After breakfast, we decide to hit two of the many waterfalls that
outline Ban Lung. Ka Tieng and Ka Chang. Boy oh boy! While I thought Ka Tieng
was great, Ka Chang was my favourite. Imagine this hollow gorge with huge
boulders and trees surrounding you as if trying to hide a pretty little secret.
On one side, a massive waterfall slams down in a spray, hiding a cave behind. I
also love how nature gives you these little playground accessories to enjoy
yourself. Right next to the waterfall, there are vines that you can hang on to
and jump into the water. Of course, none of my travel partners enjoyed me
yodelling whilst swinging off the vine. While I thought I had a rich Tarzan
voice, they thought it was more along the lines of Jane. But that’s their
problem.
Next we headed to the 700,000 year old volcanic crater lake, Yak
Lom. Almost perfectly round, it’s surrounded by trees bending invitingly over
the edge of the lake. We found one that rose to around 15 feet, bending over
the deep end. Everyone took their turn to dive in and then it was mine. You
would think that since we’re Goans, this would be a breeze, you know, with all
that well jumping embedded in our genes. Trust me, when you’re up there, it
scares the hell out of you. And you can’t tell people the water dripping from
your pants is the water from the lake. Because you haven’t jumped in yet! But
once you do take the leap, there’s nothing stopping you from going back for
more.
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Wading in the water gives everyone a chance to talk. That’s when you
become an ambassador for your country. They want to know about India and Goa.
What’s it like. What do we eat for lunch and what do we drink. How much does
McDonalds cost here as compared to where they’re from. I extoll the virtues of
Feni and Choris and I’m soon the popular guy. It seems that everyone’s heard of
Goa but as a party destination. I try and tell them about the warm-hearted
people and shigmo and fotash. I tell them about tiatre and the hole-in-the-wall
places to get a good fish thali and soon realise that I’m finding it hard to
shut up. So I smile and politely say that they should visit the place to get a
good idea of what Goa is about.
At sundown, we head back to Jungle Lodge for a hot dinner and more
Tiger whiskey.
I’m happy that I’m a backpacker. Otherwise these wouldn’t be the
people I would have met. Or the whisky I would be drinking. And I wouldn’t have
it any other way.
