Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone!! May this year be happier, healthier and more successful than the previous year for all of us :)

2015 was a year of many firsts for us - our first stint at living abroad, living and not just holidaying, Angel’s first day care, our first jobs abroad, and so forth.

Since it were holidays for me and Angel for the whole of last week and J* had to go to office for a couple of days, we explored in and around Toronto. That explains a small post as I am back to office after around 10 days and a lot of work is waiting to get looked at. We went to the Niagara Falls for Christmas and Boxing days. It is one of the places that I always wanted to go, so that is one item crossed off my “To Do/To Go/To See” bucket list. As it’s a known fact that The Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States. The Falls were mesmerizing and I fell in love with them. The boat ride was closed, so that’s one reason for us to go back in the summers. The Falls at night were colorful and beautiful. Fireworks were the cherry on the top of the cake. Fortunately, the weather for that time of the year was warm. It started snowing from the next day we returned to Toronto (It’s -16 degrees Celsius at this moment).

That was one fitting end to the year!

God's Own Country

As already mentioned, we had a trip to Wayanad some 2 months back. It’s a hill station in Kerela. We were 2 couples and 2 bachelors in all. One of the friends was coming from Pune in a late night flight. So we decided to pick him up from the airport and start the journey directly from there. We gave him a grand embarrassing welcome with garlands and “Bambai se aaya mera dost.. “ playing in background.  While we were discussing our plans of garlanding him, our cab driver asked if we have to go to the International airport. Sheesh.

Travelled for the whole night, talked, napped, and sang along the whole way. We covered two National Parks on the way – Nagahole and Rajiv Gandhi National Park, saw a number of deers, elephants and monkeys.

Travelling within Wayanad was fun. Our rooms of the resort had amazing, breath taking views. Had a campfire at the resort at night, there were leeches too.

 Covered a number of tourist points there like Bansura Dam, Pokode Lake, the best one being the Soochipura waterfalls. Watching the tea gardens is a treat to the eyes. Came back via Mysore, since it was Dasshera time, we got to see some cultural activities in a wonderfully lit Mysore Palace.

All in all, had a memorable time. J

Below are some pics : 

                                                 

                                                    Nagarhole National Park

                                                       Animals at Nagarhole

                                                           Splendid, isn’t it?

                                                            Bansura Dam

                                                            Campfire

                                                        Tea gardens

                                                         Nature at its best

                                                        Soochipura Waterfalls

                                                                  

                                              The grand Mysore Palace

Travelogue -- Hogenakkal Falls

Since Kay Cee was here and we were planning for it for a long time, we finally went to Hogenakkal Falls.
Its a waterfall on the "Kaveri" or "Cauvery" river in the Dharampuri district of Tamil Nadu. It is around 180-200 kms from Bangalore.

We had planned to start at 8 am , but managed to start by 8.30 am!

The route was awesome, almost without any speed breakers :) with two tolls on the way - one at Electronic City (Rs 50) and the other one at Krishnagiri (Forgot the amount).

We reached Dharampuri at around 11.30 am. Hogenakkal Falls are around 48 kms from there. It was an enjoyable ride - driving through the villages with lots of curves.

Then started the collection part. We had to shell out 20 bucks for entering the Hogenakkal, then entry into book of forest range took Rs 10. (He didn't give a receipt, so I think it was bribe), then a parking fee of Rs 20

It was surprisingly hot, even in the supposedly cold month of December! Not worth going in summer for sure. Now I know, why the climate of Tamil Nadu is classified as hot, hotter and hottest. But, during monsoon, it would be a scene to watch :)

There are three major attractions at Hogenakkal:

1. The Falls
2. The Coracle Ride
3. The Crocodile Park

We skipped the third part as it was getting hotter with every passing minute.

A Hanging Bridge needs to be crossed to go to the falls. You have to buy a ticket of Rs 5 per head and Rs 10 for the camera. To cross the falls or for having a bath you have to spend again(forgot the amount). Again Rs 3 per head to climb to a tower like thing to get a broader view. The view was worth it :)

The best part was the coracle(round shaped boat) ride. It was simply amazing, we had to sit in a particular direction, so that we do not fall into the water :)
There was also a 2 hour trip in the coracle, which we avoided as it was getting difficult to bear the scorching heat (especially fir KayCee).

The scenic beauty of the place is definitely breath taking! After all, Mr Maniratnam did not shoot "Raavan" here for nothing :)

However, I found the falls to be ill maintained. People use shampoo and soap to bath in the water. Locals were washing clothes. Trained people were giving oil massages, I believe its of some medicinal value. The surrounding area was also devoid of any good hotels and there was lack of cleanliness.

We started from there at around 2.30 pm. Had late lunch at the Ananda Bhavan on the highway and reached home by 7 pm.

On the whole, it was a wonderful journey and great day! A perfect destination for 1 day trip from Bangalore :)

Below are some pictures:

                                    
                                                         The Hanging Bridge

                                                        The Hanging Bridge Again!

                                                  Various Views of the Falls

                                                               The Coracles