Splendid Wayanad

pookot lake

The Journey

So, I decided to go in spite of chandrastama. On Friday, we had a deadline. At 4, the basis guy came and I had to finish the task before 6. But at first shot it looked like it would take 1 whole day. Man, I was downcast, I went to MC and told him, it will take some time and I have to leave tonight and pack. He said, ask NJ and P to share it. But we had to configure something, that only basis guy could do and I spent 40 min in agony. At last, at 5, I told him out 63 tasks only 4 was done and we had an emergency meeting and we decided, we will complete all 63, but part of it. Like mads, we finished the task before 6:20 and I boarded my 6:30 bus with great relief. Once I reached home, Kite Runner, caught my fancy. Instead of packing, I was reading KR popping in fried moong dal in parallel, which was my dinner in the absence of gas and microwave. There was no banana and I could not eat the mango that I had planned. R had said, that, he would pick me up at 10:15 and the innova would start at 11 pm from RMZ. But he had been having chandrastama the previous day and he had lost sleep over work and when he came to pick me up, it was 11 pm. Man, by 11, I would be fast asleep usually. I was still engrossed in KR, when, he came and we went to RMZ to join the rest of the gang.

Pallu Tiw was fabulous. A kid like gal, with so much of bubbliness and I felt an instant bonding with her. She was apparently the TL and guys spared no moment to joke for that. I could immediately connect to AP and BB as well. It took me 2 days to associate the remaining 3 guys with their names. I was kinda let down to see a qualis instead of the promised innova. I had also told, that I would sleeping in the front, where I could stretch my legs, but everyone said, one should not sleep next to the driver. So I sat in the middle with PT on my right and R on my right. BB sat in the front, next to the driver V and the remaining 3 guys ensconced themselves behind.

The whole night, it was full masti. BB had a good voice and knew lots of songs and akash was fabulous in remixing. We played antakshari and sang custom made songs to regular tunes. I was part of the chorus, pitching in a line or two, whenever I could remember the song lines. We stopped at a roadside tea shop towards midnight. We got the driver tea and the guys were smoking. I kept myself away from the smoke near the qualis itself. After the tea break, I was flabbergasted to find, that qualis was not starting. We had to get down and give it a push, once from the front and once from behind. Pallu got down and she gave a push from the front and lo it started. But the way, the rest of the folks took this was amusing. They made a jolly good joke of anything and everything and we had a gala time. Around 1:30 – 2, we reached CCD in mysore road. When was the last time, I had something at 2 am I don’t remember. 3 of us had strawberry milkshake and the rest had cold coffees. It was too good. I was surprised; CCD was so busy on early sat morning at 2 am. God, what people! So why do days and nights exist then?

Kerala Border Permit Verification

After CCD, we again had to push it to start it. We reached kerala border around 5 am. We waited patiently for the driver V to show his papers and get across the checkpost. But it took hours. The guys, thank god, got out and I could stretch and bit and lie down in the second row seat. It was all misty and we savoured the view as sunlight slowly trickled in and gave a better view with every passing minute. it felt great to be part of nature and cherish this intimacy with birds and those insects and making screeching and what not sounds. But when the sun unraveled the misty field before us, we were kinda put off to find, that the field with those awesome huts and coconut trees backdrop was actually a shitting field for the local folks. For a long time, the check post people were checking the papers and we were trying to nap, while V stood in the q to get the permit validated. After that, the guys came back to tell that there was a river nearby. I dragged PT and R to see the river. We walked past those peaceful tall bamboo shoots towering above us. It turned out to be a charming muddy rivulet. We saw a wooden bridge and wanted to take snaps and found that there were no steps connecting the makeshift bridge with the land. It was just tied to the rope and lay floating in mid air. We returned back to qualis and napped again, while we waited for the driver to return back. Man it took almost 2 hours, for the driver to return with the papers verified. There was a long queue in front of us, and even longer one behind. I was surprised to see swamis in black and blue dhotis smoking near their vehicles. In fact one set of guys took bat and ball and played cricket on the road, while waiting.


Our Resort

AP had arranged stay in Palm View Resort in kalpetta. For a sat night and 2 days, it was 3.6k for a 3 bedroom apartment. It was ok, nothing special about this, just like all other resorts and guest houses. But we had to call up reception in the evening to get the housekeeper clean our room, and there were no tissues in the restroom. There were jack fruit trees along the road side, which one can find only in kerala or places like kollimalai back home. It was close to 9-10 when we reached the resort and by the time, we got ready, it was little more than 11 am. Our plan was to visit Kuruva dweep and edukkal caves before 5 pm. We went to hotel woodlands to have our lunch. Thank god, pallu was veggie. The guys ordered beef, chicken and almost every creature on earth, flying, swimming and walking. Pallu got rotis and mutter sabji. Akash and I had what woodlands offered as typical brown boiled rice kerala meals. Again, coconutty as expected. It took 1 hour for the ordered food to come and we ate the first meal of the day in little more than 30 minutes.

Kuruva Islands

We boarded, the qualis with full gusto to see kuruva island. AP’s mother tongue was Malayalam and he was the navigator for us. Almost everyone we asked, said that it was 15 kms away at various places, so much so that, we all started shouting 15 km, padinainju padinainju and Kuruva Kuruva all the way, till we saw the first board that said, kuruva dweep. BB was literally the soul of the party, shouting and entertaining us, with his humorous remarks. That katcha road was supposed to lead us to the island. We had been traveling for almost an hour, with no sign of greenery, leave alone an island and water. It was a dusty non existent road and we had switched off ac to reduce the load on the poor engine. We really got skeptical about the existence of the island. We shouted Kuruva KURUVA with more gusto, with every passing vehicle in that lonely road. We started discussing, if it was haunted place occupied by ghosts. Thick creepers had climbed up tall bamboo shoots and trees with parched crumbling barks, killing its very supporter and in the process, getting dried and shriveled to death. After what seemed like eternity, we reached the island board, were we saw host of other vans and sumos and tempos. Lots of people were there. Again, no sign of water anywhere. There was a valley surrounded by green mountains. Awesome view indeed, but where is the island, we pondered. We paid the charges and started walking. At last, we reached the murky muddy green river kabini. All we saw was 2 bamboo rafts, and no oars, one rope across the river. People were moving the raft using the rope. We stepped on the raft and reached other side. Our guide walked in front of us. He did not speak a word. We happily clicked and walked behind him, wondering, why on earth he was ever there. No, thanks, we can do the walking around the jungle by the river ourselves.

After crossing 2 rivulets, we realized, the importance of the guide. Man it so easy to get lost and current was so strong, that I when I tried to keep my feet in the water, it moved along with water. I slipped on the moss grown stones once and kinda hurt my surya and shani toes in my left leg. I was so glad, when Akash followed suit. Man had company immediately. I had apparently pulled R along with me, when I slipped down, R told me later…well reflex action. I could not help remembering MA’s 18 yr old cousin, who had been pulled down into the waterfalls near ooty by his friend who had slipped down. Both met their watery graves, few days after they had got appointed in an IT company. Well, but here the water was shallow, just that the current was strong as water rushed through the stones and rocks that were the makers for the guides. We found a unoccupied place, and each of us, sat on a rock, luxuriating with our feet dangling in the strong current and splashing water on each other. The guys again took on to sutta maarna sitting on the rocks. Wondering, how many cigs per day?

AP had also slipped somewhere and we were shocked when we found, that he felt giddy and his left hand had swollen. BB got a straight flat stick and he bound the stick to AP’s hand with 2 hand kerchiefs.

After what seemed like going on for ever, we got moving again. The guide took us to climbing up a hillock. Initially it seemed like a small slope, however, after we had climbed up for quite some time and looked back, the view was awesome, with river flowing by, with uprooted trees here and there, a rock or two jutting out beautifully in odd clusters, with lush greenery around, with those assorted bright flowers as if it was thrown around by a careless hand. Man, kurvua island was ultimate.

After reaching the valleys again, we passed by the lush green paddy fields. That alley reminded me of the scene in harry potter as harry shouts expecto patronum and stag appears at the other side of the small lake, except that it was a delightful afternoon with lush greenery all around. And what had appeared as a deer from a distance turned out to be an equally charming brown calf. We strolled along with due rapture savouring nature’s sumptuous feast. After what seemed like eternity, we found that we had reached the place where we had started. We had sweet and salt lemon soda for 7 a glass. Around 5, we bid adieu to kuruva dweep to get past the katcha road before sunset.

We reached the resort around 7 pm. AP was escorted to hospital to mend his hand, that thank god turned out to be nothing serious and just requiring a grip bandage. I found that I could not watch even a single common channel with R for more 5 minutes and so we decided to go for a stroll. There were no street lights on the road. However, there were fire flies zooming in and out as in a rhythmic dance in response to all those thousand sounds of creatures screeching in darkness. Around 9, the hospital goers and sleep mongers all assembled and we had a buffet dinner – mine was 2 chappatis, dal curry, vegetable kadai, rice, gulab jamun. We were planning to have a camp fire. But camp fire at 10 pm? God, why are not these guys, ever going to sleep in night. I am used to hitting bed at 10 pm and wake up early to do my morning pranayam. And these guys are used to sleep only after 4 am. Somehow, they agreed on cancelling the campfire, and decided to go for sleep. How would some one dance after a heavy dinner, even otherwise?

PT and BB went to the wooden porch swing. And I was glad to find a rope bed tied to two palm trees. I got on to that and R was obliged to swing me in it for a while, I lay down contented, gazing at the ashtami Chandra hiding behind the palm leaves.

It was close to 12 when I hit the bed. PT had not yet come in. I just slept at the corner and dozed off. Suddenly I was jolted awake. PT slept like a baby, snoring, putting her legs at all angles. I tried to doze after that and still after 3, I found, I could not sleep. So I took kite runner and a pillow and stretched my legs on the tea poy and started to read in the hall. After sometime, a better idea struck me. I went to the ground floor reception, where a bamboo swing was placed. I settled nicely on the bamboo swing chair, and gently rocked in it and read KR as I watched the morning sun, transform the misty sight seen through the glass doors. Fog stayed till around 9 am. I read only 50 pages in those 3 hours. As I read about Hassan getting raped, hitting his forehead with pomegranate and later accepting the charges of stealing, i could not help, controlling my tears. I knew it was bad to cry early morning, but could not help it, once it started, without reason, tears continued to roll down, without further stimulus. At 6:47, after having gazed at the refreshing grass lawn, in the front bordered with lovely small flowers, I decided, to get ready. We had been planning to push off at 7 am, so that we could actually start at 8 am.

Day 2 - Pookot Lake

PT was also enthralled by the misty morning and she grabbed AK for a walk. I bathed and got ready and found, folks were still sleeping. I went up the terrace to do pranayam and found, only then guys were having their morning tea that had turned ice cold. There was no slab or chair to sit up and the terrace walks were high for me to settle my feet on the ground. Luckily there was gap in the terrace walks (but why was it there?) where I could sit and put my legs dangling down and see the valley and the road winding down in the misty backdrop. But after a while, it was some kind of smell, probably there was a toilet beneath or some thing of that kind. So I got up and I told RD the story of KR, which I had read so far enjoying the view from the terrace.

At last, we successfully, managed to start around 9:30 am. We went to a spa kind of restaurant Haritagiri. Man food there was divine. We had appam and veg stew. Idlis with proper sambar, coconut chutney served out of clay kadais. Boiled eggs. Bread butter jam. Pine apple slices, Coffee, tea. I had 3 appams and 1 idli. AK surprised as all by having so much, as if he was having breakfast, lunch and dinner all together.

Our first spot for the day was Pookot lake. By then, sun had started to bake us all with its full fury and intensity. Could not believe God’s own country could be so scorching hot. Our skin was burning. We reached the lake and opted for boating. Nothing, so arresting or different, except for the lilies scattered around the periphery of the lake where the mountains sloped down. We got into the open boat, and it was fun seeing bubbly PT, pose in her full enthu. Even though I wore RD’s cap, it was pretty scorching. Guys took a separated lily stalk and posed as if it was their garland or shiva’s snake around the neck. We had hired an oarsman. RD said, that required too much strength. I realized, haan, a simple stroke for 10 minutes in the swimming pool would hurt your upper arms like anything if you are doing it after a loooong break.

After pookot lake, we went back to resort and vacated. Since the majority had eaten a heavy breakfast, the minority had to starve for lunch. The guys were eating lays and other items which I hardly touch unless, I am starving to death. After vacating, we went straight to Muthunga sanctuary. We took our qualis, we had come in for safari. It was most fabulous part, in a way. All we could see was the rear of couple of elephants on the way, no other animal, not even a deer. In fact, AK, RD, PT, SA, almost every one dozed off in the qualis. We were searching for animals, so much so much so that, BB created an uproar, when we could spot a dog after hours of dust picking. We started shooting the dog with digicam with great gusto and it was laughter all the while, on finding at least one four legged animal in the safari. The guide in fact, scared us all by stating that forest fires, start just like that in april. It was 4 pm, when we reached kerala border, welcome to Karnataka board.

I had been insisting on going to Thirunelli. But it ended that, it was not on the way back to blore. Some where on the Karnataka highway around 4:30, the right rear wheel got flattened, however the driver stopped safely in the corner. Later when I called dad and told him that I had reached mysore, dad was telling, how a family of 6 was spot dead, because the tyres burst near subramaniapuram. In our case, it just got flattened, thanks to qualis safari.

While the driver changed the tyres, BB and AP took on to video graph, how to replace a tyre for youtube. Our tummies were hurting because of laughter, listening to the way BB was commenting on how, it has got flattened, where we were parked, and how the driver was replacing the tyre. They took on to video graphing the track, the vehicle had taken before, it had stopped with a dop dop dop sound.

Serene Gopalakrishna Bhetta

While, the driver changed the wheels, we (RD, PT and I) walked across, the dry newly ploughed field, to rest under the shady tree. Once, we resumed, we saw small cabbage fields everywhere. It was a fabulous view. In response to thirunelli, AP had been suggested gopalakrishna bhetta by the guide. I was against going there, since, it was not thirunelli shiva temple, my excuse being, that we had become unclean since morning, and that, we were going there for sightseeing, rather than seeking spiritual solace.

Nevertheless, the gang decided to go there, since, we had nothing else to do, as the mechanic mended the punctured tyre at the road leading to bhetta. After driving along the fabulous peaceful road, leading to the bhetta, we were flabbergasted to find that the temple visiting time was only till 5 pm. It was already 5:30 pm. I again, said, lo come on, we will turn back. However, the driver gave 10 extra to the gatekeeper and we were allowed inside.

Now I am glad, we went there. Like nandi hills. In fact even better. So peaceful, so serene, so fabulous, breathtaking, awe inspiring. I was dumbstruck with effusive greenery and oneness one could experience with nature, the whole area exuded peace and invoked such unspoken feelings that I just got intoxicated and indulged in silence. We reached the temple and had darshan. We sat for a while every side of the temple to savour the view. And we went further down, sat on couple of rocks and watched sunset. BB, PT gave such wonderful poses as if to swallow or hold the golden orange sun in their hands. It was so pleasant.

Around 6:30, we started downhill. The mechanic had closed the shop and the moment, we reached, he came to us to give us the tyre. We had coffee, tea in the road side shop and packed off to blore. BB and Akash were at top gear again. It was all hindi songs, with remixing by Akash, and on the spot customizations by BB. We reached mysore around 8:30 pm. We had dinner in hotel monarch. It took one hour for them to deliver the order. I settled for one butter naan, saag paneer and 2 spoonfuls of ghee rice with dal curry. As usual SA was the last to eat and I waited till he finished licking even the lemon slices.

We packed off from mysore, little after 10 pm. Folks wanted to watch Jab we met and hence I could not sleep. Folks ensconced in the back seat managed to take a nap though. I was like a drunkard due to lack of sleep for 3 continuous nights. We reached RMZ building after 1 pm and took another snap near the gate and bid adieu.