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Embracing the whispers of the wind among the golden grains
Paddy fields are abundant in many places in Wayanad. Chekadi is unique as the paddy fields here are vast across the horizon. Do not compare the vastness of the fields here to other parts of Karnataka or Tamil Nadu. The next day, we headed straight to these paddy fields. They are no longer green after the harvest. The landscape is magical in its own way, with the hay stacked in the middle of the brown landscaped field, engulfed in mist.
After a quick breakfast at one of the restaurants we were familiar with in Paalvelicham, an impromptu plan to visit Pazhasssi Tomb was made. With fantastic roads, the ride to Mananthavady is pleasant on the smooth curves. The last 50 metres to reach the place, right behind the Government Hospital, is in pathetic condition. It is like one of the trails you would go looking for off-roading. Tackling it was arduous, and after the hiatus, I felt it was not worth paying for parking and entry. The sun was up, and the heat was intensifying, so the next best thing to do was to head back to homestay.
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Meppadi tea estates - where every leaf reveals an enchanting story of serenity
Meppadi is one of my favourite areas in Wayanad. The abundant tea estates from here continue all the way towards Gudalur and onto Ooty. The very first time I visited Wayanad, I'd stayed in Meppadi. The waterfalls and Chembra Peak trek are all etched in the memory. What happened here last year during Monsoon was a sad episode. This picturesque place is being overhyped and developed to cater to tourists. The fragile landscape couldn't handle it and gave up. Sadly, it is the locals who bear the brunt of over-tourism.
From Meenangadi, there is a different route to Meppadi without going to Kalpetta. The route via Kalpetta is a familiar one, having ridden many times in the past. From Meenagadi, after Muttil, an interior route goes through Thrikkaipatta, Nedumbala and reaches Meppadi. With tea plantations on both sides and mist engulfing everything with visibility below 50 metres, it was thrilling to ride on this route. After Nedumbala, the road condition is quite bad, with deep potholes and narrow roads.
Continuing onward, after Meppadi, one can go toward Rippon and farther on to Vaduvanchal (the last main town on the Kerala side of the border). Tea estates accompany you on both sides of the all along this route.
I turned back a little after Nedumbala. After a sumptuous breakfast, it was time to pack up and head back home. The return was the usual Bathery - Muthnaga - Bandipur - Gundlupet - Mysore. It was a boring ride on the highway in the hot sun. After the uneventful ride and a quick lunch at Aashirwad after the toll near Mysore, this exceptional ride came to an end.
