Kuttikkanam – Ramakkalmedu - Munnar

                      “25th & 26th are holidays and what to do with it ?” A simple question was taken up for discussion and as expected “What else ?” ; another question was the conclusion. And we found myself, wife Sreedevi, Kids Kannan & Kochu, Sunil, wife Renchi and kid Achu, comfortably packed in Sunil’s new Alto, leaving for Kuttikkanam by 3.30 PM, 23rd January 2009. The route was Ayur – Anchal – Punalur – Pathanamthitta – Ranni – Erumely – Mundakkayam – Kuttikkanam. Reached Erumely by dusk. The temple premises were stinking; thanks to the left outs of Sabarimala pilgrims. Had a quick visit at the mosque and steered towards Kuttikkanam. Sunil had bookings at Govt Guest house as well as Yathri Nivas Kuttikkanam and we opted Yathri Nivas.

     The rooms were comfortably spacious and quite clean. Went to bed after food for an early rise. 

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             Early morning left for Parunthum Para. A right turn at Pambanar junction, on KK Road, and the climb to Parunthum Para starts. As we weren’t aware of the view points atop & as we couldn’t locate any living being on the way, we went on descending through the other side. Finally in the midst of a tea plantation we met some workers and were informed that we had passed our destination.

             Back again and at the top we were stopped by a strange looking man, in front of a tarpaulin made shop cum apartment. This man, Sandeep, hailed from Trivandrum, and was happy to serve us as a guide apart from his regular job of tea vendor. Parunthum Para is a beautiful place except for the chilling morning waves.

                 Spent a while over there and was back at Yathri Nivas for break fast. The rest of the day was assigned for Vagamon visit. Vagamon was not worth a visit, at this part of the year, for one may find sun burnt grass lands beneath intolerable sun, and we returned after lunch. 

             Had a nap, which was really in need, and set out for Panchali Medu by 4 in the evening. Drove back to Murinjapuzha on KK road & deviated for Panchalimedu. A pretty good hike, of around 7 km, will take you to the base of Panchalimedu. An old man, we met there, guided us to the top along such a steep path that we panted like anything. After many breaks, for gasping in volumes of oxygen, we were finally atop by around 5.45.

                   View from Panchalimedu is worth mention, as you see folds of mountains all around, and the loneliness adds to the charm.

             After sunset, we explored a return path less steeper, and to our surprise, there was one which winds down the peak almost flat. Cursed the old man all the way back & hit the room by around 8.

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              Left Kuttikkanam by 5.30 in the morning and headed for Thekkady. Reached there well in time for the boat trip. Crowd always turns me off, and as it is, nothing is to mention on the boat trip. Had breakfast from Kumily and the destination was ChellarKovil and then Ramakkalmedu. Headed on the Munnar road and deviated from Anakkara for ChellarKovil. A birds view of the towns of Kambam & Theni beneath really pays. A small walk can take you to a rock top, from where the view is clearer. Of course you need someone with you who knows the place.

 

          Back to Munnar road and deviated from Puttadi for Ramakkalmedu. Reached there by noon. A nice place to visit – That’s all & pretty crowded.

              Had lunch from Nedumkandam – Hotel Yuvarani – decent food. Lazily negotiated the picturesque curvy route to Munnar via Pooppara and Devikulam.

              Reached Munnar town by evening and occupied our rooms at the Govt. Guest house. Had a walk in the night along the overcrowded streets of Munnar town to find how vandalized is the once famed hill station.

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                   After breakfast drove to Rajamalai, and the crowd there resembled that of a festival ground. Somehow managed to be in the bus run by the Forest Dept. to reach the Tahr sanctuary. As I have been there many times earlier, this one wasn’t of much interest, and the walk under the burning sun wasn’t pleasing. Distant glimpse of a lonely Tahr was enough to turn us around for the descend. Another long wait for the bus and were finally at the guest house by noon. Had lunch and off the place by 2 in the afternoon. Stopped at ‘Karimpinkala’ Changanasseri to have a stomach full, by evening, and at home sweet home by 10.30.

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