Athirapally Waterfall, Kerala

DAY 10: ATHIRAPALLY WATERFALL & BACK TO MUMBAI

Today was the last day of our vacation and also our last day in Kerala. We started early as we had to see Athirapally Waterfall before we catch our flight (back to Mumbai) from Kochi.

And once again we were all in our car, enjoying the lush greenery of Kerala. There were times when we could feel that we were almost floating through the clouds. The feeling was very soothing.

Idukki Lake

Idukki Dam

Half way to Athirapally we found ourselves in the midst of a dense rubber plantation. Both sides of the road were full of rubber plants with a half cut coconut shell fixed at the middle of the tree for collecting rubber. The drive to Athirapally passes through winding roads, small villages and lush greenery. It is situated in the midst of a thick forest, therefore one should avoid driving here at night.

You can enjoy the waterfall from the top as well from the bottom. A paved path leads you to the top of the waterfall whereas a steep narrow path leads you to the bottom of the waterfall. Generally there are a lot of monkeys along both paths and one should be especially careful of their mobile phones, camera & video recorders. As far as possible avoid carrying water bottles or eatables in your hand. Take a break, consume your food  & water and then start again.

First View of Athirapally Waterfall

Athirapally Waterfall - Top View

Athirapally Waterfall - Bottom View

Athirapally Waterfall

The waterfall is a panoramic, charming and gigantic. There are lot of spots for taking selfies or snaps of the waterfall. Though a little off season the waterfall was still thundering down with tremendous force.

We didn’t spend too much time at the waterfall as we had a flight to catch. We then headed to Kochi Airport from where we took a flight back to Mumbai. Kochi Airport is nearer to Athirapally than Kochi City.

In this vacation we covered everything – Backwaters of Alleppey, Beaches of Lakshadweep, Hills of Munnar, Tiger Reserve of Periyar and Waterfall at Athirapally. What else is there that a person can ask for……. Except where is our next vacation gonna be ;)

Points to remember:

• You can combine Vazachall falls and Charpa Falls with your visit to Athirapally Waterfalls. These two waterfalls are in close vicinity.
• Expense Details of the day:

Expense Particulars	Amount for 4 people	Amount per head
Breakfast enroute Athirapally	235	59
Lunch at Airport	400	100
TOTAL	635	159

Munnar, Kerala

DAY 8: MUNNAR

We woke up early to catch the rising sun. From the windows of our room, we could see the famed hills of Munnar, but there was fog all around. The sky was not clear, with the sun playing hide and seek; but I still took out my camera to try my luck.

Munnar Hills

After a nice shower and home cooked idly for breakfast, we went to the water reservoir and dam where we could do some boating. After spending 5 days on a ship and spending enough time everyday on boats and in rich blue water of Lakshadweep, going for a boat ride was the last thing that we wanted to do.

But we didn’t have any other option and we headed to the massive Matupetty Dam and Reservoir. The view from the reservoir was beautiful. The lake was covered by forest area on all sides with the hills as the backdrop. This was the true beauty of Munnar.

Matupetty Dam, Munnar

After a stroll in the garden, we went for the ride in the reservoir in the speed boat. It was a thrilling experience and all of us had a ball. Our boatsmen (Rajesh) was an ace photographer. While we all hung on to our boots as the boat swayed through the water, he deftly clicked some beautiful snaps.

Its FUN Time!!!

After an exciting speed boat ride, we went for a drive to see the very famous tea gardens of Munnar. The landscape of Munnar can put the very best manicured gardens to shame. Thanks to the thousands of acres of tea gardens. To add to this is the ever changing colour of the sky. And between the land and the sky, fog, clouds and sun play hide and seek. Munnar is sheer romance. In fact it is one of the most preferred hill station destination for honeymoon couples.

Tea Gardens, Munnar

Since we could not see Munnar, we decided to enjoy a Kathakali Dance, a traditional Kerala dance. The dance uses elaborate makeup, costumes and jewelry. It was sheer joy to see the efforts, the devotion of the artists. All the performers in Kathakali are men and they play the role of both male and female characters. 

Make up of Kathakali Performers

Along with the actors, the music and vocals plays an important role in kathakali. The story enacted is told to the audience beforehand. The performers never speak during the performance; they act and convey their emotions and story with their hand gestures and expressions. The make-up of the artists takes an hour and one can see the artists while putting on their make-up and the transformation they undergo.

Kathakali Dance

We were amongst the first to arrive and therefore we had the first row seat. They started with teaching us the basics of Kathakali, the meaning of the hand movements and eye movements. The artist would invite 1-2 volunteers from the crowd onto the stage and try to convey messages purely via their hand & eye expressions. It was hilarious to see the reactions of the volunteers & counter actions of the artists on stage.

Then they got started on the actual dancing, which is a performance based on a story from the Hindu Classics. It was quite entertaining. At the end of the show you can get your snap clicked with the artists.

After enjoying the beautiful dance we decided to enjoy a Kerela massage (massage center adjoining the theatre). Though far more expensive than Alleppy, the massages at Munnar seem more sophisticated and gentle. After a relaxing massage, we all headed back to our homestay to enjoy a simple and delicious home cooked dinner.

Points to remember:

• Munnar is a little costly as far as accommodation is concerned.
• Munnar can get a little cold in early morning and night. Please carry warm clothes accordingly.
• The road from Kochi to Munnar is a two lane road and is curvy and hills. Therefore, while estimating the travel time, don’t consider the kms. It takes around 4 – 5 hours to reach Munnar.
• Our homestay was Gokulam Homstay. You can check out their website on www.gokulamhomestay.com and can contact Mr. Sunil G P at gokulamhomeaway@gmail.com or on 09567 76 2611.
• Expense Details of the day:

Expense Particulars	Amount for 4 people	Amount per head
Boat Ride in Munnar	750	188
Kathakali Dance	1,300	325
Homestay at Munnar	1,500	375
All meals at Homestay	1,585	396
TOTAL	5,135	1,284

Massage ranges from Rs. 1500 to 4000

Kerala & Lakshadweep Island

Hi there, it’s been a while right?... Well, I am just back from a ten day vacation to two of the most beautiful places in India – Kerala and Lakshadweep. More precisely, I am right now in my room, sorting pictures and reliving the vacation.

Again, this year we were the same four and a half people - Pramod, Preeti, their three and a half year old daughter Taashi, Nikhil and me. Another friend of ours Parth, joined us for the stint in Lakshadweep.

Kerala has been very aptly called “God’s own Country”. Kerala which shares the southern tip of India with Tamil Nadu has been blessed with beautiful beaches, backwaters, gentle people, tropical climate, tea & coffee plantations, fresh spices, a unique culture…. Nestled between the green Western Ghat Mountains on the East the Arabian Sea on the west, dense forests, emerald backwaters, exotic wildlife, serene beaches makes it’s a travelers delight.

Lakshadweep is a cluster of islands which is full of sun kissed beaches, white sand, turquoise sea water, swaying palms, serene atmosphere, colourful corals, blue lagoons …

Main Islands in Lakshadweep are Kavaratti (Capital of Lakshadweep), Kalpeni, Minicoy (Closest Island to Maldives), Kadmat, Agatti (has Airport) and Bangaram (only island of Lakshadweep where liquor is permitted).  

Our itinerary for the trip was as follows:

Day 1	Mumbai - Kochi – Alleppey
Day 2	Alleppey
Day 3	Alleppey – Willington Island in Kochi - Cruise to Lakshadweep
Day 4	Minicoy Island
Day 5	Kalpeni Island
Day 6	Kavaratti Island
Day 7	Willington Island in Kochi - Munnar
Day 8	Munnar
Day 9	Periyar
Day 10	Periyar - Athirapally Waterfall - Kochi - Mumbai

In this vacation we used three modes of transportation – Air, Water and Road.

Air – Mumbai to Kochi and back.

Water – Entire Lakshadweep. From Willington Island in Kochi to Minicoy Island, Kalpeni Island, Kavaratti Island and back to Willington Island.

Road – Kochi to Alleppey. And then again from Willington Island in Kochi to Munnar to Periyar to Athirapally Waterfall to Kochi Airport.

Enough of munching of words… now let’s get some pictures talking…

View from Minicoy Lighthouse

Enjoying the view at Minicoy Beach

Sunsets from the Ship

Kalpeni Beach

Sea at Kavaratti Island, Lakshadweep

Berries in Munnar, Kerala

Sunrise at Munnar, Kerala

Enroute Munnar, Kerala

Bird Watching at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Kerala Martial Arts

Boating at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Alleppey Backwaters

Athirapally Waterfall, Kerala

Iddukki Lake, Kerala