Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Busy busy day ahead! Had a day to acclimatise so now its time to attack and see some sites!! Abu has been booked to pick us up at 7am to go all the way to Dudhsagar Falls. As we found out it is on the border of Goa and Karnataka so nearly 2 hours later we arrive!
We picked up some bananas and nuts on the way for the monkeys. We then were shown to a jeep, Abu did the negotiating, we paid the man and in we got with 2 Swedes, 2 Russians and our maniac Metallica fan of a driver!
The journey up the hill was an experience in itself, stashing the food as officially you're not allowed to feed the animals, paying the officials money to take the cameras up and then we were through the gate. We bounced our way up the dirt track taking in termite hills, massive spider webs, and beautiful lagoons along the way. The driver took us through two rivers (and yes the jeep leaked!) and by the time we got to the top car park I felt like I'd done a massive abs workout.
We walked through the jungle path along the river crossing over little bridges to begin with until the path was more of a make your own nature. I tried to follow to the best of my ability but my little legs were struggling to get up some of the rocks or jump the gaps between them. At one point I very ungracefully fell in which made walking impossible in slidey sandals but we still had a way to go. Noticing Sy had taken his flip flops off I followed suit and found it much easier. We made it to the edge of the plunge pool and were invited to go for a swim, I stuck my foot in and immediately wussed out - it was freezing! Only one person did, the Russian bloke who i'm sure if he didn't wouldn't have some kind of explaining to do for his lack of masculinity!
The guide then took us across the way over the rocks again and it was not long before a group of monkeys joined us. I was invited to give some bananas out and they seemed more than happy to not only accept them but to sit with you and eat them. I had the pleasure of meeting a 5 day old baby who was wrinklier than I could ever imagine.
Sy's face was a treat as he got up close and personal with them whilst feeding and catching some great close ups with the camera. We moved over to the other side where the sun was beating down on the rocks and enjoyed a well earned rest in the sun watching the monkeys and the crazy people who braved it to go swimming. As we headed back to the jeep I realised Abu was amazing, the car park was filling up rapidly as we were leaving meaning that our experience was much more personal and unique. The journey down was just as fun, I got a massive fit of the giggles as I was being shaken around like a jibber jabber.
After paying the driver we met back up with Abu and were en route to the spice plantation. We passed Goa Eco Tourism which was the company we wanted to go with to do the 'Jungle Book Experience'. As we mentioned it Abu chirped up saying it was a waste of money and not a good thing to do, the jungle is full of mosquitoes and it smells apparently! We explained that it was mainly the elephant ride, wash and shower that we wanted to do; he asked if we wanted to do it now, on our reply of yes he advised that he had a friend that could help.
About 15 minutes down the road we pulled in to someone Abu knew. As if by luck this friend had two elephants! We agreed a price and were taken to a platform to get onto the elephant. I accidentally ripped my thumbnail back while trying to shuffle forward on her but managed to stem the bleeding as we walked off. It was only a short ride but it felt great to be plodding into the jungle with Sy on the back of an elephant! Could have quite enjoyed plodding for a few more hours but back to the platform and we posed for photos.
The smiles couldn't have been bigger for the both of us. We dismounted from the 40 year old beauty and were invited to follow a man, who I shall call Mowgli as he really did look like him! Sy, Mowgli, the 35 year old elephant and I walked into the jungle and I couldn't have been happier.
We arrived at a watering hole and Mowgli walked the elephant into the water and ushered her to lie down and then called me in.
Stripped down to my bikini I waded into the water to the elephant, I was handed a scrubbing brush and I washed her as Mowgli splashed water over her. I was aware of movement around my legs and as I looked down I realised that I had lots of little fish nibbling away. Sy was invited to come in so I took hold of the camera and attempted to take some pictures whilst he scrubbed the elephant and climbed on top of his back.
Mowgli issued a command and then the elephant was sucking in water to her trunk and then on command again the best shower experience of a lifetime came down on Sy full force! I was worried that I wouldn't catch a good shot so I was concentrating very hard to get one. Sy looked like he was enjoying himself and I was so chuffed that he was getting to do something he really wanted to. Mowgli made the elephant shower Sy many times and then even more times after he asked Sy to turn around so he could do his back.
I was nervous as he called me up but so looking forward to it. The anticipation as the elephant is sucking up the water is immense and the sensation of the water crashing over your head is so refreshing! I shrieked with shock and delight every time the water came down, the anticipation made worse when facing the other way as you had no idea when it was going to come down. I couldn't help think of how many fish were sucked up and spurted back out over us! As we got dressed Sy took some photos of the elephant and we walked back towards Abu.
The experience was priceless and to share it with Sy was amazing, something I will never forget and walking back to the car I was so full of serotonin I could have just cried with happiness. It was truly beautiful to be able to enjoy that experience not as part of a package tour but just us; us, the elephant and Mowgli and for that I am ever grateful.
Back in the Abumobile and onwards to the Spice Plantation! We had a tour of the plantation where to be fair; I learned a fair amount about spices/plants etc! I was even shocked by the inane fact that a pineapple plant only produces one pineapple per plant per year….crazy! Had a buffet lunch and then homeward bound. We arrived back at the apartment exhausted and crashed out for an hour, still with elephant induced smiles on our faces!
We decided to try a local restaurant, not scared off by the notes in the visitor book we ventured to Bamboo Palace which was busy with a large local group when we arrived (always a god sign). We ordered tikka masala, chicken Shashlick and naan and I cannot fault the food, it was lovely and the staff were very friendly. Was just what we needed, a relaxed atmosphere for food and a few drinks.
- comments