This year has been a very Challenging year for us and this break was so necessary. We chose the same destination Bandipur, though we usually stay in the forest guest house for at least 5 nights, this time around we stayed 3 nights in Bangalore , one night onwards and two nights on the return leg. One big thing was that this year Ansh was away on his camp at Coonoor with NALS OUTDOORS and this trip was without him. No, he didn't crib ..he had his share of fun with his friends at the camp :)
So with the little fun loving 5 year old Anuva in tow, we set out for Bandipur in our car. As I type this its almost a deja vu! cos the first road trip we did was when Ansh was 5 and it was Yelagiri!
Anuva is such a fun kid to have around. No questions , No qualms, No hang ups. Such a darling she was in the entire journey..she even sat behind (not with mumma) on her own until she threw up as we entered Bangalore!
Her mood was fine as soon as we got into our room at Lemon Tree and we decided to take a dip in the pool to beat the heat. Splish Splash and after about an hour of fun in the pool, I was tired but this bumblebee was just not ready . Phew!
Impromptu, unplanned meetups have their own charm. We met a school friend Ranjeeta and her husband Sushant. I met Ranjeeta after 25 years ! 25! But, it certainly didn't feel so. felt like we have been touch and that those 25 years are actually a wink. Such a wonderful evening it was.
We reached Bandipur post Lunch and despite the hike in the safari rates, accommodation , there was so much rush.The queues for the safari can scare one, well thankfully i have never ever stood in that queue thanks to Ankush who always makes sure i have to arrive only when the jeep is ready to go.
We settled in our one room cottage, and now were ready to soak in the nature in the place Ankush and i love the most!
Anuvas excitement is contagious.. .and i had to be child like with her screaming in excitement at every boar and deer we saw (there are hundreds in the property). Our next two days were blessed as we sighted animals and birds , woke up to birds chirping AND.. a wild boar pushing against the main door to try and enter in :P I think this was around 5 AM, still night by me...and I seriously thought a leopard is trying to get in!!
We photographed ourselves. Yes ! I coaxed Ankush to click my pics and of us together. If you've been following my blog and pics.. you would notice I am usually never seen, cos i am the one mostly clicking. But this time.. i was in front of the camera. So, out got Ankush his tripod and the shoot began :) A subtle warning - these might be a lil too mushy for some..:) but i love them!
The Little "Poorna"!
For those who have read about Poorna or seen the movie, Poorna was the youngest girl to summit mount everest. Anuva was very inspired by the movie and from the time we reached bandipur, she wanted to go on a hike in which she gets to climb a mountain :) such innocent ambitions cant be denied and so on our second morning, we set out to conquer Anuva's own everest :)
Ready for the hike and the climb!
She was so focussed on her summit attempt! Stretching and pulling her little body along and refusing ANY kind of help or support on the way!
Amma, I did it! :) And then she went up and down many times
Stay Glued for more on wild sightings in the next post!
Superb pictures, engrossing story straight from the heart. Keep writing.
ReplyDelete