Go Karna!

It started on a sunny Sunday. Just as I was overcoming my muse on the size of this world, it shrunk further! Priya and I had common friends and these friends were accompanying her in Gokarna, her holiday destination for the weekend. The enthusiasm with which Pree spoke about her yet-to-be-made trip influenced me in convincing my folks to let me go(karna). Indeed, it was an unforgettable holiday with unforgettable people.

With family drama unfolding at my decision to take off over a weekend which was to be dedicated to kith and kin, I had to skip what was DAY 1 for the rest and join them on DAY 2. Owing to which, the train journey was spent in the company of lecherous middle aged mallu men - the longest 3.5 hours of my life! Try sitting opposite a man whose eyes don't leave your sight and who offers you 'goli baje' given to him by an accomplice. I jumped off the train soon as I saw the silhouette of the board reading 'Gokarna Road'.

First noteworthy sign in Karna -
"Gokarna International Hotel
Approved by the tourism dept. govt. of Karnataka
AC Double Deluxe rooms available
Pure Veg and Non-veg Restaurant"

A nine rupee ticket ensured me a fifteen minute ride in the local tempo to Gokarna Town where I met with the rest of the group (who paid a lump sum for their second breakfast consisting of toast and milk). Customary introductions followed tales from the previous days adventure as we freshened up to leave for Kudle beach. Picturesque sights played peek-a-boo en route to Kudle. 30 mins (of bathing in the sea and back floating, Pears Bras-none-ing for one) later, we lunched at one of the shacks. Good food, smokes and beer kept us company for the remainder of the day. As for the night, we booked three rooms. The architectural structure of the same was commendable with dried cow dung making for 'wallpaper' and 'mickey mouse' visiting through the rooftop (Spandy chose to sleep with the light on all night lest her friend paid more than just a visit).

After humongous glasses of coffee and lemon tea down, we trekked through the woods into town. Girls will be girls, and in their endeavor to shop, will influence boys too! This was out motto minutes into the temple street, which was lined with small shops selling various products ranging from clothes, accessories, bells, lamps, some equipment that looked like a hooka, something that was used to powder weed and the like. Mooli, the estranged child who refused to bunk work owing to 'ethics' (ahem!) finally relented and joined us in Karna on my DAY 2 - the best day that was!

Shopping, breakfast, bathing all done, we made our way to Om beach. Beguiled at the sight of legs belonging to women (Indian at that) our fellow Indian 'brothers' (everyone has uttered the Indian pledge at some point in their life okay) who were holidaying in Karna, just like us, ogled and hooted some more. A disgusted lot, at having witnessed pork sausage in the wrong hour of the day (our day had just begun!) hurried to Paradise beach, or so we thought.

The thing about Gokarna is that there are four beaches at 30 mins trek from each other. Kudle, Om, Half Moon and Paradise. Our navigator, Mr.Vidi paved way for us to follow. Anecdotes of various people (from the group) kept us company, and oh! I must not forget, my faithful friend placed me a call - yes, but of course "namskaara, nimma vodafone eega..." (aye nimmajji!! @!£$%&). Yes, so various paths and downhill lowering and climbing later, we arrived at a pristine and isolated expanse. Within minutes we had a group of people stopping over and informing us that we were at Half Moon and Paradise was another 30 mins trek away. Too good an opportunity to lose, some of us jumped into the water while the rest took the liberty to lose ourselves in the blissful company of self thoughts.

Peaceful time of alone + company later we moved towards Paradise, in hope of not just that but some human habitation in order to satiate our hungry stomachs. What was supposed to a 30 min trek lasted for three hours as we chose to trek over the rocks. Ravines, steep vales, slipper paths, multiple paths causing confusion (and people asking questions like "Hey, what happened to the other path?" and evoking responses like "It doesn't exist!"), sentences such as 'This is amazing' and more painful situations popped up till we, somehow, reached Paradise!

End of all miseries. You'd think! Beautiful as it was this 'Paradise', we found water, a couple of hammocks, dogs and puppies, fishermen, lots of books in a deserted type shack but NO FOOD. Wail! Sob! Boo hoo! We could still make it out of there. Trek back? No way! Hence, we awaited the boat that took trips from Paradise to Om and vice versa, only to be told, that the last boat was the one sailing mid way in the ocean, almost touching the horizon. NO TRANSPORT?? To make things more memorable than it already was, Manu had a bus to catch to Bangalore at 7.30 (wow!).

Two helpful souls guided us to the bust stop, which was in the neighboring village, more trekking. Wilderness kept us company all through and finally, a cross over sewage water (we had to wade through it, it was over 20 ft and joined the ocean) led us to the bus stop. A sigh of relief... Wait! Not so easily.. So you thought you'd reached Paradise and all would be hale and hearty, the last bus into town was at 5.30 and what was the time? 5.45! Ouch!

"I have to get to Bangalore today, there is no way I cannot go, chance ae illa" uttered a flabbergasted Manu. Every could has a silver lining. There was an auto in the vicinity and the driver offered to make two trips to take us to town.

What a day it was. We got Amulya to walk/trek for over four hours before we got her back to town and made her eat 'anna saambar' in the restaurant opposite our guest house, the same place she'd winced at earlier for the lack of nutella pancake and a beach to look into which the rest of us were ranting about from the days prior.

Nothing of significance, or should I say 'sufficiently significant' occurred on the last day. We went back to Kudle ate our meals, split our bills, walked the beach, got back to the guest house and said our goodbyes.

New friends made, old friendship rejuvenated and more importantly memories shared and framed for a lifetime! Gokarna 2008 - 'certainly the first but definitely not the last'!