As usual the planning function belongs to me (Sada)... This time for a change even Vishwas Hosadurga was busy, so couldn't help much with my plan...
So... I called the same number again. Mr. Rajendra... Though I knew the results would be the same. But for a change, got a different answer.. " Guess house under renovation"... didn't know what to say...
But he gave us an option. "Bhattara Mane". There was a Bhatta's house... he gave me the number.. I was in shimoga this time. Couldn't plan without internet. That too I was in my village. So called up Vishwas... He was damn busy with his work... Had two other options in mind. Nellitota and Simha farms... I asked vishwas to do some basic study on the same. He came back after two days just to say Simha was costly and nellitota is not traceable.
So, with no other choice I called up Bhatru just to find out if we can get accommodation over there for a night.. Bhatru was polite and was ready to accommodate with a condition. He wanted us to behave ourselves and wash the glass and plate which we use. So all prepared , but didn't inform the plan to Sans... as we were not sure how he takes it... I just told him everything is arranged .(That's what I always do).
So next day Evening all gathered in Shivamogga and started towards Hosanagara. Took a private bus.. Reached Hosanagara at 9.30. Couldn't locate the lodge which we had in mind. Asked some fool and walked for some Km's to finally find it.. It was good.. Mr. Vishwas was hungry.. but was not ready to allow any intake as others were not so interested.
Next day, got up early... without a bath we started. took a govt bus... got down in nittur,,,, had breakfast... Called up Bhatru... Must be busy in his pooja,.. he didnt pick up.
My 6th sense was saying that we will get the same guide.. Mr, Manjunath... that was right... with his ever blinking eyes he was all set to take us inside evergreen forest.
As usual, my planning mind popped up... So took a jeep till middle way. They charged a hefty charge of 350 for 4 Km's.
When I asked to reduce the price Mr. Rajendra cracked his so called joke. He just told us a jeep cant go with two tyres just becoz we are 3 in mumber.
Anyway, jeep Journey was good.. Our guide got some special medicine for Leeches. I was thinking in mind,, "ನಾನು ನೋಡದ ಲೀಚಾ?"...
Our destination was Arisina Gundi. Everybody adviced not to go there as its very leechi and steep. For our bad luck it had rained previous day.
Within 2 mins of starting our trek we encountered the wildest animal in the wild life sanctuary. "ಇಂಬಳ". In deed thats the only animal living in that forest.
We never faced so many Leeches in number.. As the locals adviced the place was very steep and we get literally screwed with the leeches. Not sure how many times we fell down,,, It was damn slippery.
We cant revert our decision.. Going back was impossible... None of us could look at the awesome nature as we were busy concentrating in our reddish foot. I was one who got maximum kisses from the leeches.
I was feeling dizzy as I was very tired from the trek + Kisses..
The Guide had something good to share. He said The falls is Just 1 Km away and there is some place to sit near ದಿ falls which has no bloodsuckers..
But the way to falls was scary... I went for a high jump as I had lost my balance... thankfully didn't get hurt. Others had same written on there fate including the Guide.
Suddenly, there was the Beauty which made us forget all our difficulty. It was Arisinagundi.. The place was filled with Green. Not sure why its called Arisina gundi.After a brief photo session I jumped into the water with my special swimming skills... But guys took a video just to prove how good I am in swimming...Further details not disclosed.
We opened our lunchbox to have famous nittur food.. was good.. But my 6th sense got to know that its going to pour.
Yes, It did. It was very scary to climb back in the rain. But had to.. had a terrible day climbing back... I was literally crawling through in that leachy mud.
I literally thought of jumping back into the falls rather climbing. Guide too had to face the nature's fury. not sure how many leech bite he got for the sake of 500 Rs.
So we decided to take a different route (which is the exit route towards kollur). It was flat.. so managed to be alive.
Cancelled our plan to Kodachadri due to the physical condition and the fear of Blood suckers.
Sans was disappointed a bit. I with no feelings as I could only look at the blood filled foot of mine. Not sure what Mr.. Vishwas was thinking of.
Guide advised us to go back. So we can save couple of 000's.
So, We decided to go back to Shivamogga on the same day with our unforgettable memories and with some beauty filled pics.
ಇಂದ
ಸದಾಶಿವ ಬಾಯರಿ
