Awesome Waterfall locations for that awesome adventure

Location: Unknown falls located in the Sakleshpur area of the W.Ghats, Karnataka

(a hidden falls, photo by the author)

A falls located close to a motored road yet not known to many, the falls that is all about serene and serendipity yet not many travelers are aware of it, the falls where you can get lost for hours together yet not many to disturb your peaceful stay, the falls whose clear, pure waters can fill you with freshness and life, yet many people don’t take a dip, an adventure missed by many, an adventure experienced by many, an exotic adventure bathing location that makes you quiver alive is awesome.

Location: Unknown falls nestled deep in Coorg, Karnataka

(the estate falls, photo by the author)

Coorg is one of the most preferred destinations to visit for a relaxing holiday, for that hill station getaway, for an adventure weekend, for river rafting, for virgin forests and lush green estates, for that rich wildlife and colorful birdlife, for those trekking trails and for more alive is awesome experiences.

A remote falls located within a lush green coffee estate in Coorg - aptly called the Scotland of India that can be visited any time of the year and reaching here needs a mild trek worth all the effort and time. The falls gorge down from a decent height and located in Coorg, the waters are chill enough to send shivers down your spine and bathing / swimming here is sure an adventure in itself. Standing below the plunging falls, soaked in the creamy white waters, exhaling those roars of joy; the pains and pangs vanish with the flow of water infusing you with freshness, energy and life every time you take a plunge making it an alive is awesome experience none the less.

Location: Sangama and Mekedatu, Karnataka

(the wide river before narrowing, photo by the author)

This cannot be classified as a waterfall location but merely a flowing stream at Sangama that becomes wild and adventurous as it reaches Mekedatu making it a destination for adventure here. While the river Kaveri flows wide enough for bathing and swimming at Sangama, the river shortens to flow through a deep narrow 10 meter wide gorge thereby increasing the force and intensity of the flow and it flows through a deep ravine of hard granite rock making it an extremely dangerous place to get down into.

Adventure, when in limits and with safety measures is a thrill and memorable but when done without the concern of safety leads to loss of life and this exactly happens here. But nevertheless, for all the people who take care of themselves and stretch to their adventurous limits, it’s an awesome location that is a true example of having an alive is awesome experience. Watch the video to live the alive is awesome moments from Mekedatu.

Also do have a look at these amazing alive is awesome videos from Cinthol:

1. The Polar Plunge Bath

2. The Geyser Bath

3. The Desert Shower Bath

4. The Ocean Bath

5. The Deep Cave Bath

6. The Elephant Bath

7. The Waterfall Bath

8. The Village Bath

Tube Rafting – Staying Alive!

Rafting is very popular and considered an adventure activity. Over the years as it has become popular, so have the safety measures to ensure the safety of the rafter. How about rafting all alone... on a tube... on a rousing stream... with just a stick... with nobody to help... you survive to live... you turn turtle to drench... the adventure is all about the mini version of the rafting, if you can call it!

Place: Deep in Western Ghats near Sakleshpur

Setup: Flowing water (river, canal or a full stream)

What you need: A tube, lifejacket and a stick and loads of guts

Wear the life jacket and enter the flowing stream (the cold water makes you scream…). Place the tube and hop on to it in a sitting position so as not to fall till you are comfortably seated. That’s it! The stream or the river takes it from there and it’s up to you to decide to live or not to, all of your energy needs to be utilized to move ahead and not spin off or turn turtle and keep praying the tube does not burst hitting the rocks or any sharp branches, the only spirit of being alive keeps you moving and conquering the challenging hurdles as you wanna shriek aloud being ‘Alive is Awesome’ – you need to fight each turn, each, hurdle, each obstacle, each rock that comes in your way to stay afloat and keep moving forward.

By this time, you would be drenched in the cold waters to the core and to the last bit of clothing you have, to unnerve each and every nerve of yours, to the last strand of hair on you that has been spooked, to the last teeth in you that has been unable to stop chattering, to the last drop of water that is oozing out from your ears, eyes and the nostrils, to those shivering hands that are fighting to control the movement of the tube with the stick, to those legs that are been savaged hitting the rocks in all directions, to that moment when you are praying to stay afloat and alive, to the moment you realize being alive is awesome, cursing your friend who pushed you in deep shaky waters and as you surge ahead fighting like a warrior, a wry smile, a moment of glory, the sings of courage, the happiness of being alive, the pride of doing it, the moment of feeling alive is awesome engulfs you as you come to a standstill on placid waters and try to get off the riveting adventure you had and recollecting those moments when you barely ‘lived’.

Now with confidence oozing out from everywhere, you stride ahead with big steps, chest beating and ready for another saga of the adventure to live it, do it, come out alive and feel alive is awesome again and again…

Beach bath – awesome experience

Location: Bekal fort shores, Kerala

On our visit to the Bekal fort, we were captivated by the shores on the far end, never ending Arabian sea till your eyes can see, the lone ship in the middle of nowhere, the dark clouds hovering threatening to open up anytime, the mighty sea eagle swooning over for a prey, lovely couples posing for the shutters, little kids playing around, a lone man sitting on the rocks and drenching in the waves, fishermen and their huts on the far end, it just goes on and on… you just can’t describe all you see and feel in words, you have to be there for that experience, for that awesome feel.

(the bathing waves, photo by the author)

I rarely visit sea shores and if done avoid the salty waters, it sticks and the after cleansing and changing is a lot of worry for me. I stand at a distance, watch those mighty waves crashing on to the rocks and the shore, enjoy the beautiful sunset over the horizon, watch the birds hurrying home, envy/pity the sailors who live on the waters; I ‘feel’ every moment of being there, I ‘get lost’ in that feel that makes me happy and alive.

As always, we were on the rocks at the shore, off the fort watching those incredibly mighty waves crashing on and retreating back, coming again and hitting, coming and going; they never give up, they keep coming and going tirelessly be it day or night and once they get wild, tsunami’s happen J The waves hitting our feet was cool and so relaxing that we forgot that those were salty waters. Whenever you are in good waters, the feet come alive and glow after being cleansed by them and it’s so soothing and healing. As we were busy shooting, the fun moments started with huge wave after waves rising up, up and in an instant showering upon us mercilessly, leaving us zombied and yelling at each other, a moment of fear, a moment of awesomeness, a moment of happiness, a moment of being alive, the alive is awesome moments.

The waves rose so high and came on us unexpectedly that we had no option but to get drenched along with our cameras (see the video to feel it…), we started enjoying the moments, the feel of goodness and freshness engulfing us, I would have shrieked aloud awesome, alive is awesome!

Unknown falls: for that awesome adventure

Place: Unknown falls

Located deep in the Western Ghats, near Yellapur town, Karnataka

(lovely inviting streams...photo by the author)

It’s quite common for people to visit known locations and famous tourist spots, but how common is it to go to an unexplored place, deep in the jungle, miles away from civilization, on the quest of an unknown falls, for that thrilling adventure, to explore the uncharted territories, to unravel the hidden secrets, for that alive is awesome epic!

(off we go for those awesome moments, photo by the author)

On our adventurous visit to a remote hamlet deep in the Western Ghats, after a mammoth river crossing and trekking through the jungles in the night, we reached the remote hamlet Shivapura with barely few settlements here and there and their plantations and fields in between. Almost an island surrounded by water on 3 sides and delicate connectivity on the 4^th primarily as the hamlet being in the backwaters of a major dam nearby.

(enjoying the cherished moment, photo by the author)

We had a local guy who would be our guide in the quest to the unknown falls. Rains had just stopped and the lush green cover all around made us nostalgic and with no vehicles at all, it was ‘pure’ air that we were inhaling that tickled our senses too. The trek was a fairly long one as we crossed multiple streams, made our way through dense forests, being bitten by numerous blood sucking leeches, chartering through the rocky terrain, climbing uphill and sliding downhill, treading on non-existent paths in many places, a real adventure in real life.

(A flip-flop somersault dive, photo by the author)

As we reached the falls after all the adventure in getting there, we were greeted by crystal clear cold water and the sun lashing out in full glow but the breeze being still pleasant. The real adventure had just begun, a few somersaults, dives, flip-flops, thrills of energetic activities and all the fatigue and tiredness was washed away and the pure natural spring infusing us with freshness and loads of energy, a real alive is awesome moment to cherish. Sitting under the falls, the cool water engulfing you all over, those slippery rocks and sudden shivers, with a no-care attitude in the world, with the only idea of ‘living the moment’, with friends to share and friends to live for, life couldn’t be more adventurous, more bliss, more awesome, surely alive is awesome. The thrills of adventure bathing filled us with life and laughter and what better way than not to 'live' the alive is awesome moments with your friends :)

Awesome waterfall bath destinations – Coorg and Kudremukh

Place: Scotland of India – Coorg

Irpu / Irupu falls

Well, nestled in the pristine Western Ghats of Karnataka and home to some rich evergreen forests and an amazing climate, rich in biodiversity – be it summer, winter or the monsoon, the land of aromatic coffee and the estates, the birthplace of river Kaveri, the terrain of undulating mountain peaks, the land of shola forests and barren hillocks, the land of mesmerizing greenery, the land of the beautiful Kodava tribes, the land of warriors and the place not to be missed is Coorg. Coorg is home to some of the finest waterfalls located amidst thick jungles and some of them thrive round the year and some prosper particularly during the monsoons.

(Photograph by the author)

On one such casual visit to Coorg, we happened to visit the Irpu falls after obtaining permissions from the forest department as it’s located in a wildlife sanctuary. There was dew in the air and chillness in the breeze as we made our way on the moss infested concrete steps laid out for easier access to the falls. Songs of the birds and the roars of the river were the only sounds we could hear as we moved on feasting upon the rich green covered hillocks in the surroundings that we could see. Irpu looked ravishing from the viewpoint and as we moved ahead, we reached a place much closer where actually the little pellets of water were splashing on to us. Getting drenched slowly by those numerous little pellets, we needed no further invitation to get in right away and within minutes the ice cold water had us soaked and chilled our spines with no mercy and all that we could hear was the continuous chattering of our teeth. Slowly as we moved towards the base of the majestic falls, the thundering splash made us quiver for an instant but later turned out to be a awesome massage relieving us of all the fatigue and filling us with some energy and loads of freshness, we went in tired and came out quivering with freshness and joy, a true blue alive is awesome bathing moment.

Place: Kudremukha, Karnataka

Hanumangundi falls

(Photograph by the author)

Kudremukha is a well known tourist destination located in the lap of Western Ghats in Karnataka, an earlier iron-ore mining area now rich with wildlife after the mining has ceased. It’s a major trekking destination and home to thick dense forests making its terrain pretty difficult to navigate. Kudremukha shines in the finest of glory when it rains and sends shivers down your spine in the winters and attracts huge crowds to its folds and not to the mention it has a lot of hidden treasures in the form of streams, valleys and waterfalls. Hanumangundi falls is pretty well known and visited by many people and easily accessible. The water here is bone-chilling and a dip refreshes the senses no end and a shower beneath the thundering falls makes you forget your pain and misery and fills you up with enthusiasm, freshness and life, its an testimony for being an alive is awesome moment.

(Video by the author)

Both the above mentioned falls have similar characteristics and makes you forget your pain, fatigue and fills you with freshness and life. You may ask why?

Let me tell you both of the river sources originate in dense forests and travels through untouched, pristine nature filling themselves with rich mineral properties and are pretty much clean and thankfully away from pollution. The pain and fatigue that we carry along are removed when the thundering falls roar upon you cleaning you with the pristine crystal clear waters rich in minerals and natural elements and in the process filling you with freshness and energy making you cherish those alive is awesome moments for a lifetime.

More videos of "Alive is Awesome" here - www.youtube.com/cinthol

Rafting - the feeling of being alive

Continuing the posts on ‘Alive is Awesome’, let me take you on a new set this time, a new journey, new adventures, new thrill, new excitement that left me gasping, an adventure that filled me with a breath of new life, confidence and increased my quest for more.

Rafting: Rafting is an adventurous, challenging outdoor water sports activity using a inflatable raft to negotiate a river or other water bodies with varying rapids.

When I first heard about an opportunity to go river rafting, I was pretty excited and equally scared, scared of the phobia of water, a feel of drowning every time I’m in a water body. Putting up a confident face in front of my friends to convince them to go rafting with me, all along I being nervous and timid. After certain years, the question still haunts me, why? What made you do it?

Probably now after seeing the series of ‘crazy’ adverts of Cinthol advocating the concept of ‘Alive is Awesome’, the answer is pretty much clear and the adverts showcase them in a brilliant manner.

Now you may still ask me why? I would just reply, to experience life, for extreme adventure, to feel the feeling of being alive, to do something different, for the thrill, for an awesome experience, to survive, to pacify your crazy adventure gene, to live, to get over the phobia, to quiver ‘alive is awesome’.

On board the raft with a nervous feel and more nervous friends for company, with the heart rate soaring each passing second, following the instructions of the guide, the raft moves ahead slowly amidst placid waters, flowing wide and silent, life around me comes to a standstill when I hear “Guys, Jump off the raft now!!!”

2 minutes of silence…!!!

Now death sounds imminent when I next hear the words “Jump now or be thrown!!!”

With closed eyes and shivering souls, the next moment all that I hear is a loud splash (my heavenly body falling into the water) and blank…blank…

The life jacket propels me up and I rise to keep my neck afloat, a sigh of relief engulfs me, the shivering souls calm down, my senses make a slow comeback, the joy of being alive erupts and I quiver deep inside with the shrillest of voices “Alive is Awesome” and then its fun, gala, joy and happiness :)

Rafting not only helps you as an individual, it helps you grow team skills, to work in tandem with the others, with efficiency, co-ordination, trust and the joy of togetherness.

I would love to recommend these new Alive is Awesome video’s of Cinthol to be seen, felt and lived.

1. The Deep Cave Bath - here

2. The Elephant Bath - here

Meenmutty waterfalls

Going through the new set of ‘Alive is Awesome’ concept ads on the Television and the Internet, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of déjà vu as fond memories of our similar experiences are bought alive again, true blue moments of adventure, craziness, excitement and friendship.

I will post a series of such ‘Alive is Awesome’ real life bathing adventures that would enable you to decipher the déjà vu feeling I’m going through.

Enjoy and have a blast :)

On an unexpected detour to a less visited waterfall nestled in Kerala,

traversing on a foot track that never existed;

negotiating slippery slides and withstanding numerous bruises that we took;

with no souls around and in midst of lush green forest;

with the sun rapidly going down and the winter chillness setting in;

only sounds but no signs of any waterfall nearby and the never ending downhill climb;

meeting a lone group advising us to backtrack;

fearful minds and wanting hearts;

all for the desire of been there-done that;

all for that adventure gene hyperactive in our self;

all for that sense of déjà vu that is just ‘priceless’.

Finally after negotiating all hurdles and the steep downhill climb, a valley view with a pristine virgin waterfall appears in sight out of nowhere offering itself in complete to you with no other souls around to be seen or heard, the only company you have is the roar of the intimidating falls and the distant music churned out by the birds around.

Haunting us the familiar question in a familiar situation: We plunge in or not?

The adventure gene is back in action and in an instant we are in the crystal clear, cool waters wading away to glory splashing around every ounce of water we can. As we near the thundering shower (where the water jettisons upon you with a thundering roar from the top), the heartbeat pumps up, unable to open the eyes, hands held together and with loud shrieks we take the plunge below the drop, we are jettisoned with water that seems being pumped out of a canon, we are lost in the moment…, we take a while to be back, to feel the aura of alive is awesome, we live to tell the tale, we live to say ‘Alive is Awesome’.

(Photograph by the author)

Just before departing, standing in the cool waters, all drenched and after the alive is awesome moments, with the cool breeze hitting you hard, we look back in awe at the intimidating falls that keeps on plunging, that brings a smile upon you, that makes you evoke, that was a Alive is Awesome bathing experience we had, a natural pressure bath that makes you feel lighter, better and happier.

Location: Meenmutty waterfalls, Wayanad, Kerala, India.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, I will be back with more such moments…, in the meanwhile have a look at this Alive is Awesome waterfall bathing video here.

Alive is Awesome - A new concept

Alive is Awesome

When I first heard those words, I could directly relate to them; alive and awesome are part of our adventures and I know personally what ‘alive’ means to be and what that ‘awesome’ feeling is…

Ah! Now to the topic why am I suddenly writing about alive, awesome that is a daily part of my adventures. If you are curious to know more, see the below videos and subsequently my first impressions of them. The videos are based on a new concept of ‘Alive is Awesome’ bathing experience from one of the leading FMCG brands in the market.

Whenever we are out on any adventure, a flowing rivulet or a jaw dropping waterfall or those little beautiful hidden streams invite us no end to have a dip, an adventure bath in the midst of nowhere, in short we too exclaim Alive is Awesome!

1. The Waterfall Bath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZibuxYvLCo&feature=plcp

Exhilarating – the location – Skogafoss waterfalls in the Iceland and when I say Iceland, you can imagine how the temperatures would be…! The poetic lines are an added attraction here –

"When I feel the thrill of water spraying and the chill, I feel awesome."

The entire ad carries the spirit of Alive is Awesome very well.

2. The Village Bath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzkSgWGUigE&feature=plcp

“When I’m splashing about, and I just want to shout, I feel awesome.”

A unique way of an adventure bath in front of an entire village with their eyes peeled on you. Never knew this kind of a tribal bath ritual existed.

Nice, Innovative and captures extreme adventures that carrier the spirit of ‘Alive of Awesome’ right through.

Wait – there are more to come :)