Between
the beach and the forest trail
I yawned and awoke with a smile, wondering where I was.
I looked around the suite, slowly remembering where I
was. My friends were lounging around, eyes glued to the
television but I had eyes only for the balcony. I got
up and padded towards it, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
I stood outside, feeling the cool wind on my face and
marvelling at the view, which was breathtaking and awe
inspiring, all at once. Reality creeped in... the Grade
VI students of the Aditya Birla World Academy had transported
themselves to the sandy laps of Karwar in Karnataka for
their Annual Education Trip.
Departing from Mumbai on February
2 and after journeying through myriad terrains, we had
reached our destination and I couldn’t believe
my eyes as I gazed at the trees and the beauty of Mother
Nature as I stared at it. I realized that one would
be unfortunate not to experience this. This moment of
admiration had to give way to breakfast after which
we were headed off to the Goddess Saraswati temple-
one where none other than Chhatrapati Shivaji had trodden
and laid his faith. We all took one round around the
capacious pillar on which the statue stood. It was a
Hindu temple and it was an uplifting feeling to prostrate
before the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge. As we walked
outside the temple, we spotted some cannons...concrete
prints of a glorious epoch. What the scene missed, our
imagination filled up. We set off on a short trail that
led us to a greater height. We kept puffing and panting
our way through and after passing through two arches
reached the top of a cliff overlooking the sea and the
road. This was an incredulous vantage point, which outlined
the beautiful long white beaches and fabulous stretch
of blue water. There was a whole forest of palm trees
and a few white birds soaring in the air. It was total
bliss.
Just when we thought that out tryst
with history was over, our next destination was announced
to us- a warship museum. Here, we were enlightened on
the significant role of the Indian navy and how the
ship, N.S. Chapal had played a major role in the 1971
war against Pakistan. Having watched and heard the live
clippings from this piece of Indian combat history,
we were profoundly proud to hear about the loyal soldiers
who fought for our country. Then we were shown around
the ship, which had been decommissioned just as recent
as the year 2005! We saw the missile launchers, the
medals and badges of the crew, the controls, et al.
There were fake models of the crew and captain of the
ship as well. They looked so real! Then we returned
to the Lotus hotel and after a hearty lunch, rested
and watched TV for a while.
At 4:00, we left for the beach where
we spent our indulgently spent time getting wet from
head to toe in the salty sea water and playing kho kho
and football with the teachers. I think our time at
the beach had been the most fun. Then we went home to
wash off the sand and salt and get ready for the DJ
night in our best clothes and armed with our best moves.
It was great fun dancing to some racy tunes while ravenously
treating ourselves with delicacies from the buffet spread.
When our hunger was sated, we went up to our rooms,
contemplating the day and remembering the good moments
as we fell back and slept like logs.
We awoke with a start. It was 6:10!
Our friend, ran into the room screaming that we were very
late! We frantically put on our clothes, running helter
skelter down the stairs to and fro, pulling our suitcases
along. There was no time to stop for the lift. We arrived
just in the nick of time and after hurrying through our
breakfast, were off in the bus for Dandeli. We prepared
ourselves for the 3-4 hour journey ahead. Time passed
quicker than I thought! In seemingly no time at all we
were halfway there and I sat at the window, watching the
scenery outside change from the sea and beaches to forests
and glades. The ambience and serenity of the place shook
me from my very roots and put me in a trance like state
as I watched the overhead branches allow some dappled
light through. I saw natural little ponds and waterfalls.
I realized that even the least observant person would
have to be blind not to notice what Mother Nature had
provided us. We soon reached the resort and after settling
down in our respective rooms, the boys went down for coracle
l boating, whereas we went up for tree crossing. This
is a length of rope tied from one tree to another where
we are harnessed to the rope with special equipment and
have to make our way across, relying on the rope and our
hands. Soon, we were all done with our turn and made our
way to the coracle boating. A coracle boat is shaped like
a cup, or a bowl. It is round and is rowed with oars.
Around eleven of us got in together with two strong men
who rowed the boat with a powerful force. Our going was
slow and lulled us into a happy reverie. We had not seen
so much beauty before! It was almost much more than we
could digest at one time. It was also awesome when they
spun us round and round as fast as they could. Then after
lunch we had time to rest and get ready for the safari.
In the jeep, among my friends we did not see many animals
except for a wild hen, a white bird called the flycatcher
and a wild boar. But that did little to steal away the
excitement away from us. As we returned to the resort,
we could fell the chill slowly creeping in. we were caked
in mud and after washing down thoroughly we dressed warmly
and went for the bonfire where we roasted marshmallows
and ate dinner. Thus our trip was almost at an end with
good results, leaving me with a special bond I made with
Nature and my friends.
Quick Bytes
Your favourite moment on the trip.... ?
“Being at the beach, playing
in the sand, feeling the coolness and running with the
wind... Also, hanging out with my friends and spending
some real precious moments.”
- Maya Patel, Grade VI A
“When I was at the beach,
Maya and others dug a hole and when I put my feet in,
I felt as if I was getting a foot massage.”
— Arshia Saxena, Grade VI A
“My most memorable moment was at the N.S. Chapal
fighter ship. It made me feel proud to see that India’s
security is in such capable hands.”
— Udayin Udakia, Grade VI A
“The most memorable moment
was when my friends and I were playing soccer on the beach.
It felt like once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
— Akanksh Mody, Grade VI B
Your greatest learning from
the trip...?
“I learnt that being independent
is very important for each one of us. I also came to know
that our parents play such an important role in our lives.”
— Esha Bhatia, Grade VI A
“ I learnt about the Karachi war and the Indian navy.
For me, it was a great achievement as I didn’t know
anything at all about this. It has made me proud of my
country and instilled a patriotic feeling.”
— Rhea Poddar, Grade VI A
“ I learnt how animals live in the environment.”
— Karan Poojara, Grade VI B
“I learnt how to do tree crossing. It was a very
different experience for us as we had many different difficulties
to face and this will help me in my regular activities.”
— Aditya Mody, Grade VI A
Your experience on the trip as a teacher....?
“The students have learnt
about Nature, how to co-ordinate with friends, how to
manage themselves away from home and a lot of self discipline.
Personally, I learnt that when we are out, we should learn
how to utilise the time and make the most of it.”
— Miss Tripti Joshi, Hindi teacher for IGCSE
“For me it was challenging
to adjust to their biological clock on a trip and environment.
I realised that one should be totally well informed
and acquire entire tour itinerary from the tour operator
and the school. Next time I would insist on training
at least one of the teachers to be trained in first
aid.”
— Miss Mrudangi Khushrushai, Maths teacher and
Class Teacher, Grade VI A.
— Grade VI
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