KERALA EXPERIENCES
ROUND THE CLOCK IN THEKKADY-KUMILY-THENI
One of Kerala's biggest tourism destinations, Thekkady has become a regular stopover for people who wish to experience adventure and leisure at the same time. Fortunately for me, this is a place I've visited over a dozen times. The place brings to mind memories, least of which has to do with me; but more to do with stories of my mother and her family, since they spent a good deal of time in this hill town while growing up. So to me, the place is like an unseen movie; one whose plot and characters are familiar, yet the cinematography and direction are mine to make.
For those planning to visit the region, there are buses that leave from the nearest cities (such as Cochin, Kottayam and Trivandrum), from midnight to early morning. It's best to catch one of these buses, so that you reach Thekkady early in the day. There's also the ordinary state transport bus from Pathanamthitta, which traverses the rainforests of GAVI in the morning. GAVI is incidentally home to the lion tailed macaque, Asian wild elephants and other exotic flora and fauna.
Once in Thekkady, here's an itinerary you could follow to make the most of the clock.
Morning:
SITE 1
Not many tourists head down the hills of Thekkady to the plains of neighbouring Tamil Nadu,
where the villages of Theni and Cumbum house acres of vineyards. The downward spiralling road watches out into some really lovely aerial landscape views and huge penstocks carrying water from the controversial Mullaperiyar Dam.
Once into the valley, the straight road is perfect to test the speed limit of your vehicles if you are a self-drive enthusiast. The drive passes through typical Tamil Nadu countryside, and the vineyards which soon come into view are interspersed with banana plantations and vegetable fields. Watch the video given below to see it live.
Once you reach the vineyards, walk into any and observe the workers tend to the grape vines. They'll be more than happy to show you the process. I'd suggest wrapping your nose with a handkerchief, since the smell of pesticides can be a turn-off for some. Unlike in other wine cities of India, here there's no entry fee or service charges for those wanting to enjoy a crouched walk under the shade of the hanging grape vines. I have attached a few pics of the same.
Ask for the mammoth water-well in one of the vineyards, a site which houses a well having a diameter of over 50 feet.
SITE 2
Alternatively, for those wanting to taste adventure right upon landing in Thekkady, the best bet is to hire a jeep and head to either GAVI or the THEKKADY WILDLIFE SANCTUARY for some trekking, wildlife spotting and privacy in the dense rainforests of Central Kerala. It's easy to spot tour operators and guides who will manage the process for you. I once did a jeep safari through the forest, and another time, travelled through the reserve in a state transport bus. The bus trip was more local and fun, since there was a lot of interaction with villagers and tribals who reside near the forest.
The sanctuaries are home to tigers, wild boars, deer, porcupines and the Asian wild elephants. If you have enrolled for the camping programmes, stick to the group and enjoy the activities on offer. This trip will usually take up your entire day, leaving you with time only from late evening till night to enjoy a drink in the cosy interiors of your lodging place.
Afternoon:
BOOK YOURSELF FOR LAKE BOATING PREFERABLY FOR THE TIME SLOT OF 15.30 HRS AND THEN WHILE AWAY YOUR TIME ELSEWHERE TILL THEN.
HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS I ENJOYED:
OPTION 1
Thekkady is home to several plantations and spice & tea estates. I have twice stayed at the luxurious plantation bungalow aanavilasam, set amidst 7 acres of cardamom plantation. The homestay is a popular one with private swimming pools and provides great views of the plantation from the room. Everything served is home made, including the milk, honey and vegetables.For me, the afternoons spent here were the best time to sip some wine watching the plantation or strolling around the property. If you are staying elsewhere (I've also stayed at Hotel Kumily Gate and the Sterling Resorts, the latter being equally beautiful), there are other private plantations you can visit; but please ensure that you have prior permission to visit them (which shouldn't be a problem if you are with family, or are a foreigner).
OPTION 2
Shop till you drop, because Thekkady has several souvenir, spice and home made chocolate stores to catch your attention. Buy local wine, cashmere shawls, wooden artefacts etc. The Ambadi Hotel serves good food and offers a great ambience to those who wish to spend the afternoon doing nothing other than digging into some local cuisine.
Evening:
ACTIVITY 1
It's boating time. Book your slot in advance through some travel agent, rather than waste time by standing in the queue (which is usually loooooooooooong). Ask for the upper deck to enjoy beautiful views of the lake. The reason I suggested the evening time for boating is because, despite having taken this trip umpteen times, it was only in my last trip at this time of the day that I spotted wild elephants up close. And trust me, it is as thrilling as it is scary to be so close to them. Because the elephants usually waddle into the water and stay still, their eyes penetrating into you from as close as 30-40 feet from the boat. And with tree stumps around us, we had no emergency escape route, in case they planned to attack or decided to shower us with mud and water. The elephants had came in a group, so there was nothing to worry we were told. But still, the sight of the 'head elephant' watching us as he immersed himself in the waters was enough to keep everyone on the boat a bit tensed, albeit with a childlike grin.
I have attached pics of the same.
ACTIVITY 2
Head out for some hillside trekking. Simply walk into the hills nearby or head out to spots such as the First Mile and Parunthampaara (a hill of rolling meadows). There are several vantage points around Thekkady I discovered myself, and it's best not to ask for directions. Rather just explore on your own. There's little chance you'll get lost or stranded, because the region has a healthy population density despite being a hill town.
Night:
IDEA 1:
Light a campfire, sip beer and enjoy the cold enveloping the hill town. The town closes all activities by late evening. So the night is best spent enjoying the cold and the wind. For me, night time anywhere is a time to read, drink and sing a few self-made songs with whoever is giving me company (in return for listening to their LOL jokes)
IDEA 2
For the more adventurous and private types, the wildlife sanctuary organizes night treks, night camping etc. Spend the night under the stars in a forest clearing listening to the sound of wild animals and hoping that a stray elephant doesn't come your way (just kidding).
Comments
Post a Comment