Sunday 19th December, 2010 was the best Sunday in my recent workaholic life. Thanks to my MBA college friends, we got a chance to do something adventurous. Instead of sitting at a coffee shop and chatting for a long time, we thought of going on a Trek. Normally for a lunch/dinner program, only 6-7 people come, but this time surprisingly 9 people agreed to come.

The destination we selected for Trek was Peb Fort, located about 4 km away from Neral. So our journey begins from Dadar, where we had to catch 7.03 a.m. train for Neral. Thanks to me and also 2 of my other friends we missed that train by 5 minutes ONLY. Once in a lifetime it happens that the people, who are always late, come on time and you out of the whole world, who is always on time, get late. After missing this train we decided to go to Thane where two friends where going to join.

Finally we caught the 7.59 a.m. train from Dadar, which reached Thane around 8.15 a.m. and by that time we were done with our early morning breakfast. After reaching Neral we started our journey for Peb fort. Since none of us been there and no one knew the way towards it, we started asking the people around. Few wrong directions but still we managed to start our trek.

Whenever, we think everything is going right, a tragedy is bound to happen. The primary support for anyone  trekking is their shoes and when it’s broken you can’t expect to continue further. We think people are bad but not all of them. We got the help of a complete stranger offering their shoes to my friend, since her shoe was broken. So we continued our journey after wearing Chappals.

The whole experience was fun. We missed the simpler route to climb the mountain and so had to take the difficult route. We made our own way towards the top. Our only direction towards the destination was electricity pole going towards the top of the mountain.  That was our pit stop too. On the pit stop we did some photography as everyone is fond of it.

After we climbed up, we walked our way through the forest. Since we missed the first train and no one was used to trekking, our speed was pretty slow.  We managed to reach half a way towards the fort when time stuck at 2 p.m. and we had to move back towards the pavilion.

After the entire trip I have 10 lessons to share.

Lesson no. 1. Never trust your shoes. It can break anytime and anywhere. Always carry an extra pair.

Lesson no. 2. Way to reach the top is always there, but we will always take the long and wrong route.

Lesson no. 3. Everyone will be there to give you an advice, when its least needed.

Lesson no. 4. When on trek, water should be only used for drinking and not for washing your face or hand.

Lesson no. 5. Never expect to get juice offer again, once it has been rejected earlier.

Lesson no. 6. When you think you found the way back home, you will find yourself at a dead end.

Lesson no 7. If village people can walk easily on hill doesn’t mean it is easy for you too.

Lesson no. 8. When in trouble, people will be there to help you. Stop anyone on road and ask for help!

Lesson no. 9. You will always find your boggy crowded compare to the remaining ones.

Lesson no. 10. Happily climbed mountain will give its reminder on the next day through body pain.

Good friend can also get upset with small issues. We are here to have fun and not create issue on such small things.

“Forget and forgive! Easy to say, difficult to follow.” 

Reaching the destination should not be our motto. The journey towards the destination is more enriching and memorable. Even if you make it half a way, you should be proud of it. 
As its said, “Enjoy the process and not the product”.

You don’t need proper plan for enjoyment. Happiness will find its way even in the trouble times. When we think there is no one to help us when we are in trouble, we will find help through unexpected people. Sometime even small direction can help you reach the top.

In life, events are not just for enjoyment but it has hidden message in them. All we need to do is read between the lines. And most important of all, enjoy each and every moment of life and don’t be afraid to take risk.