Beyond the Beaches: The Goa That's Imprinted in My Heart

Dear Arjun sir and Sandhya ma'am,

By way of brief introduction, my name is Monika and I am from Bangalore.

As you both are the founders of Indiahikes I would like to share my recent experience about my trek with IH. Last week, I successfully completed Goa Netravali Forest Trek which was held from 28th to 30th November. This was my first trek with Indiahikes.

As my father was working in the armed forces, I grew up in an environment where discipline was always given the utmost priority in life. I was also part of scouts & guides, NCC, NSS during my school and college and this is when I was introduced to hiking and trekking in my life. After getting into a corporate job, I hardly found time to explore more outdoor activities. It is this year that I've started to realise how deeply I miss being outdoors and that this is when I live every moment and truly feel the most of myself.

I've gone on hikes and treks but it was always a one day trek and this was the first time I signed up for a 3 days trekking experience and I really feel so fortunate right now to have completed this with Indiahikes and this email is to let you know why I feel fortunate and happy. Though I'm 28 years old, there are a certain things that I never experienced in my life and those are:

I never knew the correct way of tying an ankle length trekking shoe lace,

I had never written a postcard in my life,

I had never communicated through a walkie-talkie with anyone before,

I never thought using a toilet in an open outdoor space would feel this comfortable,

And there are a lot more such things...

But most importantly I had never thought that my very first visit to Goa would become an opportunity for me to know and experience the true beauty of our county's smallest state and this is a very beautiful memory for me and all because of your wonderful team.

After my father's retirement, we became civilians and it was not very easy for me to get adjusted to the civilian world as I grew up with a lot more discipline and it was very difficult to find people and organisations whose core values are built on discipline and ethics. I am so glad to have experienced this discipline and ethics with your wonderful team. I also volunteered for DIY on Day 3 and I realised how much I enjoy taking responsibility and ensuring everything was on track made me feel so happy and safe. Trek Leader Naresh is not just a fantastic leader but also an amazing teacher. Our local guide Karma was very informative and we all enjoyed the delicious, nutritious meals prepared by the cooking staff.

I have hardly seen businesses/organisations who TRULY understand what they are upto, and I am very happy to have come across India Hikes. I am happy to have completed a trek with a team who care for our planet.

On a personal level, I met some beautiful people.

I learnt a few important skills during this trek from tying shoelaces to marking trails, had a very calming, beautiful experience trekking in the lush green forests discussing all about birds, animals and trees.

The beach trek is something that I had experienced for the first time in my life and that serene feeling standing near the cliff to the sound of the mighty waves, the amazing beauty of those cliff rocks, green coconut trees, birds on the clear blue sky and the fisherman with his fishing net, is the picture of Goa that's imprinted in my heart.

I'm so grateful that my first visit to Goa was not about what most people talk about and it is much more. Thank you so much for this opportunity and please convey my heartfelt regards to your team.

P.S. - Using walkie talkie for the first time was so much fun :D

Regards,
Monika