[Ddrive]

.
This time its a Reception to the Rescue!


Some good ol' friends come all the way home and invite us for a wedding.
As my wife was talking to them, I read through the card and wonder what to pick.
Wedding in Bangalore (a Bangalore + Drive) or
Reception at Vathalakundu (a Vathalakundu + Drive) ?
"We'll be there for sure" assures my wife as the invitors leave home.

Days later, Hoping to catch up with some relatives and long-lost friends,
Wife declares, "We shall go for the Reception".


And I heard it like... Its a drive up to Thekkady.

[Ddrive]

A Strategic Time-out:

Since the Reception was on a Sunday noon,
I thought it is enough just to take a day's leave on Saturday... Start at dawn,
Drive to Thekkady... and reach before the gates close.
Laze out the evening,
Sleep in the Jungle lodge,
Wake up (on a Sunday), Go for the first boat ride,
Return to hotel, Check out at 10.
Drive back to Vathalakundu, Attend the reception,
Start after lunch, Hit home by night.
And... Go to work on Monday.
Looked fine... to me.

But, Wife wants more time for the function & folks.
Hence the plan was altered like,
Start Saturday morning,
Reach Vathalakundu afternoon, Stay at home of Brother-In-Law.
Attend reception the next day (Sunday noon),
And then go anywhere.

Had to agree.
So I booked a room online at 'KTDC - Periyar House' for Sunday night.
We must do the boating... monday morn,
Then at 10 we start from Thekkady, and reach home Chennai the same night.
Same crunch... With another day's leave on a Monday


Well, Booking rooms online KTDC is a breeze. More importantly, a booking with KTDC ensures confirmed tickets for the boat rides on the day of our stay. We never want to loose a ride in the last minute after waiting hours in a long queue.

No other big plans, sweat or shivers. Just got set for another easy breezy drive.

[Ddrive]

.
Day-1: 15.2.2014 Saturday.

Destination Vathalakundu 455 kms.
Route: Alwarpet-Tambaram-Vilupuram-Trichy-Dindugul-Vathalakundu.
Rolled out at 7 and reached Vathalakundu in the afternoon.


A picture from day one. The enchanting NH45



Arrived Vathalakundu safely.
I had nothing else to do through the rest of the day.
Met our folks... ate well and took rest.

[Ddrive]

.
Day-2: 16.2.2014, Sunday morning session.

All that happened was OT.
So here again, I press the >> FAST-FORWARD Button >> Woke up early >> Drove to a Village >> Attended the Village Church >> Daughter played Keyboard in the Church >> She also sang a special number >> Back in BIL's house >> Snacks & Coffee >> Packed our bags >> Bid byes to BIL's family >> Drove to the Reception >> Met a lot of folks >> Wished the Bride & Groom >> Wife gave a felicitation speech >> Had a grubby lunch >> Parting snaps >> 1.30 Pm >> Cranked the Car >> Drove out Vathalakundu >> Up again on NH45 || STOP ||



Day-2: 16.2.2014, Sunday 1.30pm onwards.


Destination: Thekkady 103 kms.
Target time: An abundant 3 hours, with breaks.
The route is, Vathalakundu Periyakulam-Theni-Uthamapalayam-Cumbum-Lower Camp-Thekkady.
The entire stretch is a green and fertile belt sandwiched by the western ghats on both sides.


Happy to be on the highway again.



Recalled a discussion on a blog: "Once if you enter the sanctuary, you can't get out till 6 next morning. If you are not happy with the food served in the lodge, theres no other go".

The advice was to carry some food, as it would help. Considering this, we stopped at a place called Lower-Camp (the last of the plains) and bought some Guavas, Apples and a small size Bread.


Then we went for the climb. LowerCamp to Thekkady, Just 8 kms.



The hill drive we came for.



Beautiful ghat road.



These Pipelines run all the way from top to bottom of the hill.



I like Bamboos.



Looks like we are there.



4.30 pm, We reach Kumily and now heading for the sanctuary.

[Ddrive]

.
Here we are, at the Sanctuary Gate.

So this is the check-post that we are supposed to enter before 5 pm ?
I checked with the forest guard, he confirms this is it. We had to buy entry tickets for us and for the car.


Our car now, well beyond the post.

We spent some time browsing around the shops here.


Strollers



Then as we drive past... My daughter spots a Langur.



We stop the car to have a closer look



Hooray! Wild-life spotted...



Phew, There were many around... Oops, No need me exclaiming that much... after all Im in a forest.



Daughter wants a picture... on TBHP.



Finally we reach KTDC Periyar House.



A nice place to stay... in the midst of a jungle. The online booking I made was for the lowest priced Avenue type room at Rs.2338/- per night for double occupancy, including breakfast and dinner for two. Check out time is 1200 noon next day. The location was cool, quiet and good.

Check-In procedures got over and we got the keys in hand. Reminded the front-officer about our requirement of boating tickets for the ride at 7.30 am, and the gentleman issued us 3 application forms, one for each pax. I filled the forms and paid Rs.150 + Rs.15.00 (Rs.165 per head). I believe Rs.150/- is for boating and Rs.15 for extending the sanctuary entry fee for the next day. The front-officer informed us that we can collect the boating-tickets at the reception at 7 am next morning. The boat-house parking is a minute's drive by car or can be walked in 5-10 minutes. From the car park we need to walk another 10 minutes to reach the ushering counter, then again a 5 minute fast walk to get near the boat. He said its enough if we start from the hotel at 7 exactly. Don't want to take any risk so... Can't we get the tickets a little earlier, so that we need not rush?. He said, Oh yes sir, the tickets will be here at around 6.30. We'll collect at 6.30 then, Good.

Time to go to the room & relax. So we went to the car to pick-up our bags. The clothes bag, Towels bag, and the Snacks bag. The sweet smell of Guavas in the air. It was strangely quiet. There was no one around yet I felt a few are stalking us. The security guard was there at a distance. He had a thick stick in his hand. Take the bags and leave this place, I urge my wife and daughter... Go inside fast... they did. I shut the boot, pick the last bag and slip into the building. Nothing wrong so far. The security guard also smiles and nods.

We got into the room and all was fine. Lets rest a while.

Lying in bed, I was still wondering what went fishy a little while ago, can't figure it out.
Half an hour gone. Now again... something tickling... somebody behind the window?


OMG... Its here again, pushing aside the curtain and peeping through the window.



This guy has been following us... right from the car-park, to snatch the snacks bag , but in vain.

But beware, they do it so fast and swift, theres no way out. I saw it twice... Women just screaming and letting their bags go. There are provisions in the room windows, window-bars on one side with larger gaps and the other side with narrow gaps with vertical rods (see pic). We have to open the glasses only on the side which had narrow gaps. The side with larger gaps are not to be opened. This is to prevent monkeys from entering the room. Well, now its all clear.


A monkey family seen through the window.



Night falls over Periyar House.



We had our buffet at the restaurant. The food was good and satisfactory.



Then we walk back to the room.



Called it a day. We switch off the lights and try to sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be big.
Once again I recite in mind... Wake up at 5, Get ready, Go Boating, Wrap up, Drive home.
It was nice, everything going as planned.... but then rang the telephone, and it was a call from the front office.

[mobike008]

Note from Mod : Thread moved from Assembly Line to Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing

[GaadiWala]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

.
I like Bamboos.

Good going so far. Awaiting the next part.

Now I know why you like the Kupanoor- Yercaud Ghat road.

[prashkul]

Nice build-up. Please complete.

I'm planning to stay 1 night at Periyar House in first week of April. So this log is timely!

[Ddrive]

Day-3: 17.2.2014 Monday Morning.


Woke up at 6, went to the front-office, and talked about the last night's phone call. The receptionist said, Yes sir, We really couldn't help it. One of the boats (the biggest one) is not going this morning and all the other boats are full due to online booking. Thats why we called you last night and took your consent to book for the 9.30 ride.

But, this is gonna delay all our plans for the whole day you know - I tried a bit to explain, but the situation was such, there wasn't any chance for us to go for the early morning ride. He said even the online tickets which costs Rs.500 are full.

By the time I left the reception, coffee was ready at the restaurant... Had mine and took one to the room for my wife. Informed my wife that I'm going for a walk around.


Periyar House at 6.30 am.



The Steps.



The woods around



Foggy...



The Boat-Jetty Parking Area is getting filled up.



A luxury coach arrives,



And alights a group.



Many are walking the last lap.



Symptoms of Sunrise, near the Jetty.



People rushing for the boat.



The Jetty engulfed in fog. Poor visibility predicted ?



Kids loving the environment.



Sitting pretty.



These properties were right next to the Jetty. The transit lounge for The KTDC Lake Palace.

The actual 'Lake Palace Hotel' is in an Island in the middle of the lake. We will see about it shortly.


This is another star category Hotel by KTDC.



On my way back towards the hotel.



These ladies have spotted something, but I couldn't see a thing...



except this Pigeon, near by.



Walking back to Periyar House.



I reach back the hotel at 8... by the time our boating tickets were also ready at the reception. Collected the tickets and rushed back to the room, convincing myself... In a way the 9.30 ride could end up better for us, as the fog will be gone and sighting of any wild-life will be clear ... Am I right ?.



Coming up next: Some Photos from our Boat Ride.

[CliffHanger]

Hi Ddrive,

That's a really nice travelogue there, gave a very realistic picture of the place. Thanks for sharing.

I've a few questions.

Apart from the lake, what are the other places of interest?

How many days can be spent in Thekkady?

Other than Munnar, what are the other tourist destinations near by?

[Ddrive]

Some Pictures from our Boat ride.


We reach the Jetty in time. The fog is clear now.



We spot this Giant Indian Squirrel near the boat house.



Getting into the boat area, we see these people watching something.

One guy is clicking the Egret and the other focusing an Elephant. Spot the Elephant in this picture.


The Elephant zoomed.



Here again a long queue.

No tension here, since we all had confirmed accommodation with pre-allocated seat numbers.


The ride begins... We are in the last row of the first boat.



















An Egret first.



A Tortoise next.



A herd of Elephants... already about to leave the waters.



Some Birds we clicked





























This is the Lake Palace Hotel.



That should be the last point for our boats.



We turn around.



A wild boar.



A Langur.



An Indian Gaur. We saw a big herd... twice at the same spot.



An Otter.


Thank GOD for the boat ride. We saw a lot of what we wanted.
The boat dropped us ashore at 11 am. A quick walk to the car park and a drive back took us to the hotel at 11.30.


Finally we checked out Periyar House.
Drove all the way out of the park, and then pulled over for a minute.
Time to regroup & reconcile.
We'r all here? We've taken everything?
Petrol? Toll money? Whats time? and What next?

Its 12 noon exactly, and Chennai is 560 kms from here.
One smooth drive, We'll be home... probably by 10, 11 or may be 12 at night.

Hmmm...
Do we really need to struggle in the dark?... frowns my wife.
What then?... a curious me and daughter.
Why not break at Vathalakundu, stay at bro's place and drive in the morning?
No way, That would mean another day's leave... I pretend.
Thought its better we played it safe... said wife.


So we brainstorm this issue over a tea and samosa.
And conclude in favour of... driving till dusk, and take a night's halt.
A halt somewhere in Munnar.

[Ddrive]

So we tilt our drive towards Munnar.



Reaching Nedumkandam.



The route had so many beautiful churches, like this one at Mayiladumpara.



A steep ledged ghat section approaching Munnar.



Beyond Poopara



Tea estates everywhere.



Bird on a wire.



Reaching Munnar.



After numerous breaks and having lunch at Poopara, we reached Munnar well before dusk. While passing through the bus stand area a guy approached us and guided us to a lodge which we found okay for a night's stay. So we checked in there without any further thoughts.


Our diversion into Munnar was purely impromptu & just for an extended drive for the sake of driving.
So here are a few Dids & Didn'ts.

Dids:
Drove the route Thekkady-Munnar-Anakkara-Nedumkandam-Poopara-Devikulam-Munnar.
Stayed in a decent, economical lodge.
Went for a stroll in the evening, into the market area.
Had dinner and called it a day.

Didn'ts:
We didnt drive to Mattupatti or Topstation (I've gone once earlier)
We didnt visit the tea-museum or any other sight seeing areas (Seen once earlier)
Despite my interest, I didnt drive thru the Kanthaloor-Marayoor route while going down.
Didn't enter into Eravikulam Wildlife Park... Just passed thru that way.
Didnt stop at Lakkam falls, as it was dry.


Some Pictures from an evening in Munnar.

Munnar Market area.



There were many shops where one can buy, Spices, handicrafts, tea, fruits and local sweets etc.










Thus we had a break and a good night's sleep in Munnar.


Day-4: 18.2.2014 Tuesday.


Around 7 am, We were on the road again, heading home.



We took the scenic Marayoor route.


Plantations everywhere.















Passing through Marayoor Sandal Reserve forest.

Sandal trees fenced and well protected.


The route from Marayoor to Chinnar was totally different.

A dry and rugged terrain, yet so colourful and the drive was really thrilling.


We saw boards like these in many places.



The KL Govt forest check post.



A board near the KL check post.

(Will we see any of these Langurs around here?)


In between Marayoor and Udumalpet, there were 3 forest check posts, one on KL side and two in TN side. Check post guards are doing a real check of our car, luggage, and boot. May be because we are travelling through Sandal wood forests.

Beyond the KL check post...

We enter the TN side and the terrain becomes more rough, rugged and attractive.


This sector on the TN side is called the "Anamalai Tiger Reserve"

The terrain looked like an African jungle


Ofcourse spotted some Langurs.






And a few Peacocks... this is one of them



I was happy we took this route while driving back, This is the first time I am traversing this Marayoor-Chinnar region and my folks were equally thrilled and excited.


Out of the woods, the final stretch of road towards Udumalpet.



The return drive was through Palani & Dindugul (By-Passes), onward towards Trichy & Chennai taking the 4 lane highway. We reached home by 8 pm.


Thanks for Reading.
Regards
Ddrive.

[searacer932]

Originally Posted by Ddrive

The return drive was through Palani & Dindugul (By-Passes), onward towards Trichy & Chennai taking the 4 lane highway. We reached home by 8 pm.


Thanks for Reading.
Regards
Ddrive.

That's one beautiful drive and thanks for sharing the same. Is there anything else to be seen in Thekkady apart from the boat ride? How was the road condition from Dindigul to Thekkary? I was planning a trip to Munnar in the first week of October and after having had a look at your TLOG, I am planning to include Thekkady into my itinerary. So, thinking of doing Chennai - Thekkady - Munnar - Chennai.

[Ddrive]

Originally Posted by searacer932

That's one beautiful drive and thanks for sharing the same. Is there anything else to be seen in Thekkady apart from the boat ride? How was the road condition from Dindigul to Thekkary? I was planning a trip to Munnar in the first week of October and after having had a look at your TLOG, I am planning to include Thekkady into my itinerary. So, thinking of doing Chennai - Thekkady - Munnar - Chennai.

Thank you Searacer. The boat ride is the main attraction in Thekkady, apart from a few other activities like Elephant ride, Night trekking, and Bamboo-raft ride etc., You can check with the forest dept counters and local people who hang around there for correct details.

These are some other tourist destinations closer to Kumily-Thekkady, just in case you wanna go.
Gavi - 40 kms.
Vagamon - 45 kms
Kurisimala - 47 kms
Parundhupara - 20 kms
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary - 42 kms

We covered Parundhupara, Gavi and Vagamon a few months ago this year & once again did a quick monsoon drive across Chinnar-Marayoor-Munnar-Poopara-Bodi last July. I couldn't write exclusive travelogues for these trips, however since you have bumped up this old thread back to the first page ( thanks), I will post some pictures and short write-ups about these, here in this thread itself, shortly.


The over all road condition from Dindugul to Thekkady is good nowadays, except a short stretch of about some 10 kms (i think) closer to Chinnamanur,