The week that was

I was not able to post anything the previous week. The reason is one of our colleague's marriage at Trichy. We, a few of our project mates, planned for a trip in the context of marriage. We did some trekking, attended marriage and returned.

The trip started with all of us catching the 'Rockfort express' from Egmore at 10:30 PM IST, on 11-June, Friday. The train reached Trichirappalli at around 5:30 AM IST on 12-June, Saturday. Booked a lodge, did our morning duties and had breakfast.

The first thing on our list was to visit a place called 'Puliancholai' nearby Trichy. We started at around 9 AM from Trichy, hired a tempo traveller and reached another town called 'Thuraiyur', packed lunch and reached 'Puliancholai' at around 11:30.

It was quite a smooth experience. The place 'Puliancholai' provided just enough challenge to our softened muscles (courtesty: sitting all the day in a cushion chair). It did not proved too difficult or too easy, just apt.

It's basically a hill. Flowing stream, rocky ways and gloomy weather accompanied us through. We started trek, from there and made a two hours effort uphill. Then we camped there, had lunch and returned. Since there was a clear sign of a rain in the hills, we had to return at 2:45 PM IST. Some of our chennai friends had to be warned by people from other towns about how it will be when it rains in a hill. They are not in a mood to leave.

Then we returned to our hotel, took rest, refreshed ourselves and went for the landmark of Trichy, 'MalaiKottai' (Rockfort). We were informed by one of our friends that the rock on which the fort was built is infact a sun rock, i.e. the rock was formed when the earth was created from the sun.

We climbed the seemingly innumerable steps and it really had us pant like Calvin at his breakfast. But, the climb was worth it. We offered prayers at the temple of Lord Ganesh. From atop, it was a nice panoramic view of city Trichy. The breeze was amazing.

Then the gang dispersed at about 9:00 PM after dinner. Each group went for their favourite movies. A few of us, needing rest, returned to hotel and slept before you say 'Trichirappalli'.

Next day, we experienced a traiditional hindu marriage. Flowers and relatvies are indispensable. We spent the morning in the marriage. Wished the couples, presented our gift, had lunch and returned to hotel. Then after small rest, we packed up and hurried for the "Guruvayur express" to port us back to Chennai.

The return journey was made fun by playing charades, books etc.

Ineffect, it proved to be a very good team building exercise.