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.
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).
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.
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.
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| 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.
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| Wild Squirrel |
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| Green Coloured Pigeon |
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| Monkey family |
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| Bison |
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| 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.
nice captures & lovely reading about the place.
ReplyDeleteThank You So Much Sir.
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