The trip started with a contest posted to the Humber International Centre page and me participating in it. I was very clear that I wanted to something adventurous for my birthday. And you may call it co-incidence that Humber decides to take us to a camping trip. I have been to camping trips in India but they’re all very modern in their approach like we would go camping but stay in hotels and not tents, we would have bathrooms as against thunder boxes. I was surprised to see that some of them expected the same.
For me the trip was a break from all that I doing like working, volunteering, running my small business, phone, Internet, messaging and what not. I knew I could celebrate my birthday in peace and tranquility with my love if I was on this trip. I had never been camping before in Canada, so it was my first and I was very excited.
On 22nd Aug early morning we boarded the cute yellow school bus and headed straight to Algonquin with some students who have become amazing friends at the end of it. We reached, took our canoes, paddles, life jackets and left to find our campsite in the park. This was my first attempt at canoeing and after some quick lessons by our lovely instructors Amir, Eric and UV we were off to using our paper map to look for an empty campsite. We split into groups and the experience that followed was a life changing one. Amidst the nature, complete calmness we set out to setup our amazing tents, chop dead wood for campfire and get our little community ready.
The first evening my chef instincts came alive looking at the food barrels and decided to cook with all the lovely people around. Keeping in mind the menu planned, we made some fresh baby cucumber and tomato salad and gnocchi in herbed tomato sauce followed by our stuffed banana dessert in the special Dutch oven that was there. The bananas were stuffed with marshmallows and chocolate chips, which turned out to be one of the most innovative desserts I had ever had. We called it a night after a tiring day, making sure locking all the aromatic stuff on us like deos, tooth pastes, perfumes, colognes, etc in the airtight barrels and keeping it away from the site to avoid midnight interactions with the bears.
The next morning was amazing with the guides deciding to play a game of chasing each other’s canoes and tipping in the lake. It was a lot of fun as the water was calm and cool, making it my first dip in the lake. There was bright sunshine, clear weather and perfect time to take some amazing pictures. Lunch was simple with some humus, babaganoush, pita bread and lots of granola bars. The same early evening most of us spent time forest walking with Amir who explained to us the various elements that made it. There were different kinds of trees, creatures, mushrooms, plants and so much flora that we were in awe. The sunset was beautiful to see with deep orange skies and slowly the stars coming into sight with their shining rays. Dinner was a tad exotic with corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, lentil rice and stir-fried vegetables.
Little later we decided to go canoeing a little away from the campsite for stargazing. What I saw was the most amazing sight ever - a clear sky full of stars, full moon, and the hazy Milky Way running across. Shooting stars were spotted every 2 minutes. This was the epitome of calmness, serenity, tranquility and peace. I was breathing and felt so small and humble in this humongous universe. And then came the best part of the evening – my surprise birthday cake. A few of my friends back at the camping site were busy preparing this special cake covered with nutella, marshmallows, choco chips to blow my mind away. It was so special to me that I couldn’t thank them enough. We sang, while Amir played the guitar and off we slept like babies that night.
I wasn’t looking forward to the next morning, as I knew it was time to pack up and leave. But I was taking away from this trip my new best friends, lots of happiness, peace and amazing moments that will live with me forever. I like to thank Humber International Centre specially Matt and Overhang Adventures for putting up such an amazing trip, which will be remembered forever. Thank you and lots of love Neerav
For me the trip was a break from all that I doing like working, volunteering, running my small business, phone, Internet, messaging and what not. I knew I could celebrate my birthday in peace and tranquility with my love if I was on this trip. I had never been camping before in Canada, so it was my first and I was very excited.
On 22nd Aug early morning we boarded the cute yellow school bus and headed straight to Algonquin with some students who have become amazing friends at the end of it. We reached, took our canoes, paddles, life jackets and left to find our campsite in the park. This was my first attempt at canoeing and after some quick lessons by our lovely instructors Amir, Eric and UV we were off to using our paper map to look for an empty campsite. We split into groups and the experience that followed was a life changing one. Amidst the nature, complete calmness we set out to setup our amazing tents, chop dead wood for campfire and get our little community ready.
The first evening my chef instincts came alive looking at the food barrels and decided to cook with all the lovely people around. Keeping in mind the menu planned, we made some fresh baby cucumber and tomato salad and gnocchi in herbed tomato sauce followed by our stuffed banana dessert in the special Dutch oven that was there. The bananas were stuffed with marshmallows and chocolate chips, which turned out to be one of the most innovative desserts I had ever had. We called it a night after a tiring day, making sure locking all the aromatic stuff on us like deos, tooth pastes, perfumes, colognes, etc in the airtight barrels and keeping it away from the site to avoid midnight interactions with the bears.
The next morning was amazing with the guides deciding to play a game of chasing each other’s canoes and tipping in the lake. It was a lot of fun as the water was calm and cool, making it my first dip in the lake. There was bright sunshine, clear weather and perfect time to take some amazing pictures. Lunch was simple with some humus, babaganoush, pita bread and lots of granola bars. The same early evening most of us spent time forest walking with Amir who explained to us the various elements that made it. There were different kinds of trees, creatures, mushrooms, plants and so much flora that we were in awe. The sunset was beautiful to see with deep orange skies and slowly the stars coming into sight with their shining rays. Dinner was a tad exotic with corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, lentil rice and stir-fried vegetables.
Little later we decided to go canoeing a little away from the campsite for stargazing. What I saw was the most amazing sight ever - a clear sky full of stars, full moon, and the hazy Milky Way running across. Shooting stars were spotted every 2 minutes. This was the epitome of calmness, serenity, tranquility and peace. I was breathing and felt so small and humble in this humongous universe. And then came the best part of the evening – my surprise birthday cake. A few of my friends back at the camping site were busy preparing this special cake covered with nutella, marshmallows, choco chips to blow my mind away. It was so special to me that I couldn’t thank them enough. We sang, while Amir played the guitar and off we slept like babies that night.
I wasn’t looking forward to the next morning, as I knew it was time to pack up and leave. But I was taking away from this trip my new best friends, lots of happiness, peace and amazing moments that will live with me forever. I like to thank Humber International Centre specially Matt and Overhang Adventures for putting up such an amazing trip, which will be remembered forever. Thank you and lots of love Neerav