It was with a slight trepidation that we ,a group of 9 friends from across India , embarked on the journey for the trek to the much touted Valley of flowers in Bhyunder valley Uttarakhand as the weather was playing truant off late with the heavy monsoon showers resulting in landslides and floods across the state. However since this Unesco world heritage site had been occupying my mindspace for quite some time ,I didn’t think further when my friend Kalpalatha suggested a trip to the valley.Hence despite the initial apprehensions, we started off the day with cheer and enthusiasm and flew to Dehradun.

In the evening ,we visited the Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh along the banks of river Ganga. The river flowing in heavy spate was a spectacle against the crimson sky,the divinity bringing in a strange overwhelming sense of calmness. After performing the Ganga Arati, we stayed overnight at Muni Ki Reti.

Next day early morning , we started off for Joshimath and as luck could have been ,favored by the Gods of the Dev Bhoomi , we reached without much hindrances enroute. The imposing green mountains with its layers wrapped in fluffy clouds and the gurgling river speeding through the valley gave us company all along the journey ,offering breathtaking views soothing to the eyes and mind . We also witnessed in awe the confluence of the rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi at Devaprayag which further flows as Ganga .

We travelled to Govindghat the following day to begin our onward ascent on horse back to Gangharia about 13 km away which is the last village from where the trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib commences.

The rickety ride up on the horse was offset by the magnificent views of the glacier peaks shimmering in the sun, that unfolded before our eyes all along way. After a brief stop for a tea, we proceed further up, the air getting thinner and colder.

The sight of rugged mountain landscape with coniferous pines , papyrus trees and bursts of wild impatience flowers in various hues proved refreshing , kindling the  spirits .

We braced up for the Valley of Flowers trek early morning after a night of restful sleep. The scenic route with verdant green mountains, glacier streams and water falls under clear blue skies was a delight to traverse.

Wild endemic alpine species of Flora in various colors lined the forest trail as bubbly crystal clear Pushpavati flowed down the mountains. We paused in between to admire the pristine raw beauty all around the thickets as well as the many high altitude bird species, the vistas proving more stunning each step as we trudged higher. The woods are also known to have inhabitants like the Himalayan bear and leopards though we didn’t sight any 🙂

The breathtaking view of the valley with its green meadows surround by ice glaciers , water falls and wild flowers in various shades of yellow red pink and white was a sight to behold, leaving us speechless. The panoramic landscape with the geraniums, daisies and bell flowers dancing in the wind was spellbinding .Having been transported to a different world, indeed it was a soul connect with nature where silence spoke a lot.

We explored the valley for a while and as it started to drizzle we started our descent .

Hemkund Sahib was lined up for following day. On way up; we could spot the Himalayan blue poppies in abundance. Scattered across the hills , they painted the mountains blue , a shade darker than the sky.

As we reached the top, we visited the  stunning glacier lake  which painted a serene picture as well as the Gurudwara.

After having – dal kichadi and kheer from the Langar- which tasted heavenly at an altitude of 15k ft, we trekked up the mountain further seeking the Brahmakamal.

The flowers were swaying in the wind, the air carrying its mild scent. The stillness resonated within as we sat amidst the blooms blissfully. I felt lucky to have stumbled across a lone edelweiss too which looked poignant against the backdrop!

Once we were back from hemkund, we walked around Gangharia , checking out the tiny shops and eateries ,tasting Maggi under the clear star peppered sky. Talk of those little delights!

We returned to Govind ghat the following morning on horse backs. In the afternoon we headed for Auli in a rope car and walked around the tranquil green meadows which seemed surreal .

Exploring Joshimath was on agenda next day where in the first halt was at Gauri kund Tapovanam where we had a bath in the hot water springs of the mountains. It was a treat to see the roads lined with apple and apricot trees and yes we couldn’t resist oursleves from tasting those!

We then proceeded to visit Adi Sankara Jyothir mutt, the kalpa vriksh under which he got enlightenment as well as the cave where he meditated as a young boy of 11 years.

The next day, we headed back for Dehradun , reluctantly taking leave of the majestic mountains where we had lost our mind and found our soul.

It was a trip that would be forever etched within us not to forget the  bonds that were forged between us over the 9 days.

A Green Diwali was on my mind and an impromptu trip to Dhoni along with Ambika and Aditya  made it a reality literally- celebrating nature   !

We started off from home around 6.30 in the morning and drove down to Dhoni which was about 80 km away from Coimbatore. The fact that this  evergreen haven  was tucked away  hardly a few 15 km from the Palakkad town  was unbelievable! We entered the forest area , booked the morning trek and waited  (there are three batches (9.30 am,11.30 am,2.30 pm) for the forest guide  who accompanied us to the falls.

Butterflies and birds of all sizes and colours  flitted around all along as we undertook the 4 km trek uphill towards the waterfalls.  The sound of tiny rivulets flowing down the rocks was soothing and a welcome break from the  deafening noisy crackers all around  that had prevailed the evening before, on account of the festive celebrations .Experiencing the  jungle and the green cover is always  invigorating and we  trudged forward  admiring  the mountain views , dense thickets and the wild flowers that served to give a burst of colour to the  wilderness around.  The forest painted a pretty picture after the monsoons. After having completed 2 km, a bamboo bench awaited us along with a board that said it all : on how nature is the best therapy for the wearied soul!

We continued uphill craning our ears for the gush of the fall and finally after an hour,reached there !  The  sight of the  milky falls deep inside , amidst the trees , creepers and rocks  was exhilarating!

After having explored the premises soaking in the sights and sounds of the surroundings  we recharged ourselves for the return trek.

The very fact that its just you on a solitary  walk in symphony with the nature  in a rain forest  can literally liven your spirits .

The trek downhill was easier and soon we reached back at the base camp.   Yes – Dhoni made our day  -this Diwali in the Woods  is cherished and  in our minds to stay ! A strange sense of calm and peace descended as  we basked in the glow of the oil lamps lit up in the evening at home, reflecting on a day well spent.

When my friend Kalpalatha offered the prospects  of a  weekend getaway to chinnar and a stay deep in the jungle I didn’t have to think twice before nodding a yes- Forever drawn to the wild. 🙂

We started off  from Coimbatore at 5 am, picked up our  friend and naturalist Ranjith Ram  from pollachi   and proceeded to our destination.  As the morning broke,the trees lined up on either side of the road forming a green tunnel  as we approached Amravathi from Udumalpet offered a stunning  and soothing view.  We stopped for breakfast enroute at a small hotel by the roadside at the outskirts of the sanctuary.The lady who doubles up as the cook and her daughter kausalya generously served  us piping hot idlis and vadas as we sat on the outdoor  swing that was hanging  from the nearby  tree  .The backdrop of  mountains looming  behind the mango orchard made  a spectacular scene jolting up our moods to a great start to the day. We reached Chinnar checkpost and from there started our trek into the wild accompanied by two forest guides. The  creaking vines, the chirping birds and the gurgling streams.. the sounds of the jungle made the experience one of  pure bliss.  It was about losing and finding oneself in the wilderness.

 We spotted peacocks, kingfishers woodpeckers , minnivets ,deers, grizzled squirrels,  langurs   to name a few and the elusive  spot bellied eagle owl.Butterflies flitted around as we trudged our way across streams ,rocks and  giant gnarled roots .The  sunshine filtering through the tall trees  lent  a surreal magical feel to the whole place. 

 After resting for a while near the river side  we trekked back and had  lunch. And then we  resumed our trek  to the cabin tucked away deep in the jungle where  we were to stay for the night _ Pambaar log house.

 Though we could hear thunder as we walked and was hoping for some cool shower that would have been a respite from the summer heat, the rain clouds  were soon blown away.

 We reached our log house  about an hour later .The accomodation was basic and minimal. The sky was a pallete of myriad hues as the sun set. The jungle hummed with the din of crickets . Time stood still here with just  us ,mountains and streams around.  

 Our log house was lit up with solar lights as it turned dark. After having explored the nearby rocky terrain , we returned to sit back in the verandah  and munched on some juicy mangoes that tasted heavenly after all that trek and climb.The forest guides who had accompanied us offered us black tea.Therapy to the wearied soul .

 We retired for the night after having an early dinner .

 As the dawn broke we were up and  ready  for a birding trek. It was amazing how the jungle wore a different look each time ! Having  exolored and taken a couple of pictures of the various sightings  we trekked back to the log house amidst tiny water falls and thickets.It was time to return and we braced ourselves for  the 3.5 km return trek after having a fill of  instant cup noodles .In a hour we were out of the jungle and   back to civilization all recharged and healed.

 Until next time ..it was adieu to the raw wild and untamed Chinnar !

It was a quick decision to join my  birder friend Kalpalatha for Nelliampathy on a one day  birding trip on an otherwise idyllic weekend!

The place had been on my to-do list since long but somehow never could make it . Beside , I felt I could do with a quick jungle therapy to combat the daily stress and decided to go for it.

We started off at 5 am from Coimbatore , picked up a wildlife enthusiast Ranjith Ram on way at Chitoor  and headed for the hills .As we approached the foothills, Pothundi dam stretched alongside the palm fringed road, making a picturesque setting.

Peacocks could be seen casually strutting around in the open fields on the opposite side . The morning was bright and lovely giving a heady start .

As we climbed uphill, the air turned cooler and soon we were getting enveloped in a cloud of mist. What a respite from the scorching summer hear of the plains! It had rained there the previous night as we could see on way and the scent of the drenched forest was intoxicating.

Chestnut headed bee eaters , copper smith barbets, hill mynah, hawk eagle and kingfishers ,were spotted during the climb. A giant Malabar squirrel was seen jumping around the trees.

We stopped at the view point for a quick black coffee , watching the mist laden valley , listening to the tales from the tea shop owner Guru , a sprightly old bearded man who recounted a king cobra and tiger sighting just a couple of yards away few days back , much to his and our amusement.

Soon we reached Nelliampathy town beyond which we had to hire two jeeps to go into the forests.

Passion fruit , Orange ,Coffee and tea estates enroute gave this hilly town a subtle charm that was quite beckoning .

The jeep ride was quite a bone rattling one as we rode through the bumpy rocky terrain into the forests filled with the loud cacophony of cicadas .

A lone Malabar grey hornbill was spotted perched on a tree stump.

The air was laden with the fragrant scent of white coffee blossoms which gave the place an ethereal feel.

We stopped at a view point and alighted to explore a bit. The mountains and the valley looked every bit stunning. Suddenly our guide could detect the call of the great Indian hornbills from the nearby thicket . We waited eagerly , and soon after ,a male hornbill could be seen flying across the valley. A majestic sight to behold!

After taking a couple of pictures , we proceeded further into the jungle and were lucky to get yet another hornbill sighting, this time a tad closer to where we stood.

Piping hot homely lunch awaited us at Misty resorts: the end point of our tour.(beyond which I am told is the forest road that leads to Parambikulam). We walked around and explored the place (which was teeming with flame of forests , coffee , eucalyptus making it a colorful palette) before getting back into the jeeps for the return ride.

Sambhar deers, a Barking deer and bisons grazing on a hill side could be spotted on way back .

It was a fulfilling day and though tired , we proceed downhill quite content having experienced the wilderness up close and personal .

What better way to celebrate our graduation  anniversary than a  3 day getaway to the island of Phuket- the beachy paradise  with  College friends(Amigos : Ajith, Narayan (our Able Team Leader), Rajendran, Tina, Sindhu, Santhosh ( Our Tour Ideation  Manager), Salim, Suraj (and ye the two  teenagers:  my son Aditya who staunchly believed that he had to do this trip despite giving his school a miss  since after all we only live once 😉 and Sindhu’s son Achu) ) !

We met at the Kochi  airport  to catch the 1 am flight to Bangkok amidst surprise birthday celebrations  and excitement galore ,setting the holiday mood,( thanks to the ones who plotted the same) . Thailand has On  Arrival visa and a couple of us opted for the same.  The whole process got completed in about 45 min and we were ready to board our  next flight to Phuket .

We  were picked up from Phuket airport by a representative from the travel agent and transported to Amari Phuket  resort  that nestles along side the  much famed touristy Patong beach.  The drive took about one hour plus  and we had lunch on way at an Indian restaurant. Surprisingly the landscape enroute saw a lot of rubber plantations and greenery which gave a feel of homeland ! The rainforests and mountains lend this place an alluring  charm. With good infrastructure and friendly people ,  the way Phuket has bounced back after the Tsunami in 2004 is  quite commendable.

Amari Resort sits  majestically  perched on a hill top overlooking the azure blue waters of Andaman Sea. We were welcomed with scented towels and flavoured tea  that was quite refreshing. After checking in to our rooms  and freshening up   , we  stepped out to explore the  beach lining the resort and its  rocky premises.

A narrow winding pathway through a dense  thicket led us to a  long pier which  summed up as a swimming deck . It extended into the waters where once could see coloured fishes swimming around . It seemed out of the world- this  idyllic experience!

With the vast blue expanse shimmering in the sun and the breeze , the place lend a surreal effect that  let oneself lose in the moment. Bliss Indeed!

Needless to say it ended up as my favourite spot for the next three days as a part of  my early morning walks.

FantaSea  Show was on the agenda for the evening . The theme  park  with its sculpted gardens , water falls and lighting   teemed with tourists .We entered a  colourful market place which had  stalls where creative  artisans demonstrated as well as sold their  beautiful work and wares.

After a stroll of the place checking out on the various exhibits and the white tigers that were housed in an enclosure    , we decided to head for dinner. A buffet dinner spread across a huge banquet dining area served different cuisines. Once done, we queued up for the cultural show based on a fantasy legend  themed the magical kingdom of Kamala.

Soon, I realized, I was the only one awake(apart from my son whom I occasionally nudged from his sleep  to watch the performance much to his irritation)  with my eyes glued to the stage which glittered with various dancers ,magicians  and elephants  performing ,  while my friends were busy  dozing after the long day of travel (occasionally being jolted awake  by the loud bang of fireworks)!

We were dropped back to the resort in a  mini van whose interiors  gave a feel of a  dance floor with its flickering light effects .

As Morning broke, Tina and myself  went for a walk in the beach ,while my son went for a swim in the pool.   Pattalam  aka Rajendran  was already on the beach  immersed in his fitness regime and Yoga .

Sadly, Sindhu decided to give the sight seeing a miss and take rest in the hotel due to ill health. Soon the rest of us  met at  the breakfast table and we were ready to take on day 2.

Our first  stop  was at the Wat SuwanKhuha  a  Buddha temple located  in a limestone cave. The largest of the caves houses a stunning 15-metre reclining Buddha and this cave is decorated throughout with attractive Benjarong tiles. We explored  and walked  around the cavern   which had many other Buddha statues  and cultural relics too for about 20 min before heading to our next destination: Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island tour.

We were to board the  long tailed boat that was docked in an area that was mostly covered with mangrove thickets.

As the boat sped rapidly through the waters  splashing salty droplets  on our faces  , views of the imposing   limestone cliffs  jutting out of the sea painted an amazingly exquisite scene.

We then alighted from the boat  at Talu island to later on step into smaller  rubber canoes for kayaking around the stalactites caves, towering limestone cliffs   and mangroves in the emerald green waters. The picturesque setting and the environment was delightful – the whole experience was  simply mind blowing !

Our next stop was Khao Phing Kan island (also known as James Bond island after it appeared in the movie  The Man With The Golden Gun) where we strolled around the  rocky cliffs and  tiny stretch of sandy beaches. Souvenir shacks lined the pathway where they sold knick knacks made from shells mostly. The limestone rock Koh Tapu  is around 20 meters tall with a diameter ranging from about 4 meters at the bottom and up to 8 meters at the top .

We were then taken to the fishing village on the  island of Koh Panyee where houses rested on stilts in water. Lunch was served (Thai cuisine is  a sea food lover’s delight)  here following which we had a look around the souvenir shops.

Soon, we cruised back to the pier  in the  boat and were dropped  back at the resort by van .

Evening was spent  strolling on the Patong beach catching up with all  in general on the past  and reminiscing  over the good old times and  accounting of campus tales that left one in splits.

Later on, we walked  around the bustling streets  which is famous for its vibrant markets and nightlife . It rained for a while too and we retired to the rooms post dinner  , hiring a tuk -tuk .

That said, Phuket is not only about neon lights and loud music.  As a striking contrast ,there is the Old Phuket town with  its row of coloured  buildings with tiled roofs(like a set of crayons packed)  giving the place a  quaint look.  We visited this part of the town on day 3 , thanks to our guide who offered to take us there.  The Sino Portugese architectural  influence is evident and a walk along the historical colorful  streets  with graffitis and shops selling interesting artifacts and curios is a unique experience  .

Big Buddha was on our itinerary next. The 45 m tall marble Buddha sits on top of Nakkerd Hills  and the site offers a 360 view of Phuket island.

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The last on our agenda was the Wat Chalong temple. Magnificent paintings illustrating the life of Buddha decorate the walls and ceilings. The Grand Pagoda dominating the temple contains a splinter of Lord Buddha’s bone.

We headed back to the airport ,carrying with us great memories of a short and funfilled  getaway  that commemorated 25 yrs of friendship !Cheers until Toronto 2018 😀 😀

As I had woken up early before the break of dawn on a Sunday, I thought it was the perfect time for a  morning walk around our township. It was drizzling and dark with an occasional call  from a cuckoo or two ,  punctuating the silence. Calming and rejuvenating this  solitude is , bringing along with it  a sense of belonging  with nature …

As dawn broke, the scene came alive with everything around looking absolutely fresh from the rains .

The riot of colors around was a pretty sight to behold as I walked past many a flowering tree. They seemed to ooze a fresh spurt of life after the rains ,silently conversing with the passer by, of many tales untold  .

In the distance I could hear the peacocks cry. They were out after the rains , with the chicks in tow  and grazing around :  It was bliss – to savor  and live the moment.. just to belong.

Valparai on Anamalai mountain range _ green and pristine is the  right place for someone looking for a quick  energy booster . Nourishing and revitalizing _the place with its quietness and beauty helps you revive !

We started off from Coimbatore   and drove  via Pollachi leaving behind coconut and vegetable farms  as we sped by.  Valparai is about 64 km from Pollachi and soon we drove past Aliyar dam and park which  lies enroute at the foothills  in a  scenic setting .

Approaching Aliyaar dam

Aliyar Dam

From here, the terrain changes – paving way for the ghat section  with its 40 sharp hairpin bends.   .On way is  a waterfall named Monkey falls- but being summer , it hardly had any water – the place however  looked quite  enchanting  with water trickling down the  rocks, tall trees ,  and snaky vines  which  were tempting enough to swing !

Monkey Falls

The first sight of tea plantations was that of Waterfall estate ,  where  we stopped for a quick sip of  hot tea ,that was being sold at the roadside hut. The surroundings had  a serene ambience with  a tiny bridge , green tea plantations, and  purple flowers in full bloom on trees as well as scattered all around on the rocks. – eye candy view!

Quaint

Further uphill, we  spotted   lion tailed macaques and one was bold enough  to even  perch on top of our car !

lion Tailed Macaque

Soon amidst all the excitement of the prospects of spotting more wild life,    we reached Valparai.

The vast stretch of undulating  green hills   occasionally punctuated with purple  and pink blooms was  a welcome  treat .

It was hardly crowded and all one could feast their eyes on was the picturesque green landscape which made it the perfect getaway.

Our first destination once having checked in to one of the tea estate  guest houses  was to Nirar dam which  slowly uncovered from a thicket .

We could hardly hide our excitement on spotting a lone bison among the vast expanse of tea plantations.

Solitary bison

The water level was quite low and the grass hills could be viewed from the dam. The sounds of the jungle  pervaded all through.

Picturesque Nirar

Nirar Dam

Tiny colorful birds flitted across and there were quite a few varieties –simply put  it’s a  bird watchers paradise.

Upper Nirar Weir, near Chinnakallar was the next stop. A manmade tunnel  through the rocks  carried the water to vellamalai  and sholayar reservoir. .Chinnakallar  supposedly recorded the highest rainfall two years ago and is called  Chirapunji of the south.

Man Made Tunnel

We called it a day after our final destination to Balaji temple. The climb to the top of the hill through the tea estates was  inspiriting.

Next day morning, well rested, we  woke up to the cries of jungle fowls. After a quick morning walk to soak in the  fresh nip mountain air, we headed for  a tea factory visit and then to  “Seen God “ view point. This involved a trek and hike up  through the tea gardens .We spotted a couple of wild rabbits on the way and the view that awaited us at the top  was stunningly  breathless !

View from Seen God

After having basked in the view, we drove around the winding roads  through the tea and coffee plantations to Sholayar dam . Though it hardly had any water,  the drive through  the jungles was quite refreshing .

Sholayar Dam

Soon it was time to get back .

Despite the fact that it  was summer  with the  rains evading , there was no doubt that  24 hrs in Valparai , had a  therapeutic and calming effect to the tired mind and body.

In the wild

Crayons By Adu

Kudremukh  was one place that I had read about and wanted to visit. Having come to Mangalore , i didnt want to miss out on the opportunity and decided  to hit for the hills when we  could manage some time off.

 A hundred odd  km away from Mangalore, the drive through the  kudremukh national park is invigorating and   the scenery  can be summed up as just Picture perfect !

On way we had a  300 step trek down to the Hanumangundi falls nestling in the lap of the Western Ghats  – Judging the long winding pathway  downhill, Ambi and Adi decided to power themselves down  with spiced  pineapple and cucumber slices from a roadside vendor  before heading for the same . We started our descent  with  the sounds of the jungle lending a  perfect music .  The falls and the  stream skirting its way amidst boulders made a wonderful sight . Kids broke into a revelry to an extent that Adu had a slip and a minor fall after running berserk through the  sloping woods .

The climb up was not as easy as imagined and once we reached back , drove further  up , heading towards  kudremukh  via  ganga moola and lakhya dam .

The evergreen sholas and undulating hills in myriad hues of green is a feast for the eyes . Wildlife sighting is difficult cause of the dense  thickets – there were boards put up cautioning us on snakes, however we could spot just the  langurs and a mongoose scurrying for cover .

We were running short of time  and hence a  walk through the hills to explore ,  however tempting it was, didnt materialize.

Thus  had to reluctantly bid goodbye  to the lovely hills  — but  i realize that they never cease to  allure me back 🙂

Athma has been nurturing in my mind for quite some time . I am delighted to see it take shape , and at this moment of time , would like to thank my friend Ceejo and his Solminds team for being instrumental in giving life to it !

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks!!