At Vythiri Resorts…

“A destination waiting to be explored” that’s what they said and we did just that.

We got rooms right beside the stream; so good audio and visual surroundings were a bonus. Each morning we woke to the gurgling sound of the stream and at nights we played audience to the loud crickets.

Vythiri resort is quite complete in every sense; self-contained, (good value-for-money!). The restaurant is reached by crossing a hanging bridge over the stream. And each time the children would run excitedly across it causing the bridge to sway. It was thrilling for them and in between all the excitement we managed to spend few quite moments on the bridge watching the stream flow below.







The restaurant there is sort of semi-open, a portion of it jutting out of a hillock. Food was yummy catering to all kinds of taste. But we were not foodoholics so it hardly mattered. And one morning when we were having our breakfast there a cloud swept past us. “Why isn’t the cloud carrying us?” Arundhati wondered aloud, and answered herself: “It happens only in cartoon channel!” This time she sounded wiser.

On the way back to the rooms the children discovered a snail- a land snail. It was a fully grown one, almost palm size, trudging along leaving behind a silvery trail. The thorough city-bred kids picnicking there crowded around the snail in total shock and disbelief, as if they were watching a dinosaur! To their amazement they found plenty around; I saw them taking care not to step on them. Arundhati was almost ready to pack one somehow and bring it home. With lots of coaxing and cajoling she was convinced the snail was quite at home here.




The next encounter was with leeches. This time the leech discovered Arundhati first. We were just settling for dinner at the restaurant when Arundhati screamed with fear, a black wriggly string was stuck to her leg. Before I could reach her she had pulled it out and it lay wriggling on the floor. A waiter there sprinkled salt over it and soon it was dead. Total silence set in. The kids around watched with horror. Her wound was bleeding though not profusely. The experienced waiters there comforted us saying that the bleeding would stop and so it did. My little one is not going to forget this episode in the tropical rain forest easily.



While trekking along the stream we each had our share of leech bites. We came across an unusual sight of a tree on a boulder. The roots of the tree had completely covered the boulder and the tree stood tall, seemingly balanced on the rounded contours.


The stream was forever inviting, but we had to wind up. And we packed up with memories of creepy crawlies, cloud encounters and innumerable other visual treats. Yes this is what you call being close to nature!

More info at http://www.vythiriresort.com/

A wonderful Wayanad weekend

Would you believe it if I told you Onam, good food and trekking all go together? They can, as we discovered this Onam weekend, as we drove down to Wayanad, one of the most beautiful districts of Kerala. Green it is; this monsoon God’s Own Country seemed greener than ever. Six hours drive from Bangalore and we were at Vythiri Resorts bag, baggage and kids. With two full days in hand we decided against rushing from one spot to another.

Our first destination was Pookote Lake, three km from Vythiri. Pookote Lake is a large natural, fresh water lake surrounded by hills and meadows. This water body definitely requires a mention and a visit as it is in the land of back waters! It is a typical picnic spot with boating facilities, horse rides for children, an aquarium, handicrafts and spices counter and even a small nursery. A boat ride in the lake was relaxing. We headed towards our next stop, even as locals were pouring in, keeping up with the festive spirits.

Pookote Lake
Pookote Park

Lakkidi receives the highest annual rainfall in Kerala. This spot is two km from Pookote Lake. It gets the second highest degree of rainfall in the world, but that day we were lucky to have clear view of the valley down as the weather was good. Situated on a hair pin bend of Thamarassery ghat road, the view we witnessed from the sight seeing point was simply mesmerizing! Stretches of greenery as far as the eye could see, black serpentine roads winding up the hills and miniature trucks plying on them. The air is so fresh and pure that you will be tempted to practice pranayama right there. Very very rejuvenating for the suffocated lungs from Bangalore! Fifteen minutes’ halt is not satiating, agreed; we nevertheless proceeded ahead with contented senses and captured images.

Soochipara falls. Was nature competing with herself? This fall is 22 km from Kalapetta, which we covered in a local jeep. After that we were on our own. The two km down hill trek to the falls was easy. (Be a little cautious while maneuvering your limbs on moss laden rocks in the last stretch). The trekking path was litter free; we passed not a single soul, not even a chaayakada (teashop)! The 200m fall that we witnessed there was a big reward for small effort. Drink in the awesome backdrop and roaring sounds - gentle and soothing to ears ‘tuned’ to city-sounds. We brought out reserves of self control, so that we didn’t end our weekend break soaking in the pool where the falls bottom out. Trekking back uphill with just memories of sights and sounds was tiresome, but there was cool refreshing juice waiting for us at the parking lot.

Soochipara Falls

Next day we headed to Edakkal caves. Edakkal in Malayalam means the stone in between. This was again a 27 km drive in a local jeep from Kalapetta. We got off at the foothills of Ambukuthimala near Ambalavayal. From there we were taken by a forest department jeep a further 1km uphill. The remaining 200m was a steep climb up the mountain. Huffing and puffing we reached a cave only to be told that the actual one is 100m further up. The next 100m vertical climb through rocky path was adventurous and challenging. My seven year old enjoyed crawling and creeping over the rocks to reach the caves, even as the elder sibling put up valiant, more dignified efforts. Helpfully, steps are cut into the rocks and metal ladders are fitted wherever the stretch is narrow. Carry some water as throats will be a bit parched by the time you reach the cave.

Natural Fissure

'Edakkal'

The actual entrance is just five feet by four. What looks like a cave is basically a rock shelter formed by two huge rocks on either side, with a third enormous boulder forming a sort of roof resting on them. That is how the name Edakkal. This cave is separated from the adjoining mountain by a narrow gap, of may be one meter or so, a natural fissure. The cave is thus well lit and airy. Once inside you will find you’re face to face with history. Both sides are engraved with human and animal figures from floor level to roof. Most conspicuous was the figure of what seemed to me that of a man with an extra long left hand and a bent right hand holding an unclear object, and raised hair. Wonder who the model was! Perhaps an ancestor of 7-Up’s animated cartoon mascot? I will eagerly await historians’ verdict…we were told that those inscriptions and engravings date back to 4000BC and as yet undeciphered. History waiting to be rewritten!


'Human Figure'


The trip downhill was equally tiring and adventurous, because by then fear had set in along with darkness - what if someone misses a step? Well you won’t actually roll down the mountain, but you are sure to show signs of a fall here and a bump there. My considered opinion - the trip can be a good practical lesson for students getting introduced to the subject - History.

The morning after was Onam. Now I know what King Mahabali gets to see every year during this period of plenty. I too had a choice of Onasadya offers to nicely round off the extended weekend of unique Kerala treats: Nature and weather at their best, and satiating feasts for all the senses.

Fact File

How to get there
By Air: Closest airport is Kozhikode, 100kms from Wayanad.
By train; well connected by rail, nearest station Kozhikode 110 km from Wayanad
By Road: well connected and can be easily accessed from any part of Kerala.
By road from Bangalore: Bangalore – Mysore - Gundlupet on NH-212 - take the turn west towards Sultan Bathery – Kalapetta – Vythiri town

More places to see
Chembra Peak
Kuruva Island
Muthunga wild life Sanctuary
Pakshipathalam
Pazhassi Raja Tomb
Kanthanpara Waterfalls
Banasura sagar Dam
Sentinel Rock Waterfalls

Entry tickets to Edakkal caves – Rs. 10 per person
Entry timings - 10: am to 5: pm

More resources: http://www.wayanad.com/, http://www.keralatourism.org/

Visiting suggestion: Food – carry if you like, your garbage – carry you must.

Bannerghatta National Park

The Safari

The trip to Bannerghata was memorable! A National Park in our own city! The main attraction is the safari tours conducted by them. It is hilarious to see the scramble for window seats as soon as people enter the mini bus. These safaris take you to get a closer view of the majestic beasts. And I too made good use of the opportunity of shooting at them with my Canaon DC.

We were lucky to have spotted two tigers resting on the roadside.

The lions were in a separate enclosure. Two of them were already there as if waiting for a photo shoot.

Each time an animal would be spotted the excited tourists would rush to that side of the mini bus and would squeal and scream. The conductor of the trip would request not to disturb the animals, the excitement would subside then with lot of Ssshhhhh.... Indian tourists yet to come of age!!

At the bear enclosure wehad a bear trying to keep pace with us. It wouldn't just look at us, but we went some distance together!