NATURE — TRAVEL — GRATITUDE
The Bold and the Beautiful — A Week Amidst the Boulders
The tranquil charm of a boulders resort by the Tungabhadra river
Last weekend I took up this humungous task of cleaning my phone of unnecessary photos. While scrolling through the pictures of my travels, I felt incredibly grateful for the varied travel experiences last few years despite the pandemic. Each trip let me reconnect with myself in a new way.
“The only journey is the one within.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
Last year, one such trip to Hampi was breathtaking. After exploring the ruins for two days, I spent the rest of the week enjoying the boulder resort where I stayed. A hidden gem, away from the city and technology (they do not provide wi-fi or TV) allowed me to disconnect and reconnect with myself.
I spent most of my days exploring the resort’s surroundings, meditating, journaling, and reading. Without the distractions of technology and the city’s fast-paced lifestyle, I felt more present and aware of my surroundings.
“To live in the present moment is a miracle.The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
There is something special about waking up before the rest of the world and connecting with nature in the quiet stillness of dawn. As the light of the day began to break over the horizon, the mellifluous sound of the Tungabhadra river added to the magic. I watched the sky transition through a beautiful spectrum of colors — from deep blues and purples gradually shifting to the warmer hues of oranges, pinks, and yellows. The shades spread across the sky, reflecting off the water’s surface and casting a warm glow over the landscape. The harmonious blend of the surrounding was exhilarating.
“Thou art the sky and thou art the nest as well.
O thou beautiful, there in the nest it is thy love that encloses the soul with colours and sounds and odours.
There comes the morning with the golden basket in her right hand bearing the wreath of beauty, silently to crown the earth…”
― Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali
During the day, I walked through the colorful array of flowers that lined the pathways, with vibrant oranges, pinks, and yellows all blending together in a riot of color. The lotus flowers floated gracefully on the tranquil pond, surrounded by lily pads and fishes swimming beneath the surface. A group of colorful butterflies gathered around, taking their turn to sip nectar from its petals. I sat down by the pond, watched the butterflies dance and they were mostly yellow!
“A power of Butterfly must be -
The Aptitude to fly
Meadows of Majesty concedes
And easy Sweeps of Sky -”— Emily Dickinson
I spent my afternoons in the pool, swimming and reading. The pool is carved out of a massive rock, surrounded by age-old trees providing shade and shelter from the sun. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of the water and the chirping of the birds. The pool had become my little oasis — a hidden paradise within another paradise.
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” ― Michel de Montaigne
I had visitors near my balcony— monkeys and geckos, who were scurrying across the rocks and boulders. Apparently, people also spot crocodiles, but I wasn’t lucky enough to have any close encounters with these reptiles.
“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.” – Rumi
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, I made my way to the tree where the birds roost for the night. The manager, Vinay, drove me in his 4X4 and carried high-end binoculars. The experience was even more potent as Vinay pointed out the species and shared fascinating facts about the birds’ behavior and habitats. The cacophony of chirps, tweets, and warbles, a symphony of sounds that filled the air. The sky was turning into a breathtaking canvas of colors. The pale lilac and amber filled the horizon, painting a stunning backdrop to the birds’ acrobatic display. Little Egrets, Pied Kingfishers, Yellow-throated Bulbuls, Bar-headed Geese, Greater Flamingos, and other migratory birds continued their show for us, darting and weaving through the air in a coordinated dance, fluttering from branch to branch, preparing for the night ahead. We slowly drove away from the tree, leaving the birds in peace.
“Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.” — Victor Hugo
We climbed up the large rocks on our way. Vinay showed me an extraordinary find — a rock painting that’s been around for 2000 years. He navigated through the rough terrain effortlessly in his 4X4. By the time we reached the summit, the sun had nearly set, creating a lovely golden light over the rough and uneven terrain. From the top, I was treated to a breathtaking view of the sky with the sharp rocks surrounding me forming a beautiful silhouette.
I leisurely walked towards my cottage in the evening—the chirping of the crickets and the occasional throaty croaks of the resident toads created a sinfonietta of natural sounds. The melody of the effortlessly flowing Tungabhadra river elevated it to a symphony that echoed through the boulder-strewn landscape. As I navigated my way through the labyrinth of boulders, I felt a deep sense of gratitude.
“Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say.”
― Alice Walker
