Chronicles from Wayanad Trip – Part III

2 of the 4 day trip had passed. We decided to make use of resort facilities at least on the following day which was Monday, 1st June 2009. After breakfast, I wanted to hit the pool. After all I had to make use of my newly learnt techniques from Nisha’s classes. Sachin took Vishnu into the kiddy pool. But Vishnu seemed perturbed by the attention he got from other in the pool and got out. So Sharan, Sachin and I headed to the other pool. The rest of them were lazing around the pool. The hammocks were put to good use and so were the novels and iPODs.

Gummi and others then wanted to go for a short trek (more of a nature walk). The guide who was also the Assistant Manager at the resort agreed to take us during his break at 12:30PM. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go – it was hot and also the path was full of Leeches (as warned by the guide). Moreover I had just swum for an hour. But seeing everyone’s enthu, I agreed. Sachin was well equipped as usual with Leech resistant spray and all of us used generous amounts of it all over our feet and even legs. The path turned out to be uphill all the way amidst thick trees sparing us from the Sun but not from the stress and strain. We kept taking breaks to get rid of the slimy leeches which Sharan and I used as breathers. The rest seemed unperturbed with the slope (60-75 degrees). Our guide had thoughtfully carried half kilogram of salt which we kept using. While all of us were cursing the leeches, he assured all of us that the walk would be worth it. And so it did – the view point (as our guide called it) was stunning overlooking greenery, hills and water bodies all over! After a good break, we got back to the resort for a very late lunch.

Tip: Leeches fall off if salt is sprinkled on them

With enough of outdoor activities for the day, we decided to just chill out for rest of the day. A good snooze and everyone was set for the night. We spent time at the “activity centre” celebrating Rafa’s shocking exit from 09 French Open and playing various games. Vishnu was insistent on playing too. But he had only 2 rules – he wouldn’t pick up the ping pong from the floor or play chess on the chess board. So everyone was reluctantly playing with him taking turns. Shruthi and Ramy played table tennis thinking it was a Hodhralli Tournament (their hometown) – only that they thought it was badminton played with TT racquets and at the TT table. I couldn’t play because of a strained back else even I would’ve got sniggered at. I refused to play carom as I am extremely bad at it as well. So Sharan reminded Gummi how bad she was at Carom during a once-off game. I am glad I found a match in Gummi. We both should play the great losers ever tournament to see who is worse. Sachin and Zo completely forgot to stay back till midnight to wish Shruthi for her birthday, ignoring our desperate pleas through different expressions and retired for the day around 11:00PM. The rest of us just about managed to stay awake with difficulty to wish Shruthi who was herself dozing off.

We were to return to Bangalore on 2nd. So after breakfast, everyone quickly packed up, settled the bill and left the resort. There was 1 group who wanted to visit the Banasura Sagar Dam as it is an earthen dam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banasura_Sagar_Dam). The other group wanted to shop for sarees, carpets, spices and what not! We agreed to split and meet in time for lunch before heading back to Bangalore. Sharan, Shruthi and I naturally chose the Dam over shopping. The drive was pretty winding but luckily Wayanad Roads are pretty good at least. It was a approximately 30 KMS from the Resort. When we finally reached, we had to park our car and walk towards the bridge after paying token entrance free (Rs.10/-). The view was exquisite especially with low hanging clouds above the dam. We stayed there for about 15 mins enjoying the scenery and trying various angles with the camera. We met the rest of the gang at a restaurant where we gorged on freshly cooked, aromatic Kerala Thalis.

Sachin suggested that we take an alternate route back to Bangalore which was through Kabini and apparently more scenic than the one we came by. It was then unanimously decided that it would be the route to take. But we all were in for a RUDE SHOCK. We reached the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (turned out to be Nagarahole) to see that roads were extremely bad – in fact I have never seen worse roads till date. The pot holes were more like craters – a foot deep at least. We struggled through this park as we couldn’t drive over 20 KMS per hour. The bad roads led to sharp pains in my lower back which was already strained from before. Half way through the park, I couldn’t take the pain anymore. We had to stop in the middle of the forest to rest it before we resumed our way. We finally reached Mysore late evening but decided to stop at Maddur Café Coffee Day for our break. A quick halt for bite and refreshing, and we were back on the Mysore-Bangalore Highway. We reached Bangalore around 11:00PM dead tired from the horrendous journey. But it didn’t dampen our spirits as we had an enjoyable and memorable holiday.

Here is a link to the complete the picasa album:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=akshatakaranth&target=ALBUM&id=5347875628401692225&authkey=Gv1sRgCP2J-fjl5OKOwQE&authkey=Gv1sRgCP2J-fjl5OKOwQE&invite=CJDbqKMC&feat=email

Chronicles from Wayanad Trip – Part II

A scrumptious breakfast at Mylari (in Mysore) en route Wayanand set stage for our holiday. We took a good 3 hours to cross Bandipur forest and reach Sultan Bathery town. In hope of sighting wild animals, we drove at 20kms per hour much to Zo’s annoyanace who was keener to chill out at the resort. We managed to spot A Monkey and A Myna in our journey through the reserve area - so much for our enthusiasm.

We had booked cottages at Blue Ginger Resort in Vythiri (http://www.wayanadresorts.com/). We reached the base camp and were asked to park our vehicles there. The resort’s arranged for vehicles to take us uphill to the actual resort. We found out that this arrangement is only because there is NO ROAD to reach the resort. It’s just an uneven path all the way. So after a tiring and bouncy ride, we reached the resort just before lunchtime ended. We just explored and chilled out at the resort for rest of the day.

Fact File: Nearest Airport and Railway Station is Kozhikode (Calicut). Distance from Calicut is 75 KMS, Mysore is 150 KMS and Bangalore is 275 KMS. More information is available at http://www.wayanad.nic.in/ or http://www.wayanad.net/

The resort by itself is very picturesque. Set on top of a mountain and opposite Chembra peak (Highest peak in Wayanad), it’s true to the essence of Wayanad and Kerala – greenery all around. Absolutely beautiful! They have walking paths all around and leading to a natural cascade and pool which then goes downstream. The higher end cottages are built on stilts over this stream. They have other cottages overlooking the Chembra peak as well. They have managed to maintain 2 pools – one with a kiddy pool attached and one without. Food is just above average, serving standard buffets for all meals. They have indoor activities like table tennis, carom and chess. As expected, Kerala Ayurvedic massages are also available (we didn’t avail this service though). As part of their outdoor activities, they organize for short nature walks or sight-seeing.

Note: The resorts are rigid about timings and also availability of eatables

Since Sharan and I had been to Wayanad before, we didn’t want to do the usual sight-seeing (Edakkal Caves, Wayanad Heritage Museum, Kuruva dweep, Pookot lake, or Thirunelly temple). Others agreed luckily. So we decided to explore the Jain temples of Wayanad next day. I had read about on the net.

We started with the Jain temple at Sultan Bathery – the town named after this temple. This temple is now managed by ASI (Archeology Survey of India). The guide/caretaker mentioned that it was initially a Hindu Shrine (around 13th Century AD), which then became a Jain Temple and eventually a store where Tipu Sultan stocked his ammunition. The name Battery (means ammunition store) was thus derived. Over years “Battery” became “Bathery”. On enquiring about the other Jain temples, the guide directed us to Punchavayal and Puthanangadi.

We got to the next Jain temple after asking around for directions. The temple ruin is located in a remote coffee estate and is not visible from the main road. The wild surrounding made the place quite eerie I admit but it just added to the scenic beauty of this temple. The main deity was either stolen or destroyed. The inner sanctum sanctorum was dark and dingy. Though mentioned as a Jain temple, there were no evident signs of it being one. We saw carvings of Lord Vishnu in various forms around this small temple ruin.

Note: Though locals are very helpful, language barrier can make it difficult

We then headed to the last Jain temple. Though this was situated on the main road, we still had to ask for directions many times. It was adjoining a private tea estate. The temple turned out to be bigger, grander and more picturesque than the previous one. It had a grand entrance leading to a performance stage which was in front of the temple. Just architecture was similar to the previous temple but had more carvings. The temple complex also had a sit-out area.

Both the temples have not been maintained by ASI and hence the ruins look mystical amidst the wild. Totally thrilled with the untouched beauty, we ended up feeling that we were in an Indiana Jones movie and have just discovered some lost temples. We finally headed back to the resort just as it was getting dark after a day very well spent.