Saturday, July 27, 2013

CYCLING Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Chennai

Sailesh arrived from Palakad, Kerala to Chennai to embark our cycle trip to Pondicherry.

Sailesh, Joseph and Me started from CIT Nagar pedaled until Thiruvanmiur bus depot to reach ECR,
went until Mahabalipuram in approx 4 hr in scorching sun :( :( :(
We rested in TamilNadu Tourism Resort for some hours before pedaling back to Chennai.










Pondy curtailed to Maamallapuram -- cycled 100+km and returned in 1 piece (from neck until toes everything hurts). I took couple of trains from Thiruvanmiyur to Villivakkam. Cycled again with great great difficulty to reach home.

Time: 8 AM to 12 Noon and 03:30 to 9 PM
Distance: 110 km












Monday, July 1, 2013

Monsoon 2013 in Thrissur, Ernakulam and Idukki District, Kerala

June 30 - Day 1

Met Sugesh around half past eight at Irunjalakuda bus stand. Reached his wonderful huge lush-green property in Edathurinji. After having Idly's for breakfast, pondered about where to head - Poochira, Wagamon or Idukki. started at half past 12 from Edathurinji to pick up Shibu in Irunjalakuda.



Talked about where to head as all three of us were flexible with the location. Decided to head to Ilaveezhapoonchira. We stopped at Kodanad Elephant Kraal for a while.
Had lunch at Hotel Annapoorna about 3 PM -Never have veg biryani in Kerala.
Finally headed to Wagamon via. Irunjalakuda - Chalakudy - Angamaly - Kodanadu - Perumbavur - Moovathupuzha - Thodupuzha - Kanjar - Wagamon. It was almost 6 PM when we reached Wagamon.

All through the way from Kanjar to Wagamon we stopped at several places to take photographs and to witness beautiful spots where clouds filled the sky and almost covering the towering hills. It was really a visual treat for eyes. On reaching Wagamon we started calling hotels to check-in; inquired few places and finally we chose to stay at Green Palace Residency -It was really an amazing accommodation - stunning designed and located in serene place with no buildings around it. It should be an ideal choice to stay there.
Rain was playing hide and seek with us. We should be thankful that rain wasn't constant. We were fortunate to capture the stunning sights all through the uphill. It was totally a blessing in disguise. We spent most of the night taking pictures of cloudy-misty-foggy-rainy Wagamon.






















July 01 - Day 2

After having breakfast at Green Palace, we checked out around 10 AM. Went to waterfall where the road ended. Navukkulam waterfall - spectacular sight it was being there. Just three of us, huge waterfall and car.
I never felt so close to the nature -not even during trekking with CTC and friends.










After which we stopped at Green Meadows - motta kunnu briefly and went to Pine forest. We didn't explore Pine forest as it started to rain a bit. Left Vagamon after having 2nd breakfast in a base farm hotel near Animal Husbandry college.  returned at half past four after travelling 310 km Irinjalakuda - Wagamon - Irinjalakuda.


July 02 - Day 3

In spite of Varada (Sugesh daughter's) birthday - Sugesh decided to take me to Athirpally waterfalls. As usual, Shibu joined us. We spent about couple of hours taking pictures and enjoying the sight of water gushing out at one of very few waterfalls where we could almost touch the water falling from such a height.
Distance around 90 km Irinjalakuda - Athirapally - Irinjalakuda.
































July 03 - Day 4

went to Munakkal beach - Azhikode.









Distance travelled around 40 km.
Again a wonderful - longer weekend in Kerala which really is God's own country which was possible cos of Sugesh and Thanks to Shibu as well for joining-in. I sign-off until next trip or trek.