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Originally Posted by laluks Brought back a lot of memories.
Valparai like you pointed out is not in the leagues of Ooty/Munnar etc.. To me it had always been a transit station during my long drives. But the place is heavenly. |
Thanks Lalu. I loved the Fire flies pictures in your TL. We could not capture as the numbers were small. Yes, the place is heavenly and hope it reamains like that.
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Originally Posted by ampere I liked Valparai more than Munnar/Kodai for its un-explored status. Also if one wants to stay for 3-4 days without doing anything but walk and go water-body hunting, this is the place. With the planter's bungalows, the place adds to old world charm as well.
Brought back memories. Also, while returning, there is a way to avoid Avinashi. Pollachi-Palldam-Kangeyam-Perundurai. The roads are in beautiful condition. You dont have to endure the construction at Avinashi at all. |
Thanks Ampere. You are absolutely right. This is a place to relax like a typical planter!! Ofcourse, if some one is interested to move around or trek, he has lot of options as well.
Regarding the other route, i checked on the google. Wont it be better to take Perundurai - Kannakam Palayam (The place weher the four lane starts) - Tiruppur - Palladam - Pollachi?
Perundurai, Tamil Nadu to Pollachi, Tamil Nadu - Google Maps
This will save some detour. I am not sure how the road from Kannakam Palayam to Tiruppur. Should try next time.
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Originally Posted by B.R.S.Rao Fauji Sir,
Once again 5 star travelogue indeed. Really a feast for eyes and a delight for mind. Thx for crisp photos.
Regards. |
Thank you Rao sir. No doubt the place is a feast for eyes.
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Originally Posted by nkrishnap Wonderful Travelogue! Superb Pics. A well deserved 5* rating for the travelogue. This brings back memories of this place with the first rains in the monsoon. Thanks for Sharing. |
Thanks Krishna. This place should be awesome after the rains with many water falls around.
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Originally Posted by hvkumar With so many gaurs (and elehants) around, looks like it is quite a dangerous thing going for a quiet morning or evening walk! Here is a photo of the Aliyar Reservoir during a mobike ride I did to Valparai in Apr 1989. Looks like it had more water in those days! |
Thanks HVK. We were cautioned by Sujatha not to venture on our won and always take Murugan with us. Incidently, the herd of Bison had come to bungalow on the second night of our stay!!
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Originally Posted by rakirank Awesome. If this is how it looks pre-monsoon, it must be fabulous post the rains.Lovely pics. Looks like the Scorpio is being fully road tested |
Thanks Rakirank. You are correct, this will be fabulous after rains. Specially the drive to Sholayar dam with its huge expanse of backwaters. Yes, Scorpio had good time!!
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Originally Posted by VindyWheels And my favorite - the bench! I am sure you would have enjoyed some silent moments there. There is a similar bench in front of the Indraprashta Bunglow of waterfalls, we loved that bench then. The inital picture of the bunglow resembles Monica Bunglow of woodbriar, but this one is surely done-up much better. The interiors look great and the rooms are tastefuly done. Wondering how the "Periya Durai" bunglow woud be if this is where Chinna Durai lived! Considering the lovely property, the treks and the animals around, the elevation and valley-view from the bench, I would rate Captain's new find higher than Woodbriar and Waterfalls (I havent been to the Stanmore bunglow of Woodbriar, so this rating could be modified later )Cheers
VW |
Thanks Vinod. The over saturation happenned while post processing and i corrected it in the photographs later. Thanks for your observation. Yes, i saw the picture of the bench in your TL as well. The valley view from this just too good. Stanmore estate by Wood briar is not at a height like this one. Since this place is at a height, it is much cooler from the Valparai town. We should check out Periya Dorai bungalow next!!
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Originally Posted by Rajesh K R Sir, What can i say? Envy you captain. Churning one T-log after another. Super photos and narration. I think you are one of the elite few who put the long weekends and holidays to good purpose. Loved the T & P-log captain. Waiting for more snaps and snippets from your trip. |
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Originally Posted by samarjitdhar Fauji sir ji. How I envy you with the opportunity to get around to so many places . Wonderful TL and photos. Such a beautiful place, must be stunning during the monsoons. |
Thanks Rajesh and Samarjit. April is the time when you get couple of long weekends and it is worth spending in these places
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Originally Posted by Ketan Awesome pictures and TripLog.
Another great find from Fauji sir. You look to be on a travel spree these days. Keep it up and we will continue to enjoy the quality Travelogues.
I liked the bench, especially the one at night, continue to see the stars and disappearing lights down the hills. |
Thanks Ketan. Yes, the valley view at night looks totally different. With many vehicles plying on the road at distance - which we could not capture in camera - and fireflies on the trees would be even better.
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Originally Posted by addyhemmige Btw, the LTMs are a great catch. A couple of years ago, me and my friends went on a trek in Parambikulam (which is supposed to be contiguous with the Anamalais, of which Valparai is a part of). Even though Parambikulam is supposed to have a good concentration of LTMs, we could not even sight one. Our trek was not a total loss though, we spotted Pug marks of a tiger, scat of a bear and a couple of Dholes (Indian wild Dogs). The wild dogs were the highlight of the trip |
Thanks Addy. You are corect on LTMs. They are shy animals and don't come down so easily. The attraction seems to be the jack fruit trees which are on the road side. We were lucky and they seems to be people friendly as well. Thanks to volunteers who keep a watch on passers by and prevent feeding etc.
Now i know whom to catch if i want more details on Parambikulam trek. Was this trek on the disbanded railway track?
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Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth Fauji, you are the first one to check the Sinna Dorai Bungalow, I was planning to go there for the Ugadi weekend, but my brother could not make it so we cancelled it. . |
Thanks Srikanth. You are absolutely correct and this place is heavenly. You should try Sinnadorai bungalow. Nice to know that Parry group is supporting the activities of NCF. Sholayar dam after monsoon must be treat for the eyes!!
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Originally Posted by ranjitp1 Lovely find the Sinna Dorai bungalow.Our next trip is finalised now thanks to you Shall pm you for more specifics.Thanks a ton for sharing. |
Thanks Ranjit. Most welcome any time.
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Originally Posted by .sourov Fauji Sir what can I say? Just awesome!!
Wonderful pictures and narration, was thinking of escaping this Bangalore heat for few day and thanks to you have a great option in hand. Which route did you take and what are the road conditions? |
Thanks Saurav. The best route is the one Ampere has suggested which will help you avoid Avinashi. One can also try another riute i suggested to Ampere in my post above.
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Originally Posted by DieselDestiny Those are some very neat photographs Capt. , almost felt like I was touring around Valparai with you!!
2 trips over 2 long weekends, thats one luck man. Waiting for my turn to spin the wheel farther |
Thanks Dieseldestiny. When are you planning??