Sometimes, despite being well-read and well-informed about travel, there are (and I’m sure will always be) so many places within India itself that I don’t know, or even heard of! It started as a trivia question over a game night at a friend’s place. A place near Jog Falls, which is known only to campers and famous for canoeing. Someone screamed Honnemaradu! We looked at him like he just made it up! We had never heard that name! Then we quickly referred to the Google Earth and there it was, lying in an obscure corner of Shimoga district, a tiny little settlement, surrounded by dense forests. That night all of us decided that we must explore this place while it’s still away from the prying eyes of commercialization.
On the way…
It was a long drive of eight hours from Bangalore city and we booked a bigger vehicle for a group of eight. The route cut through rustic patches and forested zones. So we booked a trusted and licensed car rental in Bangalore, which we could keep with us for the weekend.
On our way, all of us did our own little findings of Honnemaradu so we knew what to expect. This is a small village near the famous Jog Falls in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. The village is bordered by the backwaters of the Sharavathi River on one side and the Linganamakki Dam on the other. These water bodies are further fringed with dense forests, where people go for camping. If you are arriving by air, you can book a confortable and economical airport taxi in Bangalore directly to the destination.
The camping ground…
We arranged for two-day camping with Adventurer Camp, the sole operator in the area. They were a group of naturalists who promoted eco-tourism and encouraged complete ‘natural/organic living’ throughout the stay. This meant no mobile phones, tabs, laptops, or any electronic devices. I tried to implement the digital detox right from the start of the journey and for the first time ever, I was on a trip without my phone or tab.
We reached a little while before sunset. The travel blogs said that Honnemaradu is the perfect place to see the sunset (or sunrise) in the state. And they were so right! As we were heading towards the campground, I caught a glimpse of the glowing setting sun casting its crimson glow all across the river. It was perhaps the most exquisite thing to see. More so when you have no rush to click a photo and you just soak in the beauty every moment.
A night under the stars…
It turned dark by the time we could settle in. The funny part is, neither of us had ever been on a camping trip like this sans any tech support of any kind. Meals, basic necessities like water and night light were provided but there was nothing ‘disposable’ on the entire campground. It felt strange but right at the same time. I have been to so many camping trips and seen travelers leaving behind a pile of trash, which doesn’t leave the place enjoyable anymore. And here we were in a place which was so spic and span without so much as a piece of paper that I felt like sleeping directly on the ground.
We pitched our tents a few feet away from the water. This was a small island on the lake and it made for an idyllic setting. The only thing missing was a bonfire, which we decided to arrange for the next day. Meanwhile, just gazing at the stars (and trying to count them), while chatting away with friends without being interrupted by social updates or messages felt more relaxing. And in the background the crickets buzzed in harmony, putting us all to sleep in no time.
The coracle ride…
The next morning was the real adventure day. First, we had to collect firewood for the bonfire and then head out for a ‘coracle’ ride. I knew what a coracle is (thanks to movies) but never sailed on one. We split into two groups and went to gather wood. Once we were back, we headed out for the coracle ride. This was like a local canoe, only more rounded and made with plant materials like coconut wood, bamboo et al. Now, none of us knew how to ride a coracle. There were guides, of course, to take us aboard but we were all very excited to have an adventure of our own. So we learned the basics and tried to do it all by ourselves! After a lot of struggling, laughing and going in circles, we somehow managed to keep the vessel floating steadily on the water. Eventually, the guides came and took us around the island. It was simply divine. For miles, all we could see was water of the lake and the dam, all surrounded by rolling, green hills. We went to the other side of the island where we walked for some time through the woods and took a dip in the water. Exhausted, we came back to a hearty meal made with fresh local ingredients.
That night we finally lit the bonfire by the lake, sat around sharing stories, laughing, singing, and experiencing a life which was probably there before technology. It felt pure and peaceful to be one with nature.
pic courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org
