5 Days, 3 Destinations, Countless Adventures: Vythiri Wayanad, Kalpetta Kudajadri, and Madikeri Coorg
Fulfilling my Long-Time Travel Dreams in One Epic Journey
As a travel enthusiast, we had the opportunity to explore some of the most captivating destinations. Our journey began with Vythiri in Wayanad, followed by Kudajadri in Kalpetta and finished in Madikeri in Coorg.
In this blog, I am going to share my experience that left a lasting impression on me. Each day brought a new adventures and experiences, and I was able to fully immerse myself in the present moment. My long time desire of travelling without a plan, hopping from one place to another, meeting new people and making friends were fulfilled in this travel.
Booking Cancelled: Our Change of Plans
We had planned to take advantage of the May 1st holiday and take two days off from work (April 27 and 28) to enjoy our family time off. We had booked 3 days at Vythiri Holiday Resort for around 12K and were all set to go. However, just one day before our planned departure, we received an email that the hotel had cancelled our booking and had even gone ahead and refunded the advance payment without notifying us! Needless to say, me and my husband were all quite disappointed and frustrated at the sudden turn of events.
Despite our disappointment, I couldn't help but feel that perhaps the universe had other plans in store for us. However, since it was peak season and a school holiday, each resort was quite expensive and already fully booked. Despite the initial setbacks, I remained determined to find a place.
Thankfully, our efforts were not in vain as my husband stumbled upon an incredible private tree house in Wayanad Through the use of Google Maps. Surprisingly, this beautiful spot was not listed on any of the travel websites, and we were able to locate the tea house contact number and directly contacted the owner. To my delight, availability was there and our booking was confirmed.
Soon our excitement to the much-anticipated getaway began…
Prepping for our Adventure:
Our little son had been eagerly waiting for this trip since two weeks, and he was excited from the very beginning. He kept telling his school teacher that he would be going on a trip. On the day of the excursion, he woke up earlier than all of us, at 4:00 am, and exclaimed looking at the window, "It's 10:30 am! The sun is up!" For him, waking up at 10:30 am was a big deal. He finished his breakfast quickly and without much fuss, and by 5:00 am, we were all ready to go.
Stop Over at Ruchi Mane for a Delicious Karnataka-style Breakfast
The food here is prepared in the Karnataka style and if you're accustomed to the Tamil Nadu cuisine, particularly A2B chutneys, you may find these Karnataka-style food here underwhelming. However, if you're willing to explore, you will discover the region's unique chutney and sambar that offer a burst of flavors to your breakfast.
And if you're a fan of tea, Ruchi Mane will not disappoint. Their tea is brewed to perfection, and it's a must-try for anyone who loves a good cup of tea.
Our Journey through Bandipur Forest:
We had an opportunity to take the route via Bandipur Forest, and it was an experience that left us in awe of nature's beauty. As we drove through the winding roads, I couldn't help but feel excited about what lay ahead.
I was driving and my husband kept his eyes peeled for any signs of animal. My husband instructed me to maintenance a speed of 10, so that he can keep an eye out for any animals while my son enjoyed the scenery with his face outside the window. Throughout our drive of about 20kms inside the forest, we heard the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the occasional kri-kri sound. It was as if the forest was welcoming us with open arms.
Just as we were beginning to feel a little disheartened, we spotted two deer. The drive, the scenery, was the best way to kick off our trip.
Treehouse Retreat and Honey Tasting Adventure.
We were surrounded by lush greenery, and the sounds of birds and Lampyridae(lightning bugs) filled the air. The place was cozy and comfortable, and we were able to truly relax and unwind in its peaceful surroundings.
As we explored the beautiful natural surroundings, we realized that this unexpected change of plans had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We were able to enjoy our stay without any stress or worries and were able to fully appreciate the beauty of this lesser-known gem of a destination.
Indulged in Mouthwatering Delights:
For dinner, we got parcel from India Gate restaurant, as we had enjoyed the food so much. Afterward, we spent the rest of the night admiring the stars and enjoying a peaceful conversation, tasting the signature dishes, the Sultan chicken and the fish pollichathu (Priced at Rs.550), which were served on banana leaves. If you're visiting India Gate Restaurant, these 3 dishes is a must-try on their menu.
But for us, the highlight of the night was not just the food, but the atmosphere as well. However, a sudden thought occurred to me: In future, I wished to spend my time enjoying the serene ambiance, listening to music, and reading a book, surrounded by nature.
Day 2 : 900 Kandi Adventure:
On the second day of our Wayand trip, we woke up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I prepared coffee and enjoyed it while relaxing in a hammock, surrounded by trees and a swinging breeze.
After getting ready, we began our journey and made a stop at a tea estate where we had some refreshing tender coconut, sold by a young boy who looked no older than ten years. Although the experience of sipping tender coconut amidst the tea estate was incredible, I couldn't help but admiring the boy who was helping his dad at this young age.
As we continued our journey, we reached 900 Kandi, which was a 5km Jeep ride away from car parking. The ride was a bit crazy, it was a bumpy off-road ride that was both thrilling and dangerous. We could feel our heart pounding with excitement end enjoyed the thrill ride of navigating through the rough and tumble terrain. I would advise pregnant women to avoid this Jeep ride, and also note that it costs 1200 per jeep, with six people allowed in one Jeep. There were no food options available on the top.
Next up, we got to experience an unique experience. The 900 Kandi Glass Bridge in Wayanad offered a thrilling experience as we walked on a transparent glass pathway above a valley. It's a must-visit attraction for those seeking an adrenaline rush and breathtaking views of nature. Later, My husband opted for free-walking and I was amazed by his body balance as he walked effortlessly. I, on the other hand, tried my hand at cycling zip-lining, horizontal walk and it was an experience like no other.
Finally, we went for a trek to a nearby cave, and to my surprise, my three-year-old son completed the trek with ease. He seemed to love trekking and adventure, following in his mom's footsteps.
Pookade Lake: A Rainy Boating Adventure
Upon reaching the lake around 4 p.m, we were greeted by a long queue for boating. However, luck was on our side as there were 2 seater pedal boats available without no queque. We quickly grabbed the opportunity and took tickets for pedal boating.
My husband and I took charge of pedaling the boat, while our son Hethvick navigated the boat. The weather was cool, and there was a hint of rain in the air. We set off on our boating adventure, admiring the lush greenery and mountains surrounding the lake.
As we were halfway through our boating experience, it started raining heavily. It was as if someone had turned on a tap, and the rain was pouring down like cats and dogs. We were thrilled to be boating in the rain. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After completing one round of boating in the rain, we got out of the boat. My son was ecstatic to dance in the rain. We let him dance and get wet, and he loved every minute of it. We were all drenched, and our clothes were completely wet, but it was worth it.
As the rain subsided, we walked towards the parking area, admiring the water flow caused by the rain. The whole area looked magical and serene, and we couldn't help but feel grateful for this experience.
If you ever get a chance to visit Pookade Lake, make sure to take a boat ride and embrace the beauty of nature.
"Tea Estate Walk and Nighttime Swimming: A Relaxing End to an Adventurous Day"
After an eventful day of adventure, we decided to take a relaxing walk in the tea estate in the evening. Hethvick, my three-year-old son suggested couple poses and clicked innovative photos of us. We had a wonderful photoshoot experience when Hethvick took our first photo, and I was impressed by the admirable output. We also witnessed men trimming tea leaves using a machine, and we connected with nature as we walked through the tea estate, crossing the bridge of river stream Kabini
Later that night, we decided to jump into the swimming pool once again. The water was warm, and with the moon shining bright, along with the swimming pool lights, we had a great time splashing around and enjoying each other's company.
Star Nights and Glass Heights: Our Dreamy Stay in a Triangle Treehouse
The glass-encased, triangle-shaped treehouse enabled us to stargaze the moon's glow, sky and stars as we slept on the bed. The owner gave us a brand new water cooler to fulfill our request for a fan. It was a great way to end the day and unwind after all the adventures we had.
Next two days, we encountered a plethora of stories and experiences that we had never before come across. Will share in my next post.
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