By Mariyam hiba
On 31st January of this year, we the 12th batch of Educare institute of dental sceiences ,started off our journey from our college around 10:00 pm.We were a group of forty nine students (thirty nine girls and ten boys) accompanied by four staffs,Dr .Celestine Dawn peter(Dept. of Oral pathology),Dr.Anas, Mr.Sameer (Dept of Pharmacology)and Ms.Meera (Dept .of Anatomy).Two travel guides assigned by Melcon holidays ,Our tour package organisers also assisted us through out the journey and at each site visit.
Our first destination was Coorg, well known tourist spot and called the Scotland of India, which is around 231km away from here.The travel duration was around six hours and forty minutes and we safely reached there the next day ,on 1st of february by 8:30 am in the morning.
The breakfast was provided at Armaan food hut located in the golden temple road , koppa at Kushalnagar.The package included unlimited buffet food for which we were extremely pleased enough.After our food, we freshed up from our rooms for accomodation at Hotel Maharajas at Kushalnagar ,which wasn't that far from where we had our breakfast and headed towards the next destination; viz Dubare Elephant camp around 9:30 am .
Site no :1 - Dubare Elephant Camp and River rafting
Located at the banks of river Cauvery in coorg, The Dubare elephant camp was the most exciting spot we have visited all through our journey.One of the main attractions here is river rafting.For many of us it was a new experience to remember.The surrounding lush green ambience was greatly soothing and relaxing.we were divided into a number of groups ,each consisting of eight or nine students .Life jackets and all safety measures were adequately provided.For most of us being nature lovers, this place provided very much pleasure at the end.
Site no: 2 - Golden Temple
After our lunch,around 2:00 pm we headed towards our next destination ; viz Golden temple.Even though it is commonly named as Golden temple ,It is a Namdroling monastery at Bylakuppe, Coorg.It is the largest teaching center of the Nyingama lineage of Tibetan Buddhism in the world .There are a number of institutions built within in it's boundary.Many festivals and ceremonies takes place here in routine.The founder of this monastery is Guru Drubwang Padma Norbu Riponche.
Inside the temple, the statue of lord Budha and of two gurus Guru padsambava and Budha Amaityus were made of copper and plated with gold.Many bakths came in venerating and making offerings to them.
Site no: 3 -Nisargadhama Bamboo forest
Our next destination was Nisargodhama bamboo forest .The place consists of a bamboo forest and a deer park where you could feed the deer.The lush foliage of bamboo grooves, sandal wood and teak trees .The island is accessible through a hanging rope bridge .The place was rustic and unique .There were bamboo huts located at each spot in a small distance one after the other.The place got crowded within no time.Many statues and carved sculptures were present .
Shopping- After all our site visits of the day,around 6:00 pm we were allowed an hour for shopping .Many of us bought gifts and accessories for our families,siblings, parents and friends who could not join us this time.
Camp fire: The following night ,we had camp fire party that was the last but not the least part of our day.After camp fire ,we resided at hotel maharajas for the night after dinner at Armaan food hut.
The next day , on 2nd February we started from Coorg to chikmangloor , around 3.5 hours from there by 6:30 am.We had to have our breakfast from a hotel on our way.
Jeep Safari : On reaching chikmangloor hill station, we were divided into groups and distributed into a few jeeps for travelling to the peak of it.The journey was adventurous and quite exciting since the window panes provided us a natural spectacular view.On rising , we found it more beautiful to travel in it.The weather was pretty amazing too not so freezing cold but still cooler in nature.But as we went higher it gradually started getting cold.
Site no: 4 - The park near Siri cafe.
Siri cafe at Chikmangloor is well known restaurant that serves Indian snacks along with tea and coffee.It also provides Asian and Indian dishes.Even though we had no much time to spent there,
The park adjacent to it provided us super backgrounds for our photographs and the art works done with plants and flowers were mesmerising.The main attractions of the Siri Cafe is that as soon as one enters the park,of the sight of a huge woman moulded out of cement and beautifully decorated with plants and flowers.
Site no : 6 - Z point
Our next destination was Z point.Z point is a scenic place.The peak gets its name as Z point because it appears to be "Z" in shape.The view from the top is extraordinary.The weather by then got colder enough to make us wear jackets.The place was much suitable for photography .
Site no : 7- Mulliyaangiri Temple
Mulliyangiri is one of the highest peaks in Karnataka. To reach the top we need to climb a solid 300 steps.At the top ,is located the Mulliyaangiri shiva temple.Though the site view became more natural and soothing, the effort to climb up to the top was pretty hectic.
Camp fire: The last night of our batch tour we spent playing games forming teams and the session was very interactive and playing pranks among was quite an enjoyable through out.The night of 2nd february, was the last part of our batch trip with that we all settled down back to our seats in the buses for having naps and the next day at 10:00 am in the morning we arrived back at our college.
The batch trip of our batch this year helped us relieve ourselves for a few days from the daily routine lives we follow midst our graduation course.The leisure, the phase of an essential break indeed was a great opportunity for ourselves to know better about ourselves and our peers.Indeed, travel does provide a platform to get to know each other.Sharing and caring paved ways for intimacy between us ,we feel.Our much adorable teachers too, were so enthusiastic in taking us along from one place to other.They were very friendly than ever since the begining of our journey. If they were not a part of our journey , the trip would not have been so lively.After each site visit they ensured that everyone is back to their buses. A profound thanks to our beloved teachers.
For providing us consent for the batch trip this year we express our sincere gratitude to our Principal ,Dr.Indushekar and Dr.Abdul Razak , Administrative officer in permitting us from hostel to go for the tour on account of our parents' consent .Lastly, we thank each other for the cooperation and commitment we had these days which helped us move on happily around all through the journey.
Let this wonderful experience stay longer in our hearts and remain a memorable one in each one of us.
By Mariyam hiba
Superb