Searching for Wyanad
First of all there is no wyanad actually .So don't go looking for trains and buses to Wyanad.Wyanad is the general name of a region in Kerala.Wyanad is off the major tourist circuit and is good for backpacking or the very luxurious traveller. If you dont like walking or cannot afford to pay 5000 Rs(500$ aprox) ,per person per night, this may just be where you dont want to be.There are hideaway resorts with amazing facilities like tree houses or ayurvedic spas called Tranquil, Vythiri or Greengates etc etc ,where I didnt go of course.
To get there
The easiest route is from Mysore.Take a bus to Sultan Battery. Say Buth-eh-reee not battery.It was originally named because of the gun that Tipu Sultan had there.
There are three small towns that can be your night halts from where you explore smaller trips and treks (all half to a day long)- Sultan Bathery,Kalpetta,Manathvady. Lots and lots of local buses at all times.Ask around.
This trip I stayed at Sultan Battery for a night halt.
Accomodation
Chakalakkal ( I not sure of the spelling)guest house- modest budget hotel. Not to many TVS or AC room. No eatery on premisis. Not expensive.
Dwaraka tourist home- Modest again but has a next door resturant called Prince. (For the women traveller- check out for the Family room in most eateries ,you will be less stared at)
ask to be given a room in the New annex. If you are finicky about peeling paint or dust on the walls-try the next one. If you have made your peace with old stuff and dont mind faded stuff and dusty shelves go ahead.
The Resort(Issac's ) Very good for the price but book in advance. Clean white sheets and good resturant.(Room service takes a long time 30-45 minutes either for coffee or a full meal- their resturant is often full)
Ask for a wyanad brochure to borrow at hotel reception and get it xeroxed. You cant get copies.
Time for this trip.
Can be done in a weekend from Mysore, Bangalore or closer places.
To mysore from where ever
From mysore 3to 31/2 hour drive through tree lined curved road ( Calicut National highway) ooty road.
Reach before lunch. Do local sight seeing-the gun and a jain temple.
Next day take a bus to chetilayam -Beautiful bird watching zone- easy trek along a jeep track from the road about 6 kms to the head of the Chetilayam falls(wear a hat ,take water and food and no plastic please).Even smaller kids can do this trek quite easily. Local jeeps ply along now and then and so if you have no trek experience at all this can be a good start up.You cant lose your way here. keep walking till you see a bridge across a small stream and the large mango tree. you are close to the falls.
For more details on how to reach the actual falls, look up next blog on Fauna and Fun days.( Some time elephants cross into the road- heed local advice when they say "Yaane"( elephant) or "NOOKU"( see).If they smile when they say it ,proceed. if they wave and gesticulate wildly,keep away.This is a very good bird zone.even for late risers .
Do temple visits for the seetha temple and return to battery
Next day plan amabalavyal-
Get to Kolagapara and take auto to the Eddkal caves ( 150 rupees from SB to and fro with waiting)Till parking area( donot not walk there is a steep climb to the cave entrance and then a further scarmbling climb to the actual carved caves - a full cardio workout)
the caves are prehistoric 1500-1700 BC. with carvings . also the view is spectacular.Must see for history enthusiasts and people who like views from top.Dont miss the vertical -crack view from the far end of the cave.Bad for knee pain and vertigo
Karugahpuuaa dam nothing but good clean water and the dam( not worth it unless you havent seen Dams before
Heritage muesuem -recommended but it closes at 5 pm ( so I didnt get to see it)
if you dig gardens and agriculture check out the agricultural research centre of the kerala agricultural university ( during early jan-feb- march the roses in garden are spectacular.
More Journal stuff tomorrow.
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