We did not lose any time changing into swimming gear and getting to the pool. Ajey was already waiting for us. An introduction and a brief theory session, we found ourselves in the pool. Ajey trained us thoroughly batch by batch on using equipment , being comfortable inside the pool for a long time, disaster & risk management till we were all super confident of the dives next day.
Pool was also the place to relax and play a pool volleyball, throw & dunk!
By 5:30 pm all of us were done with the training. Getting food at Murudeshwara was really a big deal. With lacks of visitors thronging the place every day of the year and with limited number of hotels and restaurants catering this small town, getting food/room was the biggest problem of a visitor.
The ancient cave temple of Shiva, with legend of Ravana depicted inside the temple in murals was beautiful. The tiring day ended with a long dreamless sleep.
Sunrise on sea shore was one of the most beautiful sights of the journey. While photographers of the event went click click click, non camera people captured the fantastic view with mind & memory! I close my eyes now & think and am transported to the beaches of Murudeshwara
We all took a Domistal tablet to keep seasickness at bay. We were to embark on 19 km journey on sea to reach the beautiful Netrani Islands. After breakfast, we awaited a motor boat at the shore to pick us up. Transferring equipment & people took minimum time and we were off cutting through the waves and racing past other fishing boats on the sea.
The bonus was seeing Dolphins frolic on the waves! It was an unexpected sight
We took nearly an hour and a half to reach Netrani. We gained a lot of knowledge about buoyancy devices and life jackets and art of snorkeling on the journey. The view and the weather were fantastic. We seem to enjoy the best weather on all TAG Trips!
Reminded me of Mauritius; we had snorkeled in the sea around the dolphins. Amazing view inside the sea of corals and dolphins. We couldn't do if here though.
Crystal clear aqua green waters with hundreds of fish dancing at the surface greeted us. We could peer and see the sand, fish and stones bottom of the sea. WOW!
The group was divided! Excited & tensed first time divers on one side, obviously they were entering unknown territory; relaxed snorkels in the comforts of their buoyancy jacket on the other side. Giri, Naveen & Praveen the swimmer went down first. Each dive lasted for nearly 40 minutes. These guys emerged with AWE and enthusiasm that made me envy and want to dive in immediately to see what they saw that had them dancing with pleasure. Sameena, Anindya, unmarried Praveen ;), Brave Vidya, Rohit, Chethan launched themselves to form a group of happy snorkelers. Prithvi who was seasick rested in the boat, promising to dive successfully in the next event.
Anand, Praveen, Roopesh followed by Girish, DP (DURGA PRASAD) completed their dives successfully. The divers after each dive joined the snorkelers. No one wanted to get out of the water.
Netrani Islands stood majestically in the beautiful waters. I was tempted to trek up the island. But we had taken a large boat and anchoring it was an issue. We could trek up, camp on the island and come back the next day Neat!
Bananas, cookies, biscuits and loads of water kept us away from hunger and dehydration. Glucose & electrol gave extra energy.
We packed up at almost 3:00 PM; almost everyone was dozing on the journey back to the mainland. No dolphins on the way back.
Done with shower & lunch, by 5:30 everyone was ready & packed to come back home. We bid adieu to Rohit, who went to his native and were on our way to Bangalore.
Antakshari was ON with the databases Anindya & Praveen Nampoorthri digging into 18th century collection. Old is Gold indeed! DP won a 5 rupee bet with me over the song ‘Is mod se jaate hain’. I also owed everyone a coffee at a coffee day for the delay. Tarikere stretch kept me awake again. Giri & Prithvi kept four eyes on the eyes of the driver.
We stopped for dinner at Shimoga. By 6 we had hit the morning traffic at Nelmangala Peenya city limits. We took the Nice Road again to avoid entering the city.
Monday Morning! Life was back in chaos, traffic signals, horns, office doors chattering, files, laptops, colleagues, con-calls, STRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS …….
The aftereffect of the trip – I can feel the gentle waves rocking my boat
POST NETRANI
On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM, Naveen Belkale
Yep. Had a great time. Thanks to Giri and Roopa. Hope to see you all ppl in another trip :-)
-Naveen
From: Anindya Shankar [mailto:anindyashankar@gmail.com]
Sent: 04 November 2008 10:33
yup.. excellent trip..!!
re-lived my Thailand moments ;)
moments with nice new friends... were exciting & refreshing... keep replying and be in touch..
Thanks..!!
anindya shankar
Praveen Sebastian wrote:
Thank you very much Giri and Roopa for arranging such a wonderful trip...
Cheers
Praveen.
Gisish wrote:
Looking forward for more trips like this,
cheers,
Girish
On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 1:41 PM, Roopesh Nambyatil
Thanks a Million Roopa and Giri ...it was great...something we
will cherish for life time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice meeting you all..look forward to more meetings..:)
Cheers
Roopesh N
We met up for a Coffee at forum, Scuba Diving Cards with TAG Signature were distributed to successful Divers. The divers were also entitled to Rs 500 Discount on their next open water dive with us. Thus began a spate of new friendships
Photo Album
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/tagindiateam/ScubaDivingSnorkelingNov08
Best Regards,
Roopa Sreedhar
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