An exciting trip to Savanadurga

On Friday the 26th of May, our project team of 30 and odd members set out on a trip to Savanadurga Forests, 62 kms from Bangalore near Magadi Town. What was all exciting about the trip was that we knew where we are going, but never knew what was kept in store for us and all activities planned were maintained as top secret!!!

This was the final event as a part of the fun week celebrated in my project for team building and of course, enjoyment. There were tourneys for board games like chess and carrom and computer games Midtown Madness and Quake-3. Plus a couple of spot events too.... 4 days of total masti and then, for the fifth day, a memorable team outing.



We had breakfast on the way under a road side shady tree which itself was a new experience for most of us. After a great breakfast, we reached the camping spot in about an hour. We were split in three teams and began our forest exploration with our team leaders and guides. Our target: To reach the destination given in the map on our own, exploring the forest with the help of compass and the map.



As expected we were lost though the experience of travelling through the forest was a great one. Who minds small scratches from all those thorny bushes all over??? ;-) The forest was situated near a hill which by itself has lots of stories to tell. Our guide pointed us to a scribble on the hill saying "Abhay Eesha" and said they were two lovers who made their love eternal by jumping off the hill :-(



After getting lost, with the guide's help we reached the destination, posed for photos and reached back to our camp site. Then after an okay kinda lunch and a short period of rest, we were back to activites.



Next activity was river crossing, and we were really scared when we came to know that there was actually no river present and we had to cross a rocky terrain from about 30 feet of height holding on to a rope. Though I was claiming "I can't" in the beginning, I finally gathered all courage and did it. It was really great experience combined with adventure.



After this there was rapelling, where we had to get down from an approx. 30 feet rock. Again scared but did it somehow. :P



Finally there was a boat ride in the lake nearby on a Coraccle(as said by our guide). On a cloudy and cool evening, close to sunset, it was a beautiful ride through green waters.... Unforgettable!!!!



With three cheers for our client :P and thanks to our guides, we started our journey back to Bangalore in our bus. And one hour later, back to pollution and traffic jam of the city.. Who cares? The experiences of the day made me forget everything!!!! An experience that I will cherish for a lifetime....



Note the dog in the above group snap. One cannot find such good and affectionate dogs anywhere else... They were with us as a team throughout the day!!! :-D