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And It Begins : After a heavy breakfast , group photographs and some light showers, the team started on its adventure. The gradient started showing its true colors in just 5 minutes. Look at the lead practiced legs have already taken over ours
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Catch Me If You Can : Thalai poses on in one of the early bridges we crossed.
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The First Tunnel : The first tunnel uphill on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. We were advised to keep a close eyes for a few species of the slithering variety
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Inside The First Tunnel : Our initial enthusiasm in the trek was contagious. The first tunnel and the first few bridges stole a lot of time from us for posing clicking and trying every angle
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The Exit : What did I just say ?
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The First Real Viaduct : As we exited the first tunnel, we came face to face with the first real viaduct / bridge on the NMR. We had already crossed a few small bridges before we came in here, but this was the first real deal. The advice from the gangmen were simple and precise. Move slowly and steadily and DO NOT look down. Stick to the center
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The Relay : We had 2 enthusiastic young and excited gangmen ready to take our reins from the 2 who were already accompanying us. Can you spot them in this pic. CLUE : They are at the end of the bridge
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Tempting : It was terribly tempting to go down and take a dip, but better sense prevailed and we moved on
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Watch Your Step : We carefully tread upon the bridge. This less than 100m bridge took close to 2 minutes to cross. This is like playing test cricket. Do not rush just because the end is in sight except if you are Viru
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Looking Back : After the slow walk over the bridge, time to look back and see what we achieved.
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Oh Thats Great : An amused monkey wonders what is so great about all this, but hey humans and crazier than you think
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Bridge No 25 : Bridge No 25, We saw this a km or so from below and honestly thought that this we the summit, but there is a lot more to cross
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Rest Stop : After a 2 KM walk along the tracks, the team slowly converges past bridge no 25 for a short rest
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And See Thats How It is : Explains the expert as we wait for the rest of the gang
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Perk Up Your Spirits : Some perk, water and glucose to continue the rest of the adventure.
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Well Lets Go : Freshened up, rested a bit and we move on as the 2 railway gangmen wait for us
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Destination Adderley : With lots of stories to tell us, the gangmen kept us entertained, informed and excited as we move along towards our first destination Adderley, 5 kms from our starting point
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Water Break : Just like the oil fired loco, each one of us needed some water filling and freshening up. We reached Adderley, a good 3 hrs and 20 minutes from our starting point. If you could discount the 30 min break time, this 5 kilometers took us 2 hrs and 50 mins to reach Adderley on a 12.5 steep gradient.
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Look Ahead : As we look ahead to the next tunnel and the fact that we have 15 more kilometers to go, our body already started begging us to be careful and not overdo it. The walk is not the problem, but the gradient and unfriendly terrain surely made mincemeat of all our energy