I was just back from what's probably the first time, I had gone for an outing(not a party. Parties have been many though) with my Project members. Courtesy a very generous client :-). For long, We had been lamenting over the fact that We could never utilize the amount that our client kept sanctioning for project
parties. Off late, the worry was even more!!!!!!The client had recently approved of 2 project parties/outing per quarter. Though, our initial reaction to this was joyful, the very next moment, what struck us was how We were gonna make it. Because, every time We planned a trip, one of us would always have some engagements and will not be complying with the date suggested.
The responsibility of fixing up dates had always been entrusted on me by my team. Just as I was planning for a Dinner at Le Meridien, I was suggested by my PM that an outing would be a better option. We had spent enuf project parties in Restaurants having food. Why not something special this time. The idea was pretty much welcome. But, wat about the dates?? I had my own suspicions on whether an outing for a Weekend was feasible. But, I was to be wrong this time around. We did manage to fix up a weekend for that. The first time ever that it happened, since the day I got into this project. Andddd, the date was 27-28 of August. The place we chose was BANDIPUR.
There were 3 weeks left for that weekend when we unanimously decided on that Weekend. That gave us time to plan the trip well. I got in touch with a few Resorts and browsed quite a few sites assessing the pros and cons of each of these. That being a long weekend(Friday,26th aug being a holiday for a lot of people), the rush was huge. But, We did manage to get a few rooms booked in a resort called "Tusker trails". A tempo traveler had also been arranged for the same. The best part of this trip was that 3 out of the 9 members, part of the project were joining with their wives, with one of them having a kid, who's just over a year old.
It was a day before the journey(i.e 26th August), the travel plan had been conveyed to everyone. The Cab was supposed to leave from one of my team member's place at 6.30 AM. All of us had got back and were up early in the morning at 5-5.30, hoping to leave by 6.30.
But, that was not to be the case. We were waiting anxiously at our respective residences for the Cab. It was 6.50 and there were no signs of the Cab. I got in touch with the person who was supposed to board first, only to be informed that the Cab had not started from his place itself. Soon after, one other team member had called from Mysore junction to inform his arrival there. He was supposed to board the Cab from there. I pitied him, for the simple fact that, I knew that he would have to wait for atleast 30 more mins, even if I was to assume that I ll be taking the Cab in 5 minutes. But, what I didnt know then was that, the person who had to board first by himself would have to wait for an hour to board it. I was at the height of desperation. All my attempts at calling the travels went in vain as the travels guy was not picking up the call. Finally he did, and gave over the contact number of the driver. Just as I was beginning to get relieved, much to my distress, I found that the driver's mobile was switched off. That was like adding salt to the wound called frustration. After 10 mins, the Driver's mobile was ringing and I was given the information that He would reach the pick up spot in 10 more mins. At 7.30, the Cab started from the first pick up spot. It was 7.35 when I boarded it. By then, My PM had also boarded the Cab. Along with him was his wife and the person who boarded the Cab first.
Our next stop was at a posh Apartments in Jp Nagar. The first thing that one will get to see in that area is the number of Apartments there. There is a whole cloud of Apartments around that place. But, the road leading to that Apartment had one too many pothole to feel comfortable. After a bumpy ride for 5 mins, We reached the Apartments. Two team members with their families and one other colleague were supposed to board there. Just as We were supposed to leave from that place,I suddenly realised that We had forgotten to pick up one other person from a place just before mine. So, that meant travelling back for another 5 kms. All this while, I kept receiving messages and calls from the Guy who was waiting at a place 30 minutes away, at Mysore Road Junction. This time though, He was giving a gud news that one other team member has joined him. We were happy that atleast he is having some company to keep him engaged. Watching the traffic pass through, for hours will be highly agonising.
After picking up the one person We missed, The Cab headed towards Bandipur. On our way We picked up the two guys at the Mysore Road junction. It was around 9.00 Am when that happened. When one of those two said that they were in for some interrogation from a few cops who saw them standing at one place for a long time, We could not help control our laughter. The two guys were spirited enuf to take them with a light heart.
Thus started, our Journey towards Breathtaking Bandipur, A forest dense enuf to help a Brigand rule the forest for close to 20 years :-)...................
No doubt, We were heading towards Bandipur as frustrated souls. It had to be seen if the trip has enuf in store to make us forget the awful morning. Believe me, It did have all the ingredients that would make any trip a lovable,cherishable and enjoyable one.
Keep Visiting http://whizkid81.blogspot.com/ for the remaining and the most interesting part of the story........... Our stay at Bandipur
