Kerala Drive: 14-1 Districts

In the last few years, I have driven through thirteen out of fourteen districts of Kerala, along with three districts of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, Theni and Dindigul. The only district in Kerala in which I haven’t driven by myself is Kasargod, where I haven’t tried to travel, and when I had finally had my plan, COVID-19 pandemic came upon us. As the district where I have been living, and where my ancestral home is situated, journeys through Ernakulam have been many. Ernakulam itself is a place with all kinds of tourist destinations, which can be visited again and again. Then, the other districts also follow, and among them, Kottayam and Thrissur have the lead with such drives.

Kottayam: Vagamon’s location in Kottayam itself makes the district a favourite travel destination. Along with the same, I have driven to Ilaveezhapoonchira multiple times, and Illikkal Kallu was also added to the list later. Along with the same, visiting St. Alphonsa Pilgrime Centre and shrine at Bharananganam came naturally to us. Other pilgrim centres like the Kuravilangad Church also comes into the picture, and these have made the district regular driving destinations. Along with the same, there are some relatives’ places out there which made me go through the district early itself. Kottayam should be the most driven through district outside Ernakulam.

Thrissur: It is to be noted that Thrissur is so close to Angamaly that we keep visiting the district’s border areas on regular intervals. There are also some relatives’ places to add to it, and pilgrim centres also exist there, starting from the Koratty Church. Some of the best known tourist destinations, Athirappilly and Vazhachal Waterfalls are there, and it is the district which serves as a border to Tamil Nadu through the Sholayar side, and towards Valparai on the other side. We have also loved traveling to the Shobha City Mall in Thrissur City itself, a mall which is one of the best in Kerala, and having a fine multiplex to go with it. There are some very nice resturants on the way.

Idukki: Having some of the best places of natural beauty, Idukki is a district which provides all the beautiful scenery to the eyes. There is always Munnar and we always have Thekkady out there. Along with the same, when we are crossing the borders, Kumily is always there to have a charming journey through the area. The best of tea is also available there, and just crossing the borders, takes us to those grapes in the vineyards of Cumbum. There are so many places which we have visited in Idukki, and you know Munnar very well in advance. Parunthumpara, Panchalimedu, Kuttikkanam and all have you there, and in the lowlands, there is the town of Thodupuzha which I always come across.

Alappuzha and Kollam: There have been many journeys witnessing the beauty of the backwaters of Kerala, and Alappuzha is indeed close enough – we also have some nice beaches to go with the same. Kollam might not be that close, but it also has the beauty of backwaters and those fine beaches. We remember having visiting a good number of them, and going through some interesting journeys on this path. Both the district capitals got their own fine beaches too. Yet, it has been some time since we went through this path, and there is the feeling of such a requirement.

Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram: The former is known for its beauty of nature, which we have quickly gone through, and the latter, is the charming capital of Kerala. The most recent visit to Thiruvananthapuram was for Varkala Beach, but there have been other journeys to that direction earlier. The capital city does have many interesting places to visit, and we have covered most of the beaches. Yet, Pathanamthitta is a district which we require to explore more. With some presence of the relatives, maybe that could happen later at some point of time.

Malabar (Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Malappuram): We keep on traveling through Palakkad whenever there is the need to cross over the border to Coimbatore, and Palakkad Fort is always a charm. The Kozhikode trip was a nice one with Thusharagiri Waterfalls, multiples beaches and others. We had visited Thunchan Parambu and other beaches in Malappuram, and more beaches like Muzhappilangad, as well as multiple forts in Kannur with a fine dose of history. We also had a taste of the natural beauty of Wayanad even though a more detailed trip is needed there, as well as in most of Malabar.

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***The images used in blog post were taken by me during these trips between 2005 and 2019.

TeNy

The Indonesian Saga

Being at Indonesia, especially at the island of Bali is a fantastic memory, something which would stay for a very long time. Before visiting the place itself, we knew that the two things which would rise above others were to be the temples and the natural beauty. The beaches were to be there, and the greenery too. It was just a few days before we planned the journey that there was a fire at the Bali airport, and there was a volcanic eruption just the day before we had the tickets booked. It is the same thing which kept us wondering as we couldn’t find the name Bali on the list of flights – well, the place was named Denpasar, and that was were we had to go in Bali. From the moment our flight landed at the beautiful airport with sea around, we know that there would be a lot to see.

We actually had a very good guide to help us there, and the person named Putra from Pacto was a very understanding person. Everyone around there would ask if we were from Delhi whenever we said that we were from India – maybe because all Keralites are going to Thailand focusing on Pattaya, there are not many people from South India who come that way, except for Hyderabad which a few people knew. Being close to nature, this is the first time I am seeing an active volcano, and also the friendliest beach around – there is also the first sight of terrace farming, and we could also deal with money in lakhs and many thousands – considering the fact that one rupee was two hundred rupiyah. It is one way of becoming a millionaire even though you need to spend thousands to buy anything. There are two sides to a few things, but Indonesia remains a cheaper destination for sure, and Bali proves the same.

One of the two active volcanoes of Bali – the lava flow route can be seen in black.

There is something about the sunsets of Bali – they make you feel immortality.

This marks our first encounter with rain when in Indonesia – the highlands with clouds.

Watching sunrise from a hotel at Semanyak with a cup of tea never gets tiring.

You look at the options you have, with beaches as well as these rocky beaches.

Mountains and lakes will have your attention, as you stop at different places.

More than one happy monkey family will wish to say hi to you from the trees.

This certainly looked like a perfect place for a wedding shoot, but its too late.

The rice terraces of Bali are worth your attention, a closer one, will do more good.

The Kuta beach makes sure that you have a lot to walk around and into the sea.

*All these photos were taken using my Samsung Galaxy J4+ that replaced the Asus Zenfone Max which I used for taking photos in Bangkok and Pattaya.

TeNy

Water: Of Eternal Significance

Water has made sure that life thrived in the least expected places, and it has contributed to the growth of civilizations in the past. The greatest civilizations and empires began on the banks of one river or the other. Water has been the one thing which made sure that life became better. We have learned about how significant the rivers of Indus, Nile, Tiber, Huang He, Tigris and Euphrates have been in the history of civilizations and empires. Even those towns and cities on the banks of rivers developed quicker while the others could only follow as fast as they could. There is the tale of Hagar who found water in the desert, and there was hope against despair in wilderness, after which a great nation was born of him.

Well, water was available more during the last century, as we look back to our childhood. The temperature was also lower at those times, and our rivers carried more water, never really becoming so dry as we see them now. During those days, water was taken for granted. When it is all around you and freely available, you don’t think about it. Even if it is not that clean, you will feel that it is enough. Then, demanding to save water would have felt like a strange demand, especially in Kerala which always had a wide network of rivers and plenty of rainfall. At that period of time, it was like, have enough water, and get on with life. But it is not so any more.

The beauty of the waterworld of Kerala is no surprise to travelers.

The total amount of rainfall has decreased, and the climate has become rather unpredictable. During these times, especially during these months of high temperature, situation is only getting worse. We are used to having enough water every year, and therefore, we are not thinking much about it, even when we see the signs. But it is already late, and it is up to us to do something about it. We can do what we can, in our own small ways, and the preservation of water would depend on what each of us can contribute in whichever ways possible. As we hear that the next wars would be fought in the name of water, let us do something for our future generation to have better life.

There are a few simple things that we can do. They begin at home, from using the shower only according to the need, to making sure that there is no water leakage. There will be opportunities to close an open tap at different places. We just shouldn’t use water when there is no need. We can make sure that a few drops of water doesn’t keep coming down from a tap which is not completely closed. We don’t need to keep a tap open, and there is no need to care so much about the cleanliness of a car or bike during this very hot summer season. If there are things that we can avoid, and are not necessity, we can keep them to be done at a time when the monsoon are here, and the showers are strong.

So, can we make sure that the beauty of waterworld stay?

As most of you might have already though about, the future is in our hands, and the Earth itself depends on us, as a thinking sentient life form who can make a difference. Water is more of less the elixir of life and the fountain of youth, which will keep the humans as well as the other life forms go on strong. Some of us might still think that there will be enough what for the next few generations, and a high level scarcity of the liquid will not happen during the time of their children or grand children – but they are wrong. The environment itself keeps proving us wrong, and with deforestation and other crimes against nature, an extinction event itself is not that far away.

There are two options with dealing with this water scarcity leading to a possible third world war for water followed by human extinction. The first option is to get on with our lives as if nothing is going to happen because droughts are normal and has happened through centuries – there is nothing new that needs our attention. The second option is to think deeply about this problem of water shortage, and decide that you need to make a move; you have to make stand to save water. Beginning from home, extending to your village, town or city and then further, it is your stance that matter, for it becomes your duty to protect the special resource of water – save water or the next generation will find you responsible for their plight.

Think about the people who are struggling to find a source of clean water. The news about water scarcity in Vypin and other islands of Cochin reminds us about the same; it has been a problem which has been going on for years. There are people who need water right between us. We just need to open our eyes and have a look. It is the sight that the movie Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam reminded us about, last year. We see them, and we know how important water is, and how much need is there to preserve it. The water that we use more than we need is a clear case of wastage, and let us not fall into doing such evil. Let us remember that we have the responsibility, not just to our people, but also to a better future. It calls for #CuttingPaani.

I have signed Livpure’s #CuttingPaani petition at https://www.change.org/p/cuttingpaani. Please choose to sign the petition, save water, and save our world for the future!

TeNy

Nilambur: Teak and More

There are not many things that has the power to stop you from visiting a place like Nilambur – it has no villains, for it is close enough to the midland area, and never really asks you to go on that long ride up, but there is a lot of natural beauty around, away from pollution into a healthy environment to fall in love. Often, it is all that we need during these busy days of life. It is easy to get around, being close enough to the big towns of Manjeri, Malappuram and Perinthalmanna, all well connected through road, and sufficient services of Kerala State Transport buses. Nilambur’s Teak Museum is one special thing, and along with Adyanpara Waterfalls, there are more things of natural beauty that you will need to consider. Valamthode Waterfalls, Nedumkayam, Conolly’s Plot and more should follow. We had our stay at Metro Regency when we visited, and it is a very good place for the cheap rate. Nilambur might be the best known tourist destination in Malappuram district, or at least it is the one place about which we have heard above the rest. It is also just forty five kilometres from Calicut International Airport. Be advised that Google Maps here can’t be termed as among the best guides, for local people will do better.

***All photos used in this blog post about Nilambur were taken on my Asus Zenfone 5 by me only.

For the detailed review of the latest Hollywood superhero flick which is breaking all box-office collection records with ease, not only all around world, but also in India and even Kerala, click here.

For the detailed review of the new Bollywood flick which is driven by best performances of the time, positioning itself safely above many overrated hundred crore dumb flicks in quality, click here.

TeNy

For the Planet Earth

A better environment is our need, and not just a requirement of the nature itself. It is our responsibility towards Earth rather than what the planet should do for us – after all, it is the humans who are responsible for the current situation which requires the world to go through some saving. The question remains if what was first needed, about what science should have done for nature, for it is the same field which started finding ways to exploit is in the worst possible ways.

But what people are more concerned now is to go to another planets, but don’t we have a planet here which needs saving? Is it more needed to go to another planet and exploit it too rather than making things better at the place where one was born? Is it more like an escape route for the rich people like in a number of science fiction novels and movies, including the 2013 one which could take it further – like Neill Blomkamp’s Matt Damon starrer Elysium? No, it is never late to save Earth, for nature heals better as long as humans understand the right thing.

Wake me up after saving Earth. I have had enough of you mortals 😀

Let’s do what we can – spend some time to plant some trees along with all those things that we do. We are actually doing the same now, around our house. The space is less, but we manage with what we have, and hope to have something like a wall of green around us. There are different types of trees, from Zapota, Star Fruit, Neem, Guava and Star Apple to Jackfruit and the Alphonso Mango. There are also enough vegetables for half of the week which are produced at home.

The food waste is usually used as the compost working as the fertilizer, along with those which are bought from the outside. There is nothing like having your own materials to use for the growing trees which is regularly cared for. The compost bin is available from the Municipality itself, and you can get it without much difficulties. There is also not much space needed as this can be placed on one of the corners near kitchen.

There are not many trees around our place, except for the back-side of our home which has a nice abandoned house surrounded by a number of the bigger trees around. But we live in a town which is going through a faster pace of development, and the amount of greenery has surely come down. It is up-to us, the common people to make up-to it by planting more and more trees around our houses.

Some of our own tomatoes; something for temporary happiness!

Let’s try to make the area around our home green, and keep it the same. A few trees will only do us good, and we have actually utilized all the available space around our house which are not paved by tiles. Our kitten, Simona loves trees and manages to stay on top of some of those already existing trees, taunting the dog which runs around the neighbourhood. Trees are not just our property, for it belongs to many.

If we grow our own fruits and vegetables, we are going to be a lot more self-sufficient than we are now. It has been shown in a number of movies including the Malayalam movies Ividam Swargamaanu and How Old Are You. We need to have our own green world with enough to sustain ourselves, and if everyone begins to think so, we will end up doing the right thing for our environment.

Let’s help Green Yatra (http://greenyatra.org/) on the same. For people from my area, there are some nice places to buy something for the contribution to your green world when you travel from Perumbavoor to Muvattupuzha, on the left side just when reaching Keezhilam, and another one when you travel from the same place to Kothamangalam, after Pattaal. Let’s try to make this world cleaner and greener, thus making the much needed difference! ***The images used in this blog post are from my home, taken on my Asus Zenfone5 and Samsung Galaxy Duos.

TeNy