Here's to freedom and seeking new adventures

What do you envision when you hear the word “adventure”?

I think of excitement, challenge, the tricky, the unknown, and probably a little adversity. The thing about adventure is that it gets you out of your comfort zone. And makes you vulnerable. Fact is no matter how carefully you plan, you don’t really know what is actually going to happen. That’s part of the fun - the goosebumps of excitement and anticipation!

Consider the word “vulnerable.” It suggests exposure and opening yourself to possibilities. You have to risk some exposure from time to time. Keeping yourself safe just doesn't have enough room to break out, grow or explore.

'If it scares you, Do it.' I read this somewhere and know it to be absolutely wise advice. Face it. Things will  not always work out as you expect. You might get a little banged up along the way. But in the end, you’ll be a stronger, happier, more confident person. That is what really matters.


It’s the adventures that challenge us, the ones that touch our deepest vulnerabilities and fears that engrave the most indelible marks on us. They also teach us the greatest lessons. Every adventure you venture upon is a golden opportunity to bring out newer nuances of your character. What really happens when the going gets rough? How do you cope with difficulties and obstacles? Would you do differently next time?

You never regret the things you try in life, just the things you don’t. Go ahead and put yourself out there. Try something new. Be scared. Experience fear. Fight your arch enemy.

You will learn that you can achieve more than you thought you ever could. Or maybe not. But gain the satisfaction of having tried.

I am willing to try something new, something adventurous, are you?

Diary of Gurpreet Dhindsa : Life changing adventures

Woodland's Adventure Ambassador, Gurpreet Dhindsa, looks back at his first truly adventurous moment  at Kaloi Glacier in Kashmir and falling in love with adventure thereon. Read on:

Gurpreet:
"I had a different childhood. Being from the defence services family, we spent most of my childhood moving every year along the small towns or villages along the border. We grew up in an environment with more outdoor adventures than kids to play with.

While I can’t really point towards a singular event that turned me towards adventure sports, when I look back, one incident in particular stands out.

In 1988, while pursuing my B.Sc (Honours) in Amritsar, I was doing small treks regularly. That's when I decided to go trekking to Kaloi Glacier in Kashmir along with the younger brother of a friend.

Back then there had been massive floods in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and our trek turned out to be quite eventful with lots of bad weather. We endured most of the conditions sitting in a small tent at a high altitude. We not only reached the glacier and but also climbed the Kaloi peak!

Later, due to a series of events, I ended up giving my boots to my friend and climbed from glacier to peak in a pair of simple running shoes. While I personally didn't think much of it, a group of Germans climbing at same time made big fuss about it and we were treated like special guests at the base camp that night.

We had an equally interesting return as the road back to Punjab was washed away at few places. We continued to hike our way back home as we thought it was better than waiting in Srinagar to be airlifted. Despite of circumstances, we reached intact and in time to the pleasant surprise of everyone, especially my friend's family!

That experience taught me a lot. While handing over my friend's brother to his family meant quite a relief, it also marked the end of an adventure for me. That is when I realised how much I had enjoyed this tough journey and living on the edge.

The feeling of making life and death decisions, of braving weather and hardships, to feel the power of nature and strength of human body to endure and adapt: I believe it was at this moment when I truly fell in love with adventure."

Deeya’s Adventure Diaries : Challenges & More

Deeya likes challenging herself!


Her expedition across the Greenlandic Icecap in the summer of 2011 time and again demanded that she dip into her physical and mental energy reserves. There were days when the conditions were so tough that she felt like giving up but she kept pushing herself to go that extra mile, literally.

They would ski for 8 hours a day (around 30kms) with small 15 minute minute breaks every hour and a half. 

Deeya says these kind of extreme expeditions require good teamwork and though the rest of the expedition team members were much older than her, she got along very well with them.

In total there were 8 people - Deeya's father, two Belgians, an Australian, an American who was their guide, two Greenland natives, also called Inuits, who took care of the huskies (dogs that were carrying all the group's equipment).

There would be days when the group's energy levels would be low and Deeya would offer to lead the team. The responsibility of guiding the team towards the goal with the use of GPS was immense but satisfying. There was a sense of achievement which is hard to describe  recalls Deeya. 

The Greenlandic icecap is very beautiful - white all around - and there is 24 hours of sunlight, which feels weird sometimes! For food, Deeya says, they would pour boiling water into dried food and melt ice for water!

Deeya is glad that she used the Greenland expedition to collect funds for a girls’ orphanage in Haridwar with the help of her school - The Shri Ram School Moulsari Avenue. Today the project has been launched with 12 girl residents!

Way to go Deeya!

Deeya’s Adventure Diaries : Kayaking Expedition in Greenland

Deeya's first expedition ever was a 14-day sea kayaking expedition in Greenland. She was only 14 at that time and was the youngest member on the expedition!

 She remembers one day weather conditions became really unpleasant. There were high waves, rain strong winds pushing the kayak in the opposite direction and salt water constantly in her eyes. There was a point where she just wanted to stop paddling and give up completely. She just couldn’t take it any more.  But she knew that the situation was bad and she had to keep paddling no matter what. And so she stuck on and kept paddling.

She believes it is the ‘Never give in’ attitude that her parents have instilled in her that really allowed her to truly extend her own limits.

Going to places like Greenland has truly made Deeya realise the impact of global warming - and it is scary. She feels that it's something everyone should be aware about and try to make an effort to stop.

Woodland's Adventure Ambassador : Deeya Suzannah Bajaj

Say Hello to Deeya Suzannah Bajaj : Woodland’s Adventure Ambassador!

Deeya is presently pursuing a undergraduate degree at Cornell University, USA. Academically a brilliant student, Deeya is an avid adventurer. Her achievements include:

Deeya is the youngest to have undertaken the Trans Greenland Skiing Expedition in May ‘11. Her 19-day expedition entailed handling temperatures going down to -40° C, unpredictable weather conditions, continuous blizzards and altitude.

In 2008, a 14-year old Deeya got an opportunity to kayak the fjords of Greenland and as per her expedition team members did extremely well during the expedition. Her sea kayaking expedition along the coast of Greenland entailed paddling for over 14 days through fjords that border the second largest ice cap in the world.

Deeya has completed a Basic Mountaineering Course from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi, where she was judged the best trainee. She has trekked extensively in the Himalayas. In June ’12 she successfully climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe and one of the Seven Summits. She has also hiked to the highest point in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko.

 In June 2011, Deeya did a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course, wherein she did five dives including a night dive. She is also a keen white-water kayaker and has kayaked sections of the Ganga river.

Deeya is a keen sports person. She was the swimming team captain of her school, The Shri Ram School, and has represented Haryana in the Nationals. Deeya is also a Taekwondo black belt holder.

Please join us as we cheer Deeya on to seek new adventures!

Malaika Vaz back from her Arctic Expedition!

Here is another win for Woodland's Adventure Ambassador : Malaika Vaz! She is successfully back from her Arctic Expedition!

Malaika had travelled to the Arctic with Students On Ice Expedition whose aim was to kindle respect for the environment and nurture the next generation to become responsible leaders and guardians of the planet.

The exciting iternery included scientific research, hiking, visiting site of historical importance, observing the endemic fauna and flora and meeting the inhabitants of this region amongst many more activities.

We are proud of you, Malaika!

Woodland's Ambassador, Malaika Vaz, at the Arctic

Here is a brilliant precursor to the journey that lies ahead of her on this expedition.

As part of our expedition Malaika hiked through a rocky terrain, Crystal 2, observing many mosses, lichens, berries and even the world's smallest trees through a magnifying lens, completely amazed and mesmerized by the spectacular colours all around.

At the Arctic, the sight of a massive polar bear walking up a glacier in the morning can wake you up like no coffee possibly can!

According to Malaika, one of her most favorite moments was talking to some of the elders of the community who imparted some of their wisdom and wished good luck for the journey.

Malaika & Woodland believe that by visiting the communities and learning about their heritage we can understand the spirit of the Arctic and the future that lies ahead for its people.