Thursday, April 14, 2011

The eco friendly Black beauty

Trekking... Photography... Blogging... Now a new chapter started in my life i.e. "cycling". DSCF1210

The Main intention of my cycling is majorly for 3 reasons

  • to maintain good fitness,
  • to maintain good health
  • and be eco friendly.

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Even though there are individual special bikes for commuting in the city, traveling on the village roads, up hilling, down hilling. I decided to go for a multi purpose bike. After lot of confusion, i gone through the reviews of all the bikes and finally decided to go with a mountain bike.

DSCF1208 The black beauty

Here again lot of confusions…

  1. Which brand???
  2. Which model???
  3. Which size???

Short listed Trek 3700 and Rock rider 5.3. Hmm, here actually i break my head in choosing the best one.. During my last ride to Yogavana hills, I used my friends Trek – 3700 model cycle. I was very comfortable during the ride and also i like the smoothness of the bike. So, finally i got Trek-3700 along with other accessories like helmet, safety lock, side stand, gloves, bottle holder, head torch, rechargeable cells and charger.

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The following reasons pulls my leg for choosing Trek 3700.

  • Life time warranty on frame
  • Smoothness of the gear system
  • Smoothness of the wheel axle
  • Durability of the product
  • Availability of the parts

 DSCF1218Thanks to Deepankar, Rajesh, Ambareeshh, Shudhamshu for guiding me to choose the right bike with in my budget. Thanks to Jayanth cycles and fitness stores for offering a best price in the market

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Here are the technical specifications of my bike Trek - 3700 specifications

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Adventures of Venkateswara - Talakona to Settigunta Trek

22  brave souls successfully finished the strenuous trek. The best thing in the trek is the team work and support with each other in all the difficulties. Thanks to one and all in making this trek memorable for the life time .

Day 0:

Reached tin factory pick up point by 10 pm and came to know that the transportation vehicles got struck in the traffic due to the heavy rain in the evening. Which gives me an opportunity to capture the light trails DSCF0365

Day 1:

Reached Talakona by morning 7 am and got the trek permissions. After 15 minutes walk, we reached the water fall base.DSCF0379 
All the people got busy in photography and enjoying the views of the water fall.DSCF0390_88_89_tonemapped 
After 15 mins at the base of the water fall, we moved to the bathing point. Where we had a fun and natural massage bath under the water fall.DSCF0394 Finished the breakfast and started the the trek again. After a steep climb, we all reached the top of the water fall posed for a group picture and teh followed by an introduction section.DSCF0397

Encountering of wild life

Then we started walking along the jeep track and take right deviation at the junction of the jeep tracks which pointing towards the “Rudraghaal”. After a 3 hours of trek, we took a left deviation and climbed 900 mt peak. We encountered a fully grown porcupine, which just passed 2 mt away from us. Luckily nothing happed.DSC_0116

Surprises of the trek

Here the actual surprises started, We were supposed to get into the valley and again climb the next hill. When making the trail in Google earth, it looks like the stretch can be possible. But after reaching the place it took very less time to understood that it was not possible. 50 mt vertical drop into a gorge filled with water (Through a dry water fall) and again 200 mt vertical climb. We explored further to find out other possibilities, but no chance.

While making the trail Mudhasasar suggested to keep some alternatives to the trail, so that in case of emergency we can use to exit. Luckily Deepakar carried the survey Map of this mountain range. After reading the map, we choose the alternative jeep route to cross the valley and started moving towards it.

Hunt for the lost camera

On the way, we came to know that Nishant lost his expensive Canon DSLR. Few members started  searching for it. I went back and came to know that he left the camera at a place where we took a brake. The grass land looks like similar all the places creating lot of confusion. Here we used the GPS to trail back all along the way which we covered. After 15 mins of search operation we found the camera. Thanks a lot for GPS (Waiting for the party from Nishant).

1

Finding the jeep trails

Again started the trek and met the jeep trail. After another one hour walk then jeep trail ended. The sun was so harsh on us, water finished and people are hungry. Again search stated for finding out the jeep trail and water resource. 3 people decided to move back to Talakona as they are not confident to make the trek. Other people decided to trek further. After another 2 hours of steep climb,  we finally met a jeep trail.

Finding out water resource and camping place

It was 4 pm, no one had lunch as the water with most of the people was consumed. We are loosing the sun light and we had to find water resource. We climbed a steep hill and get down into the valley, expecting that there will be a water stream. But it was a dry stream. Now the time is 5 pm. People drained out because of the steep climbs, lack of water and not having the lunch. After motivating the team, we crossed another vertical hill and ended in another dry stream.

Sun is above to take rest for the day, lot of worries as we didn't find the water resource and a place for camping. All the participants took the torches ready for the night trek. We again climbed another hill and get down into the other side of the valley. The decent was scary getting down with the help of tree roots and the grass. At last we find a small stream in the valley and shouted like we won a gold medal in Olympics. All the people were happy and started having lunch at 6:30 pm.P2270160

Now the time for finding a right camping spot for 22 members. Finally Abhinandhan find a nice place for camping. Its just like a stadium dome on top and semi inclined flat surface on bottom. Three side with rock and one side with water stream. Started camp fire and then preparations for the dinner.DSC_0049

Day 2:

Day 2 started with the steep climbs, crossed all the three hills which we trekked and finally hit the jeep trail. Had break fast and starts heading towards the water fall in the jungle. It was a dry trek all the time crossing the dry water streams. By 1 pm, we find a muddy water stream. To survive in the forest, we need food and water. So, we filled the water from the muddy stream.DSCF0411

image

After another 1 hour trek we find a shed in the forest, might be it is used by the forest department. Here the jeep trail again vanished, people scattered to find out the jeep trail. Finally Deepankar find the jeep trail and started trek along it.DSCF0415

Finding the lost trekkers

On the way, we waited for a regrouping and noticed half of the trekkers lost the trail (Shiva and team). I went back to the earlier point and keep shouting, “Hello guys…Hello guys”. Loosing in this forest is very danger as it is 25 sq.km range with steep climbs and wild life. Finally we find them after 1/2 hour search, regrouped and started to wards the water fall.

After couple of steep climbs and vertical drops, we reached the water stream by 4 pm. After lunch, few opted to stay at a pool and have fun.DSC_0215

Few others opted to trek further to find the water fall. As soon as we reached the water fall, we find a big size rat snakes mating each other. Initially i screamed and by the time i switch on the camera, they ran away. The water fall looks very beautiful with a pool near its base. We had fun for some time in the falls and then returned back to catch the other team having fun at the pool.DSCF0417

After another 1 hours trek, we need to cross the water stream, formed a human chain and passed the luggage.P2270240 

The team work makes the task very easy and crossed the stream with out any problems.DSCF0459

We find a forest watch tower on the other side of the water stream. DSCF0479

Again search operation started to find the jeep trail, After going through the map, we trekked east side to find the jeep trail. Started moving through dense bamboo bushes and finally we met a jeep trail. The sun down for the day and jeep trail ended after another 1 km. It was pitch dark and we tried to find the jeep trail but unable to make. Finally we decide to trek along the stream.

When we are getting down into the stream, Shilpa lost balance and directly landed on a stone from 10 ft height. Her ankle got twisted and unable to walk.  After another 2 km trek along the stream, we find a flat surface rock island and we decided to camp for the day.IMG_3382

Team spirit

We actually planned for a 2 days trek and asked the participants to get 1 1/2 days food. Due to the terrain and change in the trek route we need to cover a longer distance which leads to third day trek. All food with us finished and all are damm hungry. All the members decide to share the rest of food left with us. Collected the remaining food from all the members and shared the same, just like Prasadam at temples.

The camping spot is a flat surface and we noticed lot of wild animal traces. Collected lot of dry wood and set two camp fires. Vivek PC and Vivek bhat woke up all the night to make sure the camp fires are active and watch out for the wild life.

Day 3

We woke up early in the morning. Deepankar and me gone to find the jeep trail while others getting ready to start for the day. We find a jeep trail 500 mt away from the camping spot. DSC_0122

Arun parthiban got blisters due to the wet shoes. It looks like earth quake in his legsDSC_0538

After another 5 hours of trek, Shilpa’s ankle got twisted twisted again. This time the ankle was swollen and she was unable to walk.

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Arun and Abhi assisting her all the way and made a crap bandage from the abhi’s towel. DSCF0512

Still the pain continues and she started walking like a tortoise. So, finally decided to carry her on a stretcher. made the stretcher with wooden bars and a tarpaulin sheet. DSCF0518

The team work can make anything things easy. Finally, we bring her from the top of hill to the base.

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It was 2 pm, no proper dinner, no proper breakfast, no lunch and water also finished. On the way we find a well with wooden steps, It is like a oyasis in a desert. Happily filled the water and set to go further to find the water reservoir.

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After another 1 hours trek, we find the reservoir. Luckily at the same time some villagers collecting mud from the reservoir. After requesting them, they agreed to carry us to the near by village and finally we reached kodur by 4pm.

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Finished all the hot vadas, boiled eggs and chicken fry available in granny's small hotel. Next to the hotel there is tamarind tree with lot of Dracula bats. DSCF0582

Sun set at kodur DSCF0596

The sad thing is the transport vehicles left on day2 night and we are supposed to choose the public transport. We set to go for tirupati and booked 22 seats in KSRTC volvo. Vivek PC all the way asking me to take him to a hotel where he can get full meals. After ticket booking’s we went to Hotel Dwaraka and had a great dinner after two days. Finally, we all reached Bangalore on day 4.

Thanks for all the participants for supporting us in making the trek memorable for the life time. Special thanks to Deepankar, who who co-organize the trek with me .

An interesting picture in Tirupati Bus standDSCF0599

Photo credits : Rafi, Vivek, Nagarjuna, Sreeraj, Arun, Nishanth and team.

Here are the photos from my camerahttps://picasaweb.google.com/rafitiens/AdventuresOfVenkateswaraTalakonaToSettiguntaTrek#

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Memories of the Engineering days

college governing bodies
DR. MOHAMMED VIZARATH RASOOL KHAN (CHAIRMAN/ FOUNDER FATHER/CHIEF PROMOTER)
The visioneer, who has given us a wonderful and beautiful platform to graduate and excel our skills.
MOHAMMED SAQIB RASOOL KHAN (VICE CHAIRMAN)
The man who made us know how a real leader should be and a person who proved all the proverbs of the hard work are true.
MOHAMMED AAZIB RASOOL KHAN (SECRETARY)
A person who taught us how to treat the other human being with his excellent nature and he is the person who really had made us feel proud being a Qubite.
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The Gurus who responsible for what we are today.msg2DSCN1121
Golden team of Quba
The sculptor's who carved us carefullymsg21msg22msg23msg24msg25msg26msg27msg28msg29msg210msg211New Foldermsg212New Folder (3)
E.CON.E (2003-2007)26jan07 038_EC.S. E (2003-2007)26jan07 040_EE.C.E (2003-2007)26jan07 044_E
C.S. E (2005-2009)
OgAAADk4hS4_7dbXuf-lFScVypwS--pd5HdbegQqkM6_q-PFPXnOQHPyg_-O374KRigj84JVHgIuKGl5a-mzfeN2POoAm1T1UOo9giAY4Ad91saFRLvIvNsmpwYn
CASMQuba (3)Quba (9)Quba (10)Quba (6) DSCN1234DSCN0406DSCN0432DSCN0731DSCN0730DSCN0377Wishing Chandra Mukhi should be back again with Lakah lakah lakah..r001-027DSCN1153-1_thumb[6] DSCN1274DSCN1261DSCN1273DSCN1258DSCN1085DSCN1086 DSCN1089DSCN1093DSCN1094DSCN1096Quba (8)
Miss you kavitha, god bless your soul.
 
SPM_A0207
Miss you Moses…God bless your soul..
2003 - 2007 batch 1st alumni meet (4th April 2010)@ CollegeDSC01845 DSC01847
 
Back to the college after a long time and happy to see our lecturers.100_0604Back to the days of first benches.. My class, my table and my place.100_0611A place with lot of histories and mysteries. Kasmur centre..100_0624
Industrial tourIndustrial tour - Bangalore - 11 Industrial tour - brindhavana gardens - 1 Hyderabad tour - Project workF1120002Golconda Fort tripF1120012Ocean park tripcollage_thumb[8]Quba (2)Seniors + Juniors in Kalavarahalli betta trek, BangaloreDSC03455_thumb[11] Recent Hyderabad trip DSCF9058
Memories from our friends

Sadik
RSA day 201085 Rafi , thanks a lot for posting this blog.Really i would like to appreciate you from the  bottom of my heart for collecting not only the photos but to make us  memorize  those wonderful days of Life. Still i feel that i came out from college  a few days back,but when turn around and see its 4 years passed away. Friends..... missing you a lot.By the help of social community sites few of us are in contact. Hope remaining will be in touch.

Shoaib Ahmed
image God Given One CHANCE to see Beautiful engineering Days..Really I'm emotional....Thanks for sharing Brother.

Veera Chandra
a Thank you dude.. i just have gone back to our golden days for a while.. :)

Annish Hussain
a Hi, Rafi i am very happy to get my memories back at first, I need to thank you for your work and hope you will maintain the same. Sometimes, I really feel that I am just in college. How good it will be if we get those days back? I have no words to talk about this. Really, I am very very happy. Thanks once again, "MISS YOU ALL"

Khamuruddin
a  Its Very Nice to See the Sweet Memories , & very sad to digest that two of them are away from our lives ....Hope all are doing Good, I Missed the event of get to gather in the college , but recently in jan , i went to the college & i met lectures and few friends of us. Especially , Umar Farooq did not got me and he is asking who are you, what do you want .....
Thanks to Rafi 4 Good Work ...

Siraj Ahmed
a Really I'm emotional....Thanks for sharing Dear. So Sweet to see you all

Kumar sir
a 2003 – 2007 batch was energetic , was involved in every of the academic aspects and it is identical of all others. You people are good  in studies and everyone got settled in good jobs.

Jameer Basha
DSCF9057 I'm very happy to see you all again after 4 yrs. I hope we will meet again in future and waiting for those days. Bcoz of These Photos, Recollecting the memories of college days due to RAFI's blog . Rafi, you done great work for all. Carry on..........LOL

Abdul Azeem
a Hey Rafi, you made my days colorful. Whenever i thought of college day i have source to be happy again. East or West Quba (2003-2007) batch is best.
Shameena
DSC06230Hey nice work done by you. Thank you for the memories. Its really a appreciated work
Yassen
DSCF9064 When ever, i see the pictures in the blog, i really felt like I am in college right now. I never forget the college campus, college days, friends, lecturers, librarians, PT sir and security guards Raju, moses). I really thankful to all for making my 4 years as golden days.
 
Rafi.. If I start speaking about college and people, your blog will full Smile.  How can I appreciate you buddy? you proved yourself. GOD JOB man...
Mukthiyar
muk I was just watching the blog, it is very nice. It will be good, if all our batch mates meet once.
Baji babu
DSCN0681 Thanks a lot Rafi for sharing the Engineering days.... It takes every one back to college life(Now every one busy with their works). Its all happened with your great work....
Vikram Reddy
vikram Its Very Nice to See the Sweet Memories  and very sad to digest that three of them are away from our lives ...
Sunil Kumar
100_0705 Hi Rafi, Good one. It’s nice to see every one, remembered our college days and enjoyable bus journey while coming to college. Hey try to keep the Tour photo's as we enjoyed a lot in that trip.Thanks for sharing the blog. Hi Friends, How are Youuuu? We thought we will meet once in our college, last but the program is not success. But where ever you are, try to remember the old days and the funny things we all did. All the Best for your Bright Future
Hijaz Ali
hijaz Hai everyone.... I feel very nostalgic today when i saw these pictures and the comments everyone gave here. I appreciate Rafi for maintaining such a nice blog and he is such a nice guy coping up with all the friends at all times even he is busy with all his personal stuff.... Keep rocking guys and rafi nuvvu keka ra...
Jitendra
jiten Jealousy..... the first thing to hit my mind while seeing the photos, second thought makes me to invent a time machine, get back to my time and have our own collection too.Its really a wonderful collection of the good old days which cannot be relived once again.I had all those moments of our time reeled to my eyes.. Thanks for the memories rewind and hope you people rock the same way. All the best..
Md Yaseen
 To Rafi Rafi... to be frank you are really doing great job buddy... You are putting your great effort to make us memorize our college days.. I really appreciate your great effort to create & Share this beautiful blog with us... MISS YOU ALL....
Yaser Naveed
DSCN0903 Fantastic job Rafi Mamu, i am fan of you regarding this, you are the only one who keep in touch with all and make everyone remember the sweet memories.Thanks
Jilani
jilani I am very thankful to everyone who are part of this activity. Its really good to see my college and my lecturers, because of whom we are like this today. Thanks a lot, great work. Keep going.
 
Mahaboob Basha
Mahaboob Basha (2)Hi, Dude It's Great effort from your side. thank you for posting those memories . Rafi Rocks
 
Wahid Khan
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Hello every body....After watching this blog I had a quick recap of all our 4 year’s journey in the college...from classes to canteen, tours to twists, bunking's to barriers.....Good job Rafi...
RAFI === ROCK

Mastan Vali
2Hey Dude, Thanks for the Sweet memories Of my life.They were so sweet, so lovely,So memorable.

Asif Hussian
asif
wow....after a long time there is a continuous smile on my face...while seeing this photos.... Engineering days are best part of my life....thanks for sharing this photos..
 
Kiran
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Very beautiful moments of life..Specious and wonderful photos shared by Rafi..Thank you and hats off to the moments...
 
Vinay
aHi dude, you did a great job. Engineering days are best part of my life. I remember everything until my last minute of life. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Aslam

DSCN1094_thumb[4]Its quite Interesting to watch back to the (G)Olden days of our Life.

Jaheer

jaheer Hi this is Jaheer.. coolguy.. I am lucky for having all of you as  friends.. I never forgot my college days.. I thank god for that and i wish u all the best... My special thanks to Mohammed Rafi, who did outstanding effort for making all friends together and in touch..   love you Rafi..

Yassen

100_0536Hi friends good to see that Rafi is making us to remember our valuable and unforgettable college days. Thanks you for this Rafi. I feel happy that most of our friends are well settled and i wish all our friends to be happy and I wish all the best to everyone.

Archana

P106Hi friendsSmile........after seeing this blog i recollected happy moments in our college and golden days of my life.I am very thankful to everyone who had supported me in every aspects.I am very much happy after seeing this blog and i am sharing this to everyone of my batch and finally I'd never afford someone as great as you RAFI ANNA...Smile

Yasin Ahammad

a

Quba Rocks.
Really Missing Those Days
Very Happy Moments
Never Come Again In Life

Basheer Ahmed

O my god really its rocking Quba
Rafi thank u dude its amazing
I never ever forget this days
I AM VERY PROUD TO BE THE PART OF QUBA
Thanks to Quba n friends to made me proud,
Take care, Have a nice journey, love u all
ALLAHAFEEZ