Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow-Anita Desai
I have learned a lot while traveling, mostly from the people I meet who always have a positive impact on my life! Hence, I am always choosy on the place I travel to & most importantly the place I stay in; I believe the relationship you hold with hosts has a serious impact on the place you consider as a home for the days you stay in. One of such amazing hosts I met are Sala & Bludgy & this is how!
I was looking for eco-friendly places to stay in; I found their website & shot them an email. They said they have moved to a different location but they are starting something new very soon. I saw the pictures of their new setup; it was an overnight dream that came true. Just a few days ago before I reached their place, I had seen a picture exactly like this on Instagram and thought I should stay in a place like this someday!
Sala was talking about how they came up with this concept, they have been seeing people cutting trees to increase the number of places to stay for travelers, and they were not very happy with it, so had to come up with this concept of not harming trees & can still host travelers. This could be an example to everyone who thinks cutting trees is the only solution; also they are having all their guests to plant a tree as well. They even segregate garbage; dump the garbage that can be recycled as manure in a pit to use it for plants. The soil is really good here, manure is not really needed but it is just one of the ways to use the garbage effectively by not harming nature; he adds.
Sala & Bludgy both quit their jobs in advertising & followed their passion for paintings, to make it more accessible they have those paintings printed on T-shirts. He was talking about him wearing a tie & presenting to clients & I was sharing the job that I was doing that I never liked. When asked why they decided to quit, they said they found more happiness in what they are doing right now than their earlier 9-5 job. It was not even a month since I had quit my job; I was still struggling with the post syndrome and I realized I have made the right decision too. I learned that Quitting job is not a big deal, accepting the life that throws at you after quitting is!
It was a big day while I was staying at their place, along with my friend in Bengaluru we had finished 48 days of 108 Surya Namaskara & still continues!Oh, you yummy breakfast!
We have had long conversations over dinner about how India & Sri Lanka were rich with Diamonds & Gems, spices, crops & so much richer in the culture before Portuguese, Dutch & British invaded and how we are struggling now to save our own culture. I was curious to know about this indigenous tribe in Sri Lanka called Veddas, I had read about how they originated earlier in a book and Sala was talking about how there is a change now in their lifestyle with modern technologies taking over all our lives.
I was a poet during my stay here, read through; it will explain how beautiful this place is!
It was dark & lovely,
I am floating in the air.
Fireflies passed by like twinkling stars,
I am floating in the air.
Peacocks screams at a distance as I fall into trap of sleep,
I am floating in the air.
I walk into a dreamland with fireflies & peacocks,
I am floating in the air.
Sleep releases my eyes to birds chirping,
I am floating in the air.
Sit at the edge of a rock staring at the trees,
Sit on the hammock reading a book for ages.
Lie down until the sun keeps winking,
Lie down until the stars start twinkling.
We all have one life to live,
Let’s just Live! Live! Live!
I have learned how to celebrate life from them, how to manage daily tasks along with work and a baby & two dogs, how to have balance in a relationship, how to look for happiness in everything you do, basically just how to celebrate life!
Our Peace shall stand as far as rocky mountains-William Shakespeare
Ramayana is one of story that we Indian kids grow up hearing to by our grandparents or parents or on a TV series; we all know that Sri Lanka plays a major part in Ramayana. As I got into the Tuk Tuk to go to my next destination, driver Kumara started telling the story about this hill Rumasalla & yes it was part of Ramayana.
When Ravana kidnapped Sita, he hid her around many places in Sri Lanka to avoid the very strong Hanumantha. This is one of the hills where Ravana hid Sita, Laxmana (Rama’s brother) who came looking for Sita was injured and Hanumantha did not find any medicine for the cure, he went looking for it in Himalayas. He carried the hill and came to Sri Lanka, while he was flying pieces of the hill fell in few places and one of them is in Rumasalla. Every plant/tree here is supposed to have some medicinal quality.
As Kumara was sharing the story climbing up the hill, I was gazing at the trees and went back to my childhood imagining all the characters of Ramayana that I remember seeing in the TV series. Noise of the engine of Tuk Tuk stopped and I stepped back to reality, as I got down there were 2 smiling ladies waiting to greet me and there was my destination.
At the first sight when I looked at the house, it looked like a gift wrapped by trees around and tied with branches as a ribbon. I released a branch and stepped into the gift, it appeared like I was in illusion when I walked in. I slowly take steps on wooden floor; I see the reflection of trees & myself on the glass walls. Like a magical gift that I walked into, it took me few minutes to realize I was still in the normal world! John calls this magical gift as Silva Tree House.
Next day morning, I woke up to the peaceful prayers from the nearby Japanese Pagoda, sunlight sneaking through the French windows, not too far away ocean. I open my eyes slowly and stretch my arms as the cool breeze from the trees sneaks in.
Dining Hall & Lounge at the roof top!Traditional Sri Lankan hoppers for breakfastWith a view like this, it was too difficult to come out of the shower!Could capture Silva Tree House on my way back from the short walk!
I always chose to stay in eco-friendly places, I was happy to know that there were no trees cut when this house was built except for one tree that was removed as it was rotten. Water used here is only rain water; they are working on setting up the electricity to be completely solar. It was learning for me and also surprising to know that the sewage here runs through the natural filters like stones & gravels.
As always, on my morning yoga!Japanese Pagoda & statue of Hanumantha on Rumasalla hill!
When asked what is so unique about this hill, John mentioned; Sir. Arthur C Clarke, a renowned British science fiction writer had a holiday house in Rumasalla because of the strong magnetic meridians passing through the headland. Magnetic Meridian is an equivalent imaginary line connecting the magnetic south and north poles and can be taken as the horizontal component of magnetic force lines along the surface of the earth. Therefore, a compass needle will be parallel to the magnetic meridian. Fascinating isn’t it? Of course, even I didn’t know what Magnetic Meridian means; explanation mentioned above is from Wikipedia. Another surprise, this hill also attracts more lightning than anywhere in Sri Lanka.
Walk does seem like how Leonardo finds that secretive island in the movie Beach!Just one of those days when Sun chose to swim 😉
Jungle Beach and Unawatuna Beach are both are at walkable distance from Silva Tree House, although me not being very beachy person; I preferred to walk to Jungle Beach as the walk through jungle sounded exciting. It is about 15 minutes walk and I totally felt safe through the Jungle, it was the first time where I walked through a jungle alone. Fear of not being safe on one side and the noise of waves hitting my ears on the other side kept me walking.
Let this gift be unwrapped with many more surprises all along.
*I was hosted by Silva Tree House; you have to stay here to witness some more surprises.
Color creates, enhances, changes, reveals and establishes the mood of the painting-Kiff Holland
Take a Canvas, spill some colors and swing it around! That’s how this place was made, in one of the very quiet roads in Galle. I stepped in with swollen legs, eyes craving for sleep and shoulders begging for some rest; restlessly I sat on the colorful couch lifting my head up; I could hear my shoulders screaming thank you, my eyes weren’t blinking watching the colors on the roof, my legs giggling by the tickle from the colors on the carpet.
Henri & Kokila swung these colors on 1st August 2012 and called this painting as Kikili House. Kikili means Hen in Singhalese; each room is named after different species of Hen: Plymouth Rock, Orpington, Wali Kakula, Faverolle and Silky Bantom. Each color on every art in these rooms opens up to greet you with a smile.
Detailing at every corner is so neatly done; there is no place where the colors are spilled outside the line. From the curtain holders to the lid that covers a mug, from a kitchen with quirky posters to an open balcony with a calm place to do yoga, from a living room where the colors dance to the seat out where the colors romances with light!
Some stories begin when you leave them behind!-Sneha Marappa
THE END
1326+1 days ago a restless bird came here looking for a place to live, she came with a fear if she will ever find a home, and little that she knew this place would be more than her home. Everything here looked so dear; she assumed this was the home she has been looking for all these years. She developed a comfort zone with all the birds she met around, she painted her feathers to look bright & colorful, she was all smiles, and she walked around miles with glory.
She was passing by a mirror looking how colorful she was & dancing with joy. That day it rained, she was just in her own world, romancing with the raindrops. She looked at the mirror, color on her feathers were all oozing out with the water. Feathers were shedding & her wings had gone weak, she was losing herself, she had forgotten she was meant to fly.
She developed another fear yet again that this was not her home too, she was too afraid to leave the comfort zone, but the comfort zone by then had started growing thorns. With her feathers shedding, her body was spraying out the blood with the thorns pricking. She spent months, wrapped herself in the corner with a fear to fly, she knew if she wouldn’t fly she would just fall. She decided to step out to feed her feathers and start flying and she is now stepping out to fly into her world.
She will make sure she will smile at you whenever she spots you around this small world.
Thanks to all who were with her in the comfort zone, thanks to all who helped painting her feathers, thanks to all who were “still” with her in the comfort zone, thanks to all who made her realize wings are meant to fly, thanks to all for being with her in reality & virtually, finally thank you RAIN for making her realize who she is!
Disclaimer: Characters in this email do not hold any resemblance to the people alive or drunk!
We don’t remember days, we remember moments. –Cesare Pavese
I started 2015 in Mangalore lying on the terrace, watching the sky lit up with crackers, thoughts running through my head of few things that never worked as it was supposed to, still with a strong head I decided at that moment that I would be traveling to some place every month this year.
Chikmagalur, most of my friends call it as my second home and also my first love that stands closer to me in many ways, this is the place where I went on my first solo trip. Love towards this place is so much; I have been here thrice in 2015. Why do I go here so often? I have no answer, which is why I call this place as my love. Mountains and greenery all around is such a treat that all the senses wake up to experience this beauty.
Highlights: First Solo Trip & a stay in tree house, Bumpy Jeep ride through Bhadra Forest, Jagara Waterfalls
I was experimenting with my travel type, I have never liked too crowded places; tourists spots is a no unless there is something exceptionally interesting. While I was thinking where to go next, one of my cousins had shared an article about this place Valparai. This place appeared like exactly the kind of place I was looking for, not commercialized yet and most importantly not so touristy either. I did a research, immediately packed my bags and left to explore this hidden treasure alone. Hanging out with the hosts, listening to the leopard spotting stories, midnight drive through the Ghats still hits a chill through my spine.
Highlights: Not commercialized, best Black Tea in the tea factory, beautiful bus ride through the Ghats
Just over a random conversation with a friend of mine is how I decided to go to Sri Lanka, had I not gone on this trip I would have had a biggest regret of my life. This place has it all, from beaches to forest, waterfalls to lakes in every village, hill station to a calm city. I was all in love with this place since the first step I took after the flight landed; I knew that there is something that will be changed in me for good. Such nice and warm people here, who are always smiling and greeting you with joy which makes you, stay here for longer.
Highlights: So much greenery & so peaceful, Great Hospitality, Clean & Beautiful
There is no such joy to be a traveler in your very own city, thanks to my friend who dropped by. There were many places which I hardly knew that existed here in Bangalore/Bengaluru. I was brought up here and I still remember seeing so many trees, awesome weather, so less traffic and now everything seems changing with only apartments, not so good weather and so much traffic where life decisions can be made.
Highlights: My own city so everything here is nice, super friendly people, yummy food
I visited Kerala twice in 2015, Alleppey & Kochi with a friend in September, and Solo Trip to Calicut and caught up with few friends in Wayanad. In Alleppey, Time just feels still; palm trees bowing at the back waters, house boat ride on those still waters just feels like even the time holds still to watch this beauty. There was nothing much I explored in Kochi due to time constraint, but Lulu mall was just an experience to see an amusement park inside the mall.
Like every time, traveling solo to any new place still is a bit scary; Calicut seemed scary too initially but I was totally lost with the places I tried to explore. Although, like I mentioned I do not like too crowded places or tourist places but what more a city can offer; however Calicut was always on my list as this is where Vasco Da Gama landed when he discovered the route to India through Ocean. Since the day I studied in school about him, I always had this wish to see this place. With so much excitement to have finally seen this place, I went towards the greener side of Kerala: Wayanad. Stayed in a place amidst coffee plantations, which was new to me as I always thought Wayanad had only tea.
Highlights: Beautiful Backwaters, city where Vasco Da Gama landed, Lush green everywhere
There are always flowers for those who want to see them.-Henri Matisse
I took 15 days off from work before I officially resign, to work on my travel plans, to withdraw my insurance amount but I couldn’t stay for more than a day in a 4 sided wall! It is just a craving to be free from the monotonous schedule, got me into this: trekking in the forest in Sakleshpur, aroma of tea on one side & tasting coffee on the other in Chikmagalur and then here relishing the aroma of coffee flowers in Bird of Paradise, Coorg! Mr. Shivaprasad who owns this place purchased this land few years ago; being a florist and his love towards flowers made him to name this place after a flower. This flower looks a like species of Bird called “Bird of Paradise” and there goes the history behind the name.
This flower bloomed in the backyard of this small village called Kudumangalore in Kushalanagar and at the bank of Cauvery River. After 4 days of continuous traveling I needed a place to rejuvenate and this place had it all, from a river to a swimming pool & from an 80 years old cottage to a tree house. As I walk into this place it appeared like I was into a nature’s movie: birds chirping all around as the background music, hills as a backdrop, sun painting the sky as a colorful set, clouds forming patterns as artists.
Traditional meal: Akki Rotti & Pandi Curry for Dinner, Neer Dose with Honey, Chutney and Kadubu for Breakfast.
First things first, food here was so delicious I would save some and eat every few hours. Hospitality at its best, they were so kind to prepare whatever I asked for. I was so pampered as much as I would be pampered at home.
Tree houses are my weakness; I get pulled towards it in a jiffy. Mostly because they are always eco-friendly and it is so much of a unique experience to live with birds & squirrels. By far the biggest tree house I stayed in, Squirrels would squeak around to remind me that they live on the same tree too. I sit on the balcony in the tree house watching the sun behind clouds playing peekaboo, squirrels cuddling, pigeons hunting for food in paddy fields, cows moo at a distance.
Cauvery River flowing calmly with trees on both the sides, I stand here observing the silence of the water and my depth of Solitude amidst nature was only getting deeper and stronger. There was silence and so was peace, Solitude seemed so much like bliss! Water was flowing so freely not knowing where the destination is, I kept wondering is this the freedom I have been looking for too?
With the pinch of freedom that has already bit me for now, and with a little grin on my face; I went to chill in the pool that overlooked a big stretch of Bird of Paradise flowers, I lift my head and see flock of birds chirping & flying around, clouds forming unique patterns: I started naming each of them on the way they appeared: Octopus, Sea Horse. There was an eagle flying at a distance, Octopus was slowly sliding through while my good old friend Moon came to say hi!
My first time to see Coffee Flowers, they smell so delicious that just the aroma filled the craving I have for coffee. Honeybees were feeding themselves on these flowers by eating the nectar; those flowers were feeding my senses by spreading the aroma. Right opposite to these coffee plantations are the 80 years old bungalow and cottages, while the bungalow has been modernized a little, the cottages still holds the old charm.
Like I always mention my love towards old & antique pieces; this cottage appeared like a place where I just had to be. Red oxide seat outs in the portico, brick flooring, and tiled roofing; sure if they could speak I would have stayed here for days listening to the stories.
Guests by the cottage.I again went by the river to read my favorite book dipping my feet in the water as fish swam to nibble my feet.
Took an evening walk in the village as sun sets behind the hill, ladies sitting by the door sharing gossips, kids completing their homework in the courtyard, firewood transferred on bullock cart, temple lit up for the evening prayers! All these are definitely not new to me, as most of my holidays as a kid was spent in my village. But everything still seemed new and fresh, place was new, people were new, experience was new. This is what traveling solo feels like; even if there is something old it still feels new and this is why I chose this life of being on the road.
*I was hosted by Bird of Paradise, seemed like I had also packed “luck” along in my backpack!
Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.-Gary Snyder
The house at a distance is the Homestay I stayed in.
Every time I am in Chikmagalur, it has always taken me to surprise! There is a charm about this place that keeps pulling me towards it, and yet again the charm is only getting brighter with more glitters-credit goes to the place I stayed in. Megur Homestay is located around Kelagur Tea & Coffee plantations, one of the rarest views to see both tea and coffee plantations together & that holds the main reason why I chose to stay here. It is not just coffee in Chikmagalur, tea & some conversations happen too!
Pepper & Oranges in the backyard of the Homestay around coffee plantations
Mr. Sudhakara Gowda owns Megur Homestay, an agriculturist, one of the oldest and proud natives of Chikmagalur. The zeal he has when he explains every detail on the places excites anyone to sit & listen to him. We were having conversations on how coffee was first brought to Chikmagalur or rather India itself, I only knew that Baba Budan bought the coffee beans while coming from Haj; who was also the first to introduce coffee in India. Later it was British who got the beans from Africa & few other countries to India, something else which I didn’t know was Cardamom & Pepper is native of Western Ghats too.
Woke up to the smell of tea from the closest tea factory, sipping coffee overlooking the mountains; my brain was wondering whether to enjoy the signal from my taste buds or the nose! We then took a morning walk around Tea plantations, mist was just clearing off and showing us the way, my eyes turned green seeing acres of tea leaves, mountains at a distance, coffee plantations peeping on the side. My host was sharing the pain of finding the labor lately as most of the local crowd move to cities for jobs & easy money. However they have also been seeing lot of migrants from Bihar, Orissa & few other parts from North who come here looking for jobs.
Well the two World’s most favorite drinks are Coffee & Tea; I was still very surprised to see both the plantations right opposite to each other. The dense landscape on the right corner are the coffee plantations, those are the trees grown around the plantations as coffee needs more shade. During rainy season the shade will be minimized by cutting the branch of the trees for the rain water to enter the plantations. On the other hand tea needs more sunlight and hence less trees around them, even if there are trees it would be trees like silver oak that’s seen in the picture which doesn’t give too much of shade for the plantations. Due to less rainfall, lately sprinklers are used in the tea plantations. I will remember this every time I sip coffee/tea hereafter.
With food everything is my favorite and Akki Rotti stands at the top, authentic Malanad food. Yet again, every meal I had here was very delicious along with the Fresh Orange Juice from the backyard 😉
Gadaayi Kallu is on the left corner, the one in the front is Kudremukh.
15 Kms drive from the Homestay is Rani Jari: A tale that happened 250 years ago when Ballalarayana Durga was invaded, it is said that Rani (Queen) was trying to escape & jumped off this cliff, hence the name Rani Jari. Rani Jari has the view of a hamlet in South Canara; it was amazing to see those hamlets with paddy fields & rubber plantations standing at a point of Chikmagalur district to Mangalore District. Hill on the left is Ballalarayana Durga, ruins of the fort still exists on top of this hill.
There is an ancient temple of Kala Bairava Swamy temple built by Balalla Raya. This temple is completely built only by stones & also some amazing carvings on those stones. While we were driving to Rani Jari we saw muster of peacocks, unfortunately couldn’t capture a picture then. We stopped over at a small waterfall amidst tea plantations, where again muster of these beautiful creatures were chilling by the water.
I love not man the less, but Nature more-Lord Byron
I saw this rugged jeep parked in the side, acting cranky to start. I was walking around checking out the mountains, glancing at the jeep every now & then. He was whispering something to me, I went closer & he said. Take a deep breath, sit up straight, and open up all your senses as you may not be able to do this when I take you for a ride. It was a 10 Kms off road drive through the forest on the rocks, passing the trees, mountains all around. Sunil parked the jeep at one corner and said the white dot up there, which is where we are going to. Right there, at that moment I was just telling to myself, days of research poured in finding a place like this was just more than the worth of my time.
Sunil hails from Bangalore/Bengaluru who found this property few years ago in Sakleshpur after a continuous research & traveling all across south India looking for a place like this. He is a certified River Rafter, Scuba Diver, Sky diver and what not; who has traveled to many places across the world and has immense knowledge of birds, trees and animals. 80 years ago, this place was always spotted by herd of tigers and hence the villagers named it Hulibana (Huli is Tiger and Bana is to meet); Sunil didn’t want the history to be changed and retained the same name; in the interest of travelers to understand it better he named it Hulivana.
Villas here are built by the rocks found in forest, mostly by the water stream. Sunil was explaining on how difficult it was to construct the villas by carving the stone to the right shape and have them fit in the right place. Room in the Villa opens up to two French windows on the side and in the front with the view of trees & water stream, wooden flooring and also a fire place inside. Wash room is one of its kinds with pebble flooring & electricity here is generated with hydro turbine during monsoon when there is more current in the water.
Dining hall overlooking the mountains, a place to also have some coffee & conversations.Heaven for foodies with different varieties of food in every meal I ate, was also served with traditional Malanad Kadubu with chutney and beautifully presented water melon.
Hammocks to read or to take a nap or to gaze at the trees or to just listen to water stream, just on the perfect place.
I had this quest to get into a forest alone, never thought I would have it conquered this soon; all thanks to Hulivana setup here. We took a short walk towards a water stream close by, Sunil mentioned about civet cats & I was all excited to see them. I stayed here alone for some time, finally spotted a civet cat for the first time in India (shy animal I must say, as soon as the cat spotted me; he ran away) I had the place to all myself, to sit, to meditate, to think, to dance, to sleep. Although there was fear of elephants passing by, I was just watching these unique creatures: Water Striders who walk on water continuously creating ripples in water.
Later in the evening, we went for a short trek around Ettina Bhuja (Back bone of a bull as the shape of the hill looks like it), I saw an olive green colored scorpion, and excited again as he was my first visitor too. Mesmerized by the view of 360 degrees of mountains everywhere which was topped with thick dense Kabinala forest, the slopes looked like slides connecting from one to other; I just wish I had the power to slide over from one mountain to other one. We sat down discussing the crazy elephant chase stories that has happened around these places and then spotted this bird called “Shikara” which would hover in one place against the wind for few seconds and then keep flying, hover and fly.
Breeze was churning up my bones, somewhere deep in the forest I could hear water rushing through, Sun was getting prepared to slide through those mountains, it was amazing to see the mix of color change on the sky & the hill top. We headed back where fire flies were throwing the light all around and moon was pouring the light from the top. Coffee & Popcorn was waiting for me in a moon lit sky, I have to mention about the hospitality here. Everything was very well organized; from the day email hit my inbox on the confirmation of availability to me reaching my next destination safely.
Bonfire setup!
Over coffee, Sunil was talking about this drink prepared by locals using Jaggery & a seasonal fruit; I just couldn’t deny tasting it. Later in the night by the bonfire, I took the first sip and I knew this would give some buzz around; we started sharing our travel stories. Sunil shared about his stories from seeing dead bodies floating in Rishikesh to his adventurous trek in Himalayas. With the little buzz in my head, all these stories were circulating around me virtually!
Early morning view through the window!
Woke up with the noise of water stream passing by the room which felt like a virtual massage running through my veins from head to toe, chill breeze sliding through the window which made me snuggle under the blanket gazing at those French windows looking at the trees.
Headed for a trek to Deepada Kallu (Deepa is lamp & Kallu is Stone: as the hill looks like a lamp) and Jenukallu gudda (Jenu is honey, kallu is stone & gudda is hill), seemed like there was a thunder storm coming up and the first step I took, there was a drop on my forehead. Every step I take I had to photograph every corner of this place, sun just didn’t want to come out and was playing around with the clouds and the hills. Looked like an ocean of endless mountains, bed of thick forest on them, I just wanted to float on that bed and snuggle under the rug of those clouds.
Clouds were on a war to pour rain,
I did feel a drop on my brain.
I looked at them & said, not today; pretty please?
They were too nice to me & got into peace.
Instead sun was peeping out shedding the ray,
it was such a memorable day.
Cold war seems to be over in blink of an eye,
People ask me why I travel, and this is why!
These are “Shola”, patches of trees that grow amidst the valleys surrounded by grasslands; they are found in only few specific areas in Western Ghats & nowhere else in the world! When it rains water accumulates in the valley which leads to the growth of these trees, these trees hold the moisture & remains green all through the year!
We then trekked upto Jenukallu gudda which is at the height of 4500 feet, first steeped mountain I have climbed on. Fear of heights to turn back, slippery stones, and grass to hold on which can even come out if you held it harder. Totally worth the entire struggle to be on top to see the view of cone shaped mountains, clouds covering them, sunlight spraying the sprinklers; 2 eyes were just not enough to enjoy this beauty & neither these words are enough to describe them.
Sipping a cup of coffee watching the hills around and the thickest of forest, my lungs were all cleansed with the fresh air that got in. I have said this before in my earlier post on Chikmagalur & will say it again, whenever I come to Western Ghats, I feel there is still lots of hope for nature to remain the way it is and this is what pulls me to come to this place again & again & again.
Deep in a rain forest they say, even deeper into the soul of a forest I would say!
Add this to your list of the place that you need to see before you die, you wouldn’t regret! Trust me.
Some facts about Animals & Insects Sunil shared:
Elephants: Post monsoon elephants go through some hormonal changes which lead to pressure in their brain that gets them disturbed to attack human beings. Mostly seen on male elephants but are common on female as well.
Fireflies: There are many kinds of fire flies which can be distinguished by the pattern of the way they shed the light. Say there were 2 kinds of fire flies with Bigger & Smaller patterns: Bigger one changes themselves to a smaller one and goes near smaller like mating and eats them as prey. Smaller one change themselves to bigger one, goes closer near bigger one & mate. Confused? Read again, Confused again? Keep reading. I had to ask 2 times to understand the process 😉
Cicadas: These insects that make noise in the night, gets all together of more than 100 which almost sounds like somebody is screaming, the noise is so loud they have a membrane in their ear that covers automatically. God’s a little too partial to them, isn’t it 😉
Honey Bee: Since honey bees sting is barbed, when the bee stings a mammal & pulled out it tears its abdomen & causes immediate death.
Water Strider: These unique creatures that walk on water gets attracted to ripples formed on water, when an insect falls and creates a ripple that is when these striders hunt them & eat.
When a Wild Flower spotted another Wild Flower.
*I was hosted by Hulivana; luck was all on my plate!
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.
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.
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.
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 20th 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.
Yours Consciously Sneha 