Expedition Wayanad

Statutory warning: The actions in these photos are performed by professionals. Please don’t try this at home. Also, all the data provided are ours only. It’s your choice, whether to believe it or not.

We went to the place where Bill Gates took the photo for Windows XP default wallpaper. Fortunately or unfortunately, it was summer and all the grass was not green, just pale brown.

Windows XP Default Wallpaper
[Seasons Changed and another bush is also there]

Mission I, Location: Chembra Peak
Physical Location: God’s own District [Wayanad], God’s own Country [Kerala], INDIA
Altitude: 2100m above sea level
Reference: http://kerals.com/keralatourism/kerala.php?t=175&sid=f0f275d51c2effc437d86bc46d8cebbd

Mission: Expedition Wayanad

Team:

• Manu a.k.a Dragonfly
• Vijay a.k.a Chaithanya
• Pauly a.k.a Pauly
• Shanavas a.k.a Shanavas

DAY I

I also took a snap of me there, in case you don’t believe me

Vijay took a snap from the other side

I think Bill [Gates] is a stupid when this photo can be taken other than just the plain grassland.

We trekked ~3kms against gravity, so we consider it as 5kms [Total 10kms]

We rested

We reached the [supposed to be] heart shaped lake on top

I wanted to take the photo of the valley

He pushed some rocks from our path

Trekked down

We went to the highest waterfalls in that area

Statutory Warning: Never try this without the help of professionals.

This is as close we could get.

Mission II, Location: Meenmutty Waterfalls
Height: 500m
Remarks: This was the most difficult part of our trip. To get to the place you will have to trek ~1.5km steep inside jungle. Better get a guide, ‘cos chances are many to loose track of your path inside the steep and extremely dangerous jungle.

Adventure is in our DNA

DAY II

We started day 2 with a visit to the Wayand ghat pass

Mission I, Location: Wayanad Ghat Pass
Area: 12kms of hairpins
Remarks: Will take 1hr for a bus to reach from bottom to top [according to our driver]
Reference: http://youtube.com/watch?v=laE9LGdk3-s&feature=related

We visited the place where they shot the movie ‘Predator’

Mission II, Location: Kuruva Islands
Area: ~950 acers, small evergreen forest islands [info from a local]
Reference: http://www.sundaykaumudi.com/insidek/kuruva.stm

Inside the jungle

We climbed the trees

Swung across the rocks

Slept in the trees

Enjoyed the scenery

Conquered islands after islands

Water seemed to be like crystals

Tried some underwater photography

Discovered some rare species of snails

We had to dive to take a snap of this snail with marks on its shell

Had fun with and in water

Tried some different angles of photography

Gave a classic touch to the jungle

Took a group photo

We visited God also [thought we will disturb him for some time]

Mission III, Location: Thirunelli Temple [The one in picture is its annex]
Remarks: More than 3000 years old
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirunelli_Temple

Original Kerala Architecture

The environment was so good, cool, serene and calm with the sun setting in the horizon. You could hear the classical music from the temple. I enjoyed solitude for some moments.

We witnessed a marvelous sunset also

Way back home

Special Thanks to all who helped to make this adventure real

ps: For more photos, visit Dragonflyz photos at flickr.com