Tracking Elephants in Periyar

Up early and caught the local bus to Kumily.  Met a lovely couple on the bus, Bob from Manchester (who was a translator for years and could speak ten languages) and his wife Marie France from outside Paris. We stayed in the same homestay as they were staying in. A lovely place with Sky TV (Ruairi got to see Portsmouth beat Man U in the FA Cup!), Kitchen and Sitting room, unfortunately the room had no toilet and we had to go downstairs outside the house to use the squat toilet. 

Our Transport

Ruairi got food poisioning and the worst stomach cramps ever. We had to stay a couple of extra nights, but with the toilet outside the house... well it was no fun for Ruairi, he had to get up in the middle of the night, go outside in the dark, kind of a jungle garden to reach the stinking squat toilet buzzing full of mosquitos while the neighbours dog was barking at him like mad. God what a nightmare of a night for him.

Local

Once Ruairi recovered, we were able to enjoy the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. Forest Ranger collected us by jeep at 5.15 am and drove us into the jungle for a 4 h trek. We shared the jeep and the entire day with another couple Rosa (from Sao Paulo Brazil) and Florian (from Bavaria, Germany). The trek was really something else; the guide took us to an area that no one goes to ... no wonder; it was on the edge of a cliff with bushes, branches and a very narrow path.

If you took the wrong step you were a goner...Thick dense forest, crossing streams, climbing wow what an experience.

We were in search of wild elephants, but after tracking them with the guide for 4 hours we couldn't find them. Lots of Elephant dung and tracks. We saw a lot of giant squirrels instead.. they look like giant rats with tails if you ask me.! We also went boating in row boat and saw some eagles and monkeys and mongoose along the edge of the lake. Long day, but so worth it.

Scoping the Terrain

I saw some domestic Elephants the next morning, had an elephant ride and watched in amazement at the elephants swallowing huge pineapple whole! Baby elephants are soooo cute.

Leaving the cool mountain air soon as we make our way back down to sea level and the Backwaters of Kerala.

Early morning break

Giant Squirrel

I'm on the up

Can you spot the wild animal?

Trekking

I'm getting over it!

Periyar Lake

Trying my hand

Garden in the Jungle

Shes addicted to Coconut Water

Story Telling Kumily Style

Daughter of the owner

View from the Top

Jungle Walk

So strong

Bath Time

baby

Not our Connemara

Local Traditions