Nagala Hills: 3 Oct 2009

My friends and I had the good fortune of going for our first trek together yesterday, to Nagala Hills.
Nagala Hills are located in Andhra Pradesh, and about 120 Kms from Chennai.
We were supposed to board our bus near the Guindy Flyover at 5:30 in the morning. Setting our feet out in the early morning, when the sky was still dark and air, crisp, we had no idea of what a bounty of adventure the day would bring.
We boarded the bus and joined even more people, almost giddy with anticipation.
The journey started.
We're a bunch of very lazy people, not used to being up so early, so only after some 30 minutes of friendly banter, we found ourselves lolling on the window glass, deep in sleep, and the mechanic drone of the bus on.
The bus stopped for allowing the trekkers some breakfast-fuel, and then again, the torpid journey resumed.
Suddenly, After I dont know how much time, the bus stopped and we were informed of our having reached our destination. "Wowie!!" I thought, and also tried to prepare for what lay ahead.
The trek starts with crossing of a dam. We needed to climb up and then down the dam. having made of loose red sand and stones, it was like climb up and down the steel slide of the ones we have in childrens' parks. Arul, our leader, expertly exhibited how to do it, and as he said, it was pretty easy to do but just scary to look at. Well, some unfortunate poor blokes came wearing floaters, and sandals. They had quite a scare climbing up and sliding down the 50-60 feet high dam of rubble.
After that we continued to climb steep up. Having been brought up in the mountains, I found all nostalgic, childhood memories, rushing back to me. The climb started with all groups joking around, and friends playfully teasing each other, but soon, most were found conserving their energy, for the tougher times ahead :) ... Trekking up the mountain, all we could hear was the silent hum of the wind, russel of leaves on the trees, an occasional crack of a twig, and sound of water cackling somewhere down. Oh! This is what heaven must feel like! Of course... remixed by the constant huffing and puffing of all of us :)
Within 2 hours of continuous climb, we reached the summit of the hill. Oh the view! Magnificent view, took of what was left of our breaths ... away!!
There we rested for about 15-20 minutes. Having gathered some energy back, suddenly all of the people clicking photographs in all possible combinations from all possible angles, made it quite a sight! :D . As if collecting proof!

Anyways, till then Arul had found the way to a stream. Hearing the name of a water body, all the fish in our group began jumping with d-lite :P And the prospect of climbing down a steep slope with only help of a rope didn't deter them at all.
Using the rope, we all went down the sharp side of the mountain, to discover a dream. If nature had to make a jacuzzi, it made sure only the worthy used it ;-)
With a lively brook collecting in a depression on the big rocks and moving ahead, this was an awesome sight, at the first of with, we all squealed like children and jumped into the waters.
After about 1 and a half hour of water games and royal jacuzzi treatment, we were somehow hoarded out of the water.
It was already 5 and we had to get out of the jungle before it got dark.
But the water had done its wonders, and everyone, with replenished energy, we started our way back.
This time, since we were already at the base of the mountain, we didn't have to climb up much, and in no time walking, talking humming and singing, under the marvelous pink sky, we reached the great dam of mud.
Some people just chose to slide their descent.. :) It was funny !

On returning, under the full moon of Ashwini Poornima, we congratulated ourselves on such a successful day and for having returned with having gained so many more new friends..