Overwhelmed with scenery as this highway is heaven on this earth , a beautiful place with lot of tea gardens on the way. Its absolutely real picture of natural beauty. This Tamarassery pass’s starting point is Lakkidi which is one of the highest locations of Wayanad seems to be second in rainfall after Cherapunjee.

Hearing Lakidi view point I expected to be some hill view but this was in fact valley view with lofty mountain peaks, luxuriant vegetation and the bird’s eye view of the deep valley with its winding roads. We wanted to get down the valley which goes to Kozhikode. By then Aarush was deep in sleep with the motion of car so we took an oppotunity to go down. It was really breath taking experience to drive on those winding roads with 9 sharp hairpin bands and after few more KMs we asked one local how far is Kozikhode – reply was 40 KMs. We could have gone to Kozikode if there was no other binding or if we would have started early morning. In our case, we did booking that morning before starting from homestay to visit Vythri resort particularly restaurant for lunch- buffet. And they are particular about timing from 1-3PM only. It was already 1PM in watch so we decided to return.

Here, we made one mistake I believe instead of visiting day one at temple and Kurvadweep we could have gone to Calicut (Kozhikode) for one night stay or just to see the sun set at Arabian sea. Anyways, there is always next time.

While returning saw chain tree just 2kms after ghat pass. There is a story behind this tree. A tribal man showed a British this Tamarassery pass as a way to reach Mysore easily and British killed this man to get the full credit. Then lots of accidents happened on that road and later one saint said the soul of the tribal man is responsible for these accidents. So the soul is now tied in that tree by a chain and then it is believed that the accidents are reduced.

From here we visited Pookot lake. The lake is very calm and scenic, was less crowded that day. Surrounded by hills and greenery. However, didn’t do boating as said wanted to just relax. It is a natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest. This lake is around 11 km from Kalpetta. It is basically meant for children’s pleasure.

Then left for Vythiri resort. Its hidden among the hills. Roads are not yet tarred. Fifteen to twenty minutes drive through the tea gardens and forest may be a bit bumpy but they are very picturesque and worth going there. Place untouched and not exploited by urbanization. This gorgeous place has much to offer and you cannot be out of places to see here. Setting is a lovely-walk over the bamboo bridge to reach restaurant and through the plantation. We reached just at 3PM.

Food was excellent; they had rasam as soup. 5-6 varieties of salad, 3 kinds of cooked rice and long list of items like avial, erisery, thorans , varieties of fish curries and chicken. Last but not least 3-4 varieties of dessert too. We were truly up to throat. Relaxed there for a while. Wanted to take their 1 hour trail but because of dark we didn’t took any risk and decided to return.

What is Kerala without a ayurvedic oil massage? My caretaker arranged for one that evening. Oh !!! it was really very soothing felt like going to sleep in no time. Thanks to Santanu for baby sitting Aarush and he finished his dinner too by the time I was done.

This really was a home away from home. To relax totally and enjoy thoroughly, Wayanad has a salubrious climate. Thanx to Mrs.Sitha to make us feel at home with her warm hospitality and smiling face which will remain deep in our heart for long. She was always there for providing us with all kind of comfort be it looking after Aarush or washing his bottles or with boiled water. She is an excellent cook. We had puttu, appam, puri, kerala parotha, kadi and many others at her place. Mainly farm fresh and organic products are used for cooking. Now I really feel 3 nights are very less to experience all this.

Next morning we started our journey back to Bangalore around 11 from there. We had enough time to go to Edkaal caves and Soochipora falls but we didn’t. One due to time crunch, secondly with Aarush we didn’t wanted to climb up or down the stairs to view these places which would have fatigued us. So without draining our stored energy much we decided to return home. By 3PM we crossed Mysore;had Maddur vada and dosa on way to Bangalore.

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After a deep slumber the next morning we woke-up fresh and energetic. Aarush wanted to play seeing an open space- courtyard. They have toys, cycles, carom board, badminton court, balls to play with. He was really happy to get all these stuffs. What more parent wants if kid is happy you are happy otherwise nothing on earth can make you happy.

Morning, we were shown all rooms available there. It was a nice room with a central common area and one room each on either side. Each room can easily accommodate a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 kids)at main buiding while bamboo room can accommodate 4 in each room. We opted for room at main building.

The huge banana and green paddy plantation in front of the home-stay is a wonderful delight to the eyes!! Then leisurely we freshened up and gobbled down the breakfast prepared. Her breakfast area is an open space with neat dining set, covered by a thatched roof with lovely breeze and great view. Mean while Nash asked us what we wanted to do and suggested what we can. He gave all route directions. Truly, I didn’t wanted to do much but more of relaxing.

We decided to go to Thirunelly temple and Kuruvadweep.

Thirunelli temple is nestled amidst three hills. The deity worshiped here is Lord Krishna, but the place gained popularity for the Papanasini river (rather a stream flowing beside the temple). Road to the temple passes via Mananthavady town from Panamaram is hilly with bumpy roads and green all around. You get to pass through fields and forest. Picturesque for sure. We drove the road which connects Wayand with Coorg and at the end we took a left turn(14 KM) for the temple. This temple is a peaceful and serene place. Since not properly restored I won’t recommend to visit. It can be skipped unless just want to drive or have some religious rites to perform.

Then from there we went to Kuruvadweep. Roads didn’t improved much. As the drive went on, different shades of green we could find all around Wayanad. Nice treat to eyes; our eyes were relaxed seeing green all around. Since we stay in concrete jungle for us it was really paradise. The water was knee deep, muddy and not very clean as there were plenty of plastics and junk from tourists and local shops – we did not felt like crossing the same. If you have time you can take boat ride.

At evening owner, Mrs Seetha of the home-stay offered us with hot coffee. Coffee and tea served are unlimited without charges and ensured that we were served with hot sumptuous dinner once Aarush’s dinner was over. This was really nice of her .

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We looked for two homestays one near Nagarhole and other near Sultan Bethary. Looking does not means that we will stay there but then also we sincerely jotted them in MS- word with phone no. and all. I wanted to be sure where I am spending night otherwise I am not going anywhere. At that time he said we will do night stay at Mysore and then early morning we will leave for Wayanad. So took down hotel contact details and address of frill-free Ginger hotel of Mysore.

Since that weekend was long weekend and Saturday was Santanu’s exam I was not sure when exactly he wanted to leave from home. Because by the time he will reach home after exam it would be late afternoon. Then also on Friday late evening we packed our things with ‘just in case thought.’ On Saturday he called me up around noon saying to call those home-stays if there is any availability or not and to be ready otherwise to leave immediately within 1 hr. after he returns home. When I called those home-stays only one was available. Gave a call directly to her for availability otherwise pricing will vary then. Thereafter I remembered its not home-stays we are supposed to stay that night but frill free hotel of Mysore. Later after his exams I called him to clarify those doubts and that time he said no we are going straight to one which is available at Wayanad. I was bit stupefied on hearing that – Was really not sure whether he would be able to drive that evening or not but he sounded quite confirmed in his answer. Oh man! he is so adamant not to make any proper itinerary before any trip.

Finally, route was Bangalore – Mysore – Nanjangud – Gundalpet – Sultan Bathery – Wayanad. We set off on Saturday at 4.10 PM from home and touched Mysore by 7.15PM since it was already dark we missed the signal of Ooty and ended up going to Mysore palace. Luckily, from far we saw whole palace being lighted up. So we made a halt to take photographs. Some open air music function was going on at eve of Ugadi. Around 7.50PM we happened to ask one police-officer the route to Ooty and he was startled seeing me and Aarush saying its too late to go there. Will take around 9-10 hrs to reach and road is not that excellent. And suggested to stay at some hotel at Mysore only. Then we said we actually want to go to Wayanad. Hearing that he seemed to be quite relieved and said road is very good and gave direction to the same. By 8.05 we were in car and in no time were at route leading to Nanjangud. Our excitement was in the air.

The route to Wayanad had to be traversed through the hilly terrain highway. We could not speed up much although Aarush was sleeping but dazzling lights from opposite direction vehicles were very disturbing. We made few more stop – overs to confirm the route and then take-away dinner on route. Crossed dense jungle of Bandipur at night. We had to be very vigilant through out. As this was our first night drive. There are lots of check posts and in one check post Santanu had to get down to give driving license and car registration details.

Lady of home-stay – ‘Ente vedu‘ told me once you reach Sultan Bathry give call for further directions. Route to our home-stay was another 45 min. more from S.Bethary. We had to leave NH 212 and drive on a connecting road towards Mananthavady this road was complete dark and up-down roads with lot of winding we were not able to accelerate more. As it crosses villages there were no car or person on the road. Still we found some night owl to confirm we are on the right direction or not. Her guide “Nash Jose” directed us although we were feeling quite uncomfortable for disturbing them that late. Guidance was with location, buildings on the road sides and also with distance from where we were calling. Later from one point we were not able to figure out which route to take then he came himself to that point to guide us. Really nice of him. This home-stay is located in Panamaram, Wayanad.

In spite of reaching the homestay pretty late (past midnight) he showed us room and other facilities and bid goodnight. That night we were given one big room (kind of dormitory where many can stay together with bathroom but toilet was outside. Thank God we did not need to share with anybody. As all other rooms were booked we got this one and we were told by morning we can change to room of our choice.

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