He doesn’t notice the colours
Balloons in his hands
Not to admire, but to sell
To earn and eat a frugal meal

Boisterous kids around
Well-fed and pampered
Enjoying the day out
With caring parents in tow

No effort to sell balloons
He looks lost!
Stares at the abundance, and asks
What did I do wrong?

A 120-m long elevated walkway touching the treetops in the middle of forest! Take this path interspersed with 109 steps and you could try out some adventure activities – all handled by trained professionals. Thenmala or honey hills, named so because the hills were once abundant with honey, offers you this and more…

This is part of Thenmala ecotourism, India’s first planned eco-tourism project. Thenmala is situated about 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram. A relatively less-known tourist destination, Thenmala is a nature lover’s dream destination. Nestled in the ranges of Western Ghats is the Thenmala Dam and around it is the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Thenmala’s diverse flora and fauna and its rugged terrain are perfect for leisure as well as adventure activities. Lush forests of Thenmala also hide the old ‘Thiruvanathapuram-Shenkottai’ road, a large part of which is submerged in water now. This serves as mountain biking trail.

Based on the type of activities there are adventure zone, culture zone and leisure zone in Thenmala. During our short visit, we explored the adventure zone, which offers flying fox, Burma bridge, river crossing, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. The setting is ideal for a first-time adventure sport enthusiast.

Forest department also organizes 1 to 3 days of trekking in the deep forests, bird watching, etc. We signed off the visit with a dip in the nearby Palaruvi waterfalls.

One interesting aspect of travel is that you get to meet some interesting people. Many a time, you get to learn from them and feel so humble. We lands at the Sindhudurg Fort, which is separated from the mainland by a 15 minute boat ride, and choose to explore the fort on our own.

A few guides approach us; we refuse them flat as if we’ve been to the fort many times. After walking for a while, we realise that in the limited time we have, we will not be able to cover all the points in the fort. After coming this far, we do not want to miss the important ones. Now what? As luck would have it, this cute little boy approaches us and offers himself as a guide. We are skeptical. But soon his innocence, earnestness, and spirit get sold on us.

And, at that auspicious moment, Gajanan Phatak, all of 11, becomes a guide for the first time in his life. We, his first customers. He has been following and observing his uncle who works as a guide and runs a cold drink stall in the fort. Now Gajanan is ready on his own. He stays in the mainland, the Malwan town and has come to visit his uncle during Diwali holidays. At Rs 30, his requirement is very less, but we are humbled by his intention to use that amount to fund his schooling.

Phatak Junior indeed is good in his job. He takes us to the must-see places of the fort, explaining in detail about each and the history of the fort.

We salute this budding talent and his entrepreneurial spirit. And contribute to his schooling fund a little more than what he had asked for.

100% Monsoon. 100% Camel Valley

Igatpuri is a popular tourist destination, especially in monsoons, when the nature spreads green carpet to welcome the footloose. However, very few venture into the Camel valley though it gets ready to welcome visitors with numerous waterfalls and a roaring stream. So we call Camel Valley as Igatpuri’s best-kept secret.

A July morning. One of those best monsoon days. 24 hours non-stop rain. A tourism brochure would have said ‘100% Monsoon ‘100% Camel Valley’. Most participants of the trek organised by Nature Knights, an eco-adventure organisation, decide to remain cozy in their blankets. Seven of us brave the rains and drive up to Igatpuri. Climb up the Kasara ghats and when the Igatpuri plateau is just about to start, Camel valley reveals itself on the right as a sudden depth of about 1,000 feet.

Trek down through pouring rain, listening to the roaring stream below. Near zero visibility, thanks to the fog.

Get lost in the jungle for some time, trying to figure out the trail. Contemplate whether to go ahead or return. Then take a plunge.

Reach the stream, fed by thousands of waterfalls. Try some adventurous river crossing. Partially successful. Gobble down lunch under a makeshift canopy. Climb back. A perfect rainy day!

Camel valley on a clear day