“When will we get a stop?” – a frustrated voice just swept my ears & broke the constant monotonous motor sound with whom I was getting relaxed somehow. I turned my neck left, & found Preetraj was really curious to know the answer. Generally as much as I traveled in parts of India, these long distance covering buses provide a half-stop (not a full stop) on the way- providing some time to the passengers, so that they can drive away their usual hungers.
“I dont know, may be with in an hour!” & I made a quick peep to my smart phone screen. Its already 11 PM, & I understood how much valid comment just I made. Being ultimate restless I went to the driver’s (they called its pilot’s cabin) end & asked the same as Preetraj. What I got was something unexpected as we would not be provided any break, only after 30 minutes, a chai (Tea) break would be rewarded to us for showing this tolerance. As I moved back to my seat , I found Ujjwal, soumodipto having some happy naps. Though I know its not a big deal for Ujjwal to get close with sleeping goddess. some one just supply him a clean blanket & he’s cozy to sleep.
In the last moment it was quite tough work to manage all the guys for this trip, as it was short noticed one again. We were rushing to Bhitarkanika (or Bhitorkonika) natural forest. As you people almost know that we prefer to explore those unknown places, so as to publicize the tourism. we firstly preferred trains, but there were some uncertainty with reservations. so finally the bus ride won with major votes. Thank God, we got a travel agency’s number where booked the seats over phone.
- Bus service from 5AM, then we had to wait there some 1 hour.
Or
- Hiring a shared Trekker/ auto per head 60 rupees (generally in day time their price varies upto 40 rupees)
Believe me, after the formal entries, when we checked in the room, it was simply awesome- the large room, some easy chairs, the balconies on two sides of room- one guiding the view across the river ‘Baitarani’, another blending the natural green through the trees & unexplored pastures. We just guessed that we were having so much fun for this weekend, & we carried stuffs for our enjoyment. So, feelings of joy already began to tickle our curiosity.
21st February, 07:00 AM (Breakfast Under Umbrella)
10 AM – the boat ride started
The two banks were hardly seen – but whenever it was needed to take turn, we came close to banks, where green pastures, paddy fields, buffalo flocks were seen which befits the portrait perfectly. The sky was prussiany blue – only except those exhausted smokes by the engine, otherwise it was clean like a painted picture.
The boat ride was open under the sun, so it was pretty hard to stay above the roof, we decided to came down under the shelter, where out photographic experiments met its unique results. I was amused with the enchanting beauties of nature – as it revealed its majesties everywhere. Even wearing out sun glasses could not resist eyes.
Read the rest of story in Bhitarkanika National Forest trip (part-2).