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.

Holidays @ Anamalai

We came back to Pondy from Chennai on 15th May. On 17th Morning we started to Anamalai, as Appa's Resort Consultancy is going on in the foot hills of Top Slip. Our Company Guest house is in Anamalai. Its is a rented Guest House built in the middle of the Coconut Grooves & Orchards. The Orchard consists of Jack fruit Trees, Goose Berry Trees, Mango Trees, Plantain Trees, Jamun Trees ( Naaval Pazham), Chickoo Trees and so many other trees. Our guest house is nearly 100 feet from the main gate.  Its a farm house and has so many kinds of birds like different coloured love birds, hens, ducks, Chinese Hens, Chinese Cocks, Parrots, Pigeons, Turkeys, Speaking Colourful Parakeet, number of dogs, cows, buffaloes and so many colourful flowers. I like this farm guest house very much.

Guest House at Anamalai

Appa has to look after his resort work the next day, we both accompanied him.

Shady Way to the Site from the Guest House

I love that place, as its surrounded by mountains and full of greens.  Lovely place to live.... people there are so kind enough to move with & especially an elderly couple who look after the place is really very innocent & lovable. Whenever we go there, they immediately offer us farm fresh tender coconut, both raw & ripe mangoes, gooseberries etc. That thatha & patti is wow... where ever they are & whatever they do, they come to us & speak to us very well. Always at their best. Thanks watchman thatha & patti for all that you have done for us.

Resort Site - Foot Hills of Top Slip

Watchman Thatha Paatti

Gooseberries at the site

After the site work, we went to Monkey falls & Aliyar dam, as its very near by, just a 15 minutes drive. It was really wonderful. Appa & I went up the stairs to the dam & saw amma through binocular, who is sitting down in the park. Spent some time there.

From the dam

Later we headed to Pollachi to see Kalakalappu@Masala Cafe at Shanti Theatre. We dropped in Gowri Krishna pizza shop & had our lunch there. Interiors & ambience was too good there. We loved to spend sometime there but the film timings made us to eat fast. The movie was good.... as of story... nothing was there.... but a nice comedy film....

After the show, we headed to our guest house and had our evening tea in a tea shop just opposite to our guest house. This is a road side tea shop ( serves a good tea) under a big shady tamarind tree, with few moulded chairs & stools to sit. One man named Senthil is running that shop. Apart from tea & coffee, there are cookies, buns, small sweet buns, athirasam ( a sweet dish), chocolates etc. Normally by evening 5.30pm or 6.00pm, he finishes tea or coffee and used to clean the vessels. We enjoyed this tea time every day.

At nights, we used to eat in a small eat out, called Hotel Arun. The food will be too good and won't do any harm. Normally Amma used to cook, whenever we go for tours. But this time, appa told her not to bring any vessels or cooking items.

The next day morning, 19th May, we went to appa's site. After finishing his work there we went to Kovai Kuttralam in Coimbatore. We have done a 5Km Trekking and reached the falls. Wonderful Experience. Very less water in the falls. We should not put any plastic bags or snack bags in the forest area during trekking. On our way back, we bought farm fresh grapes from the grape farmer association's outlet. The grapes taste really sweet & superb.

We, then went to MY PLACE Restaurant, Coimbatore, for Lunch. It is one of the famous restaurants in CBE. The food was excellent and the service, the ambience, the crowd also were really very good. It is situated near the Lakshmi Mill Signal in Paappanaicken Palayam. AN EXCELLENT RESTAURANT....

We went to our family friend Abdulla Uncle's house, in Anamalai itself, for breakfast and lunch, on 20th May. They are wonderful people. Abdulla uncle, his mom, dad, his wife Sakeena Aunty, his sister & her family, his cousins were all lovable people. His sister's daughter Shalini, is of my age & class. She is so friendly & moves very well. We had a hearty meal.

We planned to start to Alleppey next morning, 21st May.

My Holidays.....

My Holidays..... WOW.... Superb... Wonderful one.... could never forget this.... enjoyed every bit of it.... never ever said my usual "ITS BORING MA".... in these days....

As I posted in my "Holiday Plans" few weeks back,

1. I have learnt basics in swimming,
2. Read R.K.N's Novels & Stories, 
3. Attended my Aunt's wedding in Chennai,
4. Spent a few days with my Little Sister Sathvi, and 
5. Also.... A TRIP TO ALLEPPEY,I made it.... It was Wonderful.... 
6. Also Made a TRIP TO COCHIN, AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP TO ATHIRAPPALLI, VAALPARAI, ALIYAR, GURUVAYUR. 

FEW DAYS WITH LITTLE DARLING


As Dad could not come along with us, Mom and I went to Chennai, by the first week of this month. Sathvi, Chithi & Chittappa gladly received us.

Sathvi has become toooooooooooo... naughty these days... crawling very fast..., fussy eating solids..., too choosy about foods.... but she is as usual a cuddly wuddly angel.... she give sounds.... tries to speak, tries to answer by making sounds, standing on her own and walking few steps with a support and immediately falling down.... Chithi could not give her food.... she is always in her move.... chithi has to go round.... picks or asks for all the things we have in our hands.... she even speaks in a mobile phone.... also  when she doesn't like our talks she would put the mobile in HOLD.... she mostly never allows chithi to speak in mobile... she needs chithi's attention always.... even she makes few sounds like HEY.... HMMM.... to turn our attention towards her....

Sathvi loves to sing songs and also to listen songs.... she even puts Thalam on her lap.... That day Mom sings.... SAREGAMA.... she enjoyed that with thalams... then when amma slowly sings SA..... she replied with SA... with surprise we all asked amma to sing further.... then amma sang RE... she sang YE... For GA.... it was AA.... for MA.... again it was AA... then PA.... then when amma sang DA... she clearly sang with rhythm DA.... NE... SA.... she along with amma made a great KACHERI.... Chithi tried to  capture this in video, immediately she gets alerted and stopped singing and gave a naughty smile pose to the camera... REALLY REALLY LOVELY ANGEL....

She has so many dolls with nick names Pinky (Pig), Elly Belly (Elephant), Browny (Monkey), Yellowy (Ducky), Clown Uncle, Ducky Lucky, Froggy Joggy and so many other small handy dolls. The walls were carefully and colourfully decorated with strickers of Mickey Uncle, Little Mickey Uncle 1 & 2, Dog Family, Mini Zoo, Teddy Bear, Flower Cushions & many more.

I enjoyed every second with Sathvi. I don't want to come to Pondy. I want to spend all my holidays with my little sister. But as we have planned to go to Alleppey & Kerala Trip, I had to start to Pondy. I thought of spending few days with her atleast before the holiday ends. LOVE YOU SATHVI DEAR.