#11. The Tour Diaries!

Memories of The Tour 2k17, re-lived!

Before starting the journey, there are some pre-tour scenarios that need to be talked about.

The tour was under planning phase. Destination was almost confirmed. The most difficult task before us, was convincing our parents; especially for girls. Here, friendships came into role, took the effort. Finally almost everyone got permission. Can’t thank enough to our beloved teachers who were happily ready to accompany us(Vidya Ma’am, Sneha Ma’am and Ajesh Sir), who fully supported us in every aspect. Smiles persisted everywhere as the date was approaching.

Now, behind every successful happening, a person plays a vital role to make it happen. Azmi! How can we forget you, our little bomb! The person who did everything to make this dream come true, along with many other supporting hands. Yes, we all did it together, and was lead by him. Well, where was the destination? Shimoga, Dandeli and guess where else? Goaaaaaa! Some of our friends missed this tour, due to various reasons and I hope this will take them to everywhere and live them.

Let us begin our journey!

September 21, 2017 (The Day 0) – An evening that was the very beginning.

The white beast named Wanderlust arrived at Kannur royally. With almost a dozen people from there and on the way, we reached the land of food, the land where our second home COET is located- Thalassery. We saw the exciting faces of our friends who waited for the bus, and many of their parents, who were happy for their kids, yet, they had that missing feeling. After taking the count, and a silent prayer, the journey began with shouts,screams and sounds of happiness and excitement. Songs played, dancing started, eats in between, and then Anthakshari(which is a must play game). I rememer, the movie Godha was played then- quite inspirational movie! Time flew, we finally reached midnight.

September 22, 2017 (The Day 1), 12:00 am.

Happy birthday to you! Adil!

Wishes showered, birthday bumps offered, cake cut and eaten. Again songs played, late but all were awake. Then the tiredness and took everyone to sleep.

Waking up early morning, we saw a land filled with so much calmness and peace all around. Green everywhere, less infrastructures, rivers, trees, bushes. Shimoga! The nature’s love! Cool, and very good climate. We reached the hotel, from where we all had our fresh up and had our breakfast; typical south Indian breakfast that had masala dosas and idlis.

Off to Elephant camp. Of course, we saw elephants there. Selfies of love, not just pictures, but memories that’ll last forever. Key things to talk- Azmi communicating with an elephant, Ajesh Sir’s risky photography. Group photo was taken, and then we continued to the next destination: The Jungle Safari.

A vehicle similar to one of our college buses came, took us into the wild. We saw lions, tigers,emu, peacock, deer etc. Noticed a lion staring at us like we did something wrong. Felt a bit sad watching the caged ones. We all sat silently and watched everything like nursery kids. After the Safari, around 1 pm, we had our lunch. Was simple food, we had both veg and non veg items. After lunch, back to bus again and off to the next destination: The Jog Falls, around 100 km more to go.

On reaching the destination, we were told to carry drinking water since there was a bit to walk towards the falls. Only about 1,400 steps to go down. What!!!! 1400 Steps!!! Shocked, but none of us thought twice, ran down to witness the beauty of nature. Finally reached, but was not allowed to move much closer, still the scene was so much mesmerizing.

Amazing atmosphere. We all played with the fresh and cold water that came through the rocks, and also enjoyed a free fish spa(completely natural).

“Time to climb back guys”, the guards warned. The journey back to top was not so easy, but we made it simple. Steps were climbed together, same way we completed every day of our college life; together, as one. How can we forget the selfie stops! Whenever one of us got tired, everyone paused, took pictures, and then we all continued.

Stories(love stories by LJ), talks, laughs, so much fun. Everything was so lovable. Deep inside, something was hurting me, maybe I wished, this happiness never ended. On reaching the top, we had some refreshments and sat on the walls,again talked, clicked pictures. We then climbed on the bus, some peeped out through the windows, some remained down outside and our teachers clicked the group photo. Then, a Shimoga special laser show was a visual treat. Back to the bus, to a hotel there, where the dinner was arranged. This time buffet dinner, that was so delicious. After dinner, we spent some more time outside the hotel, and then back to the bus. Songs played, dancing continued(Some were doing serious photo editing for an upcoming birthday).

September 23, 2017 (The Day 2), 12:00 am.

Happy birthday Siraj and Jinsha!

This tour was indeed so much special as three of our friends had their birthdays during the tour. Birthday bumps offered, wishes from all, bus stopped, we got down went outside and cake was cut, eaten. It was late, so all wanted to sleep. The movie CIA(Comrade In America), was played. Finally, everyone fell asleep. At some point, I woke up and realised that we have already reached our next destination, Dandeli. First impression: A remote area, where we didn’t even have network signals. But again, I must say, this was a place, blessed by the mother nature. We had a riverside stay, where tents were already set up. Some sleep? Yeah.

Wake up everyone! It’s tea time! The tea was awesome; light, warm, flavored with elaichi. Then we had breakfast(bread,jam,butter,upma etc.) after small fresh up. Everyone then changed dresses, and we were off for river rafting.

A bit scared, but was excited. Many initially resisted to come, but later almost all agreed. First we had a jakuzi bath, and then we rafted. Thrilling, breathtaking! We then had lunch at around 4 in the evening and back to the riverside stay.

Was an evening well spent there! Cycling, playing football, evening walks, so much happiness. Some went on walks, talked about life, what else. We then had dinner, talked again, and then we all enjoyed the campfire. Played many games, I still remember the dance of Azmi, Sarang, Aneeska(our tour coordinator, more than that, our brother) and performances by others. Then we all had some sleep.

September 24, 2017 (The Day 3), 6:00 am.

All woke up, and we were off for trekking. Walked through the forests, out with my hearts. Puddles, Creeks from here and there reached a water area surrounded by rocks. Vidya fell in water while crossing the place. LOL! She even posed for a picture while she was down. Selfies were a must from every place.

We then returned to the riverside stay, enjoyed some archery, volleyball, and some river games. After a fresh up, we were off to Disney park, where we all refreshed our childhood memories, and took pictures with our favorite cartoon characters. Then after lunch, off to the coolest ever place, guess where??? GOAAAAAA…. Not reached yet, there was so much to travel.

Finally, surrounded with fog, we reached Goa, parked the bus and walked towards the hotel. There we met our fellow COETians, The Civil people. After dinner,the first surprise came out, our very own t-shirts, I call it “Explore”. We then went to the beach, spent some time there, and returned back. Back to bed.

September 25, 2017 (The Day 4), Around 7:30 am.

For the first time in the tour, rising late. After a quick fresh up, we had the breakfast, and were off to the Fort Aguda. Pictures taken, sun shined so much that, we all got tired of heat. Small shopping done! Glasses, hats.

We then had a decent lunch, and off to the beach. Baga, you beauty! It rained slightly, yet it wasn’t a big problem for us.

We then moved to the other beach area, for shopping. Some of them made tattoos(can’t forget ‘S’ and the Birds). We shopped for our loved ones, both friends and family. Chocolates were common among all. Then, all were called to the beach area, we saw an engagement type event(proposal), but that wasn’t the thing in spotlight. The surprise two! FlyHigh! The flying lanterns. That was so much amazing. We all flew them together. Some with hopes, some with love.

Then, a Raayappan special picture was clicked. That was a night, we can never ever forget.

Then, the showdown begin, back to the bus, and we were finally going back home. Nooo,,, But we had to. Never again, we will go anywhere like this. These four days, were like heaven. Back in bus, we all stayed awake. Many of us sang songs(even I had an opportunity to sing a couple of songs). And finally, tired and moody, we fell asleep.

September 26, 2017 (The Day 5), Morning

Back towards home, we stopped for the breakfast, and then back to the bus. We then signed T-shirts, gave autographs. The final year vibes really stroke my mind. Yes, we all are gonna say goodbye, to each others, to our college life. This was the beginning of the showdown. Many of us got emotional(I literally cried, only one person saw that.). Finally it was time for us to say goodbye. I was the first one to get out from the bus, at my place. Had so much enjoyment, but everything was so fast. Days flew like rocket. Friendships got more strong, everyone became more close, and what else!

YES, THAT WAS THE END OF THE TOUR 2K17.

We can’t thank enough our teachers, Aneeska, Azmi, and all other hearts, who did everything to make this tour successful. I love you all!

Today, being at the edge of last days of college, I just have to say, I apologize to each and everyone of you, for all the mistakes I’ve done, thank you all for all those wonderful memories that were born in these four colorful years. This tour diary was completely from my point, and if I have missed out many of your memories, I am sorry for that.

But, can’t thank enough to anyone of you people, I hope our friendship never ends.

Yes, the last days are here, let us live every moment from now on.

And all the best for the finals. Let all of us be engineers, who will make our country proud!

Hugs, kisses,

Viz. 🙂