NOTHING CAN MATCH IT!!

it all started with the just a talk after the classes and we never thought that it would become reality. all season, all conditions were discussed before leaving bangalore. most of us did not have the experience of trekking and hence each one had different views and opinions. some one in the group suddenly comes up and tell that its raining at dudhsagar region. we decided not to get threatened by such environment problems and decided to book the ticket for Londa which is the nearest place we could get down directly leaving from Bangalore. we booked in Rani Chennamma express starting from Bangalore at 9 15 pm for 12 guys. as the day of journey approached near the heart beats increased and things that are to be purchased list grew. everyone purchased new trekking bags, torches, shorts etc.. as we had planned for a week long trip.

on oct 20th 2006 train was leaving the station on time at 9 15pm and 4 of the guys ran and entered the train. the journey to the londa was not that event full as the railway police constantly asked us to switch of the lights of the berth as it would disturb other passengers. we reached londa at around 8 in the morning, and checked with the station master at what time we can get a train to castle rock and we were more than happy as it arrived in less than an hour. there are no other means of transport to castle rock and that's the only way to start the 38 km trek to the HEAVEN DUDHSAGAR FALLS.

we had our breakfast in londa station and by the time we finished our morning ablutions Poona-Ernakulum express arrived with maximum capacity. Someone got some space in the guards room and we dumped all our luggage in the Guards room and started the photo session, as londa is a junction and it takes a lot of time for changing the direction of the engine.after reaching the castel rock at 11 30 am,we wanted to start immeadiately but that did not happen as we were all hungry by then and we also wanted to purchase things for staying near the falls.

the above photo shows the only hotel that is there in castle rock, you can get some basic things and nothing more than that. carry all the things if you are staying in heaven.

we started trekking from the railway station of the castle rock towards Goa and from here heaven is just 14 kms away. dont talk to the localities in castle rock as they tell many different routes and if you staying in heaven let them not know about it.

starting at 12 30pm we paced quickly to some 3 kms on the track and its not easy walking on the stones of the railway track. dont tell anyone that you are staying near the falls as you might meet some workers from railway department. the walk looks like a long one until you find some good small falls and long bridges and tunnels. you can find some unbelievable views on the way.

for those who cant trek the best option is wait for the engines that is going towards chulem(goa) and take a drop till the dudhsagar falls station.

we kept on walking and many goods train pass by and because of it we come to know that there are some humans in this part of the world too,otherwise its thick forest on either side of the track.

anyways after going some 7 kms we had a falls and we took rest there for some 30 min and started and we got on a engine who dropped us till dudhsagar railway station. dont give money to engine drivers just say thanks and move on as they reject the offer.

the view while going on the engine was awesome and unbelievable. by the time we reached the station it was 6pm. we hurried towards the falls as we wanted make ourselves familiar with the place. at 630 we reached the HEAVEN and people call it DUDHSAGAR FALLS.

for our surprise we had two huts on either side of the track, before the day break we got ourselves prepared for the long dark and eerie night. we had many things for the dinner. also prepared some poori but it went on to become nippat, bonda became gobi but it was fun. some noise kept on coming from the forest but nothing really happened. every now and then goods train kept on going and coming, we had the camp fire after the dinner. somehow tried to sleep but it never came.

next day, we all went to have a look at the falls and it was terrific sight. Every corner of the valley was green and it was an awesome view from there. For a change sun also came out of the clouds and white water flowing from the tip aptly made it a falls of milk. We went down to take bath in the pool that was made from the falls, don’t get down here as the current can take you down. Monkeys there are many and they joined for the breakfast. After the breakfast we continued our trek towards Goa by telling a hearty goodbye to heaven.

after coming out of the tunnel, taking a u turn we were standing right opposite to the falls. From here it was still more beautiful as usual photos. from here continued towards Culem. We reached Culem by about 4 30 and fell down in the railway station of Culem because we had skipped lunch.

Here we had some samosa along with some fresh fruit juice, after leaving this is the first place where you can get something to eat so carry enough food if staying at the falls. Train to Madgoa was at 5 30pm and it was a smooth 1hr journey. From Madgoa we got into an auto and searched for a sea side resort. We found one near Benouleum near Colva beach. Had a fantastic night and wonderful sea food, I am a veggie so it was told by my non veg friends. Next day we enjoyed playing in beach and did all possible things for entertainment. Localities in Goa are pretty hard customers; they are helpful as well as tough so be careful with them.

We left Madgoa at 8 30 back to the railway station and fromhere we visited some temples in Udupi, Kateel. Dharamastala and Kukke. We still had 1 full day in front of us before leaving to Bangalore from Mangalore. So we visited Kasargod and Bekal fort and also someshwara temple near Mangalore. We had booked for Volvo and came back to Bangalore on 27th oct 2007 morning.Overall it was an wonderful unforgettable and unbelievable experience.