a huge relief on a hot day, walking behind
the tall rocks to save us from strong winds and at once, there would be
complete silence. We stopped for lunch on our way where there was not much wind
blowing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH6dJc_H8eH48RiKL6_AzjrVZXfqh7tFi_AoJQ3o8KUVROzpcSQ1e5HEYc4JMuB9WvuMRp8R9Bwv7FDBKhi2OAXUFrhhDCbF6Ae_yoH85Ooa4SLnmNJvMzhmWdbAla_sQeYw5rqZ7QkE/s1600/IMG_8741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH6dJc_H8eH48RiKL6_AzjrVZXfqh7tFi_AoJQ3o8KUVROzpcSQ1e5HEYc4JMuB9WvuMRp8R9Bwv7FDBKhi2OAXUFrhhDCbF6Ae_yoH85Ooa4SLnmNJvMzhmWdbAla_sQeYw5rqZ7QkE/s320/IMG_8741.JPG" width="213" /></span></a><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We all walked at our own pace and
stuck to ourselves most of the walk. None around for a hundred meters. All you
hear is the wind that blew so strong like the sound of a machinery. Somewhere
halfway the walk, on one of the mountains, from nowhere, I heard a musical
sound, it played continuously. There was an iron pole stuck between the rocks,
but how could that make a musical sound, like the flute. I could not
comprehend, until I reached its front to see this amazing creativity. It was so
joyful to find something so soulful on a barren mountain like this one. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The clouds increased later during
the day. It drizzled slightly for a few minutes. The gravels on the slopes,
made it difficult to walk fast in few sections, otherwise finding your feet on
the huge rocks were much easier. I could just go on walking, for the weather
and the climb made it so much easy.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mYq5bmTI6zgPL7Z6ctm_io-L9P6sPSinZ-s_1Vuc1R7WiRxHUd0TP7z1s71XQuy4-jAbO_bTSPzaj7Jfs02AhnILB3OHCxRHjrsB5hmxPh6Ti92aSmSrPFpy5Fw40xUHBjdVa-W1P0I/s1600/IMG_8803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mYq5bmTI6zgPL7Z6ctm_io-L9P6sPSinZ-s_1Vuc1R7WiRxHUd0TP7z1s71XQuy4-jAbO_bTSPzaj7Jfs02AhnILB3OHCxRHjrsB5hmxPh6Ti92aSmSrPFpy5Fw40xUHBjdVa-W1P0I/s400/IMG_8803.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">View of the surrounding valley</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the last stretch of the walk, we
reached the view point from where the beautiful sight of Angelus hut was
visible. Soaked in nature, surrounded by two lakes and mountains all around. It
was a downhill from here for the next half an hour to reach the hut. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">View of Angelus Hut from a distance</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Angelus hut is bigger and more sophisticated
compared to Bushline hut. It could accommodate upto 32 people, and it was fully
booked for the day. There were already many groups sitting around table playing
cards and sharing stories. We had time to relax before preparing dinner. Some
of us took a dip in the lake where swimming was allowed, but the water was so
cold that they were out in less than a minute. I relaxed my feet in water and
what a relief it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walk along the ridge</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What followed was popcorn for
evening snack and an elaborate dinner, pasta with smoked salmon. It was one of
the most delicious pasta I have ever had. We emptied more than 3 packs of pasta
within minutes and settled around the table playing poker with corn in place of
money. I was playing cards after many many years. Reminded me of our late night
UNO game with travel freaks. One of our team members taught us a new game
called Cribbage, I enjoyed it so much that I ordered my own cribbage board. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">Cribbage board - my new tramp companion</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The light in the sky with the full
moon, the lakes glowing in its light and the mountains still in sight
altogether made it a wonderful night. I sneaked away for some time, meditated
in the full moon before getting into my sleeping bag. Tomorrow was the last day
of the walk and a long one. I slept peacefully hoping for some good weather.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-47495448296821540992016-02-12T01:43:00.000-08:002016-02-12T22:16:11.304-08:00Nelson Lakes National Park - Day 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">23 Jan 2016</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It took me more than a year and half to pack my sack for an
multi-day hike in New Zealand. The Christmas holiday to Nelson dint come along,
so, when I came across the meetup for a 3 day hike in Nelson, I decided to
join. I quickly got the ferry tickets and hut tickets sorted. The long weekend
for Wellington Anniversary, gave enough time for a short break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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A cruise ship at wellington harbour</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was a longtime wish to travel by Inter-islander Cook Strait
ferry between Wellington and Picton. Fortunately, it was a good day with lot of
sunshine and some clear sky. Of the ten, eight of us, from the meetup group,
checked in at the Wellington ferry station and boarded the ferry at 930. Due to
some technical issues, the ferry started late but the views from the top deck
kept us busy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Picture of the Wellington to Picton journey</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Shortly, the ferry siren signaled and we set off towards
South Island. In between the two islands is Cook Strait, which is narrow and
within a short while, South Island comes into view. Though the wobbling hardly
reached the top deck, it made me slightly drowsy. I found myself a comfy place on
one of the lower decks and took a quick nap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Crossing another Inter-islander ferry</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After a while, the thoughts of view outside, woke me up and I
peeked out of the windows to see the ferry cutting through the islets. The tory
channel is covered with great views of Islets on both the sides. I found myself
back on the top deck, clicking pictures. The wind was so strong at few
stretches that, I could not stand even for few seconds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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View of the surrounding islets from the ferry</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was noon by the time we reached Picton. We stopped by a
bakery to enjoy a lunch before heading into mountains. The drive from Picton to
Nelson (Mt Robert carpark) was about 90 mins. The views after leaving the city
was mostly open grasslands and mountains, sheep and cattle grazing on them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We unloaded from the car, packed shared food items into left
over space in our backpacks and started the day’s walk. It was 430 pm already
and with the luxury of having long daylights, we had ample time to take it easy
for the day. The climb was only 5 km long, sort of steepish and with the load
on your back and sun glazing brightly in the sky, I struggled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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View of St Arnaud town and Lake Rotoiti</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the very first few minutes of walking, I realized it was a
bad bad idea to do this walk without being fit enough. I cursed, but without
having choice, kept moving. It seemed like a long long walk for the day.
Finally, we arrived at the hut around 620pm. As always, the best sight after a
long walk is that of your destination, I made it for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bushline Hut</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hoping for a better tomorrow, I just threw my backpack and
settled for some light stretches. The group, without wasting much time, started
preparing the dinner. The meat with beans and tomatoes looked yum while I
settled for my vegetarian meal. A cup of hot soup, followed by couscous for
night’s dinner gave some energy. We enjoyed sharing stories sitting around for
dinner. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a very diverse group, from NZ, Srilanka, US, Lebanon,
Ireland, China and India. It’s always great to hear stories from fellow
travelers. A German kid, Christian, travelling in NZ for 6 months joined us for
dinner, sharing his experiences with us.</span></div>
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View on Tory Channel from the ferry</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">With the full moon the next day, the sky was lit brightly
along with clouds moving around. The view of the lake looked fabulous. I and
Christian, sat watching the sky while the rest of the group enjoyed playing
Dumb Charades. We enjoyed a good laugh when one of them had to enact the word
“Condom”. Well, it was dirty but funny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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View on Tory Channel from the ferry</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cheers for the day 1, we got into our sleeping bags. I chose
to sleep on the table to avoid snoring effect on the bunk beds. Also, to catch
a good glimpse of sunrise next morning. But the clouds suggested not to expect
a great view of the sun rising but I was still hopeful and slept peacefully for
the night.</span></div>
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Happy Me...</div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-11857626329145899632015-10-13T02:21:00.005-07:002015-10-13T02:25:31.266-07:00Polhill reserve <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5th Sep 2015</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The beauty of Wellington is, the city is so close to nature.
The city is built on the mountains and still retains its natural beauty. There
are plenty of bush walks, city walks, bay walks close to city and easily
accessible by walk or public transport. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the first few weeks, I made an attempt to walk with meetup
groups which are more active than in Auckland. However, on this walk to Polhill
reserve, I happened to go by myself on a Saturday morning. The start of the
trail was just about 850 mts from where I live. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was about 1030 when I started walking. The initial stretch
was inside a bush. There were more bikers than hikers. After reaching the top
of Polhill, I took a detour to visit Brooklyn war memorial. The view of the city
from here was beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From here, I followed the signs towards Wind turbine. The
climb to the wind turbine was quite steep. A lookout point, on the way, facing
the ocean was an open ground with few old gun emplacement blocks filled with
graffiti. I spent some time sitting there before heading to wind turbines. The
wind was quite strong but the view made me stay little longer battling the
wind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo credits: Google Images</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wind turbine wasn’t too far from here. There were hardly
anyone when I reached the top. This wind turbine was established in 1990s as a
research project. It is a landmark today and visited by several hundreds every
day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVIa2wIckuK94VKoe1cN24J1puRJL5yyekuIcEWnDCF7vXJg38_dhamcW4XLc4-wgLjRa2awHvPBprQ6Ob5bUKYuDy9CxWlxGMwsoOxEcOETNXNWVtP6FtggweiNe4o9H5WvE3pXJIbI/s1600/20150905_121033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVIa2wIckuK94VKoe1cN24J1puRJL5yyekuIcEWnDCF7vXJg38_dhamcW4XLc4-wgLjRa2awHvPBprQ6Ob5bUKYuDy9CxWlxGMwsoOxEcOETNXNWVtP6FtggweiNe4o9H5WvE3pXJIbI/s400/20150905_121033.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stopped for lunch before heading back. There are many other
tracks which goes further towards bay. I walked back to the lookout point. The
Wellington airport was at a visible distance from here, with flights landing
and taking off every 10 minutes. I sat there following the cruises sailing
towards the Wellington harbor from South Island. I can’t wait to make a trip on
this cruise to the South Island. Though the wind started gusting by now, I dint
want to move from there. The view was worth all the cold breeze on your skin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I headed back into the Mitchell town on my way back, to once
again see those beautiful houses facing the view. The houses adds an aesthetic
value to this town. The houses are so easily accessible and yet so secluded. A
dream place for loners. It’s surprising to see such wonderful town so close to
city. And that is why I say, Wellington is such an amazing place and is so different
from Auckland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took an alternate route inside the bush which was for pro
bikers. The path was extremely steep. I wonder how bikers manage to ride
through while I struggled even to walk at few sections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was back home by noon. My first walk in Welly was so satisfying!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-610548262825376551.post-14665501452823683872015-09-26T19:46:00.002-07:002015-09-26T19:57:06.982-07:00Bus journey from Auckland to Wellington<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">31 Jul 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the first time, I was traveling outside Auckland. I was
relocating to Wellington, one of most beautiful capital cities in the world. Things
fell in place so quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had just about 3 weeks to plan my relocation. After
spending some time calculating the most economical way to move all my stuff to
the new city, it turned out that the bus journey was the cheapest.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mode<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Luggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Duration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">40kg + $10
for extra baggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">$34 + $10 (extra
baggage, paid to driver)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11 hr<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Train<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All my
luggage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">$220 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.9pt;" valign="top" width="109"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11.5 hr<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 72.9pt;" valign="top" width="97"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.0in;" valign="top" width="192"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">25kg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="top" width="240"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">$150<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid black 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 81.9pt;" valign="top" width="109"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1 hr<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For some reasons, it so happened that I decided to do a day
journey. It was certainly not planned. Above that, I had a crazy last week in
Auckland with catching up with friends, packing my luggage and graduating just
a day before the day of journey. I was terribly sleep deprived and needed to
catch up some real good sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After pulling in myself into the bus, I did not miss to
occupy the front seat like always. All I did the first 2 hours was to force
myself to keep my eyes open. I could not succeed beyond 5 seconds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Things changed when we reached Taupo. The scenery outside was
so enchanting that I hardly blinked my eyes. That’s when I realized, why it had
to be a day journey. The snow mountains in Tongariro and the Taupo lake were breath taking. The huge windows of the bus made it easy to enjoy the views around.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The bus services are excellent. The driver briefs
you about the journey in the beginning. The bus stops at 2 places for an hour
each, for lunch and snacks. In between these stops, there are toilet breaks every
hour. There are several other bus services like Naked Bus and Mana Bus plying between major cities among which <a href="https://www.intercity.co.nz/" target="_blank">Intercity</a> is certainly the best. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;">Let
me take a while to mention here about the train journey. NZ is famous for its
scenic train journeys connecting all the major cities in both the Islands. The
journey from AKL to WEL is called the </span><a href="http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz/northern-explorer/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">Northern Explorer</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"> which is worth an experience. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The days are shorter in July and it was a full moon day. The moon was shining bright against the deep blue sky. It was perfect setup to meditate. The seat belt allowed me to sit safe and upright. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I reached Wellington around 820PM at the central railway station. The wind reinforced what everyone mentioned, as the first thing about this city. Just then I received a text from friend, saying, Welcome to Windy Wellington. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S: The driver was kind enough to take my extra baggage without the extra $10. </span></div>
</div>
Sahanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14250526674750129323noreply@blogger.com0