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 😀 😀