In Vythri, we visited Pookot Lake. We went around in a rowing boat all around the lake. You also have a trail for walking around, and the lake overlooks hills covered with tea plantations.
We then went to Kalpetta, the second big place in Wayanad around 20 kms away from Pookot Lake. We checked into the Green Gates resort which was so beautiful that it seemed like a tourist destination in itself. When I saw its picture on the Internet, I thought it could not be like this in real life. It seemed as if somebody had worked on the pictures, but on seeing the place I was amazed. The resort is very asthetically landscaped and artistically designed with a terracotta theme. The washbasin in the restaurant, the lamp, the ashtray in the rooms, they were all made of terracotta. Food is good and inexpensive.
This was the only destination on our entire trip where we decided to spend two nights. One thing that you miss in North Kerala is hot cup of good filter coffee. Even though you have coffee growing all around you, all you get to drink is milk with instant coffee. Though this resort also does not offer filter coffee, they were good enough to recommend a confectionary close by: Walnut Cakes. Along with inexpensive and mouthwatering pastries and patties, Walnut Cakes also offered cappuccino from a Café Coffee Day vending machine: the closest we could get to filter coffee.
The next morning drove down about 20 kms to Soochipara water falls. On the way, the winding road passed through coffee and tea plantations. On reaching the end of the motorable road for the falls, we got ready to trek 1km to the water fall. The trek was nice and comfortable, and I clicked close ups of coffee and pepper plantations. After walking about a kilometer, came the tough part of climbing down the steps: the further down we went steeper the steps became. After a point I realized that young at heart is not sufficient. You need to the physically very fit to go down the last few steps. Water was gushing down at a great speed and the view was worth all the effort. We spent some time admiring the waterfall before climbing the stairs and trekking the one km to the car.
After enjoying a Kerala meal at our resort and taking a little rest, were all set to visit Banasura Sagar Dam when it started raining heavily. We were told that boating on the dam is permitted only till 5 pm. The rain stopped around 4pm and we immediately got into the car and drove to the dam. The 25km drive on the serpentine road took us a good 50 minutes. We just entered the dam area in time. We took a jeep for a km drive to the point from where speed boats are available. The fifteen minute trip in the speed boat was scary in the beginning and enjoyable thereafter.
The rain gods were very kind. It did not rain while we were in the speed boat, though we could see threatening clouds in the sky.
The next morning after breakfast, we left for Bangalore. On the way we passed through the third important place Sulthan Batheri. We visited Phantom Rock and then headed for Ekkadal Caves.
After a jeep ride from the car park on a narrow road, we reached the starting point of the climb to the mouth of Ekkadal caves. We were told the steps are regular. The first few were, and then the tough part started. Still, with lots of courage and the help of our cab driver, we reached the entry point of the cave, but getting into the cave was a tough job, so we gave up the idea. We rested for some time and started climbing down the stairs. After the jeep ride back to the car park, I had refreshing coconut water for the first time on this trip.
We drove down the hill, bidding farewell to North Kerala and saying hi to Karnataka. We were sad our trip was coming to an end, but were happy that once in Bangalore, we would be meeting our children.
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