Ralia Dam - Adventurous Enough for a Wannabe Hiker

Wellington chapter continues...

Do I look fit? May be! But, am I fit? Well, I’ll leave it at that!

 Last time I remember being physically active was for my 25^th birthday (the one before I got married), when my friends cheered me into river crossing and mountain climbing. Before that was during my school days; I used to be a great athlete and have won many school and inter-school level medals, especially for 100 m race, relay, high jump and even kho-kho. Those who know me now, including my husband, would give a strange frown when I say this, but believe it or not, that is the truth. I did not do any of these because I was into fitness or sports, but only because I had great friends and it is always fun to be a part of things where you have strong companions.

Now, it’s another thing what 6 years of marriage can do to you. However hard you deny, after marriage, although unwillingly, you tend to lose connection with your active gang of friends and come to a phase where you are forced into considering your husband’s gang to be your own. Well, but who really cares to understand that art of making friends doesn’t come that easy to everyone and at that age, making new friends with whom you can actually bond, require time and effort. With the wanderers' life that we have been living, time or effort could never happen together. As expected, lack of a good buddy sort of made me an introvert and I started enjoying my company, more than anyone else’s. That put a full stop to all my outdoor activities and to be frank; I was enjoying the redundant lifestyle I was used to.

Call it a revelation, deliberate attempt to set things right or the positive vibe this place has to offer; I have decided to come out of the cocoon once again and set out on my biggest ever physical challenge – 10 km hike to Ralia dam, near Coonoor, the Nilgiri Hills.

Ralia dam offers a decent hiking track and is located at about 8 km from Wellington. Up to 5 km from the starting point, the terrain has slight upward inclination, where you may have to put in a little effort. However, the view on the way is so refreshing; worth a click or two and in the bargain you get to relax too. Last 3 km is jungle trek and hence carries with it a little discomfort, but with a person next to you, who will not give up on you even when you have given up, you can only keep moving forward, shouting and throwing tantrums at him. But in any case, the feeling of having completed the stretch by walk is beyond words can express.

The highlight of the hike was the 2 km walk back to the pick-up point. When you really do not know the way, you tend to follow those who lead and about 30 of us set out on the uncharted route, following a confident gang of two, who were themselves not sure, if the path was right. We walked along the terraced tea plantation, climbed down what seemed like a rocky mountain and was almost cut out for about 20 minutes from civilization, before we could finally join the etched path. But that was a mistake definitely worth it, with some breathtaking views and ample opportunities to pose with nature.

Well, I knew I had it in me, but I thank my husband, who is also my friend, philosopher and guide, for his sincere motivation, along with certain beautiful and kind ladies, who participated in the hike. I do not know about others but to me, it has always been about such a company, who believed in me, and no matter what, stood by me. With this proud moment to cherish, I would go ahead with my fitness efforts and hopefully, in a while, I may be able to answer the question with an “affirmative”. Till then, stay fit!