Kuttikkanam ( Another name for mist )

On october 2nd we planned a picnic at the last minute. I called my friend Anuroop and he was very exited about the journey. Now the hard part came...where to ? Since this is a last minute plan we don't have any time left for hotel booking. So we decided to choose a place near kochi or kottayam so that even if we don't get any accommodation we can drive back and reach our home even if it is late night. We decided the place "kuttikanam" and started our journey around 4 pm. Our route was kakkanad > Moovattupuzha > Neriamangalam > Cheruthoni > Idukki > Elappara > Kuttikanam. There was drizzling through out the journey. The rain has added more wilderness to ghat section.








We reached "kuttikkanam" around 08.30 PM and checked in to "Tea Vally Guest House". It 's small sized lodge and they will arrange food with local restaurant. We ordered our food and went to room for changing. Outside wind was heavy and the air was very cold. The sound of the winf through the valleys was frightening. It was still drizzling outside and we forced stay inside our room. After food we went to bed early.


The next day was a overcast day and mist added invisibility to the scene. The best thing I like this lodge is the big play in the front and my daughter is having a nice time. Only thing is in rainy season "leeches" are plenty in the grass. There was a suicide point few meters away which is not very known to the tourists. We had a photo session there and the view was marvelous.

After lunch we took a small nap and started to a near by place called "Parunthumpara" this place was the location for many of the Malayalam films. The place is an excellent place for relaxation.





Around five we started our journey back and the two days was excellent and memorable.

Moonilavu - Accidental journey to heaven

I wake up from sleep around 4 AM on a Saturday. Watched TV for 2 hrs. but couldn't glue to it. After bath I was confused what to do, I want to go somewhere but not sure where to go. I started of my journey towards Moovattupuzha, called my colleague Bijosh on the way who is residing in Moovattupuzha. I have heard abt. "Moonilavu" in somewhere but not sure about the route. Bijosh told me "namukku chodichu chodichu pokam". At last we found the route, Movattupuzha > Thodupuzha > Muttam > Melukavu > Moonilavu. We reached moonilavu around 11 am. I was disappointed because it was only a small village and nothing of much scenic beauty. We parked th vehicle and asked a jeep driver about the place. He told us that there are many picnic attractions, But these places are only accessible by jeep only. His name is sibi, and he was willing to show us around. We started our journey in his jeep .
At first it was like any other ordinary road, after few Km. the climb started. Sibi changed the jeep to "hanuman gear" and the climb was becoming steeper and steeper. We passed sibi's house and I came to know that only by jeep or by walk he can reach home. We reached the top of the climb and stopped the vehicle. Sibi told us the place is called "Pazhukkakanam". He also added that on a sunny day you can even see "sea" from here. The cool breeze added more re freshness to the scene.

Suddenly the rain came with blowing wind, we took shelter inside the jeep. It was amazing sight rain over the hills. After about half an hour the rain stopped and we resumed our journey. Next we saw a water falls nearby, But I am sorry I don't remember the exact name of it. it was almost 1 PM and we began to feel hungry. We started our journey back with a lot beautiful memories. I take this opportunity thank my colleague " Bijosh" and our navigator cum driver " Sibi ".

Ezhattumugham....A hideaway from kochi

It was a Sunday I got an early call from my friend "Manesh" asking "Entha pariapdi" ( what are the plans today) ? I was also feeling bored from my routine schedule. I agreed to go for a picnic and my friend "Deepa" picked th spot "Ezhattumugham". we started by 11 Am and on the way we packed some food for the lunch. we reached Ezhattumugham by around 12.30 PM. kids want to eat something and we had luch at " Prakirthi Gramam". It was Nice and cool Place and the view from the check dam was amazing.

Even though it was sunday there was not much crowd on the spot. There was some boys who were really enjoying the time. At about 4 PM the mood began to change and clouds were coming fast. we realized that it is about to rain at any time. Within a few minutes the rain started and we have take the shelter in a nearby building. The rain almost lasted for one hour and the surroundings are getting darker fast. we are forced start the journey back. But the day always will be a memorable one.

Special thanks to my friend "ajex" and his brother "aby" who showed us this marvelous place.

Nelliyampathy- The virgin land

We were planning a trip on the independence day2008, and first place came to mind was nelliyampathy. I have no second thought about our destination. I always liked the virginity of the hills. I was accompanied by my family and friend "satyan". We reached "kanchikode" before noon. we had lunch from satyan's home and took couple of hours rest. We started our first sight seeing tour in the afternoon and our first destination was "sitarkundu". The climb was not at all difficult, Finally we reached the point and only noise was of the water falls. The water was crystal clear, you can sit hours looking at the water do nothing. The atmosphere was amazing. One bitter experience was my friend "sajeev" slipped from a rock and his knee caught strangled. we were very sorry about him and started back immediately. We went to pallakkad and checked inn a mid range hotel. We went sleep early and next day we were planning to go to "Malampuzha."

We started to "Malampuzha" next day morning but I am regret say that it was very disappointing. We approached KT DC tourist desk and we got some numbers of resorts in "Nelliyampathy". But we were so unlucky that all the resorts were full. we started our journey back with great disappointment, while I was driving "satyan" called me and gave me one number. He said it was the contact number of a person who owns a resort in nelliyampathy. I called the number and the person who answered the phone said that he has one vacancy in his resort. he also gave me instructions to reach the resort. We deviated our route to nelliyampathy. It was half pat three when we started the climb. One side of the climb was the "Pothundi Dam". We have to hurry, because the sky was getting cloudy and it is getting dark fast. we were not aware of the fact what was waiting for us. It was "breath taking" the road was full of mist and visibility was lamost zero. It is one the experience that i don't want to forget.



We were in a hurry, because to reach the resort I have to drive 5 Km. off road. The journey through off road was very exciting. The road was slippery and it was up-hill also. By around 06.00Pm we reached the resort and the owner "joemon" received us with hot coffee. Everything belonged to "cisillia resort was in "kerala style".
The night was very cold and sound of crickets was ear piercing. But it was a melody to my ears.

The upper part of the resort is reserve forest and the resort was secured by electrical fencing. In the morning "joemon" turned off the electricity and we were able to cross the border to forest. The silence was amazing. I was shivering with the chill. The view from the top was beautiful. Sun was still under clouds and the grass was full of dew.


We spend our entire forenoon session there at the forest. We are lucky enought to find any animals. After lunch we started our journey to "view point". It was a half an hour drive and you have to walk 2 Km to reach the point. The sun was bright and the view was almost clear from the top. Almost entire "palakkad" was visible from there. The famous tree was full of lush green leaves. We ere able able to get some sun after the chilling morning. It was warm and was very comfortable. We were sad remembering that we have to leave this beautiful place today because tomorrow is "monday" and it is a working day. we started back our journey with full of good memories.