Kunti Betta – My first ever trek.
It was an impulsive plan and I had no idea of making to the trek. But suddenly the travel bug prickled me to take it. Yo! Yo! It was my first and mast trekking experience.
“Don’t live your life bound by the shackles of your own schedule”
My roommate had booked “Night trek to Kunti betta” for four of us with thrillophilia. We were all set to start to Bangalore. Suddenly my friend received a call from the trek co-ordinator Swami that the people who have booked along with us for the night trek had postponed the dates. So now we were left with just four of us for the trek. Mr. Swami suggested us to take Anthragange trek. But we wanted to try Kunti Betta trek only as it had got kayaking activity also included in the package.
Kunti Betta
As we went higher, I could relish the feeling of joy inside me. There was serene calmness in the top. It was this calmness, which was entirely lacking in the bustling city, led me to exotic places. The flapping cool breeze not only energized our tired cells but also our souls.
The stunning scenery of the town totally lit in the night had added charm to the tranquility.
Lying quiet on a hill top admiring the open sky studded with diamond like stars was all that was required to make me ecstatic. I had one of those peaceful nights’ sleep in the cozy sleeping bag on the hill top.
It was a single seater kayak. Swami gave us basic instruction on kayaking. We were given life jackets and went one by one to kayak in the nearby lake. Each of us did kayaking for 10 minutes. After finishing the kayaking activity, we headed to the nearby restaurant for our breakfast.
Mysore
As we had already decided to go to Mysore from Mandya, we had kept Swami informed that we wouldn’t be taking the return journey to Bangalore. He dropped us at Mandya Bus stand to board bus to Mysore. Mysore was one and half an hour journey from Mandya. Our plan was to visit Mysore Zoo and Mysore palace. And most importantly I wanted to fulfill my long time wish of seeing Mysore palace fully lit in night.
We spent the first half of the day in Mysore zoo. Being a private zoo, the zoo was maintained well. Animals seemed healthier compared to other zoos.
After lunch, we made our way to Mysore palace, which was located right in the heart of the city. I read in an article that Mysore palace was demolished and reconstructed many times. The current palace was completed in 1912 and ever since the palace continued to remain revamped.
The majestic interiors of the palace made us spellbound with its varied splendors. It had an exquisitely decorated ceiling, gleaming tiled floors, gold painted and sculptured pillars, splendid mural painted walls and intricately carved doors.
In the evening, it started to rain. We patiently waited inside the palace for it to glow glee in the night. The night view was totally incredible.
Boooom. The palace was totally set alight. I felt obliged to the rain which had added bokeh effects to the night lit palace photographs.
No of days of trip – 1 Day
Overall Trip Cost – INR 2400
