The Road to Wayanad (Wayanad 1 of 3)

The Road to Wayanad

Saturday 13 July

Or as I like to call it- three busses and a tuk tuk.  

Waking up at 5:30 in the morning is never fun, but when there is the promise of a jeep tour and elephants you put on your big girl pants and deal.  And is it me, or is it just so much easier to get up early when it's the weekend and you're doing something fun!? :)

Bus #1- Parassini to Manandavadi

Bus #2 - Manandavadi to Kalpetta

Bus #3 Kalpetta to the Vythiri bus station in Wayanad

And a Tuk Tuk from the bus station to the hotel (cottages) 

In case you forgot, Indian drivers are C R A Z Y.  Bus drivers are not only not an exception, but they set the gold standard for all other crazy taxi drivers aspire to.  There were several collective gasps* during terrifying hairpin turns, while passing trucks with another bus in the oncoming lane, and at the absolutely stunning views.  *(well, gasps from the non-Indians on the bus who are not at all acclimatized to this style of driving and stifled giggles from the Indians at our gasps)

* Our driver looked like he was 17.  Having said that, we all decided that because he had a mustache he must be capable.  Sorry for the blurry photo but see previous comments about bus drivers being crazy, and we were hauling ass and it was almost impossible to get a clear shot!!

After leaving Parassini we ventured through Kannur and then inland, and then started climbing up.  The first bus ride was about four and a half hours of bumpy roads, a really packed bus, and beautiful scenery.  About four hours into the drive an older Indian man sitting across the isle from us (Eveline,  Smita and I) was trying to get our attention and was gesturing to his side of the bus.  He was gesturing "camera" and pointing out the window.  After smiling and nodding that we understood what he was trying to say, even though we were not really sure, we saw what he was so excited for us to see: 

We were basically diving in the clouds.  

And then the hair pin turns started. :)  

Bus ride #2 was thankfully shorter, and this is where we started to see tea plantations!!  And one of the members of our group saw an elephant!! 

Bus ride #3 was very thankfully very short.. by this time we were all so knackered from waking up early, sitting on busses or waiting in the heat for busses for over five hours, and quite simply we were just ready to get there.  At this point we were wrapping up six hours of a "five hour" trip.  I am seriously starting to really understand the meaning of "Indian Time"  

Note: I'm really not complaining- the entire process of getting there was fantastic!! Beautiful scenery, very helpful and sweet people making sure we got on the right bus, chatting with other volunteers along the way, great people watching at the bus stations and fantastical busses.  Getting there was definitely half the fun of the trip!  

Oh!  And the entire bus journey (approximately << >> kilometers, it was 106 Indian Rupees per person, which equates to about $1.08.  The tuk tuk was 40 rupees, or $0.80, but split three ways.  All in, less than $1.50 a piece for the journey there... such a bargain!

#achievement unlocked: successfully navigate the Indian bus system.