Heaven @Pookala - Kodagu

Kodagu, also known as Coorg, Scotland Of India, is by itself nature's paradise... This place, Pookala Kadamakolli Homestay just made us feel @heaven during our out-of-office bash! We, the gang of five, started to Gonikoppa on a friday night by Airavatha, a volvo service by ksrtc.. From here began our unwinding activity from the usual core activities of the week! Early in the morning by 3:30 A.M, we landed at Gonikoppa, a south Kodagu town.. We were welcomed by our hosts Suja and Chithra.. It was still dark and we could'nt see each other properly!!!

After travelling in Suja's jeep for about 1.5hours, the gang landed @Kadamakolli Homestay! Were served with hot tea by the hosts.. In the darkness of dawn, we could hear the sound of water along with chirping of birds.. But, could'nt make out from where the sound originated.. As the nautical dawn gave rise to Sun, we were on cloud nine, seeing a mellifluous stream in front of our homestay!!! All excited, we just did'nt give ourselves even a minute to relax... It was a hotfoot to the stream, where we dabbled, enjoying ourselves for sometime.. Having fun in the stream, we had forgotten the world!

Suja, our host, called us for a nature walk through the green pastures.. Now started the battle with the leeches! Could'nt just escape from these blood suckers... Each one of us were busy in leech probe and removal! With greenery everywhere, the walk in the unpolluted, fresh air was lung fulfilling... Back to the homestay, we got ready for the next series of adventure... Food was authentic Kodava cuisine.. Yummy akki rotti is unforgettable! Hospitality of our hosts added to the homely feeling there.. Suja and Chithra used to accompany us to all places, rendering an intro to the place, vegetation, culture of the scenic village.. All set to take up adventure, we headed towards a white water rafting camp of river Kaveri... Few of us had butterflies in stomach, still deciding whether to take up this feat?!
On seeing our friends getting ready with life jackets, courage levels boosted and we all were ready to sign the agreement given by the authorities there, which said, "Adventure @our own risk!"... Then began a session of warm up and guidelines, as the guide taught how to raft in different scenarios... All set, we took up the fun filled feat! As we went along, the raft cannon balled along the white waters! The team was in high spirits, with pulse throbing at it's fastest... An adventure, first of it's kind for few of us, came to an end, with all the joyous fun etched in our minds!


On the way back, we all had a great craving for food! As the dusk fell, it was drizzling... We chilled out with hot pakodas and tea, as it continued to shower for the rest of the day.. Played indoor games, amidst our usual comedies!

Next day began afresh.. Started with a trek in the stream! Early morning, cool air, chirping of birds, stream view... It was as though we were artists in a simulated fairy world! Thank god, mother earth is still uncontaminated in atleast some places! Green, green and green everywhere! After the second combat with leeches near the stream, we got ready for a short trip to Iruppu falls.. Iruppu, a tiny cascade was a nice place, except for the usual Sunday crowd! Our hosts had packed lunch for us.. After gormandizing mouth watering meals, the gang headed to the last but not the least place to visit, Tholpetta - Wayanad's wildlife sanctuary.. Took a safari ride in the forest jeep to spot out very few deers and pachyderms! Back @Pookala, we packed up, chatted with our hosts - Suja, Chithra and Ajji, spending the last few moments of this trip @Heaven of Pookala! Even today, we relish the memories of our times with our hosts @Pookala! Back to Gonikoppa Bus stand, we boarded Airavatha with the most sweet memories! This jaunt to Pookala was as though, "we all had, had a reverie!!"... I swear, it is one of the very best trips i have ever had.. Thanks to our ever bubbly gang too!!