Sunday, December 28, 2008

Bekal Trip - part 2 (Concluding)


I don’t know (didn’t bother to ask either) how long it took for Vroom to wake me and the others up. The time Anas (our driver) took in refreshing has been utilised by Valli and me in watching Aussies struggle against Proteas while Yoki slept like a log. First up on the journey was Bekal Fort…


There wasn’t anything great in the fort but Vroom made sure that we stopped at every joint and clicked the rest of us. Yoki kept teaching the angles (pun intended) in photography but Vroom suggested otherwise. Valli looked a man on mission – he of course had a train to catch in the evening from Kozhikode.




Aaaa dishummmmmm


A brief halt at the old fort was followed by the trip to the beach. It brought the sweet memories of childhood back. Vroom became John Abraham instantly showcasing his 3-4 packs. Rest of us could not dare to bare because of the lesser packs (rest all had only 1 pack). We settled for a more conservative approach.






The tripsters


The next three hours went past like minutes. Vroom and I were pitted against the might of Yoki and Valli in water catching. Probably Yoki underestimated the younger lot! Vroom and I set the beach on fire with our diving efforts. Yoki couldn’t take any more and retired prematurely!


But what followed was something no one expected. Two cute girls who were following us intently settled at a bench opposite us once we came out. Every one of us was pretty sure that they are glancing at him! It just took a cursory glance at their eyes to find out the cynosure of their eyes – Vroom! It seems they have become instant fans of Vroom – the John of Kozhikode. Last seen they were fighting for a photo with Vroom. They even proposed to Vroom that he accompany them to their place but he could not leave us.


And the journey back hostel was stupendous to say the least. The singers in Yoki, Vroom (and surprisingly me) came out to torture Valli with the choicest and oldest Hindi songs. Not that the era mattered for Valli; as long as it’s Hindi, its alien for him. More than Yoki, I surprised myself with the breadth of songs that I could boast! Lunch was followed by Yoki’s surrender – he could no longer occupy the front seat because of the impending sleep. I volunteered on one condition – Prodigal Daughter.


What started as a fun trip proved to be much more than that! It’s hard to compare trips but this one probably ranks above the one we took to Wayanad because of the sheer enjoyment we had; and of course Vroom’s girls. The only blots were that Vroom did not allow me to talk to the girls and that Valli missed the train.


Friday, December 26, 2008

Trip to Bekal - Part 1


Yoki:  We should be going somewhere.

Vroom: Yes. We ought to be out there in the Sun enjoying!

Sid: Yo! Let’s go!


When the initial euphoria died down, it was left to decide the place. Our eternal favourite Wayanad was ruled out right away. After all, we wanted to check out new locations. Silent valley, Mahe featured in our discussions but consensus was on Bekal fort. Butcher’s at home which meant fo(u)rt has to be scaled by the four of us!

The journey which was supposed to start very early in the morning (okay, 11 isn’t morning for most of you; but it is for all of us) got postponed till lunch because of the festive season. Christmas clause reminds everyone of Santa Claus but he did not give us any cabs. After innumerable calls conferencing the cab owners, drivers and our facilitator who is vacationing in Guruvayoor, we settled for an Indica. And the journey started at 3.


I planned for the journey in a big way making sure that Jeffrey Archer and his Prodigal Daughter accompany me. But, a serious threat to its existence from the tall guy made me dump it deep in the bag. Yoki became the DJ, with a difference. DJs normally play the songs people like; but Yoki played only those he liked. Anything close to Himesh or Emraan is dumped at the very first instance. Remixes aren’t on top of his list either which meant he spent more time fast forwarding the clips.


Fists of fury - Yoki feels the heat of Placements' season

The fort (co-called) in Mahe was the first place we stopped at. What would have happened if they did not tell us that it’s a fort? We would have thought it to be an old building; nothing more. Next up was a visit to the drive-in beach to look at the retreating Sun; it wasn’t on the agenda but Vroom was quick enough to spot the chance. Off we went to the beach looking at the setting Sun and enjoying the parachuting skills of the NCC cadets. We had an option of staying over night at the resort at Mahe but chose to go as close to the destination as possible.



Am off for a break sons!

Mahe to Bekal was the best part of our journey because Vroom, Valley and I had an uninterrupted sleep. Poor Yoki had nothing to do except monitor the traffic and count the vehicles. Being a perfectionist as he is, he promised to send us a report of the same once we are back on campus.


The clock was striking 9 when we found a hotel to stay. It was more than decent and the food was also good (much better than the mess we have back at school). The rest of the night was spent in the company of Queens, kings and the jacks. Valley could not beat the tag team of Vroom, Yoki and Sid. But it left us wondering how difficult it is to beat a man who has the lady luck smiling (all the time) on him!


(Next – The trip to the fort and Vroom’s girls at the beach)