The second Meeting for Rafting trip to rishikesh was held on 25th March and was attended by just 4 members. Understandably, nothing constructive could be achieved except that 3 members who were only available on 1st and 2nd have decided to go ahead. With a participation of 3 (2 of them backed out the very minuite they realised it was only gonna be 3 of them and few non members as they prefer to go with the whole group as I write this post) out of approx 30 members this can by no means be called a Let’s Go event.
It seems the official Rafting event will only happen on 14th, 15th and 16th of April.
Here is a mail i just wrote to the group
Welcome aboard Antara…on behalf of all of us here…nevermind the flame war…this is a bunch of real nice people…trust me…you will have fun….
to know more about Antara go to http://www.ryze.com/go/Whatnxtdec
Guess my earnest request not to spam the everybody’s mailbox when your grievance is against just one falls to deaf ears……….people will resort to desperate measures to seek public support.
As has been always maintained by me, the Rafting event was supposed to be held on 1st and 2nd of April (luck is playing a big time april fool prank with the group) untill some members came up with some issues.
- Some of the members preferred to go on a 3 day weekend (14th april) instead of two day weekend.
- they were further of the opinion that a 3 day weekend would be more optimally utilised if we do some other activity rather than Rafting. However it was mutually agreed that the majority is in favour of rafting.
- Some members weren’t sure about their availability on any other weekend but 1st
- Few more said they would only go if xyz is also going
Looking at things I set up a poll to decide upon the date. Most members, particularly one, has been too disoriented to even cast a vote on the given 4 options. Poll result can be accessed by all via the groups Yahoo page.
Post poll and personal conversation with most of the members who have shown a slightest interest for the Rafting trip I can safely say the consensus is in favour of the third week that is 14th, 15th and 16th of April. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>
<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>I reiterate the Lets Go Rafting event is tentatively on 14th 15th and 16th of April. We have decided to go by the packaged suggested by Amit Gupta 1. <!–[endif]–>
We have the options of (i) 2 nights and 3 days (ii) 1 night and 2 days (iii) 1 night and 2 days with two rafting.
Cost
@ Rs. 2,800.00 Per Per Person ( for 2 nights and 3 days )
@ Rs. 1,350.00 Per Person ( for 1 night and 2 days)
@ Rs, 2,100.00 Per Person ( 1 night and 2 days with two rafting and extra Lunch)Toyota Qualis
@ Rs. 5200.00 For 1 night and 2 days
@ Rs, 5500.00 <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>For 2 nights and 3 days <!–[endif]–>For more details pls see link http://letsgowanderers.blogspot.com/2006/03/1st-meeting-for-rishikesh-trip.html<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>
Personally I would like to make the trip in as little expense as possible…my main concern being Rafting and only rafting without bothering much about discomfort, hygiene, quality of food etc. My vote goes to the 2nd option @ Rs. 1350. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–>Rest I leave to the group. <!–[endif]–>
Also needful to mention, the above dates and the event on the whole is still tentative…coz of issues like last minute change of schedule at work, last minute outstation tour, uncertainty on part of a b c leading to cancellation of x y z etc. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>
So those interested may please speak up. We just have one weekend to take the final decision collect the payment and get the bookings done.
Yours Truely
PS. I hope the culprit has made herself clear…crystal clear.
Looking forward to a nice Rafting trip on the third week of April. Fingres crossed.
Let's Go 
Very nice! I found a place where you can
make some nice extra cash secret shopping. Just go to the site below
and put in your zip to see what’s available in your area.
I made over $900 last month having fun!
make extra money
I agree with doing a trip with least expense.. however if someone is giving a raft trip with stay and food for Rs 1350 I dont forsee it to be something outstanding. You should have priorities as follows :
1) Safety – The vendor should provide for certified professionals for river guides, and also have ( capable ) safety kayakers. Most people feel all this is not necessary. Please look back at history, there have been ample accidents and most of the ones which happened during rafting were due to sheer lack of safety provision or lack of expertise. I dont think that spending money for this aspect is questionable.
2) You need decent food ( if not luxurious ).
3) Camp site should be private and peaceful ( otherwise stay at a hotel! it will be far more cheaper ).
I am a white water professional, into white water kayaking, and according to me if any vendor does a raft trip of about 24 kms with 7 people per raft and send 2 safety kayaks then for a group of 7-14 people JUST the raft trip alone will cost you something like Rs. 700 per person.
If you are obtaining something at lesser expense, there are corners being cut. Either people are using subgrade equipment, or manpower or are overloading rafts or are not running paddle rafts ( they may be giving cargo kind of rafts with big oars, which can be handled by lesser experienced guides as well ).
I feel that if you are interested with adventure sports, you should be willing to shell out more money, as quality adventure gear is still a mirage in India, and it is expensive. There are cheaper lookalikes however they are not the same quality. Any activity which has higher investments is bound to be expensive.
my email is swamis@katabatic.co.in if you wish to discuss more on this.