Dates with my Experiences

A Run for our Lives

nabz — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 12:35:00 GMT

A screeching din brings the Jeep to halt, its tires rattling against the fallen leaves. Dense trees handshaking with each other, eclipse the sun. “A herd of elephants” I exclaimed. Wildlife had always enticed me and since I landed in this stunning country, famous for its hospitality, I had been anticipating this Safari ride in the most spectacular forest and one of the most common tourist destination named Hikkaduwa situated in the south coast of Sri Lanka. This love for wildlife especially elephants intensified upon visiting the elephant sanctuary in the picturesque town of Tissamaharama in Sri Lanka and adding an amazing photo to my gallery with an elephant elevating me in its trunk.

It was one fine summer afternoon. Our safari for the day had been very alluring. I hung from our Jeep, desperate to jump with the animals around as my wildlife love was sparking that day. While I moved around mesmerized by the animal beauty, I hear another Jeep racing towards mine. Before I could bring my thoughts together, an elephant furiously following the Jeep caught my attention. Its eyes shone in anger as it trumpeted while crushing the autumn leaves scattered all around. The Jeep’s driver tried to dodge the fierce animal as hard as he could but all his efforts could be seen in vain as the elephant fast approached the vehicle. As my group was driving in the same direction, the giant mammal eyed at us too. While it gave us a run for our lives, it raised its trunk and waved in the air. It was perhaps a wild display of its acrimony and frustration signaling it had been disturbed. Suddenly the air turned cold silencing all of us. Our excitement was outclassed by fear as the enraged beast encircled our Jeeps while it stomps the ground. While we panicked to figure out an escape, the driver who was indigenous to such situations, immediately called the patrol service. Fortunately, they came to our rescue within no time and managed to calm down the infuriated mammal. Their whistles sounded homely to the elephant and could pacify it. My eagerness raise as I tried investigating the reason behind the incident. “I reckon elephants are very loving”, I uttered to my companion. However, our experience was against the contemporary belief. “I hope you all are doing alright”, I inquired the group. They narrated their experience while I listened curiously. I found that the tourists in another Jeep instigated the animal turning it into a wild beast. The driver drove the vehicle close to the elephant while the tourists whistled and clicked pictures.

While I headed towards my hotel that afternoon, I recollect the entire incident which left me with a little message to take home. A message highlighting conformance to respect and courtesy towards animals’ personal space and comfort. That afternoon, I vowed to myself to leave positive footprints and return the favour to the affable world we discover while we travel.

Photos: Cornwall's Beauty

nabz — Thu, 1 Mar 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Little Heaven in UK

nabz — Thu, 1 Mar 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Situated in the southwestern corner of United Kingdom, lies the beautiful county of Cornwall, famous for its stunning beaches dissolving into the Celtic Sea. I started my train journey to Cornwall from the little city on the hill called Exeter in South Devon which is home to world-class University of Exeter, well renowned for its Schools of Management and Law. I being a student at the university, was living my student life in this small beautiful city where it rained all the time. During those days, we used to crave for sunshine and one fine bright day when it was perfect for beaches I headed towards Penzance which is the last city on UK’s map and is considered as the gateway to the mesmerizing Isles of Scilly surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The train journey from Exeter to Penzance is a perfect bliss for sea lover and the prettiest I have ever witnessed as the train passes through sea, bay and a river giving spectacular views that overshadowed the uncomfortable experience of highly noisy early morning train and the scorching sun hitting hard from big train windows.

On arriving at Penzance, my first destination was the unique open-air theatre called as Minack Theatre which is a famous beauty of Penzance. There is a direct bus from Penzance train station to Minack Theatre that drops you at the base of the cliff. A little walk up the cliff is required to witness this gem of Penzance and the walk is richly rewarding. This beautiful piece of Greek art beautifully carved into granite cliffs overlooks the green and blue waters of Celtic Sea presenting a scene which couldn’t be described in words. This marvelous landmark was built by a girl named Rowena who dwelled in Victorian Era and went on building this magical architecture which her own hands. Minack Theatre is home to some remarkable dramas, musical and opera shows which are presented in summer season running from May to September. The theatre also consists of sub-tropical gardens adding to its beauty and Rowena Cade Visitor Centre. The view from the theatre towards the ocean is simply breathtaking and an absolute delight. Couldn’t have asked for a better sunny afternoon spent with this magical view.

My next destination was the fairy tale island in Cornwall called St Michael’s Mount which was again a 20 minutes bus ride from the Penzance station. A beautiful castle sits like a crown on this little island which is located near the Marazion seashore. There is a man-made causeway leading to the island from the seashore which opens up during low tides and people can walk to the island. However, during high tides, this causeway is submerged in water thus cutting off the route from the mainland. During such times, the only way to commute is using little ferry boats from the harbor taking passengers through time and tides. The castle witness’s medieval time’s stories of the family who lived there, the legends associated with the place and is the custodian of the beautiful garden lying next to the cliff shore. As I visited the castle on a Saturday, it was closed. Though I was able to examine this iconic beauty from some rocks along the causeway where people can sit and have an undisturbed view of the castle.

From Marazion, I caught a bus to the Penzance train station from where my next destination was St Ives which is a little town built along Cornish coastline. The railway journey from Penzance station to St Ives is one of the most scenic in Britain as the train sweeps through different beaches and finally arrives in St Ives station which is located just opposite to the seashore. The train that started its journey with empty carriages was filled with beach lovers on the way to St Ives and eventually, there weren’t enough seats to accommodate people. It is small, clean beach where clouds draw a clear horizon between sky and the earth adding to the beauty of the place. The beach has many shops offering complete accessories for different water sports. After enjoying a walk by the beach I boarded the same train to Penzance where I had planned to stay for the night.

Next morning I started my journey back home with a visit to the famous Eden Project along the way, which is situated in a small Cornish town called St Austell. Eden Project also referred as the eighth wonder of the world by many, is the world’s largest indoor rainforest and largest greenhouse which is an absolute stunner to explore. It is home to plants from over the world offering diversity in form of sustainability. Eden Project offers an indoor waterfall and a canopy walkway to give you a real feel of walking over the treetop in a forest. It is a beautifully constructed structure with two huge biomes maintaining a perfect rain forest like environment. This recreational center along with being an education hub is a heaven for people craving for adrenaline jerks and adventures. It offers Sky wire zip line, a giant swing from the 65ft cliff edge and a 12 meters high leap of faith. The experience of England’s longest and fastest zip wire was phenomenal giving you a perfect feel of flying while having a beautiful view of Eden Project from 100 meters altitude. Flying with a speed of 60 mph over the area of 660 meters with the iconic structure to see as you fly, is a must on bucket list experience.

Cornwall is absolutely magical to draw anybody back. Do not forget to try the famous yummy Cornish pasties as a visit to Cornwall is incomplete without that.