வாழை - Vaazhai

சற்று முன்பு வாழை படம் பார்த்து முடித்தேன். இந்த படம் நல்ல வரவேற்பை பெற்றதை அறிவேன் ஆனால் கதை என்ன என்று தெரியாமல் தான் பார்த்தேன். பல வருடங்களுக்கு முன்பு நடந்த ஒரு துயரமான சம்பவத்தை தழுவி இது எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது என்பதை படம் பார்த்த பிறகே அறிந்துகொண்டேன்.

ஒரு சம்பவத்தை தழுவி எடுக்கப்படும் படங்கள் நம் ஊரில் சற்று குறைவு தான் ஹாலிவுட்டுடன் ஒப்பிடும்பொழுது. அங்கே தான் ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட சம்பவத்தை தழுவி படம் எடுக்கும் பழக்கம் அதிகம். 

"The Sweet Hereafter" என்று ஒரு படம் நினைவுக்கு வருகிறது அதுவும் இந்த படத்தை போன்றதொரு துயர சம்பவத்தை அடிப்படையாக கொண்டது அனால் அதன் நோக்கம் வேறுபட்டது.

சம்பவங்களை தழுவி படம் எடுப்பது தவறில்லை சில நேரம் விளையாட்டில் வெற்றி பெற்றவர்களை குறித்து எடுப்பார்கள் சில நேரம் துயர சம்பவங்களை தழுவி எடுப்பார்கள் கல்லூரி படத்தை போன்று.வாழையும் அப்படிப்பட்டதே.

ஏதோ ஒரு காரணத்தால் என்னால் படத்தில் முழுமையாக ஒன்ற முடியவில்லை. நெல்லை தமிழ் அழகாக இருந்தது. ஆனால் படத்தில் அந்த கடைசி சம்பவத்தை எடுத்து விட்டால் வேறு ஒன்றும் இல்லை  காமிரா ஆங்கிள் மேக்கிங் என்று அனைத்தும் அருமை ஆனால் பல இடங்களை வேகமாக ஓட்டியே பார்த்துவிடலாம்.

Wayanad - Day 4 - Final Day

Read Day 3 here 

As it was the the final day and our check out was at 11:30 we planned to leave the hotel around that time compared to the other days when we left around 09:00 AM. Our train from Kozhikode to Chennai was at 20:30 so we had time between 11:30 and 20:30.

There was campfire the previous night in the resort which was wonderful. We went around the farm within Sylvan resort one more time. When went around last time it was raining and this time it was not raining heavily and there were occasional drizzles. As usual I was watchful for the leeches. We went around the farm and left the resort around 11:15.

We hadn't tried out the zipline so far and understood there were may places that offered zipline ride. Our guide and the driver stopped at one such place and we tried the zipline ride.

It was raining on and off and our next stop was at Pookode lake. The place was crowded compared to the previous days and probably it was because it was a weekend. There was a huge sign near the ticket counter which read "Caution::Leeches". We got the entry ticket and went inside. There was the lake surrounded by mist. There were boat rides available and we took the 4 seater boat which costs around Rs 450 for 20 mins. That was one good ride. There are gift shops inside the lake area and there is also a cafe.

We stopped for lunch and then headed for Tussaragiri waterfalls. While we descended there was a bus which had broken down just before hairpin bend 2 and so there was a huge traffic jam. One should factor for such things in their plan.

Tussaragiri waterfalls was even better than Kanthampara. There was mini waterfall before the main one and people were bathing in that.

Then we headed towards Kozhikode beach and there was heavy traffic on the beach road and somehow our guide managed to drop us at a spot and we spent some time in the beach.

Then we headed for our last minute purchase especially the famous banana chips and then he dropped us at the station around 18:30.

Overall it was a memorable trip.

Some after thoughts we didn't spend much time in the resort while with such beautiful resorts we can spend one full day there just soaking in the atmosphere.

Most of the places we went were not crowded so there were no waiting times and I am not sure if that will be the cases always.

Each places would require us to walk uphill and downhill so we have to be prepared for good walking.

It rained all the days so we should be prepared for that. While it rained everyday we didn't use the umbrella we carried with us.

The roads are mostly wide and well maintained except at some odd places. 

Even with 4 days we couldn't cover all the places such as Karlad lake, Attamalla glass bridge, Soochipara falls, Meenmutty falls etc. Some we couldn't visit as they were closed and some we had to skip for other reasons. 

If you rush through all the places with a early start you might be able to cover all places in 3 days but if you plan a relaxed itinerary  you would need more days.

You definitely need someone who knows the place so they can plan things better.

Wayanad is a beautiful place and God has blessed it bountifully and yes there have been some tragedies which we cannot ignore when we hear the name Wayanad.

Wayanad - Day 3

Read Day 2 here

Our legs were still aching from the previous days walk especially the Edakkal caves visit.

We headed to Bannasura Sagar dam and reached around 10:00 AM. There is a van which can take you to the top of the dam. We chose to walk and it is again a long walk and a climb. It is a massive dam. It was full of water. I noticed a sign saying "Beware of snakes" there. There is a zipline but we did not go for it. We chose the speed boat ride and it costs Rs 1000 per boat which can take 5 people. They take you on a long ride for around 15 mins and the scenery is just amazing.

Then we went to a place called Wonderland which is close by. It is a place where they have various birds and pet animals on display. You also get a chance to feed the birds and their nails does hurt. If you are brave enough you can snap a photo with a python or iguana. I ran away from them. There is also a fish spa inside.

Next stop was at Spices Garden. There is a spices shop and a saree shop. 

From there we headed for Kanthampara falls and skipped Karlad lake. Kanthampara falls was amazing. Taking bath in the falls was not allowed but people were allowed to swim upstream.

Then had our lunch and headed for the famous 900Kandy.

At 900Kandy it costs Rs 1250 for a trip to the top where the famous glass bridge is there. Once you reach the top it is again Rs 250 per head. The offroad trip to the top is not for the weak. It can make you vomit easily. I am surprised that the vehicles survive this ride. I will not forget this ride for a long time. There is nothing much at the top. The view from the glass bridge is great but the glass bridge was ok. 

We were lucky that these places were less crowded.

I tried Unniappam and Pazham pori. Unniappam is Paniyaram in Tamilnadu.

Tomorrow we have to check out and that will complete our 4 day visit to Wayanad. 

Wayanad - Day 2

Read Day 1 here 

Vettaiyan got released and learnt Ratan Tata expired. 

After breakfast we started out Day 2 at 09:00 AM. Our first stop was at Karapuzha Dam. There was almost no crowd when we reached there around 10:15 AM. There are some standard rides there and there is also longest Zipline. They have VR zones like we see in any city mall. But the dam and the garden around that and the view of the mountains from there is awesome. It is well maintained.

Our next destination was Edakkal caves. I didn't know what was in store and it is not a easy one. From parking till the ticket counter is a steep walk. There are lot of shops on the way and every one literally pulls you. From the ticket counter to the actual cave is a heavy climb. But I could see small kids just doing it easily. At last when you reach the cave it feels good. The downward journey is also not an easy one. My legs are still aching.

We had lunch after that and headed towards Muthanga for 15:00 Hrs safari. We reached the ticketing counter by 14:45 but they opened exactly at 15:00 Hrs. The Jeep costs Rs 2000 and for the bus it is Rs 350 per head. They said no Jeep available so I went ahead for the bus but we had to wait till the bus is full. The safari started around 16:00 Hrs. The trip lasted an hour during which we could see few Elephants, some were walking with humans, and few Deers. Other than that it was just the expanse of the trees. Some fell asleep. It was raining and it was very chilly.

On the way back we stopped at the Jain temple. There is nothing much to see but I could tick off that in my list.

We came back the resort around 18:45.

It was raining on and off and it was mostly chilly. It gets chilly especially during the nights.

To continue in Day 3.

Wayanad - Day 1

 Based on recommendation from a friend who visited Wayanad few months back I planned to visit Wayanad between Oct 9 - 12. I booked my tickets for Chennai to Kozhikode and return and also blocked hotel bookings. Post that Wayanad was badly impacted because of rains. The news that was coming out was very grim. I did not change my plans and still went ahead with the visit.

We started from Chennai on Oct 8th taking Mangaluru mail from Chennai Central. The train started at 20:10 and we reached Kozhikode 10 mins delayed at 07:40 on the 9th of Oct. Prior to this I searched on what to do in Wayanad and prepared plan based on location of the places where I was planning to stay.

I had chosen Sylvan resort for my stay based on my search in agoda and bookings. I called the resort directly and made the bookings. They also gave me a reference to a driver and I had arranged for him to pick us at 07:30 at Kozhikode. He was there waiting for us as we reached Kozhikode. We got into the cab and our first stop was for breakfast at Annapoorna around 09:00.

Then we proceeded towards Wayanad and the route offers some scenic views of the mountain. There are 9 hairpin bends. The roads are quite wide. We stopped at Lakkidi view point. It was not as cold as I expected. The view was great.

The next stop was at En Ooru a tribal village set up. We have to wait for a Jeep to take us further inside and there are two options to book the Jeep. You can either book an entire Jeep or book for shared. Booking for shared is not a good option as we had to wait for 8 people. Many people book their own Jeep so wait time is high for shared option. En Ooru has some shops and scenic settings in the top of the mountain. There is some good amount of walking.

The next stop was at Honey museum and one volunteer comes with each visitor group and explains interesting things about bees. I learnt a lot about drone bees, queen bees, worker bees, bee wax, different types of honey etc. There is a shop where you can buy different honey.

Had lunch around 13:30 in Vythri and when we came out of the hotel it started raining and we reached the resort. The resort is set in Kalpetta and it is around 2 kms from Kalpetta town and the road is not a easy route. It is situated in remote part and it will be difficult to walk to nearby places.

The resort itself is surrounded by thick forest. It was as if you are inside a jungle. The view from the room was great. The staff are very friendly. The only gripe I had was it was raining continuously. The staff took us around the resort which has a farm, a pond and some interesting plants. All the while it was raining and he warned us about leech, so I was looking out for leeches throughout the walk. 

We settled inside the room for the rest of the day and I started typing this. The resort has good wifi connection. There is a great little pool as well and kids playing area.

I am hoping for a sunny day tomorrow and hope we will be able to hit some of the places I had planned.

This is my first visit to Kerala. Everyone I spoke to can respond in Malayalam mixed Tamil. It is slightly difficult to understand but we can manage. Buses mostly has name boards only in Malayalam which is a problem for non natives.

Will update more in the next post.

Suncoast

One of the most beautiful movies I saw in the recent times. Movies about death and grief are something gives a lot to think about life. Sometimes such movies focus on the person who is dying but this movie differs from the fact that it focuses on the people around the person dying.

It shows us a different perspective of death and life. Nico Parker was awesome the scene where she expresses her feelings finally was beautifully acted. Woody Harrelson adds his charm to any role he performs. Laura Linney was great as usual.

One of the interesting thing about the film is the friendship between Nico and her school friends. Usually they villanise such characters but it was good to see that they showed real friendship.

Life is finite, it is temporary. It is fact that is difficult to accept. We always look forward to anything which gives us hope of life after death. That is one of the major comfort we get from religion and God. If there is no God life just becomes meaningless. 

Do not miss this little gem.

Extraction - Movie

Watched it with lot of expectations but was disappointed. The movie was pretty one dimensional. For an action movie to succeed we need a really scary villain and a hero for whom we root for. Both were missing in this movie.

We are shown a kid is kidnapped and the kids father is a dreaded don in India who is in jail. The kidnapping group is in Bangladesh.

Our hero goes to rescue the kid and while doing so he kills almost half of dhaka. Anyone who crosses paths with him is shot dead. More than 1000 people must have been shot dead in the movie.

The hero and his team has infrastructure almost equivalent to Bangladesh government.

The dialogues were even more horrible.

All the action scenes felt wasted.

Towards the end we don't care who is getting shot and who survives.

During end titles I noticed Chris Hemsworth is the producer and the movie is directed by a stunt director.

What might have looked good on paper did not turn out the way they wanted it.