Gembira loka zoo is in jogjakarta, Indonesia.
see you soon…
Author: vidyasagar
Engineer, traveller, Cyclist, self-experimenter, Aspiring triathlete
River rafting at kali nadi, dandeli
After five years of waiting, hoping I will get a chance to raft across the kali nadi in dandeli, I left from Chennai with dreams. Rafting at kali nadi is seasonal and the last time I went there, I could only go for a jungle safari and some sight-seeing places. This time around I was mentally prepared for both, to come back with or without the experience of river rafting at kali river. Meanwhile in the five year gap between my visits, I have already experienced the pleasure of rafting at barapole, madikeri. Even during that time our rafting guide mentioned about dandeli and brought back memories our uncherished dream at that time. Desire to raft at kali river became even stronger and waiting for the right season.
I fell asleep dreaming about rafting at kali river and then reached dandeli at early morning. All my friends had already arrived and we reached the guest house. We were told we could not raft today because reservations are full. Anything may happen overnight, rains could play spoil sport, the power house dam might be shut down, blah blah blah, thought running down within me.
We all slept in our rooms whole afternoon, and as soon as we woke up in the evening, we played with bow and arrow, Gun shooting, bridge crossing and zip lining. We played volleyball and then later in the night we danced around the campfire, forgetting about everything. Few of my friends were trying to photograph the fire in different perspectives. We went to sleep that night for our next day adrenaline rush.
We all assembled at the forest range office at dandeli from where we were taken to a place(I forgot the name). We got into the raft. It was summer holiday time, many students have come in groups. There were camera men at different places, standing on the rocks in the river, to take right clicks. The experience of rafting is unforgettable memories for some, great experience for many, and just another adventure for the experienced, just another day of work for the guide,good business for the agents and so forth many people are linked.
Picture speaks better than words and you can see them and wonder.
and then this one was great too!
For more photographs you can click river rafting photos in my flickr album.
These photographs are great, taken from many points, where these camera men stand all day long and in the evening, you have to collect it from them for Indian rupee three hundred.
Happy river rafting!
River rafting at Barapole, Madikeri
When I was posted in Raichur, the nearest place where I could do river rafting is in dandeli, and we could not do there because of non-availability of right time during the right season. We googled and found that rafting is done in madikeri. And once I got my transfer order to mangalore, I was really happy to go there, so that I will definitely get an opportunity to raft at madikeri.
The first time we visited madikeri, we could do only still water rafting as the water level is very low. We waited for a year for the right season and this time we succeeded. By this time we had already visited madikeri three times. It was an exhilarating experience. Only one of us know swimming and the rest of us are crowbars.
We had to keep the cameras in our bags as they are not water proof. I was wondering whether to take my mobile phone in a cover to take photos and our guide advised not to. I obeyed him, only to regret later. Happiness doubles by sharing and the best method of sharing is by showing photographs and some boasting to those who haven’t done.
The first time when we jump into the water, with life jacket, but without knowing how to swim, is indeed a great experience. You overcome your fear of drowning for the rest of your life when you take the first plunge. The first step is the most difficult one and you feel like you have achieved something big. Indeed it is a milestone in your personal life. The first plunge in the cauvery river, aroused my desire to learn swimming exceedingly.
We floated with the help of life jacket for a while and then climbed back to the raft, and left madikeri with a memorable experience.
It was the experience which made me fall in love with river rafting.
Happy river rafting!
Quantified self – My travels
For the first twenty-five years of my life, i wanted to travel but couldn’t. Later in the last eight years, i did went to places wherever and whenever possible. I just thought of compiling the places where i have lived and travelled over the years. Here is the list.
Places where i lived
- Chennai,India – More than 25 years
- Raichur, India – 2 years
- Mangalore, India – 2 1/2 years
- Sangatta, Indonesia – 8 months
- Damanjodi, India – 3 months
Data collection is the first step in any process. Even places where you travel can be compiled into something as i have grouped below which helps to quantify.
Places where i travelled
Caves
- Borra caves, Vishakapatinam, India
- Belum caves, Andhra, India
- Nellitheerta cave temple, Mangalore, India
- Elephant cave, Bali, Indonesia
- Vaishno devi cave shrine, India
- Edakkal caves, India
- Varaha caves, India
Hill Stations
- Ooty, India
- Darjiling & Gangtok, India
- Mahabaleshwar, India
- Mussoorie, India
- Patnitop, India
- Coorg, India
Zoo
- Arignar anna zoological park, Chennai, India
- Jawaharlal nehru zoo, Hyderabad, India
- Gembira loka zoo, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
- Shivaram karanth zoo, Mangalore, India
- Taveragoppa zoo, Shimoga, India
- Van vihar, Bhopal, India
- Guindy national park, Chennai, India
- Ramnagar national park, Jammu, India
Wild life sanctuaries
- Mudhumalai wildlife sanctuary
- Bandipur wildlife sanctuary
- Dandeli wildlife sanctuary
- Vedanthangal bird sanctuary
- Karakul bird sanctuary
- Ranganthitoo bird sanctuary
Islands
- St marys Island, India
- Borneo,Indonesia,
- Bali, Indonesia
- Jawa, Indonesia
- Beras basah, Indonesia
Cities
- Mysore, India
- Kolkatta, India
- Hyderabad, India
- Delhi, India
- Haridwar, India
- Bhopal, India
- Jakarta, Indonesia,
- Balikpapan, Indonesia
- Samarinda, Indonesia
- Jogjakarta, Indonesia,
- Bontang, Indonesia
As i start typing i got more ideas for classifications of places even depending on activities i have carried out. I would have been to a place where i would have done adventure sports, have seen a water fall, relaxed at a beach, trekked a hill, safaried in a forest. So the method of presentation of lists only helps to boast that I have travelled quite a few places over the years. It is not appealing for the readers, not inspiring for anybody who is travelling. After all experiences are real treasures. Then why count places. The reasons are many. See you in next post with better presenting methods.
Quantified self – Time management
This is how I spent my time during first three months in 2015.
It helped me to identify how much time I spend for relaxing, socializing etc., I.e in misc- 153 hours a month which according to me is high. So I started playing billiards(learning something new).
I found it difficult to accommodate playing billiards in my schedule even though I have 153 hours/ month in my account.
To analyse further I need breakup of my miscellaneous activities with time utilized. Right now my schedule is totally different till I join my office. Due to delay in getting my visa, I feel I am wasting more time. So I must have a backup plan of activities in case of availability of unplanned-abundant-free time.
Will publish more in future about self quantification. Have lots of data. Too busy……
Age is not a barrier to learn something new
i wanted to learn swimming for a long time, but opportunity kept evading me. I did river rafting , scuba diving and other water sports with much enthusiasm but with fear of drowning.
I learnt to swim at the age of 33 by reading blogs , watching videos and finally practising in the shallow end of swimming pool, all alone.
Learning to swim has taken my confidence level to a whole new level while enjoying water sports.
So my advice to everyone reading this is , keep learning new things, irrespective of your age.
As i could practice only on sundays and by self, it took me 6 months to swim.
The picture was taken During a water sport ride at beras basah Island near bontang, Indonesia.
Am I really a Foodie?
As long I was with my mother home food is the only option available. I liked whatever she cooked. Food was served with love and affection, so no second thoughts. Eat what is available and yes I was satisfied.
The moment I was transferred to a new place, life offered me new challenges. I was alone in a new place where there is no option to dine out. I was forced to learn basic cooking. I did not dare to go beyond that. Because my next transfer was to a place with lot of options to dine out. I even forgot how to cook.
And back when I got transferred to my hometown, the same food served by my mother with even more love and affection did not taste well, not because she did not cook like before, but because I have had a variety of foods. I had already traveled to more than 50 cities in those two years, and had a lot more knowledge about cuisine.
I had even tried food which is not available in my home town, numerous sea food, without taking care of my body. My belly grew big and now I have to compensate for that. I hate dieting. I like eating for pleasure. At that point of time I had many doubts about my food habits.
- Self cooking or depend on dear one
- Dine out with friends or family or alone
- Vegetarian or non vegetarian food
- Eating for pleasure vs Eating for health
- Limit food quantity vs eat till satisfaction
Despite all these doubts, without any hesitation I took breakfast, lunch and dinner apart from snacks during office. All my medical reports said I had all parameters within limits. So why stop eating for pleasure?
River rafting at Bali
For me year 2014 ended with a rafting session at Telaga Waja river at Bali, Indonesia. This was my third rafting experience besides barapole and kali rivers in India but definitely the longest and safest experience.
Welcome to river rafting at bali
We arrived at the rafting spot, with a welcome drink, we were given safety jacket, helmet and paddles. As usual stuff like ‘have you been to rafting’ , ‘I have been many times’ , ‘Do they take photographs’ , ‘Is it risky’, ‘Do i need to know swimming?’, ‘ Where to collect photographs’ , were discussed with new friends. The starting point had a small waterfall sort of. We rushed in water to get accustomed to and soon immersed.
Visually appealling
Prior to this i have done rafting twice in india. The places aroung Telaga waja river was so scenic, surrounded by mountainous forest, numerous waterfalls(waterfalls in Bangalore-Mangalore Train journey were more numerous), highly rocky, protruding cliffs, greenery within and surrounding river, and the number of rafts itself made a visual treat to eyes.
Comfortable and Safe
The single most important feature in rafting in Bali is the feeling of comfort and safe. With my prior experience i assure you ,It is very dangerous in India, but if you seek for thrill, definitely yes. There was a different kind of thrill in bali rafting, the protruding cliffs, you have to bend often , inorder to not to get hit by the rocks sometimes projected towards the river from land, yet you will feel safe. Bali rafting is for all people, family and children aged above ten.
Scenic Water falls
After an hour of rafting session, An optional break is provided to you. The raft is brought to rest near a scenic stunning breathtaking waterfalls. You can get down the raft and take some nice photographs here. Also they sell drinks.
Climax drop
This was most special in bali rafting. They drop your raft from a height of four metres with you inside the raft. Prior to this they ask you to keep smiling for photographs. The rest you can see below.
8 USD for softcopy and 4 USD for one hard copy(210 x 297 mm) is charged for these photos.
Delicious lunch
Because of the feeding received by your eyes, you will not feel hungry after the session. However lunch is provided at the end of the session after a climb in steps to the top of the cliff. Native food like Nasi Goreng(Fried rice) , Mie Goreng(Fried Noodles), water melon , Chicken , is available and delicious.
The Economic tour Itinary
It is very economic to do rafting in bali. It costed USD 30 per person for the following
1. Pickup from hotel to rafting spot (90 minutes journey from kuta)
2. Welcome drink
3. Collect your accessories – life jacket, helmet, sweep paddle
4. Rafting session – two hours (with a optional break after one hour in a stunning waterfall in mid forest)
5. Bathroom, changing room – towel provided free of cost. Carry only change of clothes.
5. Sumptuous lunch
6. Return to hotel.
Any more questions , feel free to contact me.
And I am waiting for future encounters with river, now that I knew swimming as well.
The Cyclist in me
During my school days every sunday we would have cycle race amongst us in madipakkam. During intermediate i go to tirusulam hills many times. Those were days when geared cycles are not there or not known to me. Going uphill would be tough task, but youth is always fine with available resources. Then after a gap of many years i rented a cycle at Mahabaleshwar hill station and had my adventures there. And now i am living in the island of borneo.
After buying a new cycle in the island of Borneo.
Photo taken by my friend inside our house as I am going alone for the ride.
What an excellent thought by the legendary scientist. He thought about theory of relativity while riding a bicycle.
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I am Vidyasagar
I am Vidyasagar. Indian by birth, Asian by ethnicity, Universal citizen by heart, Engineer by profession, Traveler by passion
I believe I am a multi skilled person. I have many passions and to do only one things out of that for a lifetime doesn’t go well with me. So I am indulging in as many things as possible, as many oppurtunities exist, as far I can stretch the limit, it goes on like this. Along the journey called life I learn many things, some out of creative mind, some by making mistakes, some by taking calculative risks, from what others do….. Here through this blog I would like to share My life, learnings, thoughts, views and above all My experiences.
Know more about my learnings through my experiences in this blog.