Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Breathtaking Munnar: Mattupetty Reservoir

This is one of the most enchanting destinations in Kerala. The Mattupetty reservoir offers boating facility and the hills nearby are ideal for trekking. The Indo-Swiss Dairy Project at Mattupetty is also of great interest to visitors.For most tourists, a visit to the hill station at Munnar is not complete without a boat safari on the scenic Mattupetty reservoir. But very few of them are aware of the impact of boating on the environment and wildlife.
The Kerala State Biodiversity Board and the Forest department have raised the alarm about the pollution caused by motorized boats plying the reservoir and the litter left behind by tourists.




Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Amazing Munnar - Speed Boating

There is a separate boat jetty around Mattupetty Lake where speed boats take you around the reservoir in ultra fast boats.They also have regular motor boats as well as leisure boats for a relaxed boat ride. My son,daughter,grand daughter and son in law opted for a speed boat ride.They engaged a full boat for Rs.500/-. They were given life jackets which are compulsory.They were about to proceed to the boat embarkation area when suddenly there was a big commotion and everyone was asked cover their hands and faces and to move away fast. Some one had thrown a stone at a beehive and disturbed the bees and a bee swarm was on attack.People were running helter skelter.A couple of ladies panicked and jumped into the lake to escape the bee attack.They couldn't swim and had to be rescued by locals.They emerged completely drenched.They had been bitten and looked terrified and were crying. They were driven away to the nearest hospital for treatment, After around 20 mts the bees quietened down and things got back to normal.The speed boat rides resumed.
Looking happy & ready to take off
Looking anxious & worried during the bee attack
Finally taking off for the speed ride
A Leisure boat

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Cannons @ Madras Government Museum

During a recent trip to Madras Museum last week I found several cannons retrieved from the combat in Burma as well a real artistic gem used by Tipu Sultan during his campaign against the British. The cannons come in various shapes,sizes and designs and some of  them carrying exquisite ornamentation.
The Connemara MuseumTheatre
Tipu Sultan's Dragon Head Canon

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Incredible Munnar - Drive around Mattupetty Reservoir

At Mattupetty Mira (my grand daughter) went horse riding and had ice cream.We strolled around in the lovely sunshine,visited the many curio shops,clicked many pictures and walked across the the top of dam to cross over and into our taxi to proceed to the next destination. These are some of the captivating lush green landscapes we encountered enroute to the speed boat jetty..
Many song and dance sequences of Kollywood (Tamil films) are shot at these locations

Friday, February 6, 2015

Incredible Munnar - Mattupetty Dam

Situated in the famous hill town of Munnar, Mattupetty located 13 km from Munnar is situated at a height of 1700 m, and is a delight for nature lovers.One of the main attractions in Mattupetty is the beautiful lake and the Mattupetty Dam, which are ideal picnic spots. 

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Amazing Munnar - Honey Bee Hive

Here is a picture on a honey bee hive(located high up on a tall tree) clicked on the Munnar Mattupetty dam road.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Coimbatore: Garbage Dump in VIP Area

I have been visiting the Sringeri Saradambal Temple(off Race Course Road) in Coimbatore for the past 11 years. The entrance road has always been neat & clean.Of late,specially during the past few months,I have observed garbage being being indiscriminately dumped on the radial road connecting Race Course Rd & the office of Directorate of health Services.The Saradambal Temple is also located here.The adjacent campus happens to be the residence of the Collector of Coimbatore.Many well known industrialists,politicians and other well known Coimbatoreans live on Race Course Road thus making this a VIP area.
There is a garbage bin placed on this radial  road which is invariably overflowing and one can see garbage  lying all around the bin presenting an ugly picture.The bin is placed just next to the pink compound wall of the Collectors residence. As you walk  into the radial road you reach the entrance gates of the Saradambal Temple to your left and another gate leading straight into the Directorate of Health Services.Inside the Health Services campus you can see another unpleasant sight.There is another garbage dump yard around a beaitiful tree here right besides the Varasiidi Vinayakar Temple.Do people who live in high places really care about hygiene? Who is really responsible for creating this unholy,ungodly,uncivil & unhealthy mess ?
Entrance Gate from Race Course Road into the radial road- leads to Saradambal Temple & Joint Director Health Services - Can you see the Garbage Bin ?
Sign Board on Race Course Road entrance gate: Preventive Medicine - Chief Water Analyst
Garbage Bin and garbage strewn all around - behind is the pink wall abutting Collectors Bungalow
Close up view of the Garbage and wall of Collectors Bungalow - Below is a view from the Saradambal temple ie.exit from the radial road into the Race Course Road
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The Joint Directors Office and the Varasiddi Vinayakar Temple located in the campus
Garbage dumped around a tree next to the temple inside the campus of the Directorate of Health Services
Entrance to Joint Directors Office

Entrance Gates to Saradambal Temple(Facing) and to Health Services(to right)

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