Road trip in North Island - Day 3

25 December 2016

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.

Tall trees in a row on which countless birds nested

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.

Yesterday nights dinner, super yummy tomato gojju

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.

White sand path to the beach

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.

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.

That yummy kichdi, I posted on my instagram @sanamysore

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.

Mirror shot at the beach

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.

I couldn't do justice to this sight, it was actually so much more beautiful

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.

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.

Me monkeying inside my tent

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.  

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.

Road trip in North Island - Day 2

24 December 2016

My morning mate

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.

Whangarei Falls 

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.

Those long stretch of roads running towards the northern tip of the country

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.

The beach towards the south east of Cape Reinga

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!!

End of the road!!!

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.

At Cape Reinga, towards east

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.

The magnificent Light House

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.

This vertical climb man.

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.

The patterns on the sand at Te Paki Sand Dunes

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.

Road trip in North Island - Day 1

23 December 2016

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. 

Captured my reflection on my way to the WLG airport

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. 

The view of Ruakaka beach from the SH1

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. 

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!!! 

The Sunrise at the Uretiti campsite, the next morning

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. 

View behind Uretiti campsite

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. 

Hmmm, the bigggg tent next to my small car

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. 

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. 

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. 

Road trip in North Island - Setting the scene

December 2016

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.

Me at the norther tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga

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.

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.

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.

My initial plan

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.

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.

“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.

This awesome li'l car which gave company all along this trip

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.

Some amazing reads during my road trip were from these tow books

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.

On this journey ...

12 Nov 2016

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. 

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. 

Photo credits: Google images

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, -"What is it you are hanging on to? How long will you continue this play, this DRAMA? What is happening? Hmm?". 

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. 

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!

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.

  Photo credits: Google images

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". 

Nelson Lakes National Park - Day 3

25 Jan 2016

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.

Sunrise at Angelus hut

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.

Pic by Nipuni

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. 

Walk inside the forest

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.

View from coldwater hut

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. 

Whiskey Falls

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.

View of the surrounding mountains

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.

View from Angelus hut

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.

Nelson Lakes National Park - Day 2

24 Jan 2016

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.

Happy me!!

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.

Clouds surrounding the mountains

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.

View of the lake around the Angelus Hut 

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.

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.

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.

View of the surrounding valley

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.  

View of Angelus Hut from a distance

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.

Walk along the ridge

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.  

Cribbage board - my new tramp companion

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.