A leaf from my Travelogue

A Boatman's Hi-fi

I lay still on my back as I watched an eagle hovering some 10 metres above. Its wide wings stretched Glider-like, heavy grey clouds in the background...


The icy cold water touching my feet. "Chin up... keep your arms wider" I hear Mahendra instruct with his typical Nepalese accent.



This was in the training pool, learning how to float with life jackets ON . We were at Tata Tea Estate in Coorg; River rafting for the first time.



We spent a good 20 minutes in the pool learning our positions, about how to row forwards and backwards, what to do if you fall into the water, what NOT to do.. Our ever-smiling tutor patiently going over the safety measures.

As we set out of the training pool to brave the wild river, we all exchanged smiles - somewhere between nervous and excited. Our trainer egged us excitedly . We had to cross 5 rapids. One class two and the others Class 3 rapids. We did a boatman's Hi-Fi - Oars together and yelled "LaLapati Jap Jap". Now, that's a supposed chant word which Mahendra taught us. Whatever it meant, it buoyed our spirits for sure :)


At the call of "All forwards" we rowed in sync till we reached the boulder where the river took a swift turn between boulders - our first rapid. We said hello to "Good Morning Coffee". Yes. The rapids are baptised too :). We held onto the rope tied to our boat as the current carried us through the boulders and our boat plunged into the waters..."Ooooh..." we exulted even as our boat stayed afloat.


It felt amazing..couldn't wait for the second one-The Grasshopper. We knew what it meant. The pathway was riddled with boulders and the waters leapt from one to another. We were instructed to go down on our knees and hold the rope as we hit the rapid. I can still feel the splash of water. We were Wowing even with our teeth clattering as we drifted to the calmer edges.


At the next rapid we did what is known as "surfing". This meant that we go against the waves and "surf" as the boat rocks left to right. This was scary but exhilarating and we were screaming our throats off. Phew! The final "Big Bang", as the rapid is called, left us asking for more.


Truly worth every penny spent for all the fun we had. Would suggest this to anybody who is heading anywhere near Coorg. Its the coolest and the safest place and all thanks to our coach Mahendra for making it an amazing experience.