Yours Consciously Sneha

Tag: solotravel

A Dessert: Wayanad

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks-John Muir

Having a mind that always wanders, itchy feet which cannot stay in one place; Kozhikode/Calicut was just not enough so I had decided to go to Wayanad after my friend’s engagement. I have been to Wayanad a few years ago and I know there would be still a lot more than I wouldn’t have explored.

When I was researching about Kozhikode/Calicut, Tusharagiri Falls caught my attention as there were 3 waterfalls on the same trek. It was on the same route that we were driving in from Kozhikode/Calicut to Wayanad and I couldn’t say no. As we were driving to falls, I saw these tall trees with a cup-tied at the bottom. I asked my driver and he said those are rubber plantations, it was my first time to see them. Facts of Rubber Plantation in Kerala: The first rubber plantation in India was set up in 1895 in Kerala, Kerala is still the highest producer of natural rubber in India, rubber is made out of the liquid(latex) obtained from these rubber trees. Each of these trees is tied with a cup at the bottom where the latex is stored.

The first waterfall is called Eerattumukku, the Second one is called Mazhavilchattam and the Third one is Thumbithullum Para. Although there was hardly any water in all these 3 falls and was mostly filled by locals, the trek through the forest was a memorable one. Absolute silence among the trees, birds chirping here and there, noise of water sliding through this silence, staircase formed through the roots of the trees; my itchy feet was finally dancing with joy.

Also read: Still Water | Still Time: Alleppey

The journey from Kozhikode/Calicut to Wayanad was one beautiful road opening up to mountains on both the ends, watching the sunset on the move, sliding the window pane to get some fresh air which I always crave for and now my mind that wanders was finally dancing with joy.

Also read: A city with Spice: Kochi!

I stayed in Coffea Aroma along with 2 of my friends; the name of this place was a catch as I always thought Wayanad has only tea. 5 Kms drive from the main road in the Jeep brings you to this unique place located amidst coffee plantations. As soon as we entered, we were greeted with the music of water passing around, coffee plantations surrounding us, hills at a distance waving at us, was a soothing experience staying here. As most of the major waterfall is usually filled with locals/tourists, it’s a blessing to have a private waterfall in here.

About 5 Kms from here is the Chembra peak, when I decided to trek here all I heard was it takes about 3-4 hours (2.5 kms one side) to climb up which was even more exciting. It is mandatory to take a guide along while you go here for trekking and for my luck I found a guide who could speak Kannada. Have been to Kerala many times earlier and this is the first time ever to find someone who can speak Kannada so fluently, thanks, Chandan! This is why I like traveling; never know what is in store for you. Every step you take is an adventure, every moment is filled with surprises, and every decision brings you happiness.

Chandan is a BA student who is working as a part-timer guide during his holidays and also a native who lives in a village around Chembra Peak. We were climbing up through the forest having conversations about studies, wild animals, and my blog. Sunlight would prick eyes to slow down and I wouldn’t want to give up reaching the peak, we reached in 50 minutes and Chandan was all happy that he could go home soon.

Standing up in this peak where even sky seems reachable, mountains are just a piece of cake, the breeze was the icing and the naturally formed heart-shaped lake on the hill was the cherry. I sat on a rock watching the hills, opened my book to write and the flow just went by; solitude at its best while nature was in rest.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

January 20, 2016
Discover Yourself in Calicut/Kozhikode!

I am not afraid of the darkness. Real death is preferable to a life without living.- Vasco Da Gama

Vasco Da Gama was the first to discover the route to India through ocean landing in Calicut on 20^th May 1498. This was the line I remember studying in school and the only thing I knew about Calicut, while I was talking to my colleague about going to Calicut he mentioned about Vasco Da Gama. I instantly went back to my school days, history was one of the subjects that I never liked much, but I still remember studying about Vasco Da Gama and I was all excited to know more about him. I have admired him and would wonder the struggle he had to go through to find the route through ocean back in 1498.

Although traveling to any city doesn’t excite me much, I had to land here for one my friend’s engagement. Finally with plenty of research, found about this village called Elathur which is about 10 Kms from Calicut. There is a canal that runs through this village; I spoke to few locals there who live on the income that comes from fishing.

About 5 Kms from here is the Kappad beach where Vasco Da Gama landed, there is an ancient temple which is supposed to be older before Vasco Da Gama landed here. As per the locals, it is 800 years old, I was standing here and gazing at the beach. I then closely observed that there is a heart-shaped formation on the sand. Was the nature telling me that they love me too?

For my next long travel, I have been thinking to travel only through the ocean. Never had I thought, Vasco Da Gama would be another inspiration. If he could do it 600 years ago why can’t I do it now? This is what travel teaches you, you would never know where and whose story would inspire you to keep going, keep achieving, and keep inspiring.

I had read somewhere that there is a monument showcasing Vasco Da Gama’s discovery, I should admit that I was a little disappointed with this monument which almost went unseen even after passing twice on the same road unless someone pointed to me that was the monument. If you are excited and curious to know about this monument too, don’t be. Here it is!

A little disappointment, more inspiration, more excitement; with all the mixed feelings in the brain I headed towards Beypore Fort, another beach closer to the city has two piers built till the middle of the ocean. The two old piers opening arms till mid of the ocean, waves coming over with the rush to hug them, the sun getting a little jealous watching their romance! I need not say more, no wonder Beypore Fort is one of the romantic getaways!

Sun had already set by the time I reached there and had left the traces in the sky that he was there and had just left. There were too many people around me and I was still all alone connecting to the waves, sensing the vibration in my nerves, eyes opening up widely to gaze at the brightly lit sky. I guess that’s the difference between nature and people, nature would always connect with you: however you are, wherever you are, whatever you are.

After such relishing meal filling my eyes with beach and sunset, I had to close it with a dessert and went to the SM Street to taste the very famous Kozhikode Halwa available in different colors/flavors.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

January 14, 2016
Hello! 2016, How you doing?

Fight your fears and you’ll be in Battle forever; Face your fears and you’ll be Free forever-Lucas Jonkman

Brewery called District 6 in Bangalore/Bengaluru

Started with New Year’s Eve at my home working on a blog post about the city I grew up in with beer and wine giving me company, on New Year’s rode about 35 KM’s to a brewery alone just to tick off the list that I have been to all the brewery’s in my city. 2 days have been passed since then while I am penning this post, I haven’t stepped out of my house and neither the sun nor the moon has seen me. I have just been on the bed without taking a shower, going through my favorite blog post of Shivya Nath, watching my favorite series friends, listening to some music, binging on Beer, Wine, coffee, and whatnot, working on some plan, taking a nap and the plan changes again.

Trying to shell some thought in Kappad Beach

Most of you who are following my blog posts already know that I am quitting my job to be a nomad; well it is not that easy it sounds. So I had a plan to make a plan during this holiday season and most of them who know me personally also know that I don’t like planning any of my future plans. It has always the Unplanned Plans that has worked for me. So this is where I need to have a fight with my brain, with long-term travel plans ahead I need to make a plan but my tiny brain doesn’t let me to.

My itchy feet took me to Tusharagiri Falls in Kozhikode/Calicut

In my unwary situations like these, I tend to share the rant with few of my friends. Sometimes, whom you expect to be more supportive would not even bother much and sometimes whom you least expect to be with you will open their arms to vent out. There are also some unexpected strangers from nowhere send me messages saying they love what I am doing and that is what keeps me motivated to keep going.

Solitude in Tusharagiri Falls

I have also received sarcastic comments from my friends about my unplanned schedule all the time, but I guess that is how it works mostly for Indians. When they travel they need to know which place they need to go maybe few months in advance, book a flight ticket even earlier as it will be cheaper and a lot more reasons. Well, for me traveling has always been an instinctive decision. I can’t randomly choose a place with 3-night 4-day packages and book a ticket, I would rather go to a place and stay how many days ever I want to if I like the place.

Little Adam’s Peak in Ella

When I was in Ella in Sri Lanka, I had 2 more days left to get back to India. I really wanted to visit Galle but I had to take a 7-hour bus to reach Galle and would just have 3 hours left to see around Galle and head back to Colombo to catch my flight back to India. I did not do this as just seeing a place for few hours was not exciting, I rather chose to stay in Ella and hung out in a local bar with the awesome Sri Lankan people and few other friends I met there.

View through the tire, not my lens!

Sometimes there are tears in my eyes that nothing is going well, most of the times a big smile on my face that this too shall pass and I will definitely come out of this situation very soon. If the ride is not bumpy, where is the all the fun right?

So, exactly on the 61^st day from now, I would be leaving my job! Yay! And step Into the wild! Anybody has the same plan like me, do drop a comment below 🙂

Blooming…

Wild Flower

January 3, 2016
Fairyland: Ella!

While the journey to Ella was just so more than beautiful, I was pretty sure this piece of land would be even more beautiful and I was not too surprised. Stayed in a budget hotel and later hiked with another Austrian friend I met for about 7 Kms to Ravana Waterfalls. On the way to the falls, all we could see is valleys and rivers flowing by, green mountains standing up and cheering while we were walking.

Little Adam’s Peak is in Ella and was about 5 Kms walk from where we stayed, the next day morning we went walking up the hill and stopped over a place for a cup of tea and this was the view from there.

Also, read TRAIN LULLABY!

Australian friend whom I had met in Kandy joined us too, while we continued to walk through the tea plantations, I still remember an old lady passing by smiles and say Hello! This is one nice thing that I have to mention about people in Sri Lanka, from a young tuk-tuk driver to an old lady who is plucking tea leaves will all have a smile on their face and would not forget to greet you! On my way from Kandy to Ella, I spent most of the journey with a family who was continuously feeding me food all the time 🙂

While we started hiking up, we were mesmerized by the view that we saw everywhere. Clear skies, triangle-shaped hills, lake and waterfalls that was somewhere at a distance. Those clouds moving from one corner to other like they were passing letters from one hill to other. Those few hours I was living in a fairyland.

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Noise of the waves woke me up like an alarm

little I knew waves would be opening its arm!

I came here in search of something

you made me realize I had all in me that I was looking!

You have been knit by green wool

looking at your beauty my eyes were full!

Mist was kissing the trees

trees were dancing with the chill breeze!

You made me experience Mother Nature’s lullaby

fell asleep on your lap like a baby!

Only in dreams have seen a fairyland

you are much more than a dream to see you this grand!

PS: Thanks to a friend for lending his camera to click this beautiful island!

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
TRAIN LULLABY!

View from the train from Colombo to Palugaswewa (Galkadawala)!

Also, read Soul Search: Galkadawala

Railway Station in Kandy, first time for me to see a railway station where there is an end or should I say beginning! 🙂

I have always loved Train Journeys, there is something really special of those metal boxes which are linked to each other and run on small tires on a metal track. That noise of the engine is not annoying to me, the movements while sitting in the train is like a lullaby. I was very impressed with the railways in Srilanka; the links from one town to other is pretty good and I traveled only in 2^nd Class trains. All over Srilanka I mostly traveled in train: From Negombo to Colombo, Colombo to Palugaswewa (Galkadawala) and Kandy to Ella. All these train journeys have been incredible and the best train journeys I have been in so far. All you could get to see is trees, banana plantations, fields, lakes, lagoons, rivers and yes I saw a Crocodile too!

Kandy to Ella or Ella to Kandy is supposed to be one of the best train journeys in the world. I now pledge that it is the best train journeys I have been in so far, it is like I have been in a fairyland. Train literally passing through the clouds, rivers flowing with mostly Pinus trees around, tea plantations, waterfalls, fields, moving through more than 50 tunnels, lush green on whichever side you turn around.

Also, read Fairyland: Ella!

The trees were all in love cuddling with each other, my camera was feeling shy by clicking their pictures; my hair was getting curled up even more with the cold breeze. The mist was kissing the trees, trees were dancing with the chill breeze, trains tichik tichik noise was like a background music, audience like me were all happy and grinning with this mind-blowing performance by nature. While drizzles were dripping on my face, I had goosebumps in my brain wondering how nature can be so beautiful!

This 6 hours journey, 6 hours of my time, my lifetime is gonna be bookmarked forever.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
Rock & Roll: SIGIRIYA & KANDY!

Sigiriya also called as Lion Rock is one of the world heritage sites. There was a palace earlier on this rock and underneath. It has about 1500 steps as told by one of the locals and took about 2 hours to cover the whole place. On the way when you climb up, you get to see some amazing paintings. Also, the paw of the lion which is on the next phase while climbing up read that head of the lion was collapsed a few years ago.

This is how palace was placed on top of the rock!

Palace underneath the rock!

View from the top of the rock of the pathway leading to climbing up the rock!

While climbing up the rock, wherever you stop to take some breath you get to see trees laid like a bed all around which are surrounded by hills and few lakes. It looks like this island is immersed in a green knitted woolen blanket by spreading the warmth to the eyes.

While I was browsing through Airbnb, found these Capsule sleepers that caught my eye. I had decided that I will stay here when I am in Kandy; Kandy is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. There were only 2 reasons for me to stay here, 1 was to stay in Capsule Sleeper and the other one was to take the train from Kandy to Ella. Even though it is one of the largest cities, every shop here shuts by 6:30. It turned out to be one of the beautiful nights I have spent so far. That night met these amazing Australians who were strangers then but more than best buddies now who surprised me with the Snickers as a birthday cake.

Here is how these capsule sleeper’s looks like, it has a light, charging point and a small fan. These sleepers are placed on the roof top with this incredible view of the whole city, looks even more amazing in the night when the lights are on, I tried to click the pictures but couldn’t give justice to my eyesight.

As mentioned earlier, I love antique pieces and this fan looked really different which had bulbs instead of wings.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
Soul Search: Galkadawala!

Maulie who owns this beauty purchased land here and have this beautiful setup right in between a jungle, surrounded by a beautiful lake. We had conversations from traveling, politics, religion, food to marriages. I have an inclination towards antique pieces; the kind of art and paint on the walls, interiors in the rooms, open (firewood) kitchen everything formed to be an antique piece which is one of its own kinds.

Being a foodie needless to mention, this is the best vegetarian food I have had till date. Most of the dishes here are cooked on fire wood; every meal/snack I ate was unique and super tasty. They make Jaggery and this sweet syrup (Kitul Pani) out of this Palm tree called Kitul nut. I sipped the coffee and took a bite of the Jaggery, that’s how it is supposed to be had. Later I had this yogurt made of buffalo milk along with the sweet syrup; I just couldn’t get enough of it and requested Maulie to serve me this the next day as well.

These two boys took me around to show this beautiful lake, with the silence all around, literally one of these guys walking in front of me and other one walking behind me. It took me few minutes to get them together for a picture.

I sat by the lake and meditated for a while; peace is what I had around me. Sun was almost wrapping up for the day, birds chirping, gentle wind cooling the lake, trees moving with the flow and their reflection on the water. I was trying to figure out if the tree was moving or it was the water, there was one dry tree amongst all the green trees which dragged my attention while most of the birds were resting on it. Extreme levels of Solitude with only birds, animals, and nature around, Paulo Coelho is right: if you really want something the entire universe will help you to achieve it; yes universe was all around me and this is what I had wished for. While I was relishing on my dreams, could sense someone tickling my stomach. Oh, it was those caterpillars turning into colorful butterflies 🙂

Also, read Unplanned Plans!

Thanks to Shivya Nath’s post, I wouldn’t have found this wonderful place if not for that.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
Love at First Sight in NEGOMBO!

The airport is located in Negombo and not Colombo, Colombo is almost about 35 Kms from the airport so I preferred to stay in Negombo. The noise of waves hitting the shore was like an alarm waking me up, went for a short walk by pushing my feet inside the sand to feel the warmth and gazing at the waves. Fishermen were getting prepared to go fishing; I continued to walk around while sand was crawling on my feet.

Negombo was earlier colonized by Portuguese and then the Dutch. When you walk around the roads in Negombo, the way roads are laid and the buildings on both the sides give the Dutch vibe. A traveler friend joined along for a short cycling tour. While I started paddling cycle, sun rays striking my eyes, smelling the pollution free air, clean roads, ever smiling people all around. This place was definitely Love at first sight for me, every lapse I take on the paddle I kept smiling and smiling even more. Wings that were hidden on my shoulders were opening up, I could sense the freedom that I always wanted and I was indeed a free bird.

Negombo is famous for fishing and their huge fish markets. I have never seen these many varieties of dry fish and such a huge market which has only fish everywhere. Along with the fish market, there was also a market for clothes and daily needs which was more or less like a flea market. Later went to relish on my first meal in Sri Lanka. For Vegetarians, food in Sri Lanka would be a feast, the meal was more or less like an Indian meal with a different taste in spices where there was rice, dal, drumstick curry and ladies finger dry fry.

One of their famous non-alcoholic drinks is EGB (Elephant Ginger Beer) which can be found all across Sri Lanka. While savoring the food and the drink we spoke about India and Israel. It so happens in Israel, it’s mandatory for everyone to be in the military for 3 years which I did not know earlier. I later went for another cycle ride in the evening with an Austrian friend I met; while we were riding we spotted the sky in orange. It was sun spreading the shine all around the sky and on water, reflection on the water seemed like the sky was floating on the land.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
7 Days of Serendipity in Sri Lanka!

Negombo!

Go cycling around this beautiful city, check out the huge fish market, swim in the ocean and witness the beautiful sunset.

Galkadawala!

Get lost in the woods, experience the antique vibe in the modern era, chill around by the lake, show some love to your taste buds with the yummy vegetarian food served.

Sigiriya & Kandy!

Climb over this lion rock which was once a palace and now one of the World Heritage Site, feast your eyes with greenery laid down like a bed. Later on, rest those eyes in the capsule sleepers in Kandy.

Train Journey from Kandy to Ella!

Have seen fairyland only in dreams, well if you take this train your dreams will come true. You will be in a fairyland for 6 hours, I promise!

Ella!

While you will be moving in the train to Ella in the fairyland, when you are in Ella you will be actually living in the Fairy Land.

Also, read Unplanned Plans!

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015
Unplanned Plans!

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it-Paulo Coelho

In my school days, I remember when we were asked to draw India Map; we would also draw Sri Lanka along. I use to wonder while drawing, what must be in this small place and how lucky those kids would be to draw such a simple map. Whenever I wanted to visit this place, there was always someone with a “meh” face stopping me saying it is similar to India. Guess this time, I wanted to get the answer myself that I had since my school days and I didn’t want others to stop me in doing what I want to do.

I have never liked planned or packaged trips, I cannot adhere to plans made by others and that is why I prefer to travel solo. Over a conversation with my friend Eeshani is how I randomly booked flight tickets, from booking tickets to whatever I did there; nothing was planned. As this was my first time going to a different country alone, I was of course scared! I had caterpillars in my stomach crawling all around; after I booked my tickets I didn’t bother much with my plans. It was only when there were 2 weeks close, I thot I will make some plans. But all I did was stare at Sri Lanka map, read few blog posts, shut the laptop and go to bed.

There was something in me stopping not to make the plan, I wasn’t feeling comfortable to make a plan, book a place to stay, check where to eat. I didn’t want to do any of these, all I wanted is to just go and see how things work. Everything else that happened on this trip, people I met, places I visited just worked out even better than it would have if I had planned.

My earlier rough plan was Negombo->Galkadawala->Sigiriya->Polonnaruwa->Nilaveli->Kandy->Ella->Hikkaduwa->Colombo

What happened there Negombo->Galkadawala->Sigiriya->Kandy->Ella->Colombo

As I stepped out my feet from the plane I could feel the warm air entering through the pores of my skin. The sense of happiness on my face, Caterpillars I had in my stomach for the past few days had been going through Metamorphosis.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

November 13, 2015