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thecouple's avatar
07:47 PM
30 July 2009
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Igatpuri’s best kept secret

Posted By thecouple

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

thecouple's avatar
02:38 AM
30 July 2009
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Only four-wheel drives!

Posted By thecouple


Some trips can be scary, but exciting. We learned it during two trips – one to Manpara Peak in Nelliyampathy Hills, Palakkad, Kerala and other to Kudajadri Hills, Shimoga, Karnataka.



Only four-wheel drives can meet the challenges thrown by these roads, if we can call them ‘roads’. Unpaved and bumpy would be underestimating adjectives for these.



The ride through these forest pathways is so bouncy that you can’t rest your bum on the seat. Ditches and stones make sure your head hits the top of the jeep frequently.



One moment we climbed up at somewhat 70 degree, followed by a climb-down at a similar angle. At one place, there was no track; instead we climbed a rock face. Nevertheless, we were all laughing hysterically.



If there was something common between all the passengers, it was an unrelenting faith in the young drivers (in both places), who were doing nothing short of a dangerous circus, albeit well-practiced.


thecouple's avatar
08:48 PM
29 July 2009
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Farms en route

Posted By thecouple

We stand on the edge of the farm
Leaves sway in the breeze
Sun pours energy from the sky
Behold the moment, we think









Farmers’ plight across our country is depressing. However, the lush farms never fail to lift our spirit.

 

thecouple's avatar
02:43 AM
29 July 2009
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Close Encounters of the Feline Kind

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Page 17 of 20 pages « First    15 16 17 18 19 >  Last »


Find where Unny and Bindhu are heading

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Latest SMS Feeds

From : TWaC

Sent : 15th Aug 09 04:28:50 PM

Rain welcomes us at Goa

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Sent : 15th Aug 09 03:36:16 PM

Now on the fringes of Western Ghats

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Sent : 14th Aug 09 04:05:56 PM

Touched Kerala once more. At Bekal Fort

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Morning drive through misty Coorg

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Madikkeri - Ghats, rains and pot-holed roads

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Sent : 12th Aug 09 06:31:31 PM

On our way back to Mysore

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In Wayanad. Western Ghats Kerala episode

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Through Nagarhole National Park

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Sent : 11th Aug 09 09:03:36 PM

Swine flue alert in Hassan. We cancelled our stay and hit Mysore.

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Sent : 11th Aug 09 01:40:47 PM

Cedia Sports turns its SUV mode on. Climbs Kemmana Gundi peak.

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Driving through coffee estates to Kemmana Gundi peak

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Bhadra dam & WLS. Touch & go.

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At Shimoga after a rainy day in rain forests

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Sent : 8th Aug 09 12:01:23 AM

Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary A manmade forest spread over 84 sq km A haven for deers peacocks an many birds

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Sent : 7th Aug 09 04:38:22 PM

We haven't heard the 'Suprabhatham' chant for many many years. While we were in Chennai and Kerala we used to hear that quite often. First day morning. And as we walk into this nice restaurant at Vashi for breakfast, the 'Suprabhatham' chant welcomes us. Perhaps a good omen on the first stop on first day.



About us

We, Unny & Bindhu, are a couple currently based in Mumbai. The best introduction can be: He (Unny) - Armchair traveler. Reluctant reader. Would-be writer. Amateur photographer, Day dreamer… and likewise, a pretender of too many things.

She (Bindhu) - Add a few more pretensions - a good cook, a good host, etc. Easily mistaken for a serious, intellectual reader, but far from it. Engineer by qualification; freelance writer by choice. Also volunteers as a teacher for Akanksha, an NGO.

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