[laluks]

Day 04, 22.08.2010
Parambikulam WLS

We parked Civvy at the Checkpost and trekked towards Peruvaripallam Dam.


We saw the ruins of a jeep. Seems it had toppled over, and the owner did not have money to repair.





Wifey catching the beauty of the place in her video






The Beautiful Panoramas











I was reminded of Robert Frost.



Woods are lovely dark and deep


But I have miles and miles to go


Through the twists that life take me through


Till I reach my destination, which is yet another beginning of a journey


Ok, OK I changed the poem a bit. Hope one day I too become quoted like Robert Frost by someone



The two beauties in my life



It was already 13:00 by then. We quickly hopped on and drove towards Anappady KFDC Reception.

continued...

[laluks]

Day 04, 22.08.2010
Parambikulam WLS

We reached the Ration shop. The guide quickly runs to his home,today is Thiru onam. He says he'd be back by evening, changes his uniform and returns.

Mean while a huge wild boar was roaming around, and I saw for the first time the small horns around its nose . I had only seen these horns in some cartoons.









Civvy parked near the Ration shop



We reached the sovenior shop next to the reception by 13:30.

This caught my attention. Beautiful initiative.



Civvy next to the entrance of the reserve.



Quickly brought hats which has the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Logo and hopped on to our return journey. From now on all the ladies have this hat in almost all photos I have .

It was already 13:50 by then. We were already behind Schedule by 2 hours. We were supposed to be at the resort in Valparai by 14:00 as per my schedule.

The meter reads 516Km, which means I have done a 66KMs within the reserve, 44Km up and down Parambikulam - Anappady, 22KM up and down Parambikulam - KuriarKutty.

We saw yet another deviation tio Sarkarpathy Tunnel Entry, which is the beginning of the underground tunnel to take the water from Thunakadavu reservoir to Aliyar, but we keep that for the next visit.



Thus a wonderful two days of Parambikulam has to end for now, and we drove on towards Valaparai from Parambikulam by 14:00PM.



Valparai here we come...

[laluks]

Day04, 22.08.2010
Parambikulam WLS

A few words about the accomodation at Sambar machan. It is a bare minimum setup. Costs Rs 3000. This has place for 5 people to sleep. Book this only if you want to drive around to Kuriarkutty side. Else book in the other options that is on the Parmbikulam main routes.

For families, if you are very much used to the luxuries, this can be very deterring. The available toilet is very poorly maintained, food quality below average from the tea shop. Unless you can adjust, don't try this. But this definitely is an experience.

For guys, this is a good setup for a fun evening and night. Sighting of animals near the machan is rare, it is pitch dark too. No electricity either.

So unless you want to drive around and explore, stick to the other accomodations on the main route.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by laluks

Day04, 22.08.2010
Parambikulam WLS

A few words about the accomodation at Sambar machan. It is a bare minimum setup. Costs Rs 3000. This has place for 5 people to sleep. Book this only if you want to drive around to Kuriarkutty side. Else book in the other options that is on the Parmbikulam main routes.

For families, if you are very much used to the luxuries, this can be very deterring. The available toilet is very poorly maintained, food quality below average from the tea shop. Unless you can adjust, don't try this. But this definitely is an experience.

For guys, this is a good setup for a fun evening and night. Sighting of animals near the machan is rare, it is pitch dark too. No electricity either.

So unless you want to drive around and explore, stick to the other accomodations on the main route.

I guess it is too much to expect to be permitted to cook with your own stove in the Sambar Machan area? Must be prohibited for fear of forest fears?

Why that specific location if wildlife sightings are not much? Is it because it is the closest for trekkers to the deep jungle trails?

Do they keep anything inside the Machan to deter insects and other small creatures?

[laluks]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I guess it is too much to expect to be permitted to cook with your own stove in the Sambar Machan area? Must be prohibited for fear of forest fears?

Why that specific location if wildlife sightings are not much? Is it because it is the closest for trekkers to the deep jungle trails?

Do they keep anything inside the Machan to deter insects and other small creatures?

Don't know whether prohibited. But the open area around the machan is a good place if you want to do that. But since the option of that tea shop is available, it is diverted that way I guess.

A few trekking trails are possible from here. Depends on how you plan with your guide. Seems nearby stream and little further thick Jungle starts. But with the Checkin of 15:00 and checkout of 07:00, the possibility of you doing such treks depends on the group and the guide you get. But if you are on a continuous trek programme, then may be the place for the night and continuing might be good. But i do not know such long trekking trails than the published ones.

No deterrent in the machan for any creatures. We had a mice army visit

[chennai-indian]

Laluks,

Has been a silent reader so far. Thank you for this travelogue. You and your powerpuff girls have convinced me that I can do the same trip with my Ben 10 boys !!. Fantastic snaps and narration - please keep it coming. BTW, rated a deserving 5 stars.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by chennai-indian

Laluks,

Has been a silent reader so far. Thank you for this travelogue. You and your powerpuff girls have convinced me that I can do the same trip with my Ben 10 boys !!. Fantastic snaps and narration - please keep it coming. BTW, rated a deserving 5 stars.

Thanks Chennai-Indian.
your Ben10 boys will love the adventure. Parambikulam is a beautiful place to involve yourself with nature.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Just realised Lalu you are still at Parambikulam or should I say just reached Anaimalai. Not that am complaining about the slow pace, would love to revisit Valparai through your pics, and your take on your stay at the "Waterfall Estate"

[laluks]

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

Just realised Lalu you are still at Parambikulam or should I say just reached Anaimalai. Not that am complaining about the slow pace, would love to revisit Valparai through your pics, and your take on your stay at the "Waterfall Estate"

, weekend chores take most of my time.


Regarding Waterfall Estate - I am impressed with the cook. The cook of Tennis Court Villa was excellent. That's what we wanted, after all our excursions we needed a hot tasty food of our preference. The cook scored a 100%

Other wise, both Tennis court and Valley View villas are just two bedroom cottages. Rooms are neat. But if there is another guest booked in the other room, then both these villas can be a concern to privacy. So better is to rent it out with like minded families. Due to this I offered to rent out both the rooms, but they understood my concerns and promised me the other guests if any will be booked in other properties.

They do have view of the tea plantations around and is very easy to access from the main road. Both these villas are on a small piece of land and they do not offer the expanse of an estate where you just can roam around inside and need not get out. Probably their bunglow has it like that. But if you are in Valparai only for around 2 days, and you plan to explore Valparai too, then may be you do not need such expanse of an area within.

At a price point of Rs 1500 per room per night for the villas and Rs 2500 per room per night for the bunglow is justifiable for the place. Food is extra at Rs450/350 per head per day for non veg/veg.





The other options are Woodbriar and Green Hills hotel.

Woodbriar has a vast expanse of estate and is a good property. At options from Rs4500 to Rs7000 per night per room inclusive of food, is expensive for the place if you plan to explore Valpari too. If you are staying put at this place for the holidays then the equation could be different.

Green Hills hotel is in Valparai town itself, very easy to access, next to SBI ATM. At an average of Rs700 to Rs900 per night, it is reasonable just for a stay.

[darklord]

Originally Posted by laluks

Valparai here we come...

Valparai is 4 days away from Parambikkulam?

Excellent travelogue, as usual. Awaiting eagerly for the rest, especially the Gavi and Vagamon part.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by darklord

Valparai is 4 days away from Parambikkulam?

Excellent travelogue, as usual. Awaiting eagerly for the rest, especially the Gavi and Vagamon part.

, Well darklord No. its very near.

Thanks for the comments.

The delay is due to me not keeping well for a long time, my PC acting up (I am waiting for the delivery of my new PC), and a bit of serious matters to attend to.

Please bear with me for some more time.

[aargee]

Laluks - Just wanted to let you know that I've been observing this thread, but not posting anything as I'm eagerly waiting to read logs on day 12, 13 & 14 on Vagamon to see what I'd missed. Meanwhile, here's take 5 from me

[laluks]

Originally Posted by aargee

Laluks - Just wanted to let you know that I've been observing this thread, but not posting anything as I'm eagerly waiting to read logs on day 12, 13 & 14 on Vagamon to see what I'd missed. Meanwhile, here's take 5 from me

@aargee,

Thanks for the stars

Please do bear with me a little more. I know you are waiting for the Vagamon logs. I would need atleast a week before I could find some time to continue.



@Nutty - just give a bit of time. I know you are waiting for the Gavi details.

[mallumowgli]

Going has been good Laluks. Everytime things get tense in office, I tend to come back to this thread. Lovely snaps and travelogue. Great

Also would like add to what Nuttynair said about King cobra - they are found throughout the western ghats. They need a cool temperature to survive and hence are found deep inside the forest where there is dampness. However off late they have been found on the fringes near the towns. (Captures in Palakad include houses in Mannarkad and Malampuzha) Experts are of the opinion that this may be due to global warming and general downward trend in the rainfall received - which together combined increases the temperature of their habitat. This results in these poor creatures leaving their home in search of cooler places and water. Attaching the photo of one captured near Malampuzha - was kept for a few days at Snake Park there before releasing inside the forest



Your snap of the wild pig seems to be from a close range. Lone male wild pigs are dangerous like lone tuskers. They can attack without provocation. If you are connected to Dr. Abheek Ghosh in facebook - he has a link to a report of an attack on one of his friends

Sorry for the OT. Eagerly looking forward for the rest. Rated 5 stars

[laluks]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

Going has been good Laluks...... Eagerly looking forward for the rest. Rated 5 stars

Thanks mallumowgli.
I have never seen such a huge King Cobra in my life. Thanks for sharing the picture.

The wild boar was very near to me when i took that picture. He was running off when I tried to shoot him.


Will need some more time to start posting again. Little busy with some serious matters to attend.