So, the plan wasn’t just a fluke. It all started to occur inside our heads as soon as it started to rain in Mumbai. Joy, one of my friends was elated with the idea of trekking the previous week itself, but logistical difficulties and our holiday schedules kept it at bay.
Fast forward to the past weekend, and the stars were all falling into place: a long weekend, perfect rainy weather forecast, three of us, and a hiking spot just 10 minutes away from home. It all kicked off on Saturday evening with the Indian Cricket Team posting a massive total against Bangladesh at the ongoing T20 World Cup Tournament, followed by Portugal’s display of sheer class at EURO 2024 against Türkiye in a group stage match. Ujjwal arrived in the evening, followed by Joy, who walked into the house with his rain jacket on, anticipating the forecasted rain. Evening was a chill night for us. We had a home-cooked dinner and went to bed earlier than usual, like good kids, as soon as the match ended.
The next morning was a ceremony in itself. Trekking was on our minds, but Ujjwal was nursing a different plan for the day. Joy, who was anticipating a decent downpour, seemed utterly disappointed as soon as the sun showed up in the sky. But that wasn’t enough to stop him. He was one of the most highly motivated souls for the day, and his enthusiasm was impeccable. Ujjwal was still pitching his plan of visiting some nearby waterfalls, but he couldn’t convince us to side with his plan. Ultimately, he had to give in, and just after breakfast, we packed water bottles and aimed directly for the trek.
Ten minutes later, we were at the gates of the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, with the sun still shining right on our heads, trying to choke our spirits. It was a beautiful day with some scattered clouds overhead and some dark clouds in the distance. We bought the tickets and headed straight inside the gates to the foothills. Our trek started on a good note. The terrain was steep, at least steep enough for someone who hadn’t done this in a very long time. The idea to keep going was simple: small steps and brief breaks every 10 minutes. So, we kept going despite the sun occasionally showing up uninvited. It was humid, and we had to keep sipping water to stay hydrated. The terrain was getting difficult to navigate, but we managed by pulling and pushing each other in times of crisis. We kept moving forward.
After a good 90 minutes of climbing up the hill, we calculated that the remaining distance could be covered in 15 minutes. At least that’s what we assumed. A bunch of guys hiking up just ahead of us ominously asked a passerby downhill how much time it would likely take them to reach the summit. He answered honestly, “Half an hour if you go nonstop and about 45 minutes if you plan to take short breaks in between.” Ujjwal, who was right behind us, was the first one to lose his entire enthusiasm upon hearing that, especially with the sun shining right on our heads and no trace of rain despite the cloudy day. So, we had to stop under a shaded structure exclusively erected for that purpose. It was the longest break we took. It was hot and humid. We had emptied our water bottles halfway by then. Joy, still upset about the unexpected hot weather, made a clear decision to go ahead only if it rained and to head back if it continued to be sunny. We agreed to that, and in anticipation of rain, we waited a little longer.
The sky was getting gloomier, and the clouds were darkening. The sun had finally given up the fight. We decided to march on, hoping for rain. After a brief walk, we stopped before the final stretch. Joy was cursing the Meteorological Department for their unreliable forecasts. Just 5 minutes into his gloom, it started to drizzle. Joy and I moved forward while Ujjwal decided to stay behind for a bit longer to admire the skylines of Mumbai.
Honestly, Joy and I weren’t sure about reaching to the top. Our plan was to go as far as we could, but suddenly we heard a roaring sound from the north. The rain was approaching, and we could see it making its way through the trees, coming straight at us, uphill. We were elated. It started to rain heavily, exactly what we had hoped for. It became part of our adventure — the sensation of raindrops on our faces, the earthy scent, and the unique atmosphere. We paused to listen to the rain drops falling on leaves and the ground — it was almost meditative.
After the downpour, we decided to head back downhill. The terrain had become damp and slippery. Going further uphill was as challenging as going downhill.
With hearts full of gratitude, we began our descent. We took some great pictures along the way. The terrain was challenging after the heavy rain, with water carrying mud and covering the stones, making it slippery and dangerous. We had to grab whatever we could to keep our balance. I slipped a couple of times. Joy slipped more. Ujjwal, meanwhile, was busy helping us and boasting about his slippers that surprisingly held up.
After an hour and a half of slipping and sliding, we were close to the exit gates. By the time we reached the gate, Joy was mud-soaked, and I had somehow survived the scare. Ujjwal was the cleanest among us, though he had his own hidden struggles.
We headed straight home, had a nice warm shower, and went out for dinner. We had skipped lunch, and it was time for some good food. With soda on the menu and a great main course, the day ended on a high note. After dinner, we watched a movie at home, and then everyone headed their separate ways, calling it a day.
The weekend was glorious. Days like this remind us to live and enjoy our lives, no matter how hard the struggle seems. Our trek was more than just a physical journey; it was a metaphor for life itself. It taught us to persevere, support each other, adapt to changes, stay positive, and cherish the simple pleasures. It’s all about creating moments, living life to the fullest, loving yourself, and pushing beyond your limits. It’s about moving forward and keep going on. Reflecting on that day, we cherish everything with gratitude.
