Wayanad - Part 1

We both were planning for a break for sometime. Finally decided to go during the Ed-Gandhi Jayanthi holidays. Satish agreed to take an additional day off on 30th Sept. So dates decided. The major part was where to go? My first preferred destination was Coorg/Madikkeri. Browsed net for info and found many travelogues and tips on Coorg. And I found many mentioning about Wayanad too. Wayanad is in my must-see list for a long time. So focus shifted to Wayanad. Did some googling and found hotel info. Selected Woodlands hotel. Confirmed booking for two days. Decided the time of journey. Which all places we are going to see was not decided. Thought we will chart that after reaching Wayanad and having a word with the cab people. But wanted to see Edakkal caves, pookot lake and Soochipara. Rather these were places I have heard of at Wayanad. Apart from that all that I know it is more of Coffee plantations and 90% of the inhabitants are tribals/adivasis and its more of a forest with many hills.

We left early On 30th ie 3:50 A.M to be precise from our home on bike to the railway station. While Satish was busy bargaining the parking area guy of charges for 3 days parking, I heard the announcement for Yaswantpur train arrival. We had planned to take the Chennai Mail towards Mangalore which was at 4:30. Earlier the better. Rushed to the platform. Train arrived and got comfortably seated in the general compartment. Was very fresh that we didn't feel sleepy at all. At 7:30 reached Kozhikode station. Had a light breakfast at the VRR. Food was just average. Took an auto to the K.S.R.T.C stand. Bus was already waiting to Mananthavady. We had to get down at Kalpetta some 20 kms before that. Checked if it will go to Kalpetta and got seated in the bus. The route from Kozhikode to Kalpetta is a treat to the eyes, full of scenic beauty. There are f 9 hairpin bends. You can enjoy the travel as the bus goes up.

Reached Kalpetta town at 9:45 A.M. Took an auto to the hotel. Actually it was just 5 minutes walk. Checked in and booked a cab for sight seeing. Hotel people arranged the cab and it was to arrive at 11. We went to the room which was in second floor (No lifts). Room had two double cot beds neatly arranged, a small table and 2 chairs, TV, telephone and wall cupboard. There was just enough space to walk around the cot in the room. The bathroom is too small. It has 24 hrs hot water facility. Refreshed and had a cup of coffee along with the bread-butter-jam sandwich I had taken from home.

Contd..