Friday, November 14, 2008

Our Unforgettable Munnar Trip . . .

It was planned as a quick trip to somewhere in Munnar. We-my brother and me, started at noon[as you see, we were pretty late] from Muvattupuzha, on my Honda CBF 150, and in less than an hour from there,started enjoying the photoshoots and the winding roads of NH-49 through the hills of High Ranges. It was one of the best roads to go, I'll say. Mostly traffic-free, and smooth, and curvy as well. We really enjoyed the same. Before 4 O' clock, we were covered in fog, thanks to the rain and start of winter. We could hardly see more than a few yards, and lights from ongoing vehicles were seen at times, through the fog. They were having a tough time, though we were enjoying every bit of it. Even the inconvenience was loved, because it was in Munnar, and such fog was a bit uncommon in our place. We kept our cam from drenching in the rain, and let ourselves enjoy the shower. We continued our journey through the curly roads through the tea estates of Devikolam, on the way to Bodimet, giving no rest to our mouth and camera.

Soon, we had to return, as it was nigh on 7, and we packed the camera and started downhill, through the dark and silent curves of the western ghats. We stopped for a tea, at a roadside shop near Adimaly, to warm-up our chilling body. Then again , we continued-our unforgettable journey.

I continued my aggressiveness on the curves on the way to Neriamangalam, and - it didn't last long, because somewhere near Cheeyapara waterfalls, while negotiating a curve, the bike went out of the road, and we both were airborne, for a split second. It was not a very serious accident - just another mistake by a not-much-practiced biker. But the worst thing about the same was the location where it took place. It was at a sharp corner in the ghats, on the way to Neryamagalam from Munnar - deep inside the forest, that too, at night. The Almighty God sent his help when noone else could, and we both landed between the pavement and the woods. Praise to God! Had it been a few feet ahead or sideways, we - my brother and me would be " Two youngsters missing" for one day and "dead bodies of the missing tourists found in the depths of high ranges" the next day -to the newspapers and people around. I am very thankful to my God for His mercy and care to us, which He unmistakeably shew on us that night - because of which alone I am able to write this.