Team Trek – Jawahar Hill Station

What is the best way to build a bond between your colleagues you ask? Take an adventure with them and explore the answers along the journey. You will be surprised to know how much one has got to offer outside the formal office setting. One such experience I had was during our team trek to Jawhar Hill Station in Palghar District, Maharashtra. It was a perfect monsoon getaway to boost everyone’s morale and to look forward to new opportunities as a team. The trip instilled great amount of peace and restored our strength and zeal.

A team of early birds!

The journey began on the road before the sun had risen. Little did I know that the camaraderie we shared was going to increase by many folds by the end of this trip. Our accommodation was in Prakriti Agro Farm. I felt an instant connection with the homelike environment of the resort. Ritu says, “I’m glad we spent time in nature, rather than some concrete jungle”.They provided great hospitality and food which was local to the city. Everything prepared was organic with farm fresh ingredients. It was a lovely experience to enjoy the food and relax amid the sounds of rustling leaves, cool breeze and the rustic smell of the Earth.

Putting the right foot forward, together!

After an energizing lunch, we set out to visit the majestic Dabhosa Waterfalls. It is one of the highest waterfalls in India, measuring 300ft. and the trek to the waterfall is a challenging one. The steep walk was bumpy, rough and tough. The path was covered with rocks of various dimensions and forms. As always, the team was excited about a new challenge and everyone was keeping a lookout for one another. The magnificent waterfall was awaiting our arrival; every team member came to each other’s rescue and aid. The witty jokes and words of encouragement helped us reach the destination quickly by eliminating most of the challenges in our way. The waterfall took my breath away and sharing that moment with the whole team made it extra special.

Stars, Communication and Games!

The time at the waterfall flew by. I discovered new things about each other – who likes to take risks, who likes to compete about who reaches first, who knows the names of the trees we were crossing and who will slow down to give company to a tired team member.

Back at the resort, the sky shone with clusters of stars, the wind whistled, the fireflies danced with a spark of their own. This perfect setting called for an interaction session wherein we individually spoke about our experience so far. I was intrigued while listening to everyone’s insights and inputs. We concluded by promising to invest in a healthy mind, body and soul. Pranav says, “It was the best team building and bonding exercise. Awesome location and delicious food and the most enthusiastic group of people, what does one need more?”

We decided to play games to test our social skills and cognitive abilities. A communication game which involved imitating each others’ actions, tested our ability to carefully observe and remember the actions of our teammates. It depicted how crucial communication is to every decision making the process at the workplace. Even though the take-away was a serious one, the game itself was hilarious and had everyone in splits till their stomachs hurt. Later, we divided ourselves into two groups to play dumb charades. It was interesting to see everyone possessing distinct qualities to come together and work as a team. It enabled us to test our social quotient with one another under stipulated time. Mukta says, “I was overjoyed to see everyone bond, encourage each other to get out of their comfort zone”.

It’s a wrap!

Next day, our plans included visiting a village, having local food and trying our hand at Warli painting. Warli Painting is a tribal art which originated from cities of the Sahyadri region, Jawhar being one. The walls of houses were decorated with intricate designs, representing seasons, festivals, nature, wildlife etc. It was awe-inspiring to witness our guides describe everything about their town and way of life. I could see the pride in their eyes as they narrated their stories. The locals live a challenging life but their smiles and joy said otherwise. Nature helps them to survive and thrive.

As we returned to our homes, each one of us felt happy and satisfied to be a part of a team that sticks together. Now we are back to work with a refreshed mind that is bubbling with ideas and solutions.  I can’t wait to have more adventures with my fearless team!

Stay tuned for more exciting updates!