Trip to Singapore- 1

Singapore is my 2^nd country that I visited after Dubai. This visit happened within month after I returned from Dubai. Also, there is long list of blogs pending from trip to Dandeli, to Dubai as well as Singapore due to nature of my work which is kind of very hectic from last few months.

Unlike Dubai, I was on a short business visit to Singapore for 30 days which means I have 4 weekends and 8 full days for Singapore visit. I was very excited and also planned to utilize my time in Singapore effectively.

Singapore Flyer

Hotel Marina Bay sands to Singapore is what Burj Khalifa to Dubai

My Stay was at the Hotel Novotel, Clarke quay which is situated in the heart of the city for 1 week and in Hotel Holiday Inn express situated in Orchard road.

Let me tell you the places that I cover during my stay and I am quite satisfied as I covered good number of places.

Day 1: I covered Marina bay sands, Merlion Park, Little India, Esplanade, Mustafa café.

Day 2: I went to Singapore Flyer

Day 3: I went to Sentosa island, Universal studios

Day 4: I visited Botanical gardens

Day 5: Spend time in some coolest places in Clarky quay like Red dot and enjoyed the Green Beer of the Singapore.

Day 6: Visited garden by the bay

Day7:  Covered MacRitchie forest trails consisting of 11 km nature walk

Day 8: Visited Pulau Ubin island, known for cycling in a lush green pollution free environment. There is no diesel/petrol operated vehicles.

Day 9: Went to southern ridges that included Henderson waves consisting of 9 km walk.

Some of the other things that were on my list but I missed are, Jurong bird park, Night safari, Kusu Island.

I must say I was stunned by the greenery in the Singapore. I have not seen a place where you cannot see the trees. Also, there are so many parks and runners path/nature trail for people who love to take long walks amidst nature. For nature lover, it’s a heaven.

All these areas will be covered in detail in subsequent blogs. If you like this post, please like my Facebook page.

Morning at Khajaguda - Hyderabad - Part 2

Please click here to read part 1

This is quite new to all of us and was most challenging part of the meet till now. As soon as we come across it after caving, many of us were not willing to do it. Some tried but come back after reaching mid-way. It took good time; however, with the help of trainers as well as push, we all conquered this also and reached to the top. Now, it was time for some rest. Splendid view at the top, cool winds were giving the feeling of being alive. 

Our Doctor and Trainer

We played some small games, take pictures, gossiped and traversed our way back. While coming down again there were lots of worries but no other option than to come down. I also got some scratches at my back due to sharp stones but that is absolutely fine against the happiness of conquering this and having tried something new.

Task 6 - Caving

After returning, there was 1 more round of Caving. This round looks easy but was very difficult for fat people. Despite several warnings, I decide to ty this but since I will be qualified in those fat people, I was trapped in between the rocks. All the people were cheering me from outside and were shouting name saying c’mon but I was not able to breathe properly even move by body because I was completely fitted in between the space. I was quite scared and thought what will happen now. I was not even able to raise my head, leave about taking the turn. 

But slowly, after making very tiny moments, I managed to get out in 15 minutes. I was profusely sweating. Thanked god and everyone. When I was inside, people were constantly taking my pictures and that flash on your face you know how irritating it was. I thought maybe they will earn some extra bucks by selling this pic to media. Media, these days, you know, I have no good words for them. 

With this, everyone open their refreshments and share about their experiences. It was time to give money to the organizer. Finally, we call it a day. We are still in contact with each other. That is the beauty of this GHAC club. It was at around 10.30 am when we finished all this.

It was quite a feeling for me to spend some good 5 hours on Saturday morning at such a beautiful place which would normally be reserved for hangover of the previous day parties. Yes, this is one of those steps I am taking to make my life and lifestyle more simple.

This all package will cost you 50 bucks and is come under Easy/beginner level. Can you believe? 

Morning at Khajaguda - Hyderabad - Part 1

Khajaguda, one stop for all the adventure activities, is a village in Serlingampally mandal of Hyderabad near to HITECH city of Hyderabd but still unfamiliar for many working in HITEC city. 

This place is a mystery to me also until one day when I came across the group Great Hyderabad Adventure Club popularly known as GHAC club. This club caters to activities like  Trekking, Hiking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Outdoors, Nature and Adventure sport activities like Bouldering, Rock climbing and Rappelling to name a few every weekend in Hyderabad and that too at minimal prices. Khajaguda and Shamirpet are the 2 popular places where this club organizes these activities. 

It was on 21^st Nov that I get associated with this club and enjoyed my first hike in Hyderabad. After that, I am going out every weekend with this group. Last week, we went to Dandeli, wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka. 

It was at around 5:45 am when we all meet at West Durgam Cheruvu Bus stop which is 1 km from Khajaguda. We were all set to start at 6. After a brief introduction and filling disclaimer form, trainer asked everyone to do some basic exercise for warmup. 

After warm up, we started with full of excitement. The moment we ascend some height, I was mesmerized by the view this place offers. I never imagined such place untouched in the midst of corporate jungle. This place has lot of boulders, stones balancing each other by law of nature, ample space and beautiful views. We felt little cold also at this place as it is not very commercialized.

Task 1 – Basic Climbing and Trekking

Trainer demonstrates us how to climb the L-shaped stone. Task looks easy but once we tried, none of us was able to complete. He asked us to proceed and soothe us by saying that you will learn all this things with time and patience. 

 

Climbing

Task 2 - Climbing

After hiking some height, there was 1 place where he showed us how to climb and asked us to climb that too. Trainer and organizer were very encouraging and supported everyone.

After reaching at the top, we clicked some of the pictures from the top and yes it was also the time for Group picture. This task was easy but 1 lady injured her knee while coming down. Fortunately, there is always 1 doctor in GHAC meets.

Group picture

Caving

We enjoyed sitting there interacting about the likes and hobbies of each other. Some of us including me thought action is over for the day however; all this was to set the pace of the day for some more difficult activities. Till now, we only saw trailer.

Task 3 - Scrambling

After a brief rest which was actually not required, we started again. After trekking some distance, we started scrambling. It was bit difficult as most of us even don’t have proper shoes also. However, we managed.

Task 4 - Caving

Next part of journey includes caving as well as chimneying to reach the top. Caving was easy for thin guys as we have to roll ourselves between 2 stones but still many people have small injuries. Some are hitting their knees, some their head.

Task 5 - Chimneying

Next is chimneying.

Term derived from the term chimney which is the passage through which smoke escapes. In chimneying, we climb the vertical parallel rock cleft using our head, back and feet to apply opposite pressure on the vertical walls.

Please continue here for part 2. 

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