the long search

When you have nowhere to go, go back to yourself.

Into The Wild

I always wondered why connecting with nature was sometimes so easy yet the bond so strong.


My weekend took me to a place which virtually is nestled amidst rivers and their creeks. Across the miles are dense mangrove forests where I could almost hear the rustle of every leaf, chirping of every bird and even my heart beating away silently.



And in the swirling waters of the rivers and in those mudflats were a few hundred salt water crocodiles. A thousand five hundred and seventy two was what the latest census said. Some of these reptiles weigh over 1,000 kgs each, measuring more than 20 ft in length. The GuinnessBook of Records says it's where world's largest croc lives. At times you could forget that these are nature's most menacing animals and can kill a man with just one swing of their tails. They have, in the past. But that's beside the point because men have killed more; more of their own tribe and that of others too. Basking in the sun, the crocodiles were so much at peace with themselves and with nature.



Such was the tranquility that I did not seem to realise where I stayed did not even have electricity supply. The night was never more dark and the sky, never so much star-studded. I did not want to come back.

Someone had so famously said: You are wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from the joy of human relationships. God's place is all around us, it is in everything and in anything we can experience.

And about connecting with nature, I guess, we all belong to it and will go back to it someday. It, therefore, is so easy to connect to and the reason the bond is so strong.



(Image: Shamim Qureshy)

 


56 comments:

Anonymous 30 January 2009 at 05:24  

Oh I bet you I would've loved every minute of it. It sounds great.

So that's you again in the picture? I am telling you, you look REALLY familiar.

Keshi 30 January 2009 at 05:56  

wow I wish I was there with ya :) awesome place!

And thats u in the pic? Looking good!

u know how much I love NATURE. Its my only true solace. When I want to get away from everything and everyone, I go somewhere by myself. Like this place u mentioned.


**And about connecting with nature, I guess, we all belong to it and will go back to it someday. It, therefore, is so easy to connect to and the reason the bond is so strong

Spot on! we r a big part of Nature too...and to Nature we shall return. I hv great respect and love for Nature.

ppl should open their eyes and hearts and recognise how much Nature can teach us Humans abt Life.


Keshi.

WarmSunshine 30 January 2009 at 10:43  

Oh wow... you must have had a great time :)

I'm so happy for you... But see, I would have shrieked at the mere sight of a croc :D

And hey you didn't wanna come back??? What about Emmm???

*Smiles*

WarmSunshine 30 January 2009 at 10:43  

oh and BTW... nice template :)

suits the latest post :)

S.. Diva 30 January 2009 at 11:22  

wow amazing! esp the little croc..
which place was this? btw i happen to be a traveler too..

Trevor Penn 30 January 2009 at 12:43  

Kid croc. looks really mad!

Glad that you got your getaway. You sure did deserve one!

Just wanted to say, when one goes back to nature, one goes back to self. Sounds familiar? ;-)

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:23  

-->Agnes

I bet you would have, Agnes. It was such a great place. Almost untouched.

Yes, that's me in the picture. See, you already have seen another picture of mine. That's the reason why I look familiar, isn't it?

Thanks Agnes for always remebering to drop by.

*cheers*

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:31  

-->Keshi

WOW! I wish too. You would must have been to numerous such places but you would have loved this one in Eastern Indian coast. Far away from the madding crowd.

I know you love nature. It always shows in your posts. That's a great quality, I say. People go vacationing but very few explore nature and respect it. You are spot on when you say nature can teach human beings about life for there is not a better teacher.

Thanks, Kesh. Yes, that's me in the picture.

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:43  

-->Mehreen

I really had a great time. It was so de-stressing to be in the womb of nature. Like I said it did not have any electricity supply but it hardly mattered.

Well, the crocodiles are menacing, I bet. But the baby was cute and from a safe distance, even the big ones could be called "handsome."

By the way, Emmmm would not have to do without me. My thoughts are with her always. And she is God's fav, I guess.

*smiles*

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:46  

-->Mehreen

Thanks. I hop the new template is good and pleasing to the eyes. I also hope I stick to it for sometime.

*cheers*

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:51  

-->Sneha

Hi, lady. Welcome to my blog. I saw yours a few days back and I must say it has a character of its own. It speaks a lot about you too.

This is Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa. It's the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India and home to the biggest habitat of salt water crocodiles in the country.

Thanks for visiting, Sneha. Do come back.

*cheers*

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 15:55  

-->Trevor

You are so right when you say one gets back to self when one goes back to nature. There is nothing like heading bcak to the wild.

Yes, the kid crocy was mad and was snarling like hell. But I managed. That I had held a bigger one before did come as a help.


Thanks for dropping by.

*cheers*

Keshi 30 January 2009 at 16:19  

Here in Aus crocs r so popular...we do hv some freaky big ones too! :)


**Far away from the madding crowd.

I agree..I can just sense that from these beautiful pics.


Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 30 January 2009 at 22:04  

-->Keshi

Crocs popular!!! As in Shane Warne and Steve Waugh and Russel Crowe. Must be good looking ones, I guess.

Yes, the place was peaceful, Kesh. So tranquil and serene. God's very own country.

*smilez*

Anonymous 31 January 2009 at 04:26  

Ha-ha :-D

I do enjoy seeing photos of the person behind the blog :-)

Just call me 'A' 31 January 2009 at 07:35  

wow....lovely pics...and I bet you had a host of memories to bring back. I get so caught up with nature sometimes that i loose myself in it wilderness.
PS: you have awards waiting for you :D

S.. Diva 31 January 2009 at 13:05  

hey.. thanks for replying :)
orissa seems like a whole week's vacation. but the baby croc is just too good to miss. will try to pla a trip

Talking To My Soul 31 January 2009 at 16:02  

-->Agnes

Ha! Ha! I will post more pictures of me hereafter.


Thanks, Agnes.

*cheers*

Talking To My Soul 31 January 2009 at 16:04  

-->A

You are right, A. I had a lovely time back there in the croc country. Time just flew past before I could realise how. That's nature at its best.

Yes, yes, I am looking forward to the awards, dear. Can't wait, I guess.


*smiles*

Talking To My Soul 31 January 2009 at 16:07  

-->Sneha

A week may not be enough if you are planning to explore the nature. Yes there are popular sites that can be accommodated within a week.

The state of Orissa, I must say, has some amazing places to offer. Do tell me when you plan a trip and need any help.

About the baby croc, will be allowed to hold one? That's the million dollar question. Ha Ha


*cheers*

Anonymous 31 January 2009 at 20:07  

i love nature and that drove me to study environmental studies.

Talking To My Soul 31 January 2009 at 23:26  

-->Renaye

Hi, Renaye. Welcome to this space. I am glad to know you are into Env Studies. I so wish I could at this stage. By the way, I am a scribe by profession and keep interest in env and wildlife.

Nice to see you here. Do come back.


*cheers*

REG 1 February 2009 at 02:56  

That feeling of being connected to nature, to one another and to the Creator is at the very core of all our beings isn't it?

Talking To My Soul 1 February 2009 at 03:39  

-->Reggie

"That feeling of being connected to nature, to one another and to the Creator is at the very core of all our beings isn't it?"

Ah! No one could have put it better, Reggie. Perfect. Nature gives that feeling all the time. The feel of ultimate connection.

Welcome to my blog. Thank you so very much for reading.

*cheers*

Anonymous 1 February 2009 at 10:41  

u can always study some environmental papers online.

i'm now trying to study masters in environmental studies. hopefully i will achieve this.

RYC:thank u for visiting my blog! i hope my wind chime entry is not eerie because i felt a little eerie while typing up. :D

thanks for the compliment on my layout!

just wondering what is a scribe? i check out the dict and it's define as copywriter something like that. are u a writer then? sorry for poking my nose! i'm just curious as i have no friends in this field. :D thanks in advance for the explanation!

Talking To My Soul 1 February 2009 at 13:43  

-->Renaye

Great going, I must say. A Master in Env Studies. I know I can get programmes online but I would like a full time programme. I wish.

Wanted to know if your blog does have a comment moderator? Everytime I post one, a message pops up saying something. What's it?

*cheers*

Anonymous 2 February 2009 at 08:02  

i have put up a chatbox so u can always leave msg/ comments there. sorry for the annoyance my comment box creates, annoying baboons.

to be precise, i want to take masters in environmental politics.

Keshi 2 February 2009 at 11:01  

o yes that kinda crocs too lol yes!

Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 2 February 2009 at 18:29  

-->Keshi

Ah! Cool crocs, Kesh. Wouldlove to meet them sometimes. What say!

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 2 February 2009 at 18:32  

-->Renaye

That's a great subject, I say. Env Politics. With politics holding sway over conservation needs, this sounds just great. All the best.

Thank you and thank you, Renaye. Thanks for making it simple for me. I can leave messages easily without waking up the baboons, eh!

*cheers*

Keshi 3 February 2009 at 06:15  

I've met Steve Waugh and Brett Lee :) They r COOL AS!

Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 3 February 2009 at 15:16  

-->Keshi

Steve Waugh is my all time fav. One hell of a fighter he was. Brett is cool. Aussies had some great cricketers. The present bunch is losing the legacy.

Cool AS???

Howz you treating your new *hot* flatmate?

*smilez*

Keshi 4 February 2009 at 08:47  

yep...the current roo team isnt crash-hot, cricket wise I mean lol!

My flatmate is going great...sadly he's being bombarded with religous fanatics mail!

Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 4 February 2009 at 13:40  

-->Keshi

Yes, the current bunch barring Shaun Marsh is not crash-hot. Neither cricket wise nor other wise too.

I read what you and Chriz wrote and left a comment too. Ignore them. May be laugh it out. The fanatics do not deserve any attention.

*smilez*

Keshi 5 February 2009 at 10:53  

ty Soul!

Happy travelling too!

btw u dun hv to take part in my current post cos there's no competition anymore. I stopped it and I dun think I'll hv any more games in my blog. I think I need a break too..like u :) I'll be away too.

See ya when u get bak!

Keshi.

Anonymous 6 February 2009 at 21:29  

Ha-ha!!Looking forward to seeing more pictures :-) Why are we saying "ha-ha" by the way?

:-)

Diana Sahu 7 February 2009 at 16:05  

Am feeling soo J...thats all I can say when I see the pics.

Talking To My Soul 9 February 2009 at 23:22  

-->Keshi

Am back.

But why did you stop those games on your blog? I guess the fight to share your flat is getting intense.


If you need a break, give yourself one. Relax and come back. We're here waiting for your. At least, I am. So go ahead. Take care.

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 9 February 2009 at 23:23  

-->Agnes

Will soon post more pictures. I am wearing a tanned look now. I cant even recognize myself now. LOL!


*cheers*

Talking To My Soul 9 February 2009 at 23:24  

-->Diana

Thanks. I thought you are D(i) but can see you are J.

Thanks. girl.

*cheers*

Keshi 10 February 2009 at 04:28  

hey WB Soul!

Im sorry abt that hasty last comment by me on Thursday. I stopped the game for awhile and thats when I wrote that comment. I was not in a v good mood at the time.

But Im ok now..the game is back on too :)


**But why did you stop those games on your blog? I guess the fight to share your flat is getting intense.

haha yes!


I know u always care..u truly care abt me. or else u wudnt hv come n said Hi to me as soon as u came bak from ur 5-day break. I must say I did miss ya :)


Keshi.

Anonymous 10 February 2009 at 04:31  

:-))))

I just saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. Have you seen it?

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 09:12  

-->Keshi

Great to know the game is back on. Although I don't take part, it's fun reading it all. May be someday I will throw the hat into the ring. But it is amazing to see the amount of life you put into the posts in no time. It's simply great. So get on with it. Have fun and allow us guys to have fun too. Okay!

I could see from your comment that you were not in good state of mind. Nice to know you are feeling good now.

Heyyy, of course, I care about you, Kesh. As I keep saying, you are simply GREAT. It's an honour that you missed me.

Take care and be good.

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 09:16  

-->Agnes

Hi. I have seen Slumdog....It is now sweeping awards everywhere. It makes good viewing, Agnes. But yes, the script has inconsistencies and there are some bad factual errors at crucial points. Technically, it was great. Content was mediocre. I have seen better films on Mumbai and its slum life. If you could, catch a film called "Aamir" which was released last year. It is one tremendous movie.

But how did you like Slumdog..? You have seen so much of India, I guess you can relate to it.

Thanks for remembering to drop by always.

*cheers*

Keshi 10 February 2009 at 09:30  

so where did u go for 5 days? :)

Keshi.

Keshi 10 February 2009 at 09:39  

** I am wearing a tanned look now.


me wanna see it! ;-)

Keshi.

Anonymous 10 February 2009 at 09:44  

all in all, i liked it.

i would love to see 'aamir'!

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 09:48  

-->Keshi

Heyyy, I plan to write a post on my trip. I don't know if it will make sense but for your knowledge, it was an environment film shoot. Will see something about it when you are up tomorrow morning. What say!

Thanks, Kesh. For everything.

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 09:49  

-->Keshi

Well, I forgot to carry a camera. But I may get a pic or two of my tanned look, eh!

*smilez*

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 09:52  

-->Agnes

I agree. It makes pretty enjoyable viweing. Visually very interesting.

Please watch "Aamir" and do tell me.

*cheers*

Keshi 10 February 2009 at 09:53  

wud love to read abt it! And ofcourse, see ur new tan :)


**Although I don't take part, it's fun reading it all. May be someday I will throw the hat into the ring.

wut if I choose u as my next flatmate w.o. u hvn to take part in any competition? wud u take it?


Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 10 February 2009 at 12:06  

-->Keshi

Anytime, dear, anytime. Only hitch is will I be able to match up the sheer energy you produce in your posts? If you think I can, I will just be a click away. It would be an honour for me.

Take care and be good.

*smilez*

Keshi 12 February 2009 at 04:35  

u dun hv to be ME...u be just YOU. Cos I'd love that :)

Keshi.

Talking To My Soul 12 February 2009 at 10:08  

-->Keshi

Thanks, Kesh. I will always be me.

*smilez*

Poonam J 1 April 2009 at 19:03  

I do envy you....the place looks all tranquil and serene....and if thats you in the picture, so do you.Being with nature actually helps us understand our nature[?]..our wilder side gets tamed for sure at such places.

Miss Komal 22 July 2009 at 14:54  

True, indeed.

My mom loves gardening , and i always used to wonder why ?

Now , when i myself started watering those plants, lawn ..started digging holes and sowing new plantlets ....i realised WHY MY MOTHER LOVES IT :-)



We have to connect with nature , and flourish with the tiny ventures of joy , God has left open for one and for all.

:-)

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