Into the Rainforest

The rainforest of Southeastern India was my travel destination last weekend. After four weeks of crowded city living, I needed some nature time. So I headed, with seven other interns, to the Wayanad area in the state of Kerala.

I took my first Indian train ride to the city of Mysore - 3 hours East. It was fine, though we were delayed. Mysore is a smaller city than Bangalore and I liked it right away. Part of that is likely due to the restaurant we chose - Southern Star. Great food and ambiance (we dined outdoors on the patio next to the hotel's swimming pool). And as I'm walking towards the maitre'd, what does the house band start playing? Neil Diamond! The three guys were a lot of fun, they played good old American rock 'n roll - Elvis and Roy Orbison, and even took our requests for Johnny Cash.

While waiting for the second half our our fellow travellers the next morning, those of us already in Mysore visited the local temple. It was interesting to see an active temple, but the guys hustling us for money outside left a sour taste in my mouth.

After a comparatively short ride (only another three hours) by hired car, we arrived in Wayanad and set about seeing the sights. There are a number of hills, caves, waterfalls, and lakes spread around 100 or so square kilometers. We visited the Edakkal caves. A nice few kilometer hike/climb up into the hills took us to (a) a nice view of the intensely green valley, (b) more monkeys, and (c) a large cave with prehistoric carvings in the walls. The cave was discovered in the 1800s by the British. Apparently, through carbon dating of artifacts found in the cave, they decided that the carvings were about from about 4000 BC. There were a lot of lines, but I'm glad there was a point out what they were meant to represent (a chief, two women, and an elephant).

Following a short break to change a flat tire (which seemed like the most exciting occurance all day in the small village we stopped at), we reached a lake that I believe would be very picturesque when sky is not opening up in a torrential downpour. But that's the monsoon for you.

We had a little more appreciation for the rain the next day when we hiked to the Sential Rock waterfall. The two interns wearing bathing suits in anticipation of swimming thought better of it when we saw how powerful the wet weather had made the falls. Getting back to the trailhead, we had a great view of lush green hills rising in the distance with white scars of waterfalls cutting through them on one side and the jigsaw-puzzle pattern of a tea plantation on the other.

To top it off, we passed (slowly) a wild elephant on our way back. For those of you keeping score at home, yes: that's three elephants in three weeks.

A nice weekend, indeed.