Happy Father's Day....

Yeah.... Well.... Everybody loves our father very much.... My dad is more special to me.... He is such a doting father.... no words to explain my love for him....

He is my Best Friend... I share all the things that happen in my world with him... I have never told any lies to him...

He taught me how to handle life... He discusses every single thing with me... He used to tell me his whole days happenings & discusses his work related problems, his finance and all things in earth... 

Basically, this sharing of things was started by Amma from my childhood... She is such a chatter box and would speak to us about her day at home for hours...  ( I wished Mom, on Mother's Day & could not blog, as we were not in town that day).

Here I would like to tell one important lesson I have learnt in my Childhood days.
Those days, whenever I ask for something...(this happens almost daily....      ;-)....) "Appa buy me this.... that...." .
He normally says... "I would buy you one.... But don't ask me immediately....right.... If you demand.... or command... we won't give you...." .
Mom used to tell this in a stern voice... But Dad would tell in a calm voice... Mom & I, at times, were like Tom & Jerry (some 3 years back);-)...ha...ha... just kidding mom...

Also... whenever I was about to cry in my KGs by demanding something to buy at once.... Both my dad & mom used to say.... "Ask the things you need, without crying... you will get it... If you cry.... we never ever give you.....".

Now I am telling this to my little sister Sathvi, when she cries... "If you cry, you won't get a single thing... Don't Cry Dear...." . One day, when I told this to Sathvi, Amma and Chithi over heard this and laughed loudly.... and said, "Hey Shri... She's just a baby.... she could not understand what you say.... tell her when she understands." .

Also Amma & Appa keep on telling me... (even now, at times....)... "Whenever you want something.... think twice...before asking us.... If you really really need that and if you are sure to use that, only then you should ask.... otherwise not.....".
Earlier, I would say... "Yes pa... I thought of this... and its of real use to me... and I want it...".
Now... slowly I realise..... I was wrong... Today, I really think of the use twice before asking anything to appa & amma. Normally I won't ask anything that is exorbitant... I ASK ONLY BOOKS.... Earlier it was Cartoon CDs. For books, he never says NO!!!


For any occasion, whether it is Birthday, Diwali, New Year, Daughter's Day, Pongal, Christmas, even for their birthdays and anniversaries....  they give me BOOKS as gifts.... Even my Thatha and Paatti give me books for all the occasions.... apart from the regular gifts. This has become  a custom in our house for years.... I never expect anything more from them.... Also I would like to say one thing.... no other gift fascinates me like a book..... I am proud to say I LOVE BOOKS.

He often tells me not to get upset over few teasings by somebody close to me, whether they are my friends, neighbours or relatives and asks me to take life as it comes... and not to give too much importance to those hurting comments... Also told me not to speak anything wrong about anybody and also not to speak any abusive slang.

I Love You Dad.... You are my friend.... a great support... and my guide...

39th Wedding Anniversary for Thatha & Patti

Back home only on 25th May from Anamalai, after spending wonderful memorable holidays there.

On 26th May afternoon, we started to Chennai, to Nithu Chithi's house, to celebrate Elango Thatha & Viji Patti's 39th Wedding Anniversary, that falls on 27th May. We thought of celebrating their day on 26th May itself, as Thatha has a lecture in Pondicherry University on 28th May and from there he has to go to Bharathidasan University for another meeting on 29th May. So he has to start to Pondy on 27th May evening.

We reached chithi's house by evening 4 pm. Loved to be with Sathvi... Naughty Little Angel...

Chithi has already made the grand feast ready... After coffee, we chatted for hours. We celebrated Thatha's day with a delicious feast.... Hats off Chithi... Thanks for the wonderful dinner with desserts.... and gave gifts to the elders. Thatha has arranged for Meditation and Prayers. We prayed Sri Mother and Sri Auribindo. Amma read Mother's Golden Words, Chittappa read a page in Life Divine, I read a page in Savitri, Thatha read a page from Sri Karmayogi's Book and at last Appa read Mother's Words. After prayers, we slept.

The next morning, 27th May, we again wished them. That day Thatha started to Pondy... but we stayed back in Chennai. Played with Sathvi...

Appa came back to Chennai, after finishing his works in Pondy on 31st May morning. We waved hands to all at Chithi's house and back to Pondy that day itself.

That evening, we bought my bag, shoes, socks for this year.

Here comes the whole new academic year.... All the best to you all.  

GURUVAYUR - The Temple Town of Kerala

24th May, by Morning 6 O'Clock, we started from our Anamalai Guest house.

Guruvayur is just 116 kms from our guest house. We happily started our journey through --

Anamalai --to-- Aambarampalayam --to-- Meenakshipuram --to-- Mangalapalam --to-- Kollengode --to-- Nemmara --to-- Mudapallur --to-- Vadakkencherry --to-- Mannuthy --to-- Thrissur --to-- Punkunnam --to-- Choondal --to-- Guruvayur.


When we are about to pass Nemmara, suddenly two persons, stopped our car and asked us to park in the side of the road, till 6 pm and from their angry voice and body language ( even though we could not follow their Malayalam, as they spoke very fast ), we could guess that there might be Local Bandh of Kerala Government. We were worried to halt in an unknown place & also we could not go back, as we have already entered Kerala. Dad quickly thought about it and proceeded further hurriedly. But Mom was a bit tensed up althrough her journey till Guruvayur.

No hotels, shops were open on our way. We reached Guruvayur by around 8 O'Clock and to our relief, Indian Coffee House and Hotel Saravana Bhavan were open and flooding with crowd. We prefered Indian Coffee House and some how managed to get chairs. Had our breakfast and the Hotel Incharge informed us that there wont be any hotels for Lunch and asked us whether we need parcel. We ordered him to pack Pooris for lunch.

We kept all our belongings in the car, as the camera, mobile phones were not allowed inside the Temple premises. The Shops on both the sides were closed.... But there was a huge crowd, inspite of the Bandh.

We joined the queue by 9.10 am and the queue slowly moved forward. We finished our Darshan by 10.20 am. We sat there and watched people for sometime and came out of the temple by around 11.30 am.

We then planned to go to Thrissur Zoo and Art Museum and also the Mural Museum on our way.  Even we planned to visit the Palace. But due to Bandh, the Palace was closed.

We first went to the Zoo and Art Museum, as both are located in the same premises.

There were number of animals, like different varieties of Deer , Himalayan Bear, different varieties of Bisons ( A Real Big Scary Bisons), Lion, Tiger & Tiger cubs, lots and lots of Monkeys, different Birds ranging from Storks to Scary Owls. 

Asian Open Bill Stork

Woolly-necked Stork / White necked stork

Painted Stork

Owls

Deer

Relaxing

Only this could be photographed. Inside the photographing is Prohibited.

In the Art Museum, we could see old artifacts, weapons, ornaments, vessels, paintings, sculptures and so many other things. It was quite interesting.

Inspite of all these, it is very obvious that THRISSUR ZOO and MUSEUM need MAINTENANCE. Most of the zoo area is unused and many cages are empty and dirty. These are common and seen everywhere in India.

Inspite of my observation, I enjoyed this visit to the zoo and musuem.

After having our lunch in the car, that has been parked outside the zoo, we took rest for sometime. Around 2.15 pm, we started to Anamalai. We thought of purchasing 'Kerala Special Nenthirankkai Chips ' at Mangalapalam. It was 3.45 pm, we reached Mangalapalam. No chips shops were open by that time. So we proceeded further and reached Anamalai by 4.30 pm.

We straight went to the Resort site. Appa went to look after his work and I started to photograph what ever comes by.

Busy Talking in Guruvayur Costumes

Watchman Thatha-- in deep thoughts 

Men at work

Thatha Poo ( Tridax procumbens)-- A variety of Daisy

 Inspite of bandh tensions, its a real great day. We planned to start in the early hours to Pondy the next day.

ATHIRAPILLY - VAALPARAI -- Adventurous Dense Forest Drive....

On May 23rd, we started to Athirapilly from Chalakudy, by morning 5.15 am. The climate was too good, chilly and breezy. Appa wanted to fill diesel. But normally the petrol stations would open only by 6.30am. We waited in a Petrol bunk. The Owner came by around 6.00 am and asked us to wait for another 5 mins. After 10 mins, our vehicle was filled with diesel.

Wow...Beautiful big bungalows were on the way.... Modern.... Traditional.... Posh bungalows with very big lawns, gardens... superb.

On our way, we now & then took a break to enjoy the nature.

We reached Athirapilly early, by around 7.15 am. The ticket counter for the entry into falls would open only by 8.00 am.

Photo Taken by the Forest Guard

Also, there was very less water in the falls. So we decided to proceed further, to Vazhachal Falls.

In Vazhachal too, there was no water. On our way, only one tea stall at Vazhachal was there. Absolutely no tea stalls or hotels anywhere between Vazhachal and Malakkiparai (55 Kms).

We enjoyed the scenic beauty of this forest range. Appa now & then stopped the vehicle, got down and took snaps.

No single vehicle passed or crossed us.

No single human seen in the vicinity.

No single mobile signals.

No single tea shops.

No single houses.

No single habituation.

REALLY AN ADVENTUROUS DRIVE.... WE ENJOYED EVERY MICRO SECOND OF IT.... 

There is a Forest Check Post at Vazhachal. There they are checking the number of plastic bags -- both carry bags and snack pouches, like Lays Chips Packet, Kurkure packet and any other packets, plastic water bottles, and disposable plastic kind of things. They are putting everything in writing and getting signature from us.

This forest zone is PLASTIC FREE, NOISE FREE and a TOTAL POLLUTION FREE ZONE.


Again at Mallakkiparai (after 55 kms), there is another one Forest (Out) Check Post.... There they are checking the number of plastic items (those that are mentioned in the previous check post), to make sure, that we have not thrown any packets or bags in the middle of the forest. They ask us to dispose the covers or bags that are empty in their dustbin itself and then only allow us to proceed further.


This Athirapilly - Vaalparai Stretch is a dense forest, with wild animals, freely moving here and there.
We have seen a very big Cobra on our way. We just stopped in the middle of the road and waited for the snake to pass. It took more than 8 mins to cross the road. It stood still in the middle for 5 minutes and then moved slowly. We took snaps. As there was a huge mist, the picture is not that much clear. Amma literally cried out of fear, as the snake was too big and long.

We proceeded further.

Number of  small falls were there on our way.... 

There were fresh Elephant dung on the roads... we searched... initially we didn't find any elephants... after sometime later on our way again we found two, at a distance. But althrough our drive, we could see number of elephant paths and its fresh dung.

Number of animals such as Wild Squirrel, Bison, Red Spurfowl (Kaattu Kozhi), lot of Monkeys, Wild boar, Green coloured Pigeon crossed us on our way.

Wild Squirrel

Green Coloured Pigeon

Monkey family

Bison

Elephant
  

No Mobile signals were there on our way Vaalparai. We have Airtel, Aircel, Reliance and Vodafone. Absolutely no service.

We have travelled for more than 4 hours from Chalakudy to Malakkiparai.... No single vehicle passed us... We were all alone travelling in the thick dense forest.

Thrilling.... and Spine Chilling.... trip...

The route we drove from Chalakudy to Vaalparai is ---

Chalakudy ---to--- Athirapilly ---to--- Vazhachal ---to--- Perungalkuthu dam ---to--- Sholayar ---to--- Malakkiparai ---to--- Valparai.

The Total distance from Chalakudy to Valparai is 110 kms.

On our way, we went to Perungalkuthu dam and Sholayar, where the hydro electric power project is going on.

As we have already visited Valparai during my December holidays last year, we straight headed to Aliyar.

We reached Aliyar after 40 hairpin bends in the Valparai - Aliyar Stretch. On the way, we drank tea in Waterfalls Tea outlet. Also we bought some Premium Waterfalls Tea and Amrit Waterfalls Tea packets.

By afternoon 1.00 pm, we reached our guest house at Anamalai, had our lunch at a mess there. Took some rest, visited the work site.

We went to Rajkamal Circus at Pollachi that evening, by around 6 pm, from Anamalai. Enjoyed a lot. Had our dinner in Sri Gowri Krishna Restaurant, in Pollachi, one of the best hotels there. Back to the Guest house by around 10.30 pm.

Quite a memorable day.

I am sure, would definitely make another trip to GOD'S OWN COUNTRY. 

I agree with the phrase, " Adventurous Trips are Enjoyable"

AN ADVENTUROUS, THRILLING & AN ENJOYABLE DRIVE.

Thank you Appa.

FORT KOCHI -- Antique City.

On 22nd May, we started from Alleppey to Fort Kochi. We reached Fort Kochi by around 10.45 am. This is my 2nd visit to Kochi. But I love watching the Chinese Nets working. It goes down and comes up with lots & lots of fishes. Rhythmic working of these nets one after the other is a wonderful sight to watch.

Also there is a regular boat service for vehicle and passenger transport from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island and Willingdon Island, even lorries, big cars, vans, bikes and autos are transported in a boat.

Then we went to St.Francis CSI Church, which is one of the oldest European Churches in India, built in the year 1503. In this church alone, Vasco da Gama (a Portuguese, discovered sea route from Europe to India) was buried in 1524, after his death during his third visit to India. Later his son took his remains to Lisbon, after 14 years.

Another Oldest Church is Santa Cruz Basilica, built in th year 1558.

We then went to the Dutch Palace, otherwise, Mattancherry Palace, in Mattancherry built in the year 1555. It exhibits a large number of Murals, history about kochi, the Kings, who ruled in and around this area, their families, old articles, ornaments, spears, knives, and even the Pallakkus used by the Kings and the Queens of Dutch Palace.

Bhagawati Temple is situated by its side. Next to the Bhagawati Temple, one Synagogue is there. It is built in the year 1568.

Opposite to this palace, is the Mattancherry Boat Jetty and Mattancherry Market, the area is full of shops, displaying various products such as bead pens, big stone beads, earrings, dresses, sarees, strickers, magnets, hand made products and so on. Near this, there is one Police Museum.  

We then moved to Ernakulam and made few shoppings at Utsav sarees and Chennai Silks. Both are just opposite to each other.

After our lunch there in Ernakulam, we started to Chalakudy to stay there that night, as we have planned Athirapilly and an adventurous Athirappilly - Vaalparai Dense forest drive the next morning. Appa surely wanted to break at Chalakudy to have a good rest, as he is driving for so long.

On our way to Chalakudy, I have seen so many Rubber Plantations.

Those trees looked like a group of girls wearing mini skirts and standing in an orderly manner.... Some are single and some are layered skirts..... Beautiful in a way....  

 

WOW.....ALLEPPEY.....

We woke up at 3.30 am in the morning and started to Alleppey by 5.00 am. We enjoyed the early morning long drive.

Break few minutes in MangalaPalam for Tea, it is well known for Kerala Special Nentharankkai Chips. On our way, we had our breakfast and passed Cochin, Aluva and atlast reached Alleppey. We parked our car in the Boat jetty office and boarded the boat by around 10.30 am in the morning.

I went to the deck immediately after boarding and sat there to have look at the other boats.

They gave us Pineapple Juice as welcome drink. The boat started by 11.30 am and we all sat in the deck to watch all the boats and see the distant houses, temples, boat jetties , town bus boats, police station, lake light just like street lights etc through binoculars. It was really an excellent experience. We chatted for hours enjoying nature, by sitting on the deck. Even after lunch, we prefered to stay back in the deck. The climate was good and breezy.

We relished tea & hot bajji at the deck. The cook who accompanied us is a great cook.

We have seen so many people residing on both the sides of the lake. I thought about the hamlets on our journey althrough. One thing that immediately striked my mind was "What is the need for these people to stay in this place... what are the sources of their living.... how do they earn.... ?"

Boat Transport for locals

Paatti is waiting for local boat transport

A Typical Habituation

A Typical Habituation

Chinna Neer Kaagam

Police Station with Street Light

We halted few yards after passing this bridge

By evening 6.00 pm, the boat came to a halt and tied to a tree. A small street with number of houses were there.

Just Opposite to this Church, we halted that night

Halted in front of a shop

Boats next to ours

People walking on the road

Slowly, one by one, the other boats were stopped near our boat and within half an hour, many number of boats were seen. The land area were covered with people walking here and there, children running and playing on the streets. We just had a small stroll and back to deck observing people... So many tamil people... One thing that made me furious was, people, even after they came for vacation, watch TV for hours with full volume... They don't know how to enjoy nature - THE GOD'S GIFT. For them, enjoyment without TV might be a sin.

We sat on the deck, chatted for hours. By 8.00 pm we came down for dinner. Chappati with dhal and rice, vegetables and curd. ACs were switched on only after 8.30 pm. I was damn tired, as I woke up very early in the morning. I slept immediately, after I got into the bed.

Next Morning (22nd May), I got up by 5.45 am, had our Tea, bathed and dressed up.

  

                                 

By 8.20 am the boatman started the boat. We had our breakfast on the move. It was puttu with kadalai curry. Awesome.

We reached boat jetty by 9.45 am. Ofcourse a bit early than we planned. I thought of telling appa to take me here again the next holiday.

REALLY ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF THE NATURE. MISS YOU HOUSEBOAT.

I DO WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE -- KERALA IS GOD'S OWN COUNTRY.

From Alappuzha, we started our journey to Kochi.