Its not very often that opportunities like these knock at your doorstep, inviting you to embark on a journey this exciting.
Two days into my new job and off I go, on an all expense paid trip, with friends, family and colleagues, courtesy my company, to a tropical destination, Sri Lanka.
The year certainly started off with a bang for me. While the getting-a-new-job scene happened last year, it was the post joining journey that was so exciting.
I walked into my office, all excited about starting afresh and hoping that things would be smooth sailing from here on.
One day in and I hear talks and whispers about a company retreat. A trip that the company sends its employees on, every two years. Of-course with me just about finishing the joining formalities and waiting for my work visa to get stamped on my passport, the possibilities of being able to make the trip were pretty grim.
Plus the head count was finalized, the hotel bookings were made and all other related travel arrangements had been done prior to my joining and hence I did not, in the least, think I would be a part of this wonderful journey.
It was the tragic death of one of my colleagues' mother in law that had the office admin in a spin.
This particular person was to travel with his wife, two children and parents. A total of 6 six seats, fell vacant just two days before the trip date.
It was chaos in office as cancellation of the additional seats would mean a hefty loss to the company and so all efforts were being made to fill the void.
And in I came. I was promptly popped the question of weather or not I would be interested in joining the others, to which I too, in almost perfect sync, said yes.
The next question was, how in the world was I supposed to go on a company retreat without even getting my visa stamped?!. The process was sped up, HR guys were at the immigration all night trying to figure out my case and get me through and basically all efforts were being made to sort of break a world record for fastest visa stamped. To keep things short, I got my visa stamped just the day prior to departure.
I packed my bags the previous night, which again was a mess because obviously I was not prepared for a trip like this. Luckily being a man had its advantages. A pair of jeans, shorts for the beach, a couple of inners and a few of my peppy looking t-shirts and I was good to go.
We arrived early at the airport, everyone eager to just leave the country and work behind for a few days.
Like any other group trip, this one too was filled with people showing their love for group-selfies and what not using all the latest gadgetry.
Less be told, the next thing we knew was the air-hostess asking us to keep our chairs in the up-right position and lift the window shades as we were preparing to land.
It was about 3:30 AM, local time. We finished with the airport formalities and walked out to breathe some Lankan air. Those who felt starved for nicotine, ran out to light up. The rest, just stood by with drowsy eyes, wondering what was planned next.
A guide then asked us to board the coach that would take us to our hotel in a place called Hikkaduwa, which we were told, was about 5 hours from the airport.
We were also told that we would be stopping by for breakfast, water sports for those interested and also a visit to the turtle hatchery were sea turtles were rescued and bred to be released back into the ocean once they were deemed fit.
It was around 1:00 PM that we finally reached our hotel. The warm and rather friendly hotel staff guided us for check-in. We were allotted our respective rooms and before we could even think about crashing in bed, the next announcement was made. Lunch in 15 mins. Post which we were supposed to go visit a local fort site.
The lunch was eventful with the restaurant constantly giving me that Goan shack feel. A similar sea view, the breeze from the beach, the sand on my feet and yes, a beer in my hand. It felt like I was back home on vacation!.
The trip to the local fort wasn't so exciting, more so because everyone was almost drained. The long flight, the bus trip, the water sports, turtles, and lunch. All that everyone wanted was to crash for the night and wake up fresh for the next day.
I must mention though that the fort was very well maintained. Unlike in India where one would expect to find paan stains on the wall and declarations of love on every other corner, this place was kept at its original best. No litter on the ground and no local kids playing cricket in the compound.
We did notice the fair share of love birds perched here and there but again, this being a tourist destination, nobody seemed to really care.
With the trip completed for Day-1, we had an early meal and went to bed.
We woke up early to hit the beach and have some fun before we could head out for our day's activities which mainly comprised of a jungle safari.
The safari now, was not as we expected. To be honest, it was nothing like we had expected. Apart from spotting a few baby elephants every now and then, some rather malnutritioned versions of a cow and some crocodiles that looked like they were carved out of plastic and placed in water, there was nothing.
This perhaps was the only let down in an otherwise exciting and fun filled trip. We stopped for some chai and then headed back to base camp, our hotel.
This time around, the energy levels were still at an optimum and so we played some beach volleyball, sat around and sipped on some chilled beer and played some rather childish games which again seemed like a lot of fun since were in such a large group.
It was around 2:00 AM when we finally decided to call it a night and retreat back to our rooms. The next day, which was the last, was supposed to accommodate some more fun activities.
Day-3, like the other two, began in the morning with a dip in the beach. Post breakfast, we headed to a diving centre where we would be taken mid sea for a 20-30 metres dive to see some live corals and underwater life.
This was again quite interesting and exciting but also a little scary. I had done this sort of thing long back but then again, I was a kid and probably hadn't been on a dive so deep.
With the basic training being imparted, and the trainer feeling confident, we set out to sea.
I was amongst the first few who got to dive, the experience was overwhelming. It was a sight that I had missed since being in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The live corals, the colourful fish and the brilliant sea life. It was like an adrenaline rush 30 metres under water.
With everyone finishing off with their share of the dive, we headed back to shore for some lunch.
The same restaurant was chosen as a result of a popularity vote and hence we went back in, had our meals and then went back to the hotel.
Time was running short. we had to pack up, head out and reach the airport for our departure.
The trip was tiring but nobody wanted to go back. The thought of seeing that office desk, the projects, the site, the meetings, it was something we had completely forgotten about in these few days.
To keep the spirits high, and to make the bus trip a little more lively, we had a sort of sing song competition going , with everyone just screaming their lungs out in an attempt to sing the best they could. It wasn't particularly pleasing to the ears but heck, we were having a good time anyways!
Before we knew it it was time for check-in and boarding. With heavy feet, we walked to our seats, fastened our seat belts and pulled out that eye mask in an attempt to close our eyes one more time before we woke up to the reality of an 8 to 5 job.
The trip was awesome. Something that I would remember, particularly because of the way I got in.
As for now, I need to head downstairs for my next weekly site progress meeting. *sign*.
Two days into my new job and off I go, on an all expense paid trip, with friends, family and colleagues, courtesy my company, to a tropical destination, Sri Lanka.
The year certainly started off with a bang for me. While the getting-a-new-job scene happened last year, it was the post joining journey that was so exciting.
I walked into my office, all excited about starting afresh and hoping that things would be smooth sailing from here on.
One day in and I hear talks and whispers about a company retreat. A trip that the company sends its employees on, every two years. Of-course with me just about finishing the joining formalities and waiting for my work visa to get stamped on my passport, the possibilities of being able to make the trip were pretty grim.
Plus the head count was finalized, the hotel bookings were made and all other related travel arrangements had been done prior to my joining and hence I did not, in the least, think I would be a part of this wonderful journey.
It was the tragic death of one of my colleagues' mother in law that had the office admin in a spin.
This particular person was to travel with his wife, two children and parents. A total of 6 six seats, fell vacant just two days before the trip date.
It was chaos in office as cancellation of the additional seats would mean a hefty loss to the company and so all efforts were being made to fill the void.
And in I came. I was promptly popped the question of weather or not I would be interested in joining the others, to which I too, in almost perfect sync, said yes.
The next question was, how in the world was I supposed to go on a company retreat without even getting my visa stamped?!. The process was sped up, HR guys were at the immigration all night trying to figure out my case and get me through and basically all efforts were being made to sort of break a world record for fastest visa stamped. To keep things short, I got my visa stamped just the day prior to departure.
I packed my bags the previous night, which again was a mess because obviously I was not prepared for a trip like this. Luckily being a man had its advantages. A pair of jeans, shorts for the beach, a couple of inners and a few of my peppy looking t-shirts and I was good to go.
We arrived early at the airport, everyone eager to just leave the country and work behind for a few days.
Like any other group trip, this one too was filled with people showing their love for group-selfies and what not using all the latest gadgetry.
Less be told, the next thing we knew was the air-hostess asking us to keep our chairs in the up-right position and lift the window shades as we were preparing to land.
It was about 3:30 AM, local time. We finished with the airport formalities and walked out to breathe some Lankan air. Those who felt starved for nicotine, ran out to light up. The rest, just stood by with drowsy eyes, wondering what was planned next.
A guide then asked us to board the coach that would take us to our hotel in a place called Hikkaduwa, which we were told, was about 5 hours from the airport.
We were also told that we would be stopping by for breakfast, water sports for those interested and also a visit to the turtle hatchery were sea turtles were rescued and bred to be released back into the ocean once they were deemed fit.
It was around 1:00 PM that we finally reached our hotel. The warm and rather friendly hotel staff guided us for check-in. We were allotted our respective rooms and before we could even think about crashing in bed, the next announcement was made. Lunch in 15 mins. Post which we were supposed to go visit a local fort site.
The lunch was eventful with the restaurant constantly giving me that Goan shack feel. A similar sea view, the breeze from the beach, the sand on my feet and yes, a beer in my hand. It felt like I was back home on vacation!.
The trip to the local fort wasn't so exciting, more so because everyone was almost drained. The long flight, the bus trip, the water sports, turtles, and lunch. All that everyone wanted was to crash for the night and wake up fresh for the next day.
I must mention though that the fort was very well maintained. Unlike in India where one would expect to find paan stains on the wall and declarations of love on every other corner, this place was kept at its original best. No litter on the ground and no local kids playing cricket in the compound.
We did notice the fair share of love birds perched here and there but again, this being a tourist destination, nobody seemed to really care.
With the trip completed for Day-1, we had an early meal and went to bed.
We woke up early to hit the beach and have some fun before we could head out for our day's activities which mainly comprised of a jungle safari.
The safari now, was not as we expected. To be honest, it was nothing like we had expected. Apart from spotting a few baby elephants every now and then, some rather malnutritioned versions of a cow and some crocodiles that looked like they were carved out of plastic and placed in water, there was nothing.
This perhaps was the only let down in an otherwise exciting and fun filled trip. We stopped for some chai and then headed back to base camp, our hotel.
This time around, the energy levels were still at an optimum and so we played some beach volleyball, sat around and sipped on some chilled beer and played some rather childish games which again seemed like a lot of fun since were in such a large group.
It was around 2:00 AM when we finally decided to call it a night and retreat back to our rooms. The next day, which was the last, was supposed to accommodate some more fun activities.
Day-3, like the other two, began in the morning with a dip in the beach. Post breakfast, we headed to a diving centre where we would be taken mid sea for a 20-30 metres dive to see some live corals and underwater life.
This was again quite interesting and exciting but also a little scary. I had done this sort of thing long back but then again, I was a kid and probably hadn't been on a dive so deep.
With the basic training being imparted, and the trainer feeling confident, we set out to sea.
I was amongst the first few who got to dive, the experience was overwhelming. It was a sight that I had missed since being in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The live corals, the colourful fish and the brilliant sea life. It was like an adrenaline rush 30 metres under water.
With everyone finishing off with their share of the dive, we headed back to shore for some lunch.
The same restaurant was chosen as a result of a popularity vote and hence we went back in, had our meals and then went back to the hotel.
Time was running short. we had to pack up, head out and reach the airport for our departure.
The trip was tiring but nobody wanted to go back. The thought of seeing that office desk, the projects, the site, the meetings, it was something we had completely forgotten about in these few days.
To keep the spirits high, and to make the bus trip a little more lively, we had a sort of sing song competition going , with everyone just screaming their lungs out in an attempt to sing the best they could. It wasn't particularly pleasing to the ears but heck, we were having a good time anyways!
Before we knew it it was time for check-in and boarding. With heavy feet, we walked to our seats, fastened our seat belts and pulled out that eye mask in an attempt to close our eyes one more time before we woke up to the reality of an 8 to 5 job.
The trip was awesome. Something that I would remember, particularly because of the way I got in.
As for now, I need to head downstairs for my next weekly site progress meeting. *sign*.
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