Saturday, May 12, 2007
Cycling up to Khandala Award....
... The Award goes to our 2 youngest helpers Edgar & Neil who Cycled up to Khandala a day before camp, endured a flat tyre, manuovered the Ghats and finally after over 7 gruelling hours went to camp out on the Grotto before reporting to Camp at Nuns Hill the next morning (4th May 2007)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Who discovered the DEAR Falls???
We go so often to the DEAR Falls for a dip in the beetle pool, under the water falls or inside the cave without even knowing who discovered the falls and some people even expecting to sight the "DEER" they assume the falls got its name from. Well heres the History:
DEAR Falls Got its name from the initials of the 4 youngsters who discovered in May Camp of 1996. (Date inputs from Jonathan!)
D ixon
E vonne
A lvin
R yan
One summers day in May of 1996 bored of camp this bunch of adventurous youngsters went exploring the jungle behind Kune and stumbled upon this place we frequent so often, Then when they took Fr. Robin back to show him their Discovery the trail couldn't be found, so they worked at setting Landmarks and aligning cliff tops with Rim Rock and Pine Trees and Valleys before they got their bearings right and picked up the elusive trail once more.
Ryan is still a flickering fixture at the camp & you may chance to see Evonne out there sometime but Alvin seems to have disappeared & so has Dixon (at least from Camp!).
Now the DEAR Falls is easier to find if you know the general direction and are somewhat familiar with the lay of the Land. The monkey trail is well worn and the grass is shaded differently and the trail becomes visible from a distance during the summers. July to Feb may be a bit tricky on account of the overgrowth after the monsoons. Its a nice place for a waddle & to get a quick dose of solitude. The adventurous ones can cut through the jungle to work their way down to The Garden of Eden and perhaps head even further down to Karjat or Khapoli! (Please Note: I haven't hazarded that myself and advise caution!)
DEAR Falls Got its name from the initials of the 4 youngsters who discovered in May Camp of 1996. (Date inputs from Jonathan!)
D ixon
E vonne
A lvin
R yan
One summers day in May of 1996 bored of camp this bunch of adventurous youngsters went exploring the jungle behind Kune and stumbled upon this place we frequent so often, Then when they took Fr. Robin back to show him their Discovery the trail couldn't be found, so they worked at setting Landmarks and aligning cliff tops with Rim Rock and Pine Trees and Valleys before they got their bearings right and picked up the elusive trail once more.
Ryan is still a flickering fixture at the camp & you may chance to see Evonne out there sometime but Alvin seems to have disappeared & so has Dixon (at least from Camp!).
Now the DEAR Falls is easier to find if you know the general direction and are somewhat familiar with the lay of the Land. The monkey trail is well worn and the grass is shaded differently and the trail becomes visible from a distance during the summers. July to Feb may be a bit tricky on account of the overgrowth after the monsoons. Its a nice place for a waddle & to get a quick dose of solitude. The adventurous ones can cut through the jungle to work their way down to The Garden of Eden and perhaps head even further down to Karjat or Khapoli! (Please Note: I haven't hazarded that myself and advise caution!)
Monday, January 1, 2007
Meenas Yellow Dal Brilliant Effort Awards...
- Doing all 3 Long-walks in 1 day (Sausages, Garden of Eden & the Dukes Nose):
- Youngest child to WALK over the Sausages:
- Karen Pereira at the age of 3 yrs.
- Oldest person to walk all the way up the Dukes Nose:
- Unc. Vincente at the age of 75 yrs.
- Blinded in both eyes (due to a firecracker accident a long time ago) yet walked all over the Sausages and the Dukes Nose!!!
- Willie Fernandes
Are you one of these Legends???
Camp a St. Marys was a 300 strong crowd and slowly but surely grew this clan of "helpers"
1- Mark Hancock
2- Meyrick (Old School Helper, Wrote a neat letter to Fr. Robin outlining an instruction manual for helpers)
3- Darryl Rodricks (Nicknamed Daddy Long-legs for his height, Enjoyed mixing Old Monk and Onjus)
4- Stephen Fernandes
5- Clyde Ferreira (Custom Leather Designer, Now retired, Spends his time fishing and drinking beer)
6- Warren Holiday (Still remember him for his Black TShirt with the Batman Logo)
7- Kieran D'mello (Roughneck with a smiley face, hates having his picture clicked)
8- Glenford D'mello
9- Eustace Fernandes (The terrifying "Headless Ghost" of Khandala!)
10- Steve Alves
11- Sam Pereira ( Known as Sam the Sailor, An old sea dog with lots of stories to tell)
12-Nigel
13- Colin DeSa
14- Trevor Fernandes
15- Klein Rodrigues
16- John Roxburg (Wooed the mothers of pretty girls at camp with his talks and "W Chest" Physique)
17- Tesclin Almeida (Capt'n and leader of a pack of helpers, Never a dull moment here)
18- Paul Mascarenhas (Became infamous for his long winded joke "The Butcher Dance" after which campers christened him 'Pakao Paul', designed nifty award certificates for the Khandala Camp Mini Olympics)
19- Steve Nazareth
20- Carlos Ribeiro (Wannabe Astronaut, M.S.- Master of Snyde Comments, Can drive you up a wall)
21- Br. Minana
22- Br. Hernandez (Dead)
23- Br. George Rozario (Famous for singing "Whos side you're leaning on...?")
24- Br. Lorry Ferrao
25- Br. Joaquim Tellis
26- Br. Tony J. D'Souza
27- Br. Winston D'Souza
28- Fr. Simon D'Souza
29- Luke Rodrigues (Now a Priest, Taught teachers how to teach, Led him and a Bunch of Wannabe Teachers to Chinchoti)
30- Gerard Rodricks (Now a Priest, Loves Shrikhand and heading out into the wild alone, suddenly went Green)
31- Lino
32- Marcus (Surprised us by coming up to camp all civilized with a Laundry Bag some helpers mistook for a bin!)
33- Jonathan
34- Dixon D'mello (Lean, Mean and a talker, This roughneck made good drinking company)
35- James Vaz (Softspoken helper, couldnt drink for nuts, Was Meenas Chocolate Boy!)
36- Sheel Drego (Did little time as a Helper, lived on a farm nearby, now a Jockey)
37- Mark Miranda (Nicknamed Chappan for his freckles, one of the obedient ones)
38- Roystern D'Souza (Found his voice as a helper, was a hit with the women)
39- Savio (Crazy about cars, A famly drove up in a Merc: We checked out the babe, He checked out the car!)
40- Deseril D'Souza (The only helper I know that got homesick at camp and had to be sent home)
41- Jonathan D'Silva (NCC Cadet, Wannabe Sniper, Got stoned on a concoction of Combiflam and Pepsi!)
42- Keenan Marcus (One hit wonder, Bagged a good chick at the camp, Known for his 'circular motion' during waltz sessions!)
43- Douglas Lynn Miranda (Greenhorn helper, Got hit in the eye with my Khukri)
44- Ryan Valles (Perfect Helper, Never knew what beer was until I met him, Scared of winged insects)
45- Dean Ferns (Musically Inclined, Kept the singsongs alive after Fr. Robin went off to sleep)
46- Neil Valles (Talented guy, lots of ideas, co founder of "Beer for Helpers Welfare Fund")
47- Robin Alfred (The Dark Knight, Quiet but good with children, Fell off the Grotto once, whereabouts unknown)
48- Montwin (Judas Helper, Organizer of Games, Didnt hang-out with us so we set his bed on fire)
49- Edgar Dsouza (Rigger boy with a talent for getting lost, Got yelled at a lot as a Greenhorn, now a good drinking buddy)
50- Wiless D'mello (Drama King with a wicked smile, lived in the shadow of his brother)
51- Br. Ben Hur (Religious types, but sweet chap, I'd say the girls lost out on this one)
52- Br. Praveen (Religious type, lanky and gawky, no loss to mankind, God: Do your damnedest!)
53- Raju Anappa (Ragpicker, Ruffian with a soft heart, Studied to be a priest but was destined to find love)
54- Br. Turnin (Strapping young man, yanked his chain a bit, Chose God over Goddesses!)
55- Me(lvin) (Cant blow my on trumpet, but became the Chief Helper at Camp, My Beer Mug was always overflowing)
56- Sarita D'Souza (Ace Swimmer at Camp, Could laugh herself off any furniture at the slightest)
57- Lilian Coelho (Quiet, Nice, Was deputed to baby sit all the kiddies at camp)
58- Valerie Fernandes (Lovable, talkative, kept her cousin lil company)
59- Sarita Drego (Sweet, Eco Friendly, Put the boys to work collecting rubbish on a trek only to have Meena empty the 3 sacks of refuse they lugged up back into the valley off the lookout!)
60- Zerelina Lobo (Cute girl, so we roped her in as a helpless, has a mean side)
61- Tresha (Honorary Helper, veteran at camp so she ran with the boys, became famous for her song "di·ar·rhe·a")
62- Evonne Misquitta (Short and Sweet, Medical Student, Kept the boys on their toes)
63- Tricia-lynn Pereira (Another Good looker with a power vocab and enchanting voice when she sang "As the Deer..")
64- Marion D'Silva (I call her "Li'l sis" but she beat the shit out of her big brother once)
65- Karen Sequeira (Dietician who loves to drink a mix of beer and water, looks Stunning outside of camp, her dad makes rice wine)
66- Nishtha Sharma (Competes with me for Chief Helper title, looks like a school girl, doesnt give a damn)
67- Sanya Sayyed (Nick named "Lady Finger" she once outraged the modesty of a hag of old women at mass)
68- Jyotsna (Sanyas side kick, She made soft toys as a hobby)
69- Rachel (Another Doc, What the heck, is everyone schooling to be Meredith Grey??? Shes a sharp shooter though more akin to Dr. Miranda)
70- James (Rachels li'l bro, Part time Helper, Full time Chef, but I'm sure he eats more than he cooks)
FootNote: No helper was ever paid cash, payments in kind were accepted as long as it was Cold. Away from home, yet eager to help these volunteers swore alliance with Fr. Robin and were athletes, musicians, handymen, outdoorsmen, babysitters, entertainers, storytellers, medics, firemen, lumberjacks, cooks, trackers and guides -the life of the party, natural born leaders who could multitask with ease. Known to think on their feet and never tiring, no job was impossible for a helper and often enough the job was impossible.
1- Mark Hancock
2- Meyrick (Old School Helper, Wrote a neat letter to Fr. Robin outlining an instruction manual for helpers)
3- Darryl Rodricks (Nicknamed Daddy Long-legs for his height, Enjoyed mixing Old Monk and Onjus)
4- Stephen Fernandes
5- Clyde Ferreira (Custom Leather Designer, Now retired, Spends his time fishing and drinking beer)
6- Warren Holiday (Still remember him for his Black TShirt with the Batman Logo)
7- Kieran D'mello (Roughneck with a smiley face, hates having his picture clicked)
8- Glenford D'mello
9- Eustace Fernandes (The terrifying "Headless Ghost" of Khandala!)
10- Steve Alves
11- Sam Pereira ( Known as Sam the Sailor, An old sea dog with lots of stories to tell)
12-Nigel
13- Colin DeSa
14- Trevor Fernandes
15- Klein Rodrigues
16- John Roxburg (Wooed the mothers of pretty girls at camp with his talks and "W Chest" Physique)
17- Tesclin Almeida (Capt'n and leader of a pack of helpers, Never a dull moment here)
18- Paul Mascarenhas (Became infamous for his long winded joke "The Butcher Dance" after which campers christened him 'Pakao Paul', designed nifty award certificates for the Khandala Camp Mini Olympics)
19- Steve Nazareth
20- Carlos Ribeiro (Wannabe Astronaut, M.S.- Master of Snyde Comments, Can drive you up a wall)
21- Br. Minana
22- Br. Hernandez (Dead)
23- Br. George Rozario (Famous for singing "Whos side you're leaning on...?")
24- Br. Lorry Ferrao
25- Br. Joaquim Tellis
26- Br. Tony J. D'Souza
27- Br. Winston D'Souza
28- Fr. Simon D'Souza
29- Luke Rodrigues (Now a Priest, Taught teachers how to teach, Led him and a Bunch of Wannabe Teachers to Chinchoti)
30- Gerard Rodricks (Now a Priest, Loves Shrikhand and heading out into the wild alone, suddenly went Green)
31- Lino
32- Marcus (Surprised us by coming up to camp all civilized with a Laundry Bag some helpers mistook for a bin!)
33- Jonathan
34- Dixon D'mello (Lean, Mean and a talker, This roughneck made good drinking company)
35- James Vaz (Softspoken helper, couldnt drink for nuts, Was Meenas Chocolate Boy!)
36- Sheel Drego (Did little time as a Helper, lived on a farm nearby, now a Jockey)
37- Mark Miranda (Nicknamed Chappan for his freckles, one of the obedient ones)
38- Roystern D'Souza (Found his voice as a helper, was a hit with the women)
39- Savio (Crazy about cars, A famly drove up in a Merc: We checked out the babe, He checked out the car!)
40- Deseril D'Souza (The only helper I know that got homesick at camp and had to be sent home)
41- Jonathan D'Silva (NCC Cadet, Wannabe Sniper, Got stoned on a concoction of Combiflam and Pepsi!)
42- Keenan Marcus (One hit wonder, Bagged a good chick at the camp, Known for his 'circular motion' during waltz sessions!)
43- Douglas Lynn Miranda (Greenhorn helper, Got hit in the eye with my Khukri)
44- Ryan Valles (Perfect Helper, Never knew what beer was until I met him, Scared of winged insects)
45- Dean Ferns (Musically Inclined, Kept the singsongs alive after Fr. Robin went off to sleep)
46- Neil Valles (Talented guy, lots of ideas, co founder of "Beer for Helpers Welfare Fund")
47- Robin Alfred (The Dark Knight, Quiet but good with children, Fell off the Grotto once, whereabouts unknown)
48- Montwin (Judas Helper, Organizer of Games, Didnt hang-out with us so we set his bed on fire)
49- Edgar Dsouza (Rigger boy with a talent for getting lost, Got yelled at a lot as a Greenhorn, now a good drinking buddy)
50- Wiless D'mello (Drama King with a wicked smile, lived in the shadow of his brother)
51- Br. Ben Hur (Religious types, but sweet chap, I'd say the girls lost out on this one)
52- Br. Praveen (Religious type, lanky and gawky, no loss to mankind, God: Do your damnedest!)
53- Raju Anappa (Ragpicker, Ruffian with a soft heart, Studied to be a priest but was destined to find love)
54- Br. Turnin (Strapping young man, yanked his chain a bit, Chose God over Goddesses!)
55- Me(lvin) (Cant blow my on trumpet, but became the Chief Helper at Camp, My Beer Mug was always overflowing)
56- Sarita D'Souza (Ace Swimmer at Camp, Could laugh herself off any furniture at the slightest)
57- Lilian Coelho (Quiet, Nice, Was deputed to baby sit all the kiddies at camp)
58- Valerie Fernandes (Lovable, talkative, kept her cousin lil company)
59- Sarita Drego (Sweet, Eco Friendly, Put the boys to work collecting rubbish on a trek only to have Meena empty the 3 sacks of refuse they lugged up back into the valley off the lookout!)
60- Zerelina Lobo (Cute girl, so we roped her in as a helpless, has a mean side)
61- Tresha (Honorary Helper, veteran at camp so she ran with the boys, became famous for her song "di·ar·rhe·a")
62- Evonne Misquitta (Short and Sweet, Medical Student, Kept the boys on their toes)
63- Tricia-lynn Pereira (Another Good looker with a power vocab and enchanting voice when she sang "As the Deer..")
64- Marion D'Silva (I call her "Li'l sis" but she beat the shit out of her big brother once)
65- Karen Sequeira (Dietician who loves to drink a mix of beer and water, looks Stunning outside of camp, her dad makes rice wine)
66- Nishtha Sharma (Competes with me for Chief Helper title, looks like a school girl, doesnt give a damn)
67- Sanya Sayyed (Nick named "Lady Finger" she once outraged the modesty of a hag of old women at mass)
68- Jyotsna (Sanyas side kick, She made soft toys as a hobby)
69- Rachel (Another Doc, What the heck, is everyone schooling to be Meredith Grey??? Shes a sharp shooter though more akin to Dr. Miranda)
70- James (Rachels li'l bro, Part time Helper, Full time Chef, but I'm sure he eats more than he cooks)
FootNote: No helper was ever paid cash, payments in kind were accepted as long as it was Cold. Away from home, yet eager to help these volunteers swore alliance with Fr. Robin and were athletes, musicians, handymen, outdoorsmen, babysitters, entertainers, storytellers, medics, firemen, lumberjacks, cooks, trackers and guides -the life of the party, natural born leaders who could multitask with ease. Known to think on their feet and never tiring, no job was impossible for a helper and often enough the job was impossible.
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