A Trip to God's Own Country (09th Sep'10 to 13 Sep'10)

Finally, I am able to get sometime to blog it.. It doesn't mean that I was too busy over the last 2 weeks.. But, I had other commitments and I got a bit lazy to pen it down..

Well, It was a trip for my life.. Indeed, it was a very special one.. It marked so many of first's.. I mean its my first trip in Car for such a long distance (1500km approx to and fro...).. It was my first trip to Kerala.. and It was the best one till date...

I'll start scripting the trip from here.. Let me mention this before I forget.. The plan was circulated in a official Email a month back in a more professional way of writing.. Indeed that was one best Email written.. Actually, We decided the Vehicle and then we decided the no.of People.. We had some People listed.. Few amongst them has to pull out due to their Personal reasons.. Well, the final set of People who made the trip are Myself, Vinoth, Guru, Arun, Sathish, Paakiyaraj, Jebastin... :)

09 Sep'10, 10.00PM: We started off from Koyambedu in Mahindra-XYLO... Koyambedu was flooded with Vehicles.. Hence, our beloved Driver (Vinoth) has to sneak through and we reached DLF.. thats were Arun and Pakki joined us... It was a long drive from there.. Rain halted us at various points.. Vinoth had the responsibility of carrying 8 lives with him.. He accomplished it with great resilience..

10 Sep'10:
At some point, I think it was near Thirupathur.. Guru started driving.. Now he had the responsibility and he also fared well.. Then, we went to Salem, had some juices and started our drive.. then the next stop was at Udumalapet for our breakfast..

On the way to Munnar, We first stopped at Amaravathi Dam..

We took some photographs and then started our drive to top of the Hill... It was a skillful drive through the Hills..

10 Sep'10 1.00PM: On the midway, we stopped at a waterfalls called Lakkom Falls.. Water was flowing at great speed.. People were allowed only till the stagnant water.. Water was of freezing cold.. We enjoyed, enjoyed, enjoyed... We were spellbound by the beauty of the Place.. Before we realized, the clock has gone past 4.00PM.. then we came back, had our lunch and started drive to the hilltop..

10 Sep'10 6.00PM: Finally, we reached Munnar at 6.00PM.. With the help of a Local Person, after some speculations, we finalized our room.. We took some rest and then we walked out around 7.30PM.. It was a pleasant weather.. The rain Gods were romancing Earth.. We bought some Home made chocolates.. then we finished our dinner and came back to our room.. Then, we played Cards for sometime and went for sleep...

11 Sep'10:
11 Sep'10 09.30AM : We finished our breakfast and then we started our journey.. First, We stopped at Photo point.. Took some photographs..

Then, we visited Elephant's park.. Actually, this is the place where People ride on the Elephant throughout the Forest area..

Well, there were so many points on the way.. They named in different ways.. actually, the journey was indeed special.. We got to see the natural beauty.. Certainly, it can outscore many other places..

There were so many trees around.. Cool breeze blowing across.. Definitely a Picturesque location.. Lot of Tea Plantations, Valleys, Wildlife constituted to Munnar's beauty.. We get a chance to see clouds turning into mist from most nearest place..

11 Sep'10 1.00PM : Then we reached Mattupetty Dam.. Boating was available there.. but we did not opt for it.. We just spent some time on the dam..

There is always a reason.. We spent more than an hour over there.. Yes, We waited with a reason.. We waited for a guy who was supposed to join us at this place.. He was coming from Bangalore.. He made the trip special.. Now, He is Sankarapandian.. We took some photographs and then we started from there..

We reached Echo point.. Took some photographs and started towards the top.. We travelled to meet a Person named Christopher.. We went to his house.. Had some sweet (Payasam) and got the route guidance for our next destination.. We stopped at Shooting point... Took some photographs, then We drove down the hill and reached Mattupetty. Then, We have to travel further down.. We drove towards Cochin.. We had our lunch in-between in a hotel..

11 Sep'10 5.30PM :We were traveling to Allepey.. It was a long journey.. As we had our lunch late by 5.00 PM, we were not hunger enough for a early dinner.. This time, Sankar was driving the Car.. Around 11.00PM everybody started feeling the hunger.. But by then We had no hotels opened in the En-route.. As we kept our drive on, we searched for the hotel.. Around 11.30PM we stopped at a Dhaba for dinner.. By the time, we reached Allepey it was around 01.30AM(12th Sep)..

We got a room more easily than we thought it to be.. We reached the room, relaxed, started playing cards.. We slept around 3.30AM(12th Sep)...

The dawn was over before we could realize.. We woke up, got ready.. In-between Guru and Vinoth went on hunt for a boat at cheaper price.. They were able to get one..
12 Sep'10:
12 Sep'10 8.30AM : We started our journey in boat.. The boat driver was a kind Person.. Well, this might be one of the longest boat ride we ever had...

They call this as a ride in backwaters.. It was indeed as special as the word in itself..

I guess, we might have started pretty early than anyone else.. not too many boats around.. Well, Boats over there are used as a medium of transportation to connect villages.. The boat driver stopped at a place for our breakfast.. We finished our breakfast and continued our journey.. Soon, all of us were on top of the boat enjoying the ride..

We took lot of photographs.. We played Cards, made fun.. We did all that we could.. Mmm..

Then, The driver gave each one of us a chance to drive the boat.. As good as ever, it was a good drive.. Everyone enjoyed it..

Honestly, this place adds ample justice to the tag of Kerala - God's own country.. I am left with no words to describe the beauty of this place.. Well, Many of those who visited this place will agree to it.. Nature at its best..

Coming back, then the driver showed us a place where there were lot of Lotus.. It was a good one.. Next, he stopped at a place where People got fried fish.. Vinoth and Arun did swim for a while..

Then, on our way back, We saw lot of House Boats.. They said, it might cost around 5k-15k for 24 hours.. Rate is actually proportional to Luxury..

12 Sep'10 1.00PM : We were dropped at the same place from where we boarded the boat..

It was almost a 4hrs of boat journey..
A very special one.. Its a thing not to forget for rest of me..
Wonderful ride in Kerala Backwaters!!!

12 Sep'10 2.30PM :Then we finished our lunch.. then from there we started to Athirapally falls.. It was also a good journey in a hill.. Now, we were racing against time.. We realized that we have to reach chennai by next morning and we might get late if we spend more time.. Mmm..

12 Sep'10 6.00PM : By now, we reached Athirapally falls.. We did a short trekking down the hill to take a closer look at the falls.. It was bit tough.. took lot of breathe away.. A bit steep curve and no proper path added to our agony.. But, We enjoyed it..


12 Sep'10 7.00PM : It was a rule over there that we should not stay beyond 6.30PM in the falls.. Hence, we were asked to leave.. we then walked back.. Relaxed for some time.. Everyone had a lemon Soda.. then We got ourselves changed and then we started our travel back to Chennai:)

We might have missed one more falls for which we have to go further top.. Since, we didn't have time, We skipped it.. Now, We are on our way back to Chennai........

We planned our dinner in Coimbatore.. But by the time we reached Coimbatore, Hotels were shut.. We were in for a rude shock.. We got nothing over there.. All shops were closed.. Mmm..
Now, We have to wait till Salem for our dinner..

13 Sep'10 2.00AM : We reached Salem around 2.00AM on 13 Sep'10.. Salem was functioning at full swing.. So many People were waiting for their bus.. Its after a long weekend.. Hence, it was fully crowded.. After dinner, Sankar boarded a bus to Bangalore.. We were on our way back to Chennai..

13 Sep'10 8.30AM : We reached Chennai...

It was an awesome trip.. Thanks to everyone who made it.. A Special thanks to Vinoth for bringing this plan on paper.. Then, Thanks to Guru, who took care of all the proceedings.. A heartfelt gratitude to all those who made this trip as it became a written episode in my Life..

Now, I dint start with him.. But, Let me thank God as he took care of us throughout the Journey.. No Hiccups, No Problems.. We had a very safe trip.. This gave us a lot of confidence to plan lot more trips in future..

Thanks Guys!!!