Juwal Bose Says

This is looking promising for the traveler in me as i am finding myself doing a trip every month. This time it was a Navodayan team trip to ilaveezhapoonjira. This place is off Mutton off Thodupuzha. There is a board declaring 5 kms to the place on the main road. We were on our way back from Ansars marriage and there were 10 people in 2 cars. Roy and Mahesh were generous enough to give lift to us all. Simon had the oriignal plan to visit Kuttikkanam, but as Mahesh had to reach home soon we didnot take that up.

The locals told us that normal vehicles wont go up there and we needed to take Jeep. But when we reached the rugged path to the summit we didnt find any jeep. Many were not in a mood to climb as they all had a great feast and were in amood to rest and many had to return home. But the enthusiasts amont us took off. The trak was 3kms uphill and was supoposed to take 1 hour minimum. There were lots of confusion whether to do it or not. Then Roy was of the opinion that we will never do this again and it was now or never. So we started off with me anfal and anoop at lead.

Trek was tiring and no one was in a shape for this. We heard this noise and found a jeep coming up. The road was so rugged that the travelers in the jeep were jumping up and down all the way. The jeep was useless after such rides anyways. They were having a great time mocking us as we were walking up. After some time we found then stranded and were secretly happy . One lorry with timber load was stuck in the road up ahead. We could only stare at these people who dare to take up the lorry and load it up with heavy timber on that road. There was oil leakage for the lorry and also the tyres were gone. We marched ahead taking some snaps here and there and reached a junction point where there was a small water fall and water flowing down. We had a drink and rejuvenated ourselves from the spring. The signboard declared that there was 2kms to ilaveezhapoonjira and 1.5 kms to Muniyara. Both were in opposite directions.

From Ilaveezhapoonjira

We didnt wee any one else from the team coming up and hence had to cal them to confirm the status. Only BSNL had range and i got mahesh. Mahesh had to go back and many were ready to join him. So we agreed to it as we then saw roy coming up with rajesh pk. Roy had the bigger car and we were just enough people to fit in. After some time simon was calling saying he and ajesh were venturing up and we had to wait for them. But it was heavy climb ahead and we told them to catch up as we carry on. So with roy and pk we were a team of 5 marching ahead. All were expecting a pong as the name of the place suggested the presence. After some persistence we reached a temple which was the place. There was mountain up ahead and a local lady told us this was the place. Roy was pissed off as there was no pond near by and we were damn thirsty.

We decided to venture uphill as we had reached upto here. Ontop we reached a guest house of the govt. A elder guy at the place offered us Tea. Now that was a relief. We were just there to try for water and we got a hotel. The to our wonder we found that Beer was available. All sat down to enjot the great breeze and scenic beauty of the place. Simon and Ajesh caught up and were relieved to find the beer. We had some great photo sessions and rested. The rest was refill for us as we found up and kicking to reach the summit. Me anfal and simon decided to go to the top most wireless sation point when others decided to start walking back. We saw the gang in the jeep come up through a different route. This way was good for vehicles and started some where off road to moolamattom. We could see the Alapuzha Lake at the horizon as the sun lit it up like an orange stretch. We first thought it was horizon but it actually was glistening water. At the top point these other gang people told us to explore beyond the wireless camp and we first thought they were making fun of us. There was the wireless camp with 2 police men and after it was a rock with abrupt end to the mountain. The scene was spectacular as we could see all low lands around us. One side it was the Malankara reservoir and dam. We could see the whole reservoir snaking up. The breeze was rejuvenating and we spent a couple of minutes digesting the breathtaking view.

We started off back with plan to reach back in an hour as we took 1 hour to reach the top. But it only took half an hour to get back as it was really easy getting down hill. The other team had some fun down the stream and were waiting for us. We bid farewell to the place and cramped 7 people into Roys car. We missed the visit to Muniyara, but then this was the max we could trek that day. The day was not supposed to be a trekking trip, but a marriage visit. Anyways it turned out to be one hell of an exercise day.