This blog has a special significance out of all. It brought me heaps of joy being with my friends after a long time.We had planned this trip very much before 3-4 months even before my plans for visiting india.I should thank my buddy Ramesh for organising this excellent trip. This trip fulfilled my long time desires of visiting wildlife parks and trekking experiences.
Waynad Jungles
We started on a cool morning on 10th May from Udumalpet, a town from Coimbatore district in the early hours with Ramesh, Badri and Dinesh whom i knew through Ramesh. we had a white
Santro Xing we reached Mysore by afternoon where we were joined by 3 more guys in a Ford Icon including Ramesh's bro Raj kumar.The other guys were Dinesh and Arun. We had a small intro and got into our business.....LUNCH! We had our stomachs full in a bunglow turned hotel in Hunsur.Next we started off to Nagerhole, a wild life park around 45 kms from Hunsur. The place was scenic and we were warned not to use music as well as horns as we were into the wild habitats. We expected some animals to be spotted but unfortunately it was damn hot and not a single soul to be seen. We reached Nagerhole at around 3pm,we were issued tickets for a forest ride through the deep jungle. A 15 seater van took us into the jungle.We saw deer, deer and many deers. The deers we so bold that they did not run away after seeing the loud van. They were found in large herds. we returned back to the dorm after an hour as it was getting dark. we had some fun chat together and we had a cook who was preparing chicken curry for our dinner. Someone asked me to go out of the dorm to fetch something.I opened the door and Lo!!It was pitch dark and i was not able to see anything at all literally. No lights and not even moonlight.I used the search light and focussed on some bush nearby only to see hundreds of eyes gleaming The deer herd was gazing nearby quitely.It was thrilling enough to send a chill on my spine. we had a lovely dinner together and hit to bed.
Day 2:(May 11th 2007)Next day we go up early and hit to the car by 9am. We went to Waynad, Kerala which was a few kms away from Nagerhole. We planned a forest trip on a jeep and set off deep into the forest. we were not very lucky enough this time as we were able to see deers, deers and deers. We were able to catch a close glimpse of a wild Squirrel,which has a magnificient bushy tail. This trip was for an hour and we were back again on our car to Iruppu falls.It was a bit of a dense walk into the forests. Ramesh and myself were not too comfortable to get into the ice chill water.The others had a splendid time on the natural showers. We had a couple of heart felt laughs when Ramesh's bro slipped twice at the same place but was safe enough to get back.Then it was time to hit for lunch in a place called Sultanpathre. By the time we started it was almost 3pm. We started to enter TamilNadu border through the Ghat road which was through a forest road. we were advised to drive bit slow than normal due to animals that are supposed to cross the road. We did encounter a herd of eliphants which were just across the main road.
They were harmless as they were in herds. Luckily we did not sight a loner which is said to be the dangerous on such roads. We entered Mudhumalai finally during sunset. All we could see was some deer herd and some wild buffalows. We then arrived to a Forest Officer's office at Masinagudi to get the permission letter to stay in the forest guest house. The officer being a friend had n qualms giving us the"GO" sign.It was an old guest house which was built in early 1920s.We did some grocery shopping in Masinagudi before reaching the guest house.We all were a bit tired but were ready to go for a night ride. We had quick dinner which almost dozed us off. But we started our night ride in just one car.It was around 11:30pm. We started for the adventurous night ride. We had a forest ranger as a security with us. we did not find anything interesting. Then came the dangerous episode. All of a sudden our Ford ICON engine turned off. Immediately we could find some strange oud sounds near by. Since it was too dark, we tried to use search light. To our horror we were in the midst of a herd of elephants on the road side. The moment the head lights got OFF, the elephants could view us clearly I used the search light to see a elephant charging at us at just 5-7 feet. It was trying to get down off the road. All of a sudden we could see another angry tusker charging from back of the car.Our hearts were on our mouth. In sudden presence of mind, Rajkumar who was driving, started the car and zoomed off from the place. We still could not believe that we escaped. we reached our guest house and hit to bed only to be flooded with elephant dreams.
Day 3:(May 12th 2007)
Then came the next day. None would forget this scary, memorable, tiresome day in their life. We all got up bit late as we hit to bed late. The day was bit scorching. The forest jeep came to pick us for a ride.We all started by almost 10:30am which was very late from our plan.
we travelled through some rocky roads which really did not have any path in particular. Finally our driver left us on a high cliff. Now our trekking started which was deep below. There was a temple in the middle of the forest which was totally 5kms from the top of the cliff. We started exactly at 12 which was so sunny for the day.Only big blunder was we did notcarry water. On the way deep down the rocky passage we could see some elephant trails which brought a chill down on our spine. Hearts started beating bit fast when we saw some fresh elephant waste. It was bit difficult for us as we did not have a recent trekking experience.The forest staff who accompanied us gave us one more shock that he did not bring weapons for safety. He said we all started late as this time being too hot, animals will come to the river to quench their thirst.
We had reasons to get scared as we all need to cross the stream to reach the jungle temple. Ramesh became bit furious as we were not in a mood to risk our lives. Finally we made up our mind. Come what may we started towards the stream.We saw a bison which was so huge in size.We were about to cross the river when we heard a deep growl nearby. Thats it! we thought
of getting back as we did not even have a weapon. We saw a leapord or cheetah some 50 feet away but it just vanished into the bushes.We all started praying our favourite gods to get back safely. We finaly crossed the stream which was so muddy.We reached the temple finally.
It was bit scary as we were totally surrounded by forest and we started imagining if we came across any wild animal and the nearest place to hide.We started back after spending some time. By the time the sun was on top of us and it was so hot. I almost knocked the doors
of heaven as the sun was too much for me.Finaly it took us 2-3 hours to climb back to the jeep waiting for us. Since we called for help, a forest ranger came with his staff to aid us. Since I was so drowsy and head spinning, they caught hold of me and took me to their vehicle. Finally we reached the guest house and all guys were served lemonade which brought our lives back. We took a small nap and had lunch. I was still tired but was really excited that we were leaving the place. Then around 3pm we started off to Ooty through the Mudhumalai road and reached Sterling Group of Hotels at Elk Hill around 6pm. We did not wander much in the same evening. Ramesh's parents had also come to meet us. That day Ramesh and myself, the two
great cooks(!!!!!!) decided to risk the guys lives with our cooking. It was wonderful experience as we tried to cook the dish with available resources we had.We hit to bed after receiving one more member Ganesh. It was such a memorable moment as we all guys were together after 4 years.
Then came the next day. None would forget this scary, memorable, tiresome day in their life. We all got up bit late as we hit to bed late. The day was bit scorching. The forest jeep came to pick us for a ride.We all started by almost 10:30am which was very late from our plan.
we travelled through some rocky roads which really did not have any path in particular. Finally our driver left us on a high cliff. Now our trekking started which was deep below. There was a temple in the middle of the forest which was totally 5kms from the top of the cliff. We started exactly at 12 which was so sunny for the day.Only big blunder was we did notcarry water. On the way deep down the rocky passage we could see some elephant trails which brought a chill down on our spine. Hearts started beating bit fast when we saw some fresh elephant waste. It was bit difficult for us as we did not have a recent trekking experience.The forest staff who accompanied us gave us one more shock that he did not bring weapons for safety. He said we all started late as this time being too hot, animals will come to the river to quench their thirst.
We had reasons to get scared as we all need to cross the stream to reach the jungle temple. Ramesh became bit furious as we were not in a mood to risk our lives. Finally we made up our mind. Come what may we started towards the stream.We saw a bison which was so huge in size.We were about to cross the river when we heard a deep growl nearby. Thats it! we thought
of getting back as we did not even have a weapon. We saw a leapord or cheetah some 50 feet away but it just vanished into the bushes.We all started praying our favourite gods to get back safely. We finaly crossed the stream which was so muddy.We reached the temple finally.
It was bit scary as we were totally surrounded by forest and we started imagining if we came across any wild animal and the nearest place to hide.We started back after spending some time. By the time the sun was on top of us and it was so hot. I almost knocked the doors
of heaven as the sun was too much for me.Finaly it took us 2-3 hours to climb back to the jeep waiting for us. Since we called for help, a forest ranger came with his staff to aid us. Since I was so drowsy and head spinning, they caught hold of me and took me to their vehicle. Finally we reached the guest house and all guys were served lemonade which brought our lives back. We took a small nap and had lunch. I was still tired but was really excited that we were leaving the place. Then around 3pm we started off to Ooty through the Mudhumalai road and reached Sterling Group of Hotels at Elk Hill around 6pm. We did not wander much in the same evening. Ramesh's parents had also come to meet us. That day Ramesh and myself, the two
great cooks(!!!!!!) decided to risk the guys lives with our cooking. It was wonderful experience as we tried to cook the dish with available resources we had.We hit to bed after receiving one more member Ganesh. It was such a memorable moment as we all guys were together after 4 years.
Day 4:(May 13th 2007)
Next day we started late after having lots and lots of chat with Ganesh and we started to Pykara dam. It was almost afternoon when we reached there. We had lunch and did not visit much places and set back to the hotel. We played cricket on a tennis court which aroused curiosity for many tourists who were our audience. It was fun playing cricket after 2 years. We had dinner early and had lots of chat sessions which were never ending. We bid adieu to Ganesh as he had to leave next day early morning.
Day 5:(May 14th 2007)
We kick started our day early enough and set to wonderful places which I never had visited in my life time. For people Ooty means just, Boat house, Botanical garden and Pykara. We decided not to venture into these places so early. We started off to Avalanche, Emerald and Upper Bhavani. These places almost awed us as looked like places in New zealand. Surprising that these places were not much known to tourists as lack of transport. Luckily we had our own vehicles to explore such areas.We arrived to a dam in upper Bhavani where powershut down is regular after 6pm. Just candle lights in a forest bunglow made us excited. Unfortunately we
decided to leave as another guy Arun had to board the bus to chennai the same evening. We rushed back in time and send him off. We had seafood dinner at a "very good" chinese restaurant. Cant forget the bearer who fooled us with the bill and also Badri who was backing him. It was fun any way. We hit back to bed after cleaning the kitchen.
decided to leave as another guy Arun had to board the bus to chennai the same evening. We rushed back in time and send him off. We had seafood dinner at a "very good" chinese restaurant. Cant forget the bearer who fooled us with the bill and also Badri who was backing him. It was fun any way. We hit back to bed after cleaning the kitchen.
Day 6: (May 15th 2007)
Today being the last day of the powerpacked tour, we had to leave the hotel early. Default destinations like Boat house and Botanical garden were left out for the day. Reached the Boat house and waited a long time to get the pedal boats. We all had a wonderful time making fun of each of the guys while pedalling. We spent around 2 hours there and sped to the botanical garden. Marvellous would be so small a word to describe the beauty of different flowers displayed from different parts of the country. No wonder we had our camera guns working all day. It was almost evening when we decided to start the journey back to Coimbatore. We reached back safely.
The tour was one of the memorable moments in my life as we had encountered many things including danger. My friends still curse me for being always available on the most wonderful thing in the world--MOBILE PHONE. Overall, good time management and planning helped us a lot in visiting all places. Thanks to Ramesh and his
bro Rajkumar for letting this happen. Wish to plan one more soon.....................
bro Rajkumar for letting this happen. Wish to plan one more soon.....................
