Topstation near Munnar

Vatavada with Jayesh Divakaran

Jayesh Divakaran took us to his Eucalyptus plantation in Vattavada between Munnar and Kerala State border. The temperature recorded in the airtight room in his cottage during night was 9 degree celcius. The place is not rich in fauna except for an ocaasional herd of bison which may accidentally come across. Kodaikanal is walkable distance from here, and many Tamilian plantation workers frequent to this place by walk. The cook Chelladurai for the first time prepared veg dishes for Jayesh's friends and they wer delicious. The vegetable available at Vattavada town is pure,free from chemicals and fresh. They taste better than the ones available in cities in Kerala. The jeep road to his cottage is steep and very adventorous. Luckily some other planter had filled earth in the big pits on the road to bring down cut logs and hence the path was comparitively better. Mohan Lal had acted in some film as a jeep driver in this area , I was told, and the scenes were breath taking. The heat of the fire is never felt here as the place is very cool. A small river goes down the hill near the cottage. Jayesh told that it was a big river and the plantation has made it small.

more pictures to be uploaded....