Valparai trip

A trip was planning for last two months from my office, the destination and date changed often. Where we want to go! Munnar or valparai. At last we decided valparai. As we are having off days at weekends we planed the trip on Weekend .We are a small team which consists of less than 10.As the destination and date varies some of the members did thought of pull off from the trip. Meanwhile we booked a Qualis. Our team leader Jays introduced his intimate friend Vishnu to the party, were he booked the accommodation and food. I haven’t heard much of valparai so I searched the one and only popular search engine “Google”. Saw some blogs in which some awesome narrations which kept me interested

About Valparai

From Google I came to know that valparai is located above 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Annamalai mountain range. It is a town located on the Western Ghats, In Valparai, there are several tea and coffee estates, dams, water falls and 15 tea factories. Valparai totally gives us wonderful natural scenery, which stands majestically with forest all around. Sholayar Dam in Valparai is a fantastic dam to watch. Other important places to visit around Valparai are Balaji temple, Puncha Mugha Vinayagar Koil and spread across tea estates. Also we are supposed to saw lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri and the common langur, Malabar giant squirrel, elephant, gaur, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer ,wild boar reside and leopards

I believe there are two routes to reach the beautiful hill station

1) Coimbatore -pollachi- Valparai -165 Km

2) Chalakudy - Athirapilly - Valparai - 140 Km

Guys who Travels through Pollachi definitely will have breathtaking visuals, total 40 Hair pin bends, the valparai has the most number of Hairpin bends compared to other Hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal .Well we are forced to travel chalakudy- Athirapilly-valparai as which is the easiest route for us and we decided to enjoy with the lesser hair pin bends

First we planned to start at night but it’s not advisable to travel night in that part to world were as we can be attacked by wild elephants and leopards and also entry is restricted after 6pm and before 6am by Security Guards .Myself and Saju planed to take bike were we can enjoy the most of it .Also Vishnu told us some stories which forced us to take Saju’s Maruti Alto

5th December 2009 7.30 Am

We started off from info park Cochin. Myself, Saju , sibish, Sanjoj in Saju s Alto and waited for other Guys in Angamaly –Attani In Qualis Jaydev, ashar, sreeja, jayasree, Vishnu, Arun. They came around 8.30 am in Qualis at Attani and we had breakfast together in a vegetarian Hotel were sanoj found a small worm in his masala dosha and almost all of us stopped eating especially guys having masala dosai were as I ordered a Ghee roast .Any way I finished it off with a juice

And around 9.15 am we moved towards Chalakkudy, taken right from the Karayamparambu Junction from there via. Mookannoor we can reach Ezhattumugham. There is a Plantation Corporation’s check post. Security Guard came to check our vehicle. I still remember the face of the Security Officer (still the same guy) when we went to Ezhattumugham 3 years back were he denied us to carry liquor to the plantation area. After the formalities we entered to the plantation. Here we go!!

From here onwards we enjoyed the beauty of nature. Sounds of heavy waterfalls After the Ezhattumugham, a bridge will take you directly to Chalakudy-Athirappally road (will reach in front of Silver storm). Take right from there. By doing so, we can save time and there is a small saving in kilometers also.

From Ezhattumugham Visnu drove the Maruti Alto were as we had some breath taking moments were he shown his skills in driving especially “Spin-out” sounds, were I only had experienced it in a Toyota Corolla when I was a friend’s car at Bangalore. I think in Athirapilly there is another check post. After the checking and all we back in to the car .Vishnu Back to Qualis

After driving quite a while we stopped in nearby a water fall .There we found a Board of  Kerala

Forest department Vazhachal “Rocks are slippery ,those who gets in to water beware of that” But I saw the board when I came back .we went on and find a place were we are safe, were there is no heavy waterfalls ..Sibish on to water in a flash and started swimming . Later on Myself,Asher and sanoj pursued Sibish . We felt steep pressure underwater Gosh as it’s too cold we don’t had think of getting back to the shore till the security Guard whistled and signaled danger.

Boye then only we noticed the roaring sound of Water hitting rocks .It was around 11.45 am

I shared my memories of Ezhattumugham trip with my colleagues where we were rocking on the water by around 5.30pm .Thanked the Local Guys around us at that day. They asked us to get on the shore quickly from the rocks which we were standing because the waterfalls will get heavier as its getting dark. Within Minutes the Roaring sound of water hitting rocks increased and surprisingly the whole rocks covered by the flourishing water. With those memories I went towards our car…when we opened the dickey of the car, the words of Saju horned my ears .when we started the journey from Info Park Cochin “Man there is no Stephanie tyre in my car”

Well nothing much we can do. Were we had a faith that our other vehicle quails is with us. One or other way we can reach the destinationWe started off from the vazhachal and the destination is malakkappara ,slowly and steadily we are inching towards the deep forest .After Vazhachal the road was empty as it entered the forest and traffic was low, we hardly remember seeing any other vehicle on the road. So if you have plans to take this route, be prepared to handle a breakdown and have water and food to eat. I think no one out there to offer you any of these.

As we don’t have Stephanie tyre we are supposed to go in front but the quails driver was in a hurry. As soon as he got an opportunity he overtook us. The roads were very twisty, narrow and its getting dark .Also as the Maruti Alto is our owned vehicle I advised Saju to drive slowly and we decided to enjoy the beautiful scene .We stopped near a small water fall where as ideal background for some snaps .For a moment we forgot that our team members had surpassed us .we suddenly got into the car and continued Again concerns …we found that there was no range for our mobile phones, where as BSNL only had range in this part of the world if any !I looked at my watch .its 1.30 Noon

Guys its dark as its 6.30 pm. Sounds of crickets and some other animals whistling .Saju had put on the dim head light for a while to show us how much dark it is.Saju slow down the car .A snake passing through the road .we don’t know which type of snake is that .Only we knows that is a long snake .It took some time to cover the tail to cover the grasses near by. Well am sad that we couldn’t capture that on our cam. We moved on slowly enjoying the nature we spotted a Black colored Monkey on a tree were as Saju didn’t .We asked him to reverse the car ..But it was too late. He had hided somewhere and we couldn’t spot the Black monkey again. I believe it’s a lion tailed Macaque .We continued …we were thrilled and we would love to spot any other wild animal than Elephant. Chit chats in the car

Here we go we spotted another animal which is a giant squirrel on to top of the tree. This time we didn’t missed out to capture it on cam. As we can’t stay long we drove towards malakkappara. Sun lights are sneaking through the leave of trees .slowly we found good roads and shining sun. We also spotted a man made hut on top of a tree on the way. 

At last we reached the Malakkapara Check Post where checking begun by Kerala Security Guards. Entered details of Vehicles and drove towards the Tamil Nadu check post. On the way we had some tea and snacks from a malayalais restaurant, were he had put on the test Cricket match on TV and someone among us asked in Malayalam “chetta score enthayti”(what is the score brother)with no regrets he explained. boye this shows how much Indians are attached to the game of cricket.

Mean while Vishnu back to alto with jay and Saju went on to Qualis As we were crossing the check post Saju took a snap of the security guard and he got angry. Every one had to give Rs 20/- for each vehicle; though illegal we paid the money and started Journey. Full of tea plantations around us….wow 

Vishnu informed me that we are passing through the Sholayar Dam Sholayar Dam is situated 20 km from Valparai a hill station on the Anamalai range in Coimbatore District. Again from Google I came to know that it’s the second deepest dam in Asia. With its scenic surroundings, the dam is a busy tourist spot in the hidden forest area. A part of the hydroelectric project of Tamil Nadu, special permission is required to visit the dam. We didn’t get down on the dam site as we were getting late.

On the way small small huts on the road side which looked lovely .Suddenly Vishnu hand signaled to stop the Qualis driver behind us. I opened the door and walked in front of our car where as I saw a cute little lamb on the road .she is so cute that as I went on to touch her she moved off the road .Then I noticed an old lady on her veranda smiled at me and said something & to be frank I didn’t understood what she said .I did smiled back and got in to the car .we are inching towards valparai town we saw more of cars, bikes and private buses. I noticed almost all guys riding bikes are not wearing their helmet as it may be not too much strict in valparai .here we go! We reached valparai town .All guys get down from the car and all are much happier as they saw the liquor shop. We bought 3 bottles of the Old Port Rum and 1 bottle vodka. Me and Vishnu went on to buy some snacks and soft drinks .All back on to car and moved on .we passed in between beautiful plantation 

“Beautiful landscape with Green leaves” where as u will definitely feel like in heaven

While we did enjoyed it with a popular song from Varanam Ayiram movie

“Nenjukkul Peidhidum” Time 4 pm .while I was talking Vishnu he showed me a ground where some guys were playing cricket .I saw a cottage behind that !There it is! We are gonna stay here tonight

We can’t take the cars on to the cottage premises because it on a small hill as there is a small passage to enter. We parked the vehicles down. We all went to room placed our bags and came back to the dining room where Vishnu introduced chandran chettan to us. A calm guy .I had a chat with him were I came to know that he is a Malayali basically from Palakkad. Food is on the table we started eating .delicious fried rice and chicken curry. I was too hungry that I talked less in dining hall. Praises all-around for chandran chettan for his excellent cooking .Later we roamed around the place there we saw the board “Mudis club” Then only we came to that it’s a club. we had chit chats on the veranda of the club .As I felt sleepy I went on to the bed and slept for nearly 2 hours as we all didn’t slept overnight .

Around 6.30 I woke up and had a bath and back to the hall where some of the guys are enjoying playing Carrom board .I went outside on to the veranda, it’s getting dark and I can feel the cold, pin drop silence .Here comes the Jayaram chettan Vishnu’s bro in law who arranged this accommodation for us. I did had a chat with him also, were i came to know that his cousins are from my home town Eloor.I know one of jayram chettants cousin as well. Jaydev, a nice personality and good tennis player in our school days, All guys are requested to join the hall as we gonna begin the party .myself with Jayaram chettan joined the team. All set to go! Cheers .guys enjoyed mixing up rum and coke vodka and 7up, were as I stick on to “Rum paani”. Girls also joined us, had snacks and soft drinks were Sibish want beer with no hesitation Jayaram chettan took his Yamaha, they went to the neared wine shop, were we can hear the sound the Yamaha passing through the tea estates ,surely sibish would have experienced the skill of Jayaram Chettans driving. Well they are back and joined the party of in a flash man! I Suggested Vishnu to take the entire crew to the veranda so that we can enjoy the most of it .He replied “Bilash I was supposed to do the same ’’We all went on to veranda.

As in every Party there will be someone to up the tempo with a slip of a tongue, with some dialogues, here also we found our man it’s non other than Mr. “Sibish” .ha ha ha.

Wow …songs, dances, dialogues, shouts boye we rocked that night there on the Mudis club. Here comes Jayaram chetttans son Kannan.He is studying at Coimbatore, came for the vacation .It was a sad day for him because he lost his Sony Ericsson -Shake music on the way to home. We consolidated him. Here comes the fried chicken of our Master Chef Chandran chettan. We all did enjoyed having that too. Party went on till 12:00 pm and we all had food together .Jayaram chettan and his son went on to their home. We all back to bed. Some of us were not sleepy, we gathered together and talked. Vishnu then offered me a peg I surprised because we finished off every thing .He said I found this honey bee pint on Jayaram chettans Bike .well we had some pegs and Vishnu said “lets move to the ground” .We four Vishnu, myself, Saju and jayasree went on to the ground around at 1.30 pm, Guys this remains the best of moments in my valparai trip. It was freezing cold and pin drop silence. It’s a 22 yard beautiful cricket ground which I think was built by British guys ,I remembered the words of Jayaram chettans “the grass over there was some imported ones which is slight bluish color”. I went on with no slippers, were I felt exactly how much cold it is! As Overjoyed for a while we did forgot that we can be attacked by leopards. We are then back on bed and slept off within minutes

December 6th 2009

I wake up at morning 7.00 am were I missed the beautiful scene of Valparai wakening up. But surprisingly when we checked the cam later on some beautiful picture of valparai was there. Its sanoj and sibish who took the pictures. Thanks guys .

we had our breakfast (idaly and sambar with chadni) and went on to a tunnel near by. We were assisted by one and only Jarayam chettan .It took some time to reach there as the roads are twisted .On the way through out we enjoyed the beautiful scenes of plantations, on the way while walking down to tunnel we found steps made of rocks which been drown down .we reached the tunnel .jayaram chettan took some snaps of us and later on all the crews on to freezing cold water. We enjoyed the most there .As we went too much closer to the tunnel jayaram chettan advised us not to go much further to the tunnel as we may feel suffocation & there are lot of bats which may attack. It’s damn dark inside the tunnel. We did spend a lot of time in the water .By 2.30 pm we are back to the shore. Chit chats all-around and moved towards where we parked the car, its 15 min away from tunnel .On the way we noticed some old houses which is apparently covered up with grass.jayaram chettan told us that it’s because of elephants, leopards and some other wild animals the people are forced to move on from this place where its life threatening.

We are back on to club by around 3.00 pm, had our lunch, hot chicken biriyani umm wow yummy .we did take rest for sometime and as clocks ticks of we had to say bye to “Mudis club”. Mean while jayaram chettan left us as he had some other works, we thanked him for every support he gave us to make the trip memorable

Around 4.00 pm we started off .we did thank chandran chettan also for giving us an excellent food While coming back we took some cool snaps of the Mudis club and sholayar dam

We reached malakkapara , and we bought some tea bags to our homes, off to a flash in to the cars as its getting dark and we had to cover the forest quickly . Our resolution was to reach the Athirapilly check post by 8 -8.30pm .In fact we reached there by 8.15 pm. It was breath talking as well when we passed through the deep forest .we hardly found vehicles on road, on the way some guys in willys jeep. Ummmm they surely gonna rock the way to valparai.we now on to the city

We stopped our car near to a hotel near by Nedubassery airport Cochin .Had tea and on track again; they dropped me at kalamassery by 10 pm where they are going towards Info Park Cochin .Qualis went on to drops others too. With the memories of valparai I walked towards my home. We haven’t visited many places there .Still we had some good remembrance

Take this route guys, you will not regret it.