Our fourth trip but still few old faces are there and new faces too..and more than that, we are going on a long trip together first time (Offourse its not my first long trip but managing a group of 12 Appooppanthaadis for 2-3 days was first time).
Everyone in the WhatsApp group which was created for the event was excited to meet each other and as per plan Tarini landed at Trivandrum by noon and stayed half day at my flat, Amina reached Kazhakkootam junction where she met Sindhu, Nimmy was packed and ready to be picked. This time Bindu was the first traveler who got in the traveler and directed the driver to collect Azbara and her kid from Kumarapuram and then Ambili from Karyavattom. By then I collected Nimmy and reached Amina and Sindhu with Tarini.
All together journey began by 7PM. The ambiance inside the vehicle was so alive and no one was closing their mouth for while. With that chit-chat we reached Kottiyam and had our dinner. Then Next pick up was from Trichur, Jishana and Aparna. Till then few fell asleep and few were still wide awake. It was 2AM when we reached Aparna's home where her mother was waiting with steamy-hot black tea (and coffee those who are in need of that :P)
Dozzed and awake, early morning our first view was the dense green forest of Muthumala and their wildlife. Deers was either side of the road as we saw goats at home ;) and then a peacock crossed out path waving its dark green-blue feathers and as soon he crossed three elephants was out for their morning walk. Early morning 6.30 every one was so excited with the views and only Nimmy was still sleeping at back seats without knowing whats all happening in front of vehicle. Meanwhile Lissa, who joining our team from Chickmanglore and came all the way from Banglore was already checked into the hotel and was waiting for us.
It was 10AM when we crossed Mysore and had our breakfast and continued our journey through the Belur route. On the way took breaks at time and had tender coconut and few were running for selfies. And that last 1 hour when we saw Chickmanglore is 60km away, the music inside the vehicle was louder than before and all was started moving their foots along with the music, so vibrant!
We checked in the hotel by 2PM. As per previous instructions everyone checked into their allotted rooms with their roomies except Azbara. Yes, she got her own 11 year son as her room mate! Then everyone ran to see Lissa and after quick handshake ran back to their own rooms.
It was perfect than as I expected when everyone was ready in 30 minutes with their bags for lunch and sight seeing. Lunch was done faster than that and then everyone got in vehicle and we headed towards Belur Chennakeshava Temple.
It was drizzling by then and few were holding umbrella and few were ready to get wet. It was nice to see the mesmerized faces of Appooppanthaadis who is exploring the sculptures of Hoysala Architecture. As it was getting late we headed to Halebidu next and on the way every one was sharing the laddu that they bought from Belur.
The rain which threatened us at Belur was no where near when we reached Halebidu. Temple complex was less crowded and as it was the last location of the day, we roamed around the sculptures till security broke our ear drums with his whistle. This time Azbara came for my help as she was an ex-teacher and she was leading the team and calling everyone to get back to the vehicle. When I was relieved that I have much less tasks, I heard from behind "Hey Sajna, what yo doing..we are getting late, get in". I was dumbfounded with her reaction but it was really funny and was thinking if she can accompany me in all future trips with Appooppanthaadi, I have much less workload to manage the team :P
Everyone had a quick shopping by buying Shiv Linga and Budha statue and then back to Vehicle.
We were back in hotel in 2 hours and it was 8PM and with their pull overs and jackets, everyone was out for their first night out walk at Chikmanglore town (Was it that cold? :P)
After food, the team wandered through the town for one hour and few snaps taken. Then head back to hotel through the road which is bathed in yellow mercury light.
When reached hotel, Lissa demanded our next day sunrise to be at Mullyanagiri. Then next was calling jeep people to arrange them be on time. 6AM was fixed and everyone promised to be on time and then I get back to room which I shared with Tarini and without much chit-chat we both fell asleep.
Next day morning when I got up and ran to other rooms to make others awake, I was wondered to see lights in all rooms and sound of running water from bathrooms, yes! all are ready to explore the coffee city.
Then it was my turn to get ready and one open jeep and another Sumo was there in front of hotel by 6.30AM. We were not expecting to see the sunrise but was expecting to see the misty mountains bathed in clouds which is much alike cotton balls :)
Open jeep was tightly filled with Appooppanthaadis and Jishana didn't forget to take the sapling which she bought all the way from Trichur to plant at Chikmanglore.
As we started climbing the small ghatt roads, jeeps were stopping at intervals to enjoy the view and greenery. In next one hour when we reached Mullyanagiri, it was completely misty as we cant see each other who is standing 3 meters away from us. Among them Lissa was much excited and literally jumping up and down. Slowly everyone picked the pace to climb up the hills and then stopping on each step for photo. Everyone was getting wet with the mist and then explored the hidden caves at the top hill. Almost 2 hours were spent over there and when I warned if we don't get down now, we wont get our breakfast which we ordered on the way. Everyone was hungry so the statement make its toll and everyone was ready at downhill in next 30 minutes.
Few had spicy popcorn masala and it tasted double in that climate. Next destination was Sheethalayanagiri, it was the destination where we planned to plant Jishana's sapling and then visit the shiva temple. Rain was after us there but it disappeared in few minutes seeing the flock of madness :)
After planting sapling and visiting the temple, everyone was back to jeep and headed to the small restaurant which is running by old couples (its more like their own home). Pulav with coffee was our breakfast and then few asked their blooming rose's stumps to take home. All this was happened in one hour and this time more than me, others were rushing to visit maximum location in coming hours. When we headed to Kavikkal Gandi and waited till the mist clear the valley for a better view and I asked whether everyone is fine with a postponed lunch, and they said they dont even need lunch but to explore more. As a result of prayers, the mist cleared the top hill for few microseconds, revealing the green valleys down. Few from our team were whistling in excitement and much energy to step down and see the next destination.
Be frankly, there was no particular destination but exploring again and again the different phases of meadows and that's how we reached Gallekere. Everyone was silent and exploring their own world in the given time (yes one hour else its hard to get a "hook" in flying appooppanthaadis). When me with Sindhu and Lissa was sitting silently watching the valleys and enjoying the nature, I could see Jishana with Amina, Aparna and Nimmy is heading up one hill and Bindu with Ambili exploring the opposite hills. Azbara with kid was running all around. Tarini was sitting on another corner. Everyone was lost in their own world and when the jeep is ready everyone was back and headed towards the Datta peeda.
I was watching and waiting outside when they got in and they came up with lots of questions on significance of the cave. But to say, in name of God, humans are damaging that hill tops with plastics and other toxic things to nature.
Green land view point was near by only where the same as Gallekere everyone wandering and in short time everyone was disappearing to near by hill and I called them back. This time Jishana came back with a hug and said "This is the way of me, expressing gratitude". I smiled and this time everyone was asking lunch and stopped on the way on a restaurant where the rush and demand of food made me supplier to our own team and this made things little faster.
Next destination can be covered only in the one open jeep and I am with Bindhu and few other were standing in back. It was the most adventurous part of journey. Driver was moving the jeep in a limited speed even the zigzags were throwing us at back side. In a short time we reached Butter milk falls.. This time everyone was relaxed and silently was in prayers for next trip and discussed for the next destinations. By 5PM we started climbing down the hill in our Jeeps. Soon after reaching the hotel Tarini was packed with her bag and I assigned one of the Jeep driver to drop her in the Bus stand and she called me when she got bus from there to Manglore where her journey starts to Chennai.
Others were ready in short time and room was vacated, except Lissa's whose return bus to Bangalore was by 11PM.
Those who met up as strangers was bidding good bye as they were gathered for a college re-union. There was different age group and professions, as always they shared one common passion, Travel.
On the way back we dropped everyone in the same order as we picked them. At the end every one got down with a smile and statement "See you in next trip"
