truth behind this amazing picture
I have visited several small hills in the past decade since I shifted base to India. Before that? I only walked on sand. I have been to Nandi Hills, Avalabetta Hilltop and a few other hills in and around Karnataka. I have also paid my respects to the popular Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan (click to check out my blog).
However, I most definitely have to tell you the truth behind this amazing picture in the skies (or on the top of the Skandagiri hills during sunrise).
Due to the pandemic, we were all stagnant like some of the lakes in Bangalore. I had taken part in blog challenges, organized some blog challenges and received quite a few blog collaborations, too. I was happy with my blogging journey because I had a lot of time to write and improve my website in several ways. But, I realized that it had affected my system in some way only after this particular night trek organized by Namma Trip, an off-beat travel company in Bengaluru.
We went to the pick-up point at 1 am and waited until they loaded us into the bus with several other excited night trekkers. After a long loo break somewhere along the way, we reached the base of the hill. Everything was going slowly and smoothly; a good pace for me that night. I was also happy that I did not feel sick on the bus; I usually have motion sickness.
We walked from the bus to the base of the hill before we started climbing up. Suddenly, I began feeling a little uncomfortable. I felt like I was pushing myself to walk. But I couldn’t stop right then as we had to walk with the group. My friends were regular trekkers and I found myself slowing them down, too. So, I stood for a while and took a few deep breaths. I had to go on!
A few meters forward and I was completely not in control of my body. I started feeling like I was straining my heart muscles. I was disappointed, confused and nauseous. I sat down on a huge stone while the group went forward. I marked my territory with puke on the side of the pathway. Everything that I had eaten during that day, escaped me.
After that, I felt light but weak. I wanted to see the sunrise but did not have the energy to go even a step further. I was about to tell my friends that I could probably rest in the bus. Out of nowhere, one of the guides held my hand and helped me walk a few steps. I thought it would be for a little while but the kind soul was with me, holding my hand like I was a kid, all the way up.
Thanks to him, I got to see the sunrise from the top of a hill. It was a lovely sight. I had never seen anything like it before. The horizon was dark and the sun looked like a fiery ball rising from the depths of the Earth. I stared in awe. I saw the orange sun move upwards into the clear blue sky. It was an incredible sight.
We clicked a lot of pictures until it was time to turn back. I was all set to climb down and was sure I could do this easily, but the guide who helped me thought otherwise. He held my hand all the way and made sure I climbed down without a sweat. On the way down, we watched people slipping, tumbling and hurting different parts of their bodies. I had help along the way and I was thankful to God for this angel to helped me throughout this trek in one piece.
After assessing why the puking happened, my friends and I decided that it could have been the combination of no exercise for the past few months, sudden strain to my body and less sleep that day. I had never done a night trek before. This was my first time. The first I would always remember for years to come.
As a conclusion, I would like to stress on the importance of making physical activity a part of your everyday life. I didn’t realize that while I was aiming at taking my blog to the next level, my health was also going to the next level – but downwards. After the trek, for around a month, I went for a walk and used the stairs instead of the lift. Then I began walking every single night till date. I did not want to be puking on my next trek. I want to click pictures and be healthy till I reach the top!
You can start taking care of your health, too, as you won’t know how your sedentary lifestyle affects you until something happens. So, I hope you will start today!!
What form of exercise do you do every day? Have you been on a night trek?
This blog post is part of the blog challenge
‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by
Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with
VoxBox.
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29 Comments
I’m so glad you made it to the top despite adversity. That’s the real strength in you!
Thanks, Noor.
I have seen sunrise from ocean side but not from hills ! What a scene!! Must be an unforgettable experience
Oh yes it was, Meenu! Thanks for reading!
Those photos look right outside from a movie. And did you just say you guys started at 1AM? That would’ve been so thrilling. I’ll checkout more of your posts.
Thank you, Raghav!
i remember trekking up Mullaiyanagiri a few years back. It is the highest peak in Karnataka. We too started from our homestay in the dead of the night to catch the sunrise but unfortunately could not get to see it coz of the thick fog. nevertheless the trek itself was an awesome experience.
Wow, should check that one out too!
What a gorgeous sunrise. I agree exercising is necessary to enjoy these kinds of activities. I was in same situation once and one friend of mine held my hand and helped me like your guide.
Awesome, Abha!
So true Cindy. The pandemic has done a number on our health too. Both physical and mental. Your experience trekking is so relatable. And the sunrise is breathtaking.
Thank you, Ritu!
It was a wake-up call for you, Cindy. Make walking and exercise a way of life and not just an option. You dance and I think that would be a great exercise as well. I started walking this January and am not going to stop. Sadly, I didn’t finish the trek to Tiger’s nest as I have a bad back.
Awww, you can do it. Just keep walking, Harjeet!
Never been to a night treak , few weeks back visited a Dargah which was uphills and climbing 100+ stairs seemed too difficult , that made me realise I need to be more physically active , now doing morning walks regularly 🙂
Wow, glad that you are, Ghazala!
Good to see your hiking experience, Cindy. You are right in saying that no matter how happy we get with our professional achievements, our physical health needs to be taken care of.
So, true, Aditi!
The sunrise looks beautiful. It reminds me of the sunrise we watched at Thekaddy. You are absolutely right. Daily exercise is very important, whatever your age. We should not wait for a wake-up call.
Thanks, Madhu!
This post was like a virtual trek for me. Ever since I have moved to Delhi I am stuck in one place. However, these pictures and your narration about your trek was a refreshing read.
Hey Moni, you can go around Darjeeling. That’s hopefully going to be our next trek. Let’s see!
What a picture-perfect sunrise. I loved doing treks and this was a sheer experience I must say. Exercise is always good for trekking purposes as we have to walk and trek on rough patches. Lovely read.
Thanks, Pamela!
That sounds like a scary adventure but the video and the photos are amazing! I want to go trekking too and I’ve never gone on a trek before. But it looks like I should regularly exercise for 6 months before I attempt one. Great post and thank you for introducing me to Namma Trip.
Yeah, you should make physical activity a part of your every day life whether you want to go on a trek or not. It’s difficult, but much needed.
I had the same experience, but it was a day trek – it was supposed to be a monsoon trek but it didn’t rain that day – the scorching sun, a deadly climb and dehydration took a toll on me. It was all happened by lack of physical exercise. I too had an angel who etched me to reach at least 80% of the way 🙂
Oh, I’m not the only one then.
Beautiful sunrise pics. Thanks for taking me to virtual trek along with you, with your descriptive post. I felt like as though I had travelled along with you.