Mad River Field trip: Day 2

Let the fun begin

Sun dawned in paradise as I rose at 8 in in the morning. The rest of the guys were still asleep so I quietly got ready then armed with my camera, faced the outside world. 

It was amazing to see the place revealed in daylight, since I had no idea what it was like the previous night. I took many photo's of the plants and the river Nicky. 

 

I went back to the room, and tried to find a place to read. There wasn't a balcony chair, and I couldn't read inside so I stole one from our neighbours by jumping onto a ledge and taking one of their chairs. I read Lord of the Rings in peace for half an hour. 

At 9 it was breakfast time. They served rice noodles with milk and sugar and some toast. It didn't taste bad, just different. I hadn't had many different breakfasts since I've arrived here, so it was good to have some change. 

We started canoeing at 11:15, and I got in one with Vishnu and Johan. 

We paddled into the canal next to the hotel and started exploring down it. 

No one told us we weren't mean to pass the first bridge. We passed it after about 5 minutes and kept going for another 40.

We passed through villages, waving to those who stood and watched us on the banks. 

We saw 3 snakes swimming in the water and passed under a very low bridge where we had to lie inside the canoe to go under. 

We got a video of our passage under that bridge, but the videos have problems opening on my computer. The best one didn't record, but there are these 2:

We arrived back at the hotel at 12:30, just before they were going to send the large motor boat after us. If we hadn't turned back, and the motor boat reached the bridge, I wonder how the would have got to us. 

After canoeing, everyone went swimming. They jumped of the dock and floated on life jackets. It was a great time with the humidity rising. 

Lunch was served at 2.

Afterwards was some lazy time.

I went outside and saw that some people were sitting in the roof of the motor boat talking, so I joined them. 

A bit later in the day I was outside seeing what other people were doing in my boredom. I found Ms Jessica and Mr Sarkar on the dock fishing. I sat with them a bit and talked as the sun began to descend towards the water.

From 4-5:30 we went on a bit of a journey a long the river. We talked and relaxed for the most part, but I always tried to have my camera on me. I got some nice photos.

There was one photo that I missed twice. The first time I saw it for a moment but it passed. Then coming back I kept looking at the bank, trying to see where it was. Whilst searching, some of the guys next to me were playing slaps. A part of the game is that if the other player flinches 3 times, they get a free slap (being hit by the other). I was watching one give the other a free slap, and when I turned back, I saw for a moment that same sight which I had seen the first time. Here's how I recorded it in my journal *clears throat*

"It was a sheltered tunnel of leaves that hung over a secret passage of the river. A canoe rested on its left bank. Light escapes through gaps in the leaves, illuminating a sight of true beauty." 

And so, the Indian Explorer missed a sight to behold (I slapped myself afterwards in annoyance)

It is my largest regret from the entire field trip.

The sunset didn't disappoint though, and compensated more than fairly in the amount of good photos.

Another '2 Feet Forward" photo for Linda and David

I think this could be mistaken
for a photo my dad took years ago...

After we had gone back to our rooms and rested, at 8:20 it was dinner. We ate chicken, chipati and chips.

Afterwards some of us went to watch Manchester United vs Manchester City on the TV in Mr Irfans room. 

I left at half time, and went to watch Conjuring (horror movie, same one I watched with dorm couple of weeks ago) with the guys in my room and 2 other girls on the field trip. We went to an empty cottage and started watching a film. The power went out and we had to go to another room. Since I'd already seen it, I warned them when a scary bit was coming up. It wasn't nearly as interesting the second time. 

After the movie was over, we eventually got back to our rooms. I read a little and listened to some music. 

I was in bed by 2 in the morning. As I was falling asleep I sung along to Friends by Michael W Smith, the 2003 version. I never realised that third day was in it as well as Amy Grant (I'm sure that news will stun very few of you, but it surprised me considerably).

Let us continue, to day 3!!...

Day 3: http://bit.ly/1bthCga

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me at: comanduash@gmail.com