Wide Aware has organized a simple hike and waterfall rappelling (canyoning) outing to Kondana Caves on the 26th of July, 2009 (Sunday).
Participants exploring carved cave at Kondana
Our group will leave Mumbai at 6:30am and go to Kondivade village. After a filling breakfast, we head on to the caves, which is about an hours moderate walk. Once there, we have some time to explore the caves and rappel down the waterfall that curtains the mouth of the cave.
Rappelling is a means of descending steep vertical faces with the assistance of a rope and specialized equipment. It is a quick and exciting experience. When you combine it with the magic of the Sahyadri in the monsoon, you get to do that exciting descent through a waterfall. You won’t believe how much fun it is, till you experience it.
We walk down to Kondivade for a late lunch and some time to clean and freshen up. We leave for Mumbai post tea and snacks in the evening. We should be back by 8pm or so (depending on traffic).
Participation is open for teenagers and above in age, right up to your fifties. Please note that while there is nothing difficult, there is a fair amount of walking and physical exertion involved, and discuss any fitness and health concerns with Raka before confirming your participation.
The costs for this adventure outing are Rs.1,100/- per head. These costs include travel by Sumo, breakfast, lunch and dinner; and skilled instruction and equipment for the hike and rappelling.
If you would like to join in, please speak with Raghavendra Kale (Raka) directly on 09869433342 or (if there is some problem getting through to him) Vidyut Kale – 09892469127. If you are planning on coming, it is important to confirm your attendance as early as possible, as we will be operating on a first-come-first serve.
If there remains a difficulty in getting through to either of us, please comment on this post with your correct email address, and we will get back to you. You may also contact us through the contact form here.
Posted on 2009 under Thoughts, sidenotes |
21
Jun
Its time I started thinking of what I’m going to call my little bean. Since we are in India, there is no question of knowing if its a boy or girl till delivery. I was thinking of simple and interesting names that may be Indian, yet don’t have religious connotations.
Two syllable names would be nice.
Do you guys have any suggestions?
BTW, it did drizzle slightly this evening, which promptly put me in a tizzy about finally heading out. I’ve been cooped at home for days now, finding the heat and humidity outside unbearable in my condition, and wanting to see something unbound by walls.
Raka and I went out to a Jogger’s Park called Jhansi ki Rani in Borivali West. Its newly opened (about a week or so), and you could almost smell the newness of it, but its quite nice. There is a central lake thing which is quite empty at the moment, but I guess the upcoming monsoon should take care of that.
Typical jogging track flooring in red and yellow (when its grey, its road paving tile), plant beds in concrete borders next to the walking track, and so on. What was nice was the drizzle, the benches facing the lake and the old hindi music on speakers along the track. We walked the obligatory round or so, and choose a bench to sit on. Played games as we waited for the rain to intensify – it didn’t. I guess it wa better than nothing.
Nice birds around. Unfortunately, no camera. Without making an effort about the whole thing, we saw herons, cormorands and kingfishers. The park was so spanking new, that the rain puddled on the fancy floor, because no one had thought of drains yet and as we were ready to leave, we spotted some emergency digging happening. Good for them.
The crowd was nice enough as much as looking can tell, and as an experience of freedom from the relentless heat, it made my day. Some corn and coconut water later, we were back home, nowhere near dripping, for all our ‘get-drenched’ plans. Damp. That was the descriptor of our state after over an hour and a half in that drizzle. Whatever. It was fun.
Cheering the rain on!!!
If it continues, we have plans lined up. Splashing on the terrace of our building, clicking cloud photos when its not raining; heading off to Gorai to watch the sea and generally walk around, going to a couple of other parks nearby; going to the National Park…… Raka plans to go on a weekend hike next week if it rains…..
Bring on the rain!
Posted on 2009 under Monsoons |
21
Jun
Have been looking skyward and hoping for days.
Yesterday, I was leaving for the Resonate office with some charts I’d made, and a few drops of rain fell on me. Trust the day when I have fragile charts with me to be the day it would rain, I grumbled as I hurried to get a rickshaw. Unfortunately, it didn’t rain after I got the rickshaw either.
Spent a nice day in the office, and walked out to the smell of wet earth, though the ground looked dry. I guess it was still wet in the playground next door. The rickshaw ride back showed wetter and wetter roads as I approached home. It wasn’t raining.
The first thing my mother-in-law asked as I walked in was if I got wet. She knew how much I’d been waiting for the rain… Unfortunately, it seemed to have rained everywhere except where I was 
I held hope about the overcast sky all evening, night and today, though it seems lighter now.
The window is wide open. If I see it raining, I’m walking out to get wet. Maybe I’ll dance like a peacock.
Update: The sky is now clear. I wonder where all that gloomy grey from yesterday went without delivering on its promise. Darn!
Hi Folks,
We have another summer adventure camp coming up as a result of our very enjoyable and satisfying relationship with Mountain Holidays. This time, it is for children between 7 and 12 years of age and we have planned it for Matheran.
Dates: 25th to the 28th of May, 2009
Group will be staying at Hotel Girivihar in Matheran (for information for parents). Stay and food in this place is quite nice and clean, and as the age group for this camp is on the younger side, we have chosen the relative comfort, so that tired kids get a good chance to recharge their energies every day. However, this information is for your reference. Parents are not allowed to attend the actual camp, as it distracts participants.
Activities include Rappelling, Valley Crossing, Vertical Ladder, Australian Walk, Acid River Crossing, Spider Web, Obstacle Games, Star Gazing, a small trek, Treasure Hunt, Camp Fun, etc. Having a residential experience in Matheran on their own terms is an excitement in itself, with its rustic charm, lack of motorised transport and abundance of natural experiences set in a context that grabs a child’s sense of adventure.
The group will be assembling at Thane Station WEST main ticket window, and proceeding by train, well escorted by instructors.
Well qualified instructors, basic first aid and a doctor on call ensure that the excitement is not at the expense of safety.
Fees: Rs.3,250/- per child.
Hemant is our man for managing camps this year, as Raka and I wish to take things easy because of this pregnancy. Please speak with him directly for more information – +91 9869368459, +91 9702197245.
It would be a good idea to mention that you got the information from the site, so that he knows how much you know, and how much information you need to have.
So, Good Luck, and celebrate an opportunity to create adventure for your child!
A friend wants to be a consultant. She is willing to give up her job and do whatever it takes to become so. My first suggestion to her was, “WAIT!”
There seems to be a belief that changework happens only fancy paid consultants and trainers and so on. Yet, if that is reality, all these people (including me) are failing miserably. The fact of the matter is, change happens everywhere, all the time. If you focus on positive change and manage to do it, great, you are actively doing changework, regardless of what your job description is.
Wanting the label, is a chief symptom of becoming a ballerina for the applause, and while it may be possible to indulge in love for applause for a successful ballerina, nothing but the love for dancing ever created genius. The consultants I look at with respect, to date, are learners. People commited to expanding their own learning horizons. This is what gives them the power to continually keep others reaching beyond their horizons.
Most outstanding consultants I know, also didn’t get where they are by having an ambition to consult, but by developing their knowledge to extents where people asked for their experience to assist their own growth.
Please, I’m certainly not calling you an evil person to want to be superior or something. Just pointing out something I discovered, and saw echoed in all I wanted to be like. I have my own share of thirst for glory, yet the best work I do is when I forget it and become an artist with the people I am with.
So what do I recommend?
I’d say that setting off on a journey of self-discovery would be a start. Watch yourself and see why you do things. Watch people and see how they impact each other and situations. What they speak, what they do, what they admit, and what they hide, and what happens as a result. Discover your own self and what you do. Discover what happens when a group of people come together as organizations and what impact does the situation have on them.
Use this knowledge to really understand people with you wherever you are. Free consulting opportunities abound in your current job (no matter what it is), without the hassle of “convincing” clients based on limited experience and then worrying about developing as a consultant slower based on limited opportunities with clients. Work with friends, family, colleagues. Volunteer with NGOs, work with kids in your area, hold the space for get-togethers to add meaning to them. See what happens. See when you are effective, see when what you do is resisted. Enrich lives. Empower people. Learn to drive positive change.
As you learn, you will realize that your role becomes visible and more opportunities become visible. Then, if you still want to be a consultant, a suitable wave will come along, waiting for you to surf it.
