On Wed Jan 23rd--the day off from training, there were two groups going two different places: a group of 4 girls (one is a guest) decided to return to Varkala Beach; I was in the other group of 8 with Bhooma to go to the Peppera Wildlife Santuary.
We left around 6am, had breakfast half way there. Bhooma allowed some of us who wanted to order omelet for breakfast. First taste of eggs after 21 days! Who said habit can be changed after 21 days? It didn't applied to me though. I even bought a sundae to eat in the car. Hey, I gotta feed my body before my soul could be happy, I was justifying my action :)
Got to the Santuary before 10am, waited for the two guides to show up. The hiking and climbing begun. It took us about one hour to reach the waterfall. The trail has different sections: flat, rolling, big rocks to climb up, small bamboo bridge.. It was a challenge since my cardiovascular level was at the lowest. However, I didn't seems doing so bad on the way up, but descending was another story. My knees were surely not happy. Bhooma and one of his former student, Helen, who both patiently hold my hand most of the time to help me descend at the rocky sections. Have I told you I am the oldest person in this training group?
The best part of this trip is unforgettable! It was all worth it the minute we saw the waterfall. We Wwere all happy, connected, swimming, dipping in the cooling clean water... Then delicious lunch provide by the guides for some with chicken and tapioca (cassava in Canada), some with vegetarian portions. We were allowed for another 1/2 hr back in the water while Bhooma was climbing up to the the top of the waterfall. With his lean healthy yogic body, he seemed so natural in the jungle!
Plus a surprise to the group, or to me at least, as Bhooma asked us to do 2 Pranayamas (breathing practices) with the sound of the waterfall on the background, then we did the tree pose together. I believed we all emerged into nature at this moment as I felt the energy.
On the way home, Bhooma decided to show us Kovalam Beach--we had to pay the driver extra 100Rs/each. Therefore the route was changed, we had to go through Thrivamdrum city during the rush hour around 3-4pm. That when I felt a little car sick, took Gravol right away, that helped! I notice the different between Kovalam and Varkala beaches are: there are more local people at Kovalam beach, where cars can be park closer. At Varkala beach, we need to walk down the cliff to get to the water.
We were only there to watch the sunset at Kovalam Beach then heading home. One more time, 3 of us who wanted no-vegetarian food were allowed to go to another restaurant on the same street. My intention was to order a Chinese disk which was only available without meat! However, I guessed this Indian Chef couldn't make any authentic Chinese food, my Shanghai noodle was nothing like the real thing. Well, I was trying to have a break from any dish with curry taste. God laughs as I planned!
Couldn't ask for a better day as a last day outing of this training.
We left around 6am, had breakfast half way there. Bhooma allowed some of us who wanted to order omelet for breakfast. First taste of eggs after 21 days! Who said habit can be changed after 21 days? It didn't applied to me though. I even bought a sundae to eat in the car. Hey, I gotta feed my body before my soul could be happy, I was justifying my action :)
The best part of this trip is unforgettable! It was all worth it the minute we saw the waterfall. We Wwere all happy, connected, swimming, dipping in the cooling clean water... Then delicious lunch provide by the guides for some with chicken and tapioca (cassava in Canada), some with vegetarian portions. We were allowed for another 1/2 hr back in the water while Bhooma was climbing up to the the top of the waterfall. With his lean healthy yogic body, he seemed so natural in the jungle!
On the way home, Bhooma decided to show us Kovalam Beach--we had to pay the driver extra 100Rs/each. Therefore the route was changed, we had to go through Thrivamdrum city during the rush hour around 3-4pm. That when I felt a little car sick, took Gravol right away, that helped! I notice the different between Kovalam and Varkala beaches are: there are more local people at Kovalam beach, where cars can be park closer. At Varkala beach, we need to walk down the cliff to get to the water.
We were only there to watch the sunset at Kovalam Beach then heading home. One more time, 3 of us who wanted no-vegetarian food were allowed to go to another restaurant on the same street. My intention was to order a Chinese disk which was only available without meat! However, I guessed this Indian Chef couldn't make any authentic Chinese food, my Shanghai noodle was nothing like the real thing. Well, I was trying to have a break from any dish with curry taste. God laughs as I planned!
Couldn't ask for a better day as a last day outing of this training.
Your last outing photos were fabulous.That sundae looked delicious. You definitely don't look the oldest in the group. Young at heart and in body. I think that I may have mentioned in my last comment that I loved that tree pose photo with the waterfall in the background. That one was my second favourite with the first being the one of you surrounded by the children. I send you my energy. Ciao. Eleanor
ReplyDelete