Part III: Jim Corbett Park

And this, people, is my 5oth post! Yes, I am a lazy bunch of bones because its almost a year since I started blogging and this is all I could blog about! Sirf pachaas?!?! Anyway, this isnt a blogging/posting contest and I feel contented to vent my thoughts, which are at times in turmoil. And most of the times, I try not to crap up this space by writing about silly thoughts or insignificant events of my life! So here is me... :D And I am lucky to have a found a good bunch of friends through blogging!

CORBETT PARK!! YIPPIDEE...my favourite part!
After the Nainital stay, we learned that we had to go to Corbett in a Sumo, which was bad because the roads were winding, zig zag and uneven... So many of us were a victim to motion sickness and the six hour Sumo journey saw some of us throwing up in plastic bags , which were by our side throughout the wobbly ride. We couldnt really stop immediately if someone was feeling unwell, owing to the narrow path; many a accidents occur... So people, do keep a strip of Nice or some other motion sickness tablet with you if you take a similar course!

We reached Hotel Suman Grand and were shown an hour-long or so documentary about the life of tigers from birth to death, breeding, hunting and survival ways thrown in. It was quite informative and seemed to be the work of National Geographic or some other similar channel. The effort and hardwork that went into the docu was evident because they actually followed a tigress for more than two years during which time she mated, cared for the cubs, saw some cubs die and saw other grow into adults. Tigresses mate after every two years when their previous cubbies are grown-up enough to fend for themselves. That was a lot of work for an 'hour-short docu...!' 2 years aint a joke...Hmmm...! Oh, and by the way, males or tigers never partake in the care and growth of the cubbies. They mate and go their separate ways... kind of sad.... Maybe thats nature's law. Dont we see that happening many a time in the lives of humans too? So, I think one cant blame (human) men of being irresponsible or straying after their whines and moans are taken care of... Maybe they are just made that way! I digress...
(I foresee some strong counter-comments and arguments regarding my comment above! Especially by male readers! :P)

On The Rocks!

There was a little half-dried riverbed, a little way behind the hotel. It was fun crossing over the wet soil and rocks. This is my shadow! On the rocks!! :P

Standing Skeletons

Throughout the 5-hour safari, we were surrounded by trees. Some trees looking over us, bending, like a teacher towers over here errant pupil. And at some places, the trees were far off... You want to feast your eyes on something else for a change but everywhere u see, TREES!! And then one cant help thinking how eerie those trees look. Like these far-off standing skeletons over here!

Tiger Pugmarks!

Alas!! Pugmarks were all that we could see. Unlike some other people in the jeeps ahead of us, we couldnt spot a tiger. As they say, tiger sighting is all on luck! But we did see a lot of deer. Corbett looked more like a deer-reserve than a tiger reserve. You shall see as u Scroll down for the pictures. Our logic was correct in a way, when we say that where there are a lot of deer, at least one tiger has to be there. Tiger got up and left as we reached the famous and most coveted spot!

Narrow Path. Trees Towering...

Dried up Riverbed.

Inside Corbett Park. this place seems to be swimming in water during the monsoons! Its extremely cool where the dense tree cover doesnt let much light and heat touch the ground. This place swarms with anthills. So big that they almost look unreal and man-made!

(apparently) A Rare Bird.

Another Scary Tree!

And so ends my week long break. :(
I wish I could live in a jungle like Corbett, close to nature. At least I would be living the natural way without a mask to my face, without any pretenses that one has to don in this fast life here...
Too depressing I know. But my heart longs for the place. And, it kind of, is amusing to me, because ever since I have come back, I have been having dreams of Nainital and Corbett and my train journeys!! Just cant seem to come out. And some of my friends, too, echo the same thoughts!
Cheers!