Beyond Birds ‘n Blues: Experiencing Nature and Local Life at Devbhoomi Dwarka
21/12/2018: “Suhaana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen”
It was a chilly winter night in the month of December. Our bus was to depart at 2300 hours from Bopal Approach and I reached around half an hour before the departure. For the first time in Ahmedabad, I saw people turning up before scheduled time and I was amazed to see that. Of course, it depicted the excitement everyone carried for the trip.
The adventure began exactly at the time of departure when we were notified that the bus that we had to go in had broken down and another bus would come and pick us up which eventually delayed the departure.
Bus arrived at midnight and everyone settled in their seats while I and other instructors took small stools and sat in the middle and sometimes in the drivers cabin.
Our overnight journey to Okha began at 0030 hours. Since we were late, we did not expect to reach on time. It was a 480km journey going via Rajkot where another instructor and some participants joined us.
22/12/2018: “Saagar Kinaare, Dil Yeh Pukare”
Finally after around 11 hours of travelling, we reached “Okha Jetty”. The scene was amazing. A place surrounded by water, boats with the Indian Flags and infinite number of Seagulls. This was one of the best beginning of the trips I have done so far. Why? Because it reminded me of a chapter I studied in school, “The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner”. This story had an Albatross which is said to be a Sailors best friend only if the sailor respects it. Only difference here was that we had Seagulls as our partners and not an Albatross.
We then started our ferry ride from Okha Jetty to Beyt Dwarka. Our instructor Kishan Solanki contacted our local aide who was called “Abbas Chacha” by us. Abbas Chacha got his friends boat for us. The boat was called “ML SAHISTA”. It took us around 30–35 minutes to reach Beyt Dwarka.
Our campsite was around 4km away from the happening part of the island. We got into sharing autos, better known as “Chakda” and reached a point after which we trekked around 400–450 meters to our campsite owned by Abbas Chacha. It felt like heaven to finally load our rucksacks off of our backs.
Kishan bhai, Vasu bhai, Krunal bhai and Sumit bhai demonstrated how tents are to be pitched and got us busy in pitching our tents while breakfast was being prepared in the kitchen.
After sometime, all our tents were pitched and hot and fresh Poha was waiting for us. We took our plates and quickly had breakfast because all of us wanted to go to the beach.
Beach was around 150 meters from our campsite and trust me when I say that I cannot describe the scene neither in words nor in images. In 150 meters, we were in a different world. A beach solely for the Invincible participants with crystal clear water going on for miles and miles endlessly
After our short and happy visit to the beach, we went back to our campsite and quickly had our lunch because we had to go for a beach trek.
On the beach trek, a dog trekked the complete way with us and returned back by himself. We were supposed to go to Dunny point but because we started late, we couldn’t go there.
After finishing our trek, we went to a mandir of Hanumanji. This is where I got to know that Beyt Dwarka is also known as “Beyt Shankhodhara”. This temple has a block of rock from the Ram Setu and is kept in display where it floats on water. Although it is not mentioned anywhere in the temple that capturing images is prohibited, I did not click images as a respect to the deity and the religion.
Chakdas were called for us to return back to the campsite. Most of the participants had reached the campsite while 8 of us including 2–3 instructors were still outside the temple. It was pitch dark when our auto arrived. We started going to the campsite when the driver realized that there was a flat tire. The tire was changed but who knew that there were more challenges on the way. As soon as the tire was changed, we got a call from one of the participant that he left his phone in the temple. We went back to the temple and searched for it like we run errands back home but we couldn’t find it. Finally, we got a call again stating that the participant found his phone in the bag. We were angry that they didn’t check it properly and happy because we were all from different groups and the chats and discussions during that time helped us build a good bond with each other.
Back at the campsite with our stomachs growling like a hungry lion, we jumped on the food. I really did. It was my favorite Bhaji Pav with Buttermilk (Chaas).
After dinner, it was time for some campfire. This is the part I love the most. You play, you sing, you get to know different people, you bond and the favorite, you listen to GHOST STORIES!!!!!!
As I write about the campfire, two words always come to my mind.
વાતો અને તાપણું.
After the campfire, we once again went to the beach to experience the night time at the beach. Since it was Poonam, there was high tide and the water was rising quickly. We came back to the campsite at around midnight, a few of us sat near the campfire while the others went to sleep.
23/12/2018 (Part-1): “Apne Hone Pe Mujhko Yaqeen Aa Gaya”
An amazing morning experienced at 0700 hours. We were divided into two groups. People who were going for scuba diving and people who were going to stay at the campsite for snorkeling. I stayed at the campsite because we were going to go to Devbhoomi Dwarka after lunch while the other group might miss exploring the untouched Dwarka and directly join us at dinner.
We had “Methi Na Bhajiya Ane Kadhi” for breakfast. For scuba divers, packed lunch was ready as they had to leave for Shivrajpur as early as possible.
Post breakfast it was time for some beach games. Pictures will depict what I felt.
The second activity of the day was Snorkeling. I waited for this because I wanted to relive the moments I lived 6 years back while doing the same thing. I wanted to experiment with myself and get the best out of me.
There’s an amazing poem written by the legendary Javed Akhtar. I love this poem and while Snorkeling, I literally recited it in my brain. I would like to share my experience of snorkeling through his poem and my pictures.
Pighle Neelam Se Behta Hua Yeh Sama,
Neeli Neeli Si Khamoshiyan,
Na Kahin Hai Zameen, Na Kahi Aasmaan
Sarsarati Hui Tehniyaan, Pattiyaan
Keh Rahi Hai Ki Ek Bas Tum Ho Yahaan,
Sirf Main Hoon,
Meri Saansein Hai Aur Meri Dhadkanein,
Aisi Gehraaiyaan, Aisi Tanhaaiyan
Aur Main…Sirf Main
Apne Hone Pe Mujhko Yaqeen Aa Gaya.
After Snorkeling, we went back to the campsite for lunch. After so many activities we were very hungry and had the perfect combination of Chole Puri with Mohanthal and Chaas.
We then reached Okha Jetty at around 1500 hours and reached Devbhoomi Dwarka at 1600 hours.
On leaving Okha Jetty, I clicked a picture of the boats over there because the national flag made me feel proud. I also shouted very loudly, “JAI HIND”!!
23/12/2018 (Part-2): “Mokshapuri - Exploring The Unexplored”
Our bus stopped at Ahir Samaj Ni Wadi at Dwarka. We had time till 1900 hours to explore the place all by ourselves. We could roam around anywhere we wanted and explore the unexplored. I always wanted to visit Varanasi and experience the next level spiritual vibes around that place. Varanasi is a place of worship and a place where most of the Aghors or Aghori Babas stay. I did not expect Dwarka to be as spiritual as Varanasi but the town took me by surprise. I roamed around in almost all the bylanes and experienced local life, had chaai with the locals, prayed on the ghats and witnessed Aghori Babas smoking weed and getting high (this was a dream come true) to show their devotion to the deity.
Other local experiences include shopping on the streets of Dwarka. There are a lot of street vendors who sell different varieties of shells and is a paradise for shell collectors.
You can experience some amazing food at Amrut Ras which is very near to the Dwarkadheesh Mandir. They serve different types of thalis with an added local taste having a little less salt and a bit of spice.
These experiences are better explained when displayed rather than written.
It’s just been a week to this amazing trip, but every time I think about this place, it reminds me of one song.
Jo Hai Albela Mad Naino Wala
Jiski Deewani Brij Ki Har Bala
Woh Kisna Hai.
Some things to keep in mind if you wanna have a good time.
- It’s not very cold during days so take thin full sleeve T-shirts (to avoid skin tanning) for activities and half sleeve T-shirts for snorkeling.
- The temperature drops a bit during night. Either a blanket or a sleeping bag would do the work (in winters, in summers it’ll be pleasant).
- Phone charging is available in limited quantity. As suggested previously, spend more time with nature instead of putting up stories and passing time on your phone.
- I prefer you take flip flops (slippers) and sandals. Shoes won’t help you on beach trekking because your feet go in.
- Don’t forget to ENJOY with Invincible NGO.
-Raj Shah
