[laluks]

Originally Posted by RSimonS

Another good log, thanks a lot for sharing the details? Does dekulam gets the name from the kulam (Pond)?

Are you a member of Club Mahaindra? Just curious as you stayed at their resort at Munnar and Thekkadi.

You are absolutely right. Devi = Sita Devi, Kulam = Pond, So Devikulam = Sita Devi Pond.

Yes, I am a member.

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

I started my trek back from Devikulam


Through the cloud kissed mountains


Through the wet rocky paths


Through the tea gardens


Workers at the tea garden






Through the narrow paths


To the clouds


Once the clouds moved you can see Aanyirankal Dam




Continued on with the slippery path



continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Before reaching the resort I got a view of the roads from the hills.










The left one goes to CM, Suryanelli. The right one goes to Pooppara via Anayirankal Dam

Bul Bul




A wild flower


An Eucalyptus tree fell down in the winds by the time I finished my trek


A look at the cloud kissed mountains again



Finally after an adventerous trek I reached the resort by 11:00AM. The security guard came running to me, since I was all covered in mud and leeches. He got hold of a hose and I washed myself to a presentable scenario

continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Some flowers from the resort












I found the PPGs at the entrance


Wifey enjoying the views in front of the resort




PPGs having a game


I found this fellow again, but this time he doesn't show his face


By 12:00PM PPGs decided to go for lunch. PPGs decided to go to activity centre after lunch and wifey to the ayurvedic spa. I decided to skip lunch and go out for some exploration.


continued...

[pjay_in]

Originally Posted by laluks

I found this fellow again, but this time he doesn't show his face

Isn't it a she? Looks like a cow to me.

[hvkumar]

The trek down to Anayirangal Dam - where does it start from? Near Club M itself?
Must be also an elephant/ gaur corridor from the looks of it.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

The trek down to Anayirangal Dam - where does it start from? Near Club M itself?
Must be also an elephant/ gaur corridor from the looks of it.

No Sir. It was not a trek down to the dam. While returning from the Devikulam trek, it looks as if you are going down to the dam. It is atleast 10+km away.

Originally Posted by pjay_in

Isn't it a she? Looks like a cow to me.

I took some literary freedom

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Periya Kanal falls is very near to the resort. The falls is from the overflowing water of Devikulam. The place was foggy.










Drove on further towards Munnar.

Some pictures from LockHeart Gap










Civvy enjoying the views




I saw a signboard showing 1 Km to Devikulam


I got curious and drove in, to some beautiful roads and scenery


I see some forest cover instead of the tea gardens


Drove on further


Only to get into some private tea estates


Roads became bad, and so I turned back. But later with the GPS trail I found that if I had continued, I would indeed have reached Devikulam. But roads were not inviting, nor I have any idea whether the road stops abruptly and you have to trek.

continued...

[rpmx1000]

Originally Posted by arin_12

Waiting for some fantastic green picture too
Does this fuel economy of CIVIC is 1/3 of Swift ?

You forgot to factor in price of diesel versus that of petrol!

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Some beautiful flowers






Board says Engineering College is near by


What is this building?


I head directly to Top Station. Did not stop at Mattupetty Dam, Echo point and Kundale Dam


Passed Yellapetty


Reached the fork, right takes you to Top Station.


Took the left. This road will take you to the old Kodaikanal route.

Reached the Checkpost in 1 Km.




The left road comes from Topstation. The right after the checkpost goes to Vattavada. The place where I stood while taking the picture is the old road to Kodaikanal, which is about 60Kms. It is closed now for traffic.

From Vattavada you can go to Kodaikanal. But roads are bad after Vattavada and only Jeeps can make it to Kodaikanal. The checkpost also does a reality check before allowing you. They normally allow the Jeepers to go through.

At this checkpost you can take an eco tourism visit ticket, get a guide and go to Vattavada, trek a bit there. You can also trek on the old Kodaikanal route

continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Eco Tourism rates


This is the old road to Kodaikanal. Now it is closed to all traffic.


However you can trek here. There is a 2 day trek from here to Kodaikanal. You'll reach near the Berijam lake. One day must try this trek.

Now this route is a part of Pampadum National Park




I took a guide and drove to Vattavada.

We passed Koviloor


We reached Vattavada


From Vattavada the roads further are worser than these


Around Vattavada, it looked like a vegetable farming area




Midway between Vattavada and the checkpost we stopped for a small trekk and to see the Eco Tourism Stay.


continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

We trekked towards the Eco tourism Stay.

A small check dam enroute






The trek path


The Stay







The views from the Stay




One day must sit here and look into eternity


Returned after checking out the stay.

Civvy waiting for me


We drove back to the checkpost.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Parked Civvy near the checkpost


Went on to trekk in the old Kodaikanal route








Kodai is 58Km from here


This route has a lot of memories assosciated for me. In 1994 we went through this route from College. It was an amazing trip.

The route further









Walked almost 5Kms and returned.

Stopped by to check some wild flowers too








Reached back the checkpost by 17:30PM


Said bye to the nice Checkpost guards and started towards Munnar. My guide wanted a drop at Top station so he joined me.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 03, 01.11.2010
Munnar

Reached the entry to Top Station


That's my guide. He helped me in turning the Civvy there. Did not visit Top station this time.


This fellow was wondering why the whole world comes to his territory


A view on the way back to the resort


Reached the resort by 19:30PM, negotiating the thick fog at Lock heart Gap. Dinner was already served at the room. Had a good fill and retired for the day.

[laluks]

Guys, am off to another trip.
Will update the log on return.