Areeckal Waterfalls

Two weeks back, when I went for the Chimmini trek, I missed the Choorathala Waterfall and a bath beneath it since there were no rains. However, since then the State witnessed heavy rains. I was looking for a one-day outing with family, and so decided to visit Areekal Waterfalls, near Kochi.

We set out from Kochi in the early hours of the morning, fully prepared and thrilled by the journey ahead. The distance to Areekal from Kochi is about 40 km and takes around one hour to reach. And of course, I could have a joy ride in my new car with an amazing view of nature and rubber estates on both sides of the road.

There were two entrances to reach the waterfalls. If you are selecting first entrance through Top Station , you have to descend around 100 steps to reach the base. I took the second route , through View Point , to reach the place. Entry fee is Rs.20 per head. There were heavy rush in the spot. When I asked to the lady in the counter about the daily  rush, she replied that there were days when two thousand tourists visited the place.

We were already listening to the rhythm of the waterfalls as we were getting closer. A concrete footpath with metal fencing conveniently led to the falls. When I reached the place, I saw the beautiful view of the 100 feet waterfalls cascading down with layers and layers.

I clicked as much to get the full view of the falls. It is pleasant to stand down the falls by watching nature at its best  as the water falls and water sprays all around.

Then was  the time for bath. The was a small pond formed beneath the falls. I jumped into the pond without changing my dress and moved towards the falls. The water was cold. One of my friends helped me to climb a little above the falls and we sat and enjoyed the falls.

After spending enough time, I came out of the falls. There was a small shop selling tea and snacks. I had tea and snacks, well deserved especially after a long bath under the waterfalls. There are changing rooms to change your clothing.

Spent some time to see the beauty of nature and listen to the music of water and store those wonderful scenery in mind.

A well-deserved weekend outing with family.

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Trip to Munnar

Every year during the first quarter, I visit Munnar and each time I choose different places around Munnar.  But this time, the main reason for travelling to Munnar is a long drive in my new Honda Amaze CVT and get familiarized with the gap road and narrow roads between the tea estates. And of course, breathe some fresh air and have some good food with scenic view.

As usual, we started from Kochi and the drive was pleasant. We stopped at Adimali for a while, had our tea and snacks. We had booked our room in the Munnar city area. Since, we didn't plan much about the places to see in Munnar this time, we thought it was better to ask the hotel lobby about the places to nearby to visit.

After having lunch and rest for some, we went to the KDHP outlet. We purchased tea in different flavors, chocolates and couple of other items for our family, back home . There is a beautiful garden on the premises of the old railway station which is on the banks of the Muthirapuzha river.

A little further through Munnar Madurai National Highway, is the Govt Botanical Garden. We spent some quality time there. Enjoyed the spectacular garden which houses around 150 varieties of flowering plants and an open theatre.

Night was so cold. Next day, after breakfast, we visited the century old C.S.I. Christ Church which is in the middle of Munnar town. This Church is famous for its religious and historic significance and its gothic style of architecture. Its main attraction is the construction in traditional architecture style with rocks.

We decided to drive till top station.  Both sides of the road were very scenic, and I really enjoyed it. Since it was Sunday, there was a huge crowd in tourist spots like Photo point and Kundala Dam. I stopped my car, when I saw a roadside vegetable vendor. He was selling fresh beetroots, carrots etc., directly plucked from the farm.

On our way back, we visited the market and purchased some fresh vegetables. We then headed straight to Kochi without making a major stop except for a little rest and tea break. 

These two days were pretty relaxing, full of a lot more of driving and enjoying nature.

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A Day in Paniyeli Poru

Entrance to Panieli Poru rapids

I was looking for a one-day outing with family, and so decided to visit Panieli Poru, which is 35 kms from Aluva. We set out from Kochi in the early hours of the morning, fully prepared and thrilled by the journey ahead. 

After parking your vehicle in the parking area, you must take a ticket from the Forest office counter. And we walked around 1.5 kms through the riverside pathway and reached  the main river area.

Pathway to Panieli Poru rapids

You can walk across a bamboo bridge, take a dip in the shallow waters or sit near the waterfalls and enjoy the cool breeze and mist. The water is crystal clear and clean.

The name ‘Paniyeli Poru’ may sound intriguing. “Poru” in Malayalam means “battle,” referring to the fierce way the river crashes against the rocks, creating  a bottleneck pressure that results in a small waterfall like formation.  

We further walked through the river. It was a great feeling to sit on the rocks and enjoy the falls. The river here is not for swimming as the undercurrents can be strong. But it’s perfect for sitting on the rocks and enjoying a quiet picnic place. One should be careful of the slippery rocks and the strong currents, especially during monsoon season.

 During the walk, you can see tree houses on the way. 

There are benches all over the walkway which offer a handy spot to sit and relax while listening to the soothing sounds of nature and watching the mesmerizing views of the waterfall. 

While returning we had lunch from one of the hotels before reaching entrance. You can bring your food and water. There are few shops selling snacks  also. 

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A Day in Abhayaranyam Ecotourism

Abhayaranyam, an ideal weekend getaway from Ernakulam is situated near Kaprikad at Kunnathukadu Taluk in Ernakulam district, Kerala State.

Entry fee is Rs.50/-. An ecotourism shop functions near the main entry gage of the mini zoo which sells sandalwood oil and honey etc. The canopy walkway offers plenty of shade and you can walk around the park within 2 hours with a few stops along the way.

The walkway sections are divided by several themes like bamboo forest, butterfly building, mini zoo etc.  There are benches all over the walkway which offer a handy spot to rest. During the walk, you can see tree houses on the way.

 

Deer and Sambar Park are another attraction here. Hundreds of Deers and Sambar are kept here, and visitors can enjoy the animals roaming around in a natural forest area.

Home to various species of birds, butterflies, spiders, and mushrooms, Abhayaranyam has an elephant shelter and also a training center for mahouts.

You can enjoy the green and lush of the area with the view of the river here. There is a bathing session for elephants which is an amazing site for the visitors.

Make your way back to the entrance area afterwards to follow the trail down to the lower entrance/exit. It is an ideal destination for a one-day trip. 

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A Day in Mangomeadows

 

I was searching for an ideal spot to spend one-day near Kochi and finally spotted Mango Meadows which is an agriculture theme park located at Ayamkudi near Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam District in the Indian State of Kerala. It is a beautiful place, away from the bustle.

Spread across 30 acres of land with more than 4500 species of plants and trees, it is a paid attraction privately owned and managed by Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park.

It is one of the popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, offering a range of activities such as swimming pool, pedal boats, row boats, water cycle, go-kart etc. So, you should plan on spending a couple of hours or up to a full day here.

The park includes a fishpond, tree grove, farmland, cattle farm, boat safari, ropeway and restaurant.

Efforts are taken to preserve the natural beauty and cultural significance of biodiversity, which is helpful to visitors - both enjoyable and educational experience.

You will be directed to a parking area to park your vehicle when you reach the park. Your first stop when you arrive should be at the Visitors Center, where you can take entry ticket and book your lunch time.  Then you will be directed to a waiting area, and they will assign a guide. The tour guide explains the importance of trees and its scientific information.

Tea Garden

The statue of the Bible which stands at 25 ft by 25 ft is one of the major attractions in the park. The statue has been made with concrete and has original pages from the Bible in Malayalam language. The Bible Garden containing 125 plants, trees and herbs that were mentioned in the scriptures is set around the statue. 

Bible Statue

A unique romantic spot at the park is the Valentine's Garden.  There is also the Eden's Garden, belonging to Adam and Eve.

Valentine's Garden

Another attraction is Indian Map Statue. Children can learn about the “State Tree” of each state. Many such “State Trees” stand tall within the state spaces.

 Indian Map Statue

A few meters away, a temple pond proclaims the rich traditions of the past. Near to it, a 'sarppakavu'

(a place considered as abode of snakes) reminds about traditional culture of conservation of biodiversity.

After the guided tour, you can explore the park on your own or add on a cycling and boating experience.

Free cycling is allowed for 20 minutes with a deposit of Rs.100/-which will be refunded when you return your cycle within 20 minutes. Then we visited the place where Archery is practiced and enjoyed the thrilling experience of shooting arrows from a bow.

There is a tea shop which sells tea preparing in a traditional way. It was a fabulous experience. I anyway love tea. It tasted even better with pazhampori!

By evening, we left the place with a refreshed mind hoping to visit the place again.

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Weekend at Abad Turtle Beach Resort, Mararikulam

 

After an hour's drive from my home at Kochi, we arrived at the vast expanse of the resort, and I felt some relaxation after seeing the neatly maintained area spread across 13 acres of land with palm trees. I took a deep breath, and it was starting of our two day's fun.

We spent two days in Abad Turtle, and we loved everything about Abad Turtle. There are lots of unique and different things to do in the resort for families that makes it a fun and memorable place to visit. It's an absolute joy to wander and discover what is around in each corner. The rooms were cozy and spacious and had open sky bathrooms.

There were hammocks outside to relax, lot of space to walk around and direct access to beach.   There is a small garden where they grow vegetables. I cycled around the area.

The swimming pool at Abad Turtle is another major attraction to spend a cool and fun filled time in the waters ...

Delicious meals are served for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

One of my favorite spots for taking photos is the beach. Sunset view was breathtaking. I love the sea, and also  to stroll along the beach listening to the waves. In the morning, we woke  up early and walked to the beach and spent time for fun filled activities by running with the kids through the beach, taking candid photos etc.

I felt that I should have visited this place long before. I wished I could extend my holiday at Abad Turtle!!     

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My stay at KTDC Tea County, Munnar

 

I had the pleasure of staying at the Tea County Munnar in March 2022. It was a memorable stay especially as a break from my regular routine. The weather as was cool.

I stayed in the first floor of a cottage which had a balcony with a clear view of the picturesque Munnar valley and adjacent hill. The chair in the balcony was my favorite corner in the room and I enjoyed the magic of the mist and the mountains.

The bed was comfortable leading to a good sleep all around I enjoyed complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch as well as dinner from the hotel. 

 

I walked around the area and enjoyed the greenery of the land that extends to about eight and a half acres. And this leisure trip was really rejuvenating for me.

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Ten hours Of Sightseeing, Travelling And Exploring from Munnar to Kanthalloor in KSRTC bus

No matter how many times you  have visited Munnar, you may never discover it enough.  A vista of how Munnar was this season was the blue Jacaranda  flowering  at its crazy best. This is what I love about repeated visits to Munnar, it is new everytime!

This time I got an opportunity for sightseeing by bus in quite a different way and enjoy a unique ride through the tea-carpeted hills.  Munnar KSTRC has come up with a special package that will take you on a budget-free tour from Munnar to Kanthalloor.  Kanthalloor is located 57km from Munnar. The costs for one day journey is Rs 300. The bus carrying tourists starts at 9.30 am from Munnar KSRTC old depot and had one hour halt in each stop.

The first stop in our chart was Tata Tea Museum  which is located at 2 km from the centre of Munnar. Entry fee is Rs.125 per head. It is a part of the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea.  A 30 minute documentary feature by the museum will give you the opportunity to watch the transition from the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. 

Next stop was at Estate photo point. Surrounded by the Tata Tea gardens of the Kanan Devan Hills and a string of silver oak trees with the backdrop of the vast expanse of the Sahyadri ranges, this is the perfect spot to relish the beauty of Munnar

There is a small road side tea stall selling tea and snacks. We had tea and proceeded to Marayoor.  Twists in the road reveal vistas so vast and breathtaking that  they’re distracting.

Further the road goes on through Marayoor natural sandal reserve. The forest department has rightly put high fence to prevent illegal activities. We could see the sandal trees on either side of the road.

The Jacaranda trees are in full bloom in this stretch just before reaching Lakkom falls. Local people call it ‘Neelavaka’.  Jacaranda indicates spring season. British brought Jacaranda to Munnar during colonization to beautify the hills and estate bungalows. It is one of the 49 species of flowering plants in the family of Bignoniaceae, and is native to South America.

Next stop was at Lakkom waterfalls. Entry fee is Rs.50 per head.  The waterfall is close to the main road. You have to climb few steps to reach the falls from the main road. Originating from the Eravikulam National Park, the stream cascade down from the rocky cliffs. Further we walked down through the road and then through tea estate to reach the natural pool.  I walked along the paths between the carpet of green.

There are a whole lot of plants and shrubs around the pool that add to the scenic view.  A dip in the cold yet refreshing water is all you need on a hot summer's day.

A pretty drive through the sandalwood forests will take you to the sugarcane blossoming village. When you hear Marayoor, Marayoor jaggery and Marayoor sandalwood come to mind. As the name suggests, there are many jaggery making centers in Marayoor. Farmers are benefitted by making significant changes in the production of Marayoor Jaggery with the availability of Geo-Index status. As result,  black-colored jaggery is now in high demand in the market.

Most of these factories are largely without mechanization or infrastructure and these production units are still man-made. Now 12 months full mature sugarcane is used  for the production of Marayoor Jaggery. The juice obtained from the crushing of sugarcane is transferred to a large iron vessel through a tube, which is then boiled over a fire and reduced to a paste-like jaggery. The product here is this rolled jaggery. It is sold in many places in Marayoor.

Most of the people who work here are attached to these grass-fed jaggery units for accommodation, cooking and caring for children.

Muniyara's are famous in Marayoor. Tourists often visit the munirs at Anakottupara. We use Stone Age culture to describe the way of life of human beings a thousand or two thousand years before the year of Christ. The muniyara's were the burial chambers of the time. The muniyara's look like two layers of rock steep and another layer of rock fixed on top of it. Some say that the 'soul' resided in muniyara's after death. Those remains are still intact in Marayoor. The muniyara's will help us to go back in time to history.

Finally we reached our last place in our chart -  Kanthalloor. Kanthalloor is situated on the eastern side of the Western Ghats on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, between Munnar and Udamalpet. It is at an altitude of about 5000 feet above sea level. This is favourable for the natural farming of many fruits like apple, blackberry, orange, plums, strawberry, passion fruit, etc. and vegetables like Cauliflower, carrot, potato, garlic, cabbage, beans etc.are grown in plenty.   We visited one of the private farm. The best season to visit Kanthalloor is from August to October. Because of the off season there was not much fruits and vegetables. There isn’t much to do here, but that’s part of the charm.

As we made our way back to Munnar, we passed through Nachivayal, Kovilkadavu.  Not only do you get to cruise through a sandal forest reserve but, more often than not, you will spot a herd of deer.

From 6 pm onwards, the mist would be my constant companion through the ride. It was already dark when we reached Munnar at around 7 pm. By that time the chill in the air had picked up.

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Ambling Through Peechi, Kerala

I am sitting alone, a few feet away from the waterfalls. A gentle wind makes the splash of water so beautiful. I inhale deeply the fresh air without mask. And I spend some more time there to soak in this exquisite silence - a great relief during the pandemic age.

Hidden gems have always fascinated me. And a flavor of road trip and adventure are my favorite travel choice .  Fortunately an opportunity came in the form of a fun event organized by Mr.Anoop, who is working in Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi.  Our meeting point was Peechi Dam car parking area at 10.00 am.

On a sunny Sunday, I started my drive at around 8.30 am from Kochi. After Pattikkad,  I deviated my route from  the National Highway.  I opened the window of the car to let the cool breeze blow right into the car. When I reached the place, other participants had already reached there. After taking an entry ticket for Rs.20/-  and completing thermal testing, we  started to explore the Dam and its surrounding area. 

And we walked along the Dam to the other side of the reservoir. The view of  the garden from the top of the Dam is amazing.

To the other end, there is a refreshment shop and we had tea and snacks. There is a kids playing area as well. We further climbed up to pavilion . The view of  the Dam, reservoir and forest area from the pavilion was amazing.

We further walked down to the garden. There is a mini power station beside the garden and the water flowing from the project is diverted for irrigation purpose. It was actually a long walk with few halts. Long walks and fresh air is my medicine to beat tension and worries.

We came out of the garden and climbed to the start of the Dam through the steep steps. After a few minutes rest, we came out of the Dam premises. There is a guest house near  the area. The building is built in colonial style and is surrounded by trees and garden. One of our team members had stayed there with his friends and he shared an interesting ghost story that he experienced during their stay.

It was already 2 pm and we headed for lunch in a local restaurant near  the Dam gate. We further drove our car to Kerala Forest Research Institute quarters where Mr.Anoop is staying. We parked our car in the play ground. There was a surprise in store for us - a hidden water fall inside the quarters. We walked through thick forest to reach the falls.

It was a great feeling to sit on the rocks and enjoy the falls.  We further walked towards Orappankettu waterfalls which is a few minutes walk from the main road.

There is no doubt that the Orappankettu, which stretches from rocks and waterfalls offers great opportunity to visitors to enjoy and  for photoshoots.  I found few groups with different age groups engaged in photo shoots. It was nice to see kids wearing red color dresses posing for clicks.

There was a dam like construction to block water for agriculture purpose. Visitors used to bath and enjoy in this pool which is 4-5 feet height. Water from this area  further flows through rocks and I could  see the gushing water falling powerfully in the distance.

We could have very well enjoyed in the pool. As the evening descended upon us, we decided to leave the place and headed back  home.

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Tracing The Seven faces of A River at Ezhattumugham

I sat on the rocks in the middle of the river observing people walking through the suspension bridge and forget about myself by the picturesque surroundings. The forces of water was divided by the rocks and created  pools all over the area. A complete mystical feel, and it was so good to be tranquil there.

I am in Ezhattumigham Prakriti Gramam (Nature Village).  It has been 8 months, my travel plans had been suspended  and I learnt to live in an era in an  entirely new way of living.  By the mid of March, it was almost certain that a lockdown was the only option then to fight COVID-19.  By that time, COVID-19 had started to spread and fear and uncertainty took hold.  Except the initial lockdown of almost a month, I resumed my official duty on the last weekend of April and my outing limited between home and  office. The only option was to look back to good old days through my previous blog posts. Every post opened up  a clear whiff of nostalgia.

Now months into the pandemic,  I was glad that tourism centers have  re-opened slowly with COVID-19 protocols. I did few research for places to visit for one day travel and that allowed us to stay away from places that were too crowded. On a sunny Sunday, we decided have a joy ride to Ezhattumukham.

Ezhattumukham Prakriti Gramam, a park on the side of a check-dam across Chalakudy river at Ezhattumugham is the tourism project undertaken by the Thrissur District Tourism Promotion Council, to woo tourists.   After breakfast we started our drive from Kochi. Contrary to my previous travels, we carried lunch with us. After Angamaly Jn, we took a right turn from Karayamparambu Jn.  Ezhattumigham Prakriti Gramam is just 17 kms from here.

Before reaching Ezhattumukham, we stopped at the check post where the details of the  vehicle etc were provided to the counter. We were  given  a number which we have to inform during our return journey. Further drive was through the narrow road amid oil palm estates of the Plantation Corporation.

Parked my car in the parking area. Tourists began to arrive at the Ezhatumukham Prakriti Gramam to spend a few moments amidst the natural beauty. I came out of my car and walked towards the gate. There was a thermal testing in the gate and officials collected visitors details. Contrary to my expectations, I found a long queue in the gate, waiting for entry to the park.

Once inside the park, you can see children's park and an outlet selling tea and snacks.  We walked down to the river on one side of the park.

Here seven streams  are formed in the Chalakudy river due to islets and boulders and that is how Ezhattu-mugham (seven faces of a river) gets its name.  After  some time in the river, we then walked through the suspension bridge  which links Ezhattumugham in Ernakulam district to Thumpoormuzhi tourist spot in Thrissur district

The view of the river from the top of the suspension bridge was beautiful. You can watch visitors  walking  on the boulders and islets through shallow water, right to the other bank of the river.

People who want the silence of the forest and the beauty of the river come here. To me Ezhattumugham is a place to unwind and relax.

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A journey through Munroe Thuruth (Munroe Island), Kerala

One fine Sunday, before the crack of dawn, I boarded my train from Ernakulam Station  to Munroe. Reached Munroe at around 8 am. Only few trains especially passenger trains and Memu trains have stop in this station. Since our meeting point was at the station premises at around 9 am, I waited there for an hour. There were less people around the station. Having nothing to do, I strolled around the station for sometime and met one of my co-travellers in a coffee shop.

A little about Munroe. Munroe Thuruth is a cluster of eight islands, interconnected by narrow canals , located in the middle of the Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada river. The island community is named after Colonel John Monroe, a British officer who took the initiative to construct canals in the region and link the backwaters.

We then took an auto and moved to a homestay where our boat was parked.  I sat on a chair near to the river side. The water was crystal clear, the air was chill and crisp.  There was a Shikara boat parked near  me.

I was silently enjoying the beauty of the scenery.  A picturesque river, sheltered by trees that dipped their boughs into the murmuring waters and a boat resting on the water. An absolute treat for the eyes.

The best way to reach Munrou islands is by riding a boat. Soon we started our ride  in three groups. There are a few roads and bridges connecting some villages but most of Munroe is still navigable only by boat. The views on the sides are houses, fish farms etc.

Row and small boats, prey ducklings and rare species of birds are common here. As we moved ahead, we came across a series of canals connected by small bridges where sometimes we had to bend our head  at some places as the boat passed under these bridges.

Fisheries are an important source of income for the people. You will find many Karimeen (Pearl spot fish) kettu throughout the journey. Small roads in the middle of the lake is a common sight in the island. All around, you can see coconut palms.

A little way off where the canals end, the boat soon enters the Ashtamudi Lake. In the middle of the lake is a mangrove forest which is shaped naturally. Such tremendously beautiful formation of nature is something to cherish. All we could do is relax, look, and breathe in the perfumed air. We photographed by stopping our boat  at the centre of that structure, which I had only seen in social media till date. We spent a  long time in that beautiful spot.

We returned our ride from this point. It was already  2 pm. when we finished our boating. Our lunch was ready, which was served in plantain leaf. Everything served was hot and fresh and I really enjoyed fish recipes.

Soon we bid goodbye to each other and started our return journey. We took an auto till ferry to catch Jankar. A ferry to the island is normally crowded.  After crossing the river, we got our bus to Kollam.

It is sad to hear that these eight islands are sinking everyday because of the effects of climate change. It is believed that the island would be entirely submerged by the year 2050.

It was a great weekend travel by enjoying village life, food and boating through canals and lake.

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