Wayanad-III

On second day we went to see Lakidi view point, Phookot lake and Vythiri resort. Lakidi is about 2 km south of Chain Tree and is the gateway of Wayanad which is on highway to Calicut. It is a ghat pass at an elevation of 700m above sea level.We crossed Kalpetta and drove mostly on NH 212.

Overwhelmed with scenery as this highway is heaven on this earth , a beautiful place with lot of tea gardens on the way. Its absolutely real picture of natural beauty. This Tamarassery pass's starting point is Lakkidi which is one of the highest locations of Wayanad seems to be second in rainfall after Cherapunjee.

Hearing Lakidi view point I expected to be some hill view but this was in fact valley view with lofty mountain peaks, luxuriant vegetation and the bird’s eye view of the deep valley with its winding roads. We wanted to get down the valley which goes to Kozhikode. By then Aarush was deep in sleep with the motion of car so we took an oppotunity to go down. It was really breath taking experience to drive on those winding roads with 9 sharp hairpin bands and after few more KMs we asked one local how far is Kozikhode - reply was 40 KMs. We could have gone to Kozikode if there was no other binding or if we would have started early morning. In our case, we did booking that morning before starting from homestay to visit Vythri resort particularly restaurant for lunch- buffet. And they are particular about timing from 1-3PM only. It was already 1PM in watch so we decided to return.

Here, we made one mistake I believe instead of visiting day one at temple and Kurvadweep we could have gone to Calicut (Kozhikode) for one night stay or just to see the sun set at Arabian sea. Anyways, there is always next time.

While returning saw chain tree just 2kms after ghat pass. There is a story behind this tree. A tribal man showed a British this Tamarassery pass as a way to reach Mysore easily and British killed this man to get the full credit. Then lots of accidents happened on that road and later one saint said the soul of the tribal man is responsible for these accidents. So the soul is now tied in that tree by a chain and then it is believed that the accidents are reduced.

From here we visited Pookot lake. The lake is very calm and scenic, was less crowded that day. Surrounded by hills and greenery. However, didn't do boating as said wanted to just relax. It is a natural fresh water lake surrounded by evergreen forest. This lake is around 11 km from Kalpetta. It is basically meant for children’s pleasure.

Then left for Vythiri resort. Its hidden among the hills. Roads are not yet tarred. Fifteen to twenty minutes drive through the tea gardens and forest may be a bit bumpy but they are very picturesque and worth going there. Place untouched and not exploited by urbanization. This gorgeous place has much to offer and you cannot be out of places to see here. Setting is a lovely-walk over the bamboo bridge to reach restaurant and through the plantation. We reached just at 3PM.

Food was excellent; they had rasam as soup. 5-6 varieties of salad, 3 kinds of cooked rice and long list of items like avial, erisery, thorans , varieties of fish curries and chicken. Last but not least 3-4 varieties of dessert too. We were truly up to throat. Relaxed there for a while. Wanted to take their 1 hour trail but because of dark we didn't took any risk and decided to return.

What is Kerala without a ayurvedic oil massage? My caretaker arranged for one that evening. Oh !!! it was really very soothing felt like going to sleep in no time. Thanks to Santanu for baby sitting Aarush and he finished his dinner too by the time I was done.

This really was a home away from home. To relax totally and enjoy thoroughly, Wayanad has a salubrious climate. Thanx to Mrs.Sitha to make us feel at home with her warm hospitality and smiling face which will remain deep in our heart for long. She was always there for providing us with all kind of comfort be it looking after Aarush or washing his bottles or with boiled water. She is an excellent cook. We had puttu, appam, puri, kerala parotha, kadi and many others at her place. Mainly farm fresh and organic products are used for cooking. Now I really feel 3 nights are very less to experience all this.

Next morning we started our journey back to Bangalore around 11 from there. We had enough time to go to Edkaal caves and Soochipora falls but we didn't. One due to time crunch, secondly with Aarush we didn't wanted to climb up or down the stairs to view these places which would have fatigued us. So without draining our stored energy much we decided to return home. By 3PM we crossed Mysore;had Maddur vada and dosa on way to Bangalore.

Wayanad-II

After a deep slumber the next morning we woke-up fresh and energetic. Aarush wanted to play seeing an open space- courtyard. They have toys, cycles, carom board, badminton court, balls to play with. He was really happy to get all these stuffs. What more parent wants if kid is happy you are happy otherwise nothing on earth can make you happy.

Morning, we were shown all rooms available there. It was a nice room with a central common area and one room each on either side. Each room can easily accommodate a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 kids)at main buiding while bamboo room can accommodate 4 in each room. We opted for room at main building.

The huge banana and green paddy plantation in front of the home-stay is a wonderful delight to the eyes!! Then leisurely we freshened up and gobbled down the breakfast prepared. Her breakfast area is an open space with neat dining set, covered by a thatched roof with lovely breeze and great view. Mean while Nash asked us what we wanted to do and suggested what we can. He gave all route directions. Truly, I didn't wanted to do much but more of relaxing.

We decided to go to Thirunelly temple and Kuruvadweep. Thirunelli temple is nestled amidst three hills. The deity worshiped here is Lord Krishna, but the place gained popularity for the Papanasini river (rather a stream flowing beside the temple). Road to the temple passes via Mananthavady town from Panamaram is hilly with bumpy roads and green all around. You get to pass through fields and forest. Picturesque for sure. We drove the road which connects Wayand with Coorg and at the end we took a left turn(14 KM) for the temple. This temple is a peaceful and serene place. Since not properly restored I won't recommend to visit. It can be skipped unless just want to drive or have some religious rites to perform.

Then from there we went to Kuruvadweep. Roads didn't improved much. As the drive went on, different shades of green we could find all around Wayanad. Nice treat to eyes; our eyes were relaxed seeing green all around. Since we stay in concrete jungle for us it was really paradise. The water was knee deep, muddy and not very clean as there were plenty of plastics and junk from tourists and local shops - we did not felt like crossing the same. If you have time you can take boat ride.

At evening owner, Mrs Seetha of the home-stay offered us with hot coffee. Coffee and tea served are unlimited without charges and ensured that we were served with hot sumptuous dinner once Aarush's dinner was over. This was really nice of her .

Visit to North kerala- Wayanad

From the time Santanu having classes and top of it exams this month; its really a grueling month for both of us. For this I too was not getting some time off from “Our little one”. There was absolute need of one break. Santanu suddenly said two days before last exam that he is having leave and if interested then we can go somewhere near by. Then he only started reading on net and ended up saying we would go to WAYANAD- Northern region of Kerala. Word of mouth were the major sources of procuring information for undertaking the trip. Being at Bangalore, Wayanad was a good option since it was only about a 275 KM drive away. Earlier he said he will go via Nagarhole forest and return via Bandipur forest. My major concern was about our stay. As with Aarush if we don't look for proper place then journey is not peaceful.

We looked for two homestays one near Nagarhole and other near Sultan Bethary. Looking does not means that we will stay there but then also we sincerely jotted them in MS- word with phone no. and all. I wanted to be sure where I am spending night otherwise I am not going anywhere. At that time he said we will do night stay at Mysore and then early morning we will leave for Wayanad. So took down hotel contact details and address of frill-free Ginger hotel of Mysore.

Since that weekend was long weekend and Saturday was Santanu's exam I was not sure when exactly he wanted to leave from home. Because by the time he will reach home after exam it would be late afternoon. Then also on Friday late evening we packed our things with 'just in case thought.' On Saturday he called me up around noon saying to call those home-stays if there is any availability or not and to be ready otherwise to leave immediately within 1 hr. after he returns home. When I called those home-stays only one was available. Gave a call directly to her for availability otherwise pricing will vary then. Thereafter I remembered its not home-stays we are supposed to stay that night but frill free hotel of Mysore. Later after his exams I called him to clarify those doubts and that time he said no we are going straight to one which is available at Wayanad. I was bit stupefied on hearing that - Was really not sure whether he would be able to drive that evening or not but he sounded quite confirmed in his answer. Oh man! he is so adamant not to make any proper itinerary before any trip.

Finally, route was Bangalore - Mysore - Nanjangud - Gundalpet - Sultan Bathery – Wayanad. We set off on Saturday at 4.10 PM from home and touched Mysore by 7.15PM since it was already dark we missed the signal of Ooty and ended up going to Mysore palace. Luckily, from far we saw whole palace being lighted up. So we made a halt to take photographs. Some open air music function was going on at eve of Ugadi. Around 7.50PM we happened to ask one police-officer the route to Ooty and he was startled seeing me and Aarush saying its too late to go there. Will take around 9-10 hrs to reach and road is not that excellent. And suggested to stay at some hotel at Mysore only. Then we said we actually want to go to Wayanad. Hearing that he seemed to be quite relieved and said road is very good and gave direction to the same. By 8.05 we were in car and in no time were at route leading to Nanjangud. Our excitement was in the air.

The route to Wayanad had to be traversed through the hilly terrain highway. We could not speed up much although Aarush was sleeping but dazzling lights from opposite direction vehicles were very disturbing. We made few more stop - overs to confirm the route and then take-away dinner on route. Crossed dense jungle of Bandipur at night. We had to be very vigilant through out. As this was our first night drive. There are lots of check posts and in one check post Santanu had to get down to give driving license and car registration details.

Lady of home-stay – 'Ente vedu' told me once you reach Sultan Bathry give call for further directions. Route to our home-stay was another 45 min. more from S.Bethary. We had to leave NH 212 and drive on a connecting road towards Mananthavady this road was complete dark and up-down roads with lot of winding we were not able to accelerate more. As it crosses villages there were no car or person on the road. Still we found some night owl to confirm we are on the right direction or not. Her guide "Nash Jose" directed us although we were feeling quite uncomfortable for disturbing them that late. Guidance was with location, buildings on the road sides and also with distance from where we were calling. Later from one point we were not able to figure out which route to take then he came himself to that point to guide us. Really nice of him. This home-stay is located in Panamaram, Wayanad.

In spite of reaching the homestay pretty late (past midnight) he showed us room and other facilities and bid goodnight. That night we were given one big room (kind of dormitory where many can stay together with bathroom but toilet was outside. Thank God we did not need to share with anybody. As all other rooms were booked we got this one and we were told by morning we can change to room of our choice.

View Bangalore - Wayanad(Panaram) in a larger map

Second month

(17th February- 17th March)

Parenthood is a lifelong journey. No amount of training and preparation can ever prepare fully for it. We are learning about our little helpless bundle and same probably on his side. After returning from official trip santanu was agog to spent more time with Aarush as if it was ages he has spent not seeing him.

Aarush now learnt to squeal in delight as his arms flail about in the air above him. Cooing and soft throaty sounds were heard from him time to time. Sometimes if he is in good mood he use to play of his own for few min. with his arms and legs.

His tiny hands use to tug our hair. Music use to be one of his favorite. Bright colors catches his attention. We figured out this month he is (still he is...) fan of ceiling fan; he loves ceiling fans so much.... no matter on or off. Whenever he is moved to any new place, first thing he tries to locate is ceiling fan. And as soon as he gets to look at the fan we switch it on and he would give a million dollar smile. Sometimes while crying, if he happens to spots the fan, he giggles a bit and then resumes his crying session.

This month he got DPT triple antigent shots causing a little fever. But he was not at all cranky only thing was he did not play much that evening with his hands and legs.

At first he didn't use to enjoy oil massage but slowly started liking it. If held in a standing position, he use to support his body with the legs. His neck was not yet firm. His head use to wobble if not held properly. Santanu also tried his hand in giving him evening massage – and Aarush too liked it.

While Aunts and uncles rejoiced his arrival, friends called up to congratulate. His maternal aunt was so happy on his arrival that she sent one box full of clothes and needful things through courier.

After my mom left on march 9th - hubby and I went about in a daze not quite sure how we were supposed to handle little screaming, pooping bundle that we had. But those two days he comported himself. And after 2 days we too flew from bombay to durg without much fuss. That was his first air travel. Maybe Aarush was happy to be in secure hands while I was not much interested to go to Durg but Santanu and his mom wanted us to be there for a while.

His grandparents (my parents) were very happy to see him there. One maid was appointed for me as well Aarush for oil massage twice a day.

Playing trumpet

Aarush playing trumpet, he was around 11 months old that time and did not started walking but was master of climbing and crawling.

Birthday Video

A long waited video from Aarush's Birthday. This is a unedited video of 16 minutes long, I have no knowledge on video editing. The video was captured by Jishu-Dadu of Aarush. The video quality after uploading to Google does not seem that great, let us know your feedback. Going to publish few more videos of Aarush soon.

IPL 2.0

IPL – Indian Premier League goes out of India. You do not need to be a cricket fan to follow this news as it is every where. I am literally out raged with this news can you think suddenly British (Barclay) premiership moves to Spain as cold winter stormed as swapped across Britain. Mr.Lalit Modi is a big favorite be it media or those franchisee owners but certainly things will be different after this summer. I really can not believe IPL can survive solely on TV. There is a bigger eco-system which goes around IPL be it parking or those support members (in hundreds) for each team. And surely there will not be any cheerleaders any more as there will not be any spectators. How they are going to manage in cold un-predictable month of April where you get sudden blizzards in UK. If TV works so well I am sure American sports might had exported to other parts of the world by now be it NBA,NFL or NHL. It is also mostly watched by TV but there is a eco-system around the whole and you find TV serials to movies about the same. Can you believe Only wish be this IPL 2.o becomes so flop and the franchisee-owners makes huge loses so that they can come down to ground from their chartered flights. Last summer they poured huge sum thinking they will recover someday soon but with this development I am not sure who soon.

Happy Holi

Have a safe holi; this picture was taken on night before celebrating holi-ka-dahan

First month

Tiredness was still there after delivery and by now I realized what people were talking about… shamelessly take advantage of this period to rest yourself. On other hand I was desperate to take a step outside house of my own after 9 months bed rest to feel the breeze brushing against my skin. But it never happened because of customs. Ooof.... On 10th day took a complete shower from head to toe as on same day my stitch was removed which took hardly few minutes. I got Low Transverse Incision which healed well. Oh! How fresh I felt that day after bath and removal of all those bandages from lower abdomen.

For Aarush, his umbilical cord also fall off after 10days, he lost his weight in first 12 days. He got oral polio drops and one shot of BCG this month but didn’t cried almost – behaved very well with me outside house and in front of doctor.

After discharge from hospital it was tough to decide where to put our little one. Though Baby cots, cradles and moses baskets are widely available today, in India. But, I strongly felt breast-feeding would be easier if he sleeps with me as I won’t have to get out of bed every time to feed. So, weighing the pros and cons we made the decision together that he will sleep with us. Till date he does sleep with us only. At nights when he use to cry on and off mainly being hungry or wet – we felt our decision worked out best.

We truly spent hours staring at the little one cozily nested between us, observing his facial expressions while he snooze - particularly grinning or making crying face with his eyes closed and when he purses his lips is truly irresistible. At times we wondered was it a reality or dream - with Aarush we’ve created a home nest that brought incredible joys and ofcourse not to mention sleepless nights. As soon as he use to woke up he would stretch a lot. His tiny hands use to remain tightly clenched while awake. In the form of short naps he use to sleep around 15-18 hrs. Whenever he was startled by a loud noise would thrust out his arms and legs and drew back them or start crying. Yet, he couldn't focus far off objects and that too small ones.

Mostly, my mom use to take care of Aarush be it potty cleaning, massage or giving bath. His thamma (my MIL) was anxious to try her hand seeing his didu (my Mom) doing everything it was hard for her to resist. She also got chance when didu was down with fever for 2-3 days. My dad and mother-in-law left after 15 days of his birth.

After 15 days we appointed one maid who use to give him oil massage as well bath and thereafter wrap him tight in cotton cloth just like a small parcel. Soon after he use to have his milk and fall asleep for hours.

By then, I became milk vending machine. Feeding every 2 -3 hrs was bit troublesome …it took me quite a while to adjust to the same. Often for fun when I use to rub my finger to the corner of his mouth, he would immediately turn towards it for sucking – my mom use to scold me a lot for this action of mine.

On 21st Day we all went first to Kalibari at Vashi to offer puja (from this day onwards me and Aarush were supposed to go anywhere). There also he behaved very nicely and priest took him in his arms to give him blessings of Goddess Kali.

For Santanu, it was hard balancing work and home life.Along with me he was learning to become fully trained, hands-on the nappy, changing, up-all-night which was definitely tiring. Big change over at work, Long commute by locals - Obviously... it was juggling act of enourmous proportions. At end of month Santanu had to leave for Bangalore on a week long trip and missed first month milestone of Aarush.

Drive to heritage site - Lepakshi

My 1st term is coming to an end and we are given the upcoming test as well project submission dates. On reaching home from class on Saturday I was desperate to go out of Bangalore to get charged to combat the upcoming gruelling weeks at work and personal front with study. I had no clue where to go for a day and started to check my faithful websites and zeroed on Lepakshi from Anita’s site. While she made a detour and visted two other places on the way we just opted for Lepakshi via NH-7 as was not in mood for too much of adventure.

After a sound sleep we woke-up at 8.15 AM; left home late around 10.10 AM, had breakfast in a south indian fast-food corner before hitting the road. City traffic was not that bad on Sunday and further away it was thinner. After leaving behind the international airport there was not much of traffic at all and we really left the concrete jungle behind.

Soon we crossed Devanhalli (new destination of real-estate agents) and road towards Nandi-hills. The road from Devanhalli to Chikballapur is underconstruction which means sometime you get a proper highway or else DIVERSIONS with lots of big HUMPS. Those humps are actually meant for big vehicles like trucks and buses while I punished my little Indica with one or two whom I failed to recognize at right time.

Chikballapur looked like is small town as we passed by without stopping. From there the condition of the road improves except few patches where it is undergoing big construction.

Soon we were greeted by a big sign board which read “Eenadu Pradesh welcomes you”.

Just after crossing the border we found RAXA Academy and AP Tourism Restaurant on our left. Right there we took narrow left turn and drove for another 15 KM for Lepakshi. It is a state road that goes to Hindupur via Lepaskhi. The road is narrow as well its condition is not very great. And as there is not much traffic we were able to drive in comfortable speed as long as one is alert. There are few patches where we found lush green paddy fields which soothes ones eye in scorching heat. We stopped by to take some pictures with sun-flower plantation; it looked like an end of season for them.

Soon we were able to see the back of big monolithic bull (Nandi). We reached temple in this heat around 1.40PM; and was relieved to be in shade. The temple is built by sandstone in Vijayanagar (Hampi)style of architecture. This is Veerabhadra temple where there is a big Monolithic Shiva-Linga. According to Hindu mythology, this seated Nandi (bull) outside is gate keeper of Siva and Parvati generally faces the main shrine. Here, it looks at this Linga (due to human settlements now the line of sight is obstructed). We went into detail tour of the temple as well courtyard. We almost burnt our feet while taking tour of outer enclosure.

The temple is divided into three parts - the Nritya (Ranga-Dance) Mandapa, the Ardha (Worship) Mandapa and the Kalyana Mandapa with 38 carved unfinished monolithic pillars.The temple as a whole is built from sandstone and there are signs of severe erosion. I wish the whole place was more maintained and preserved for generation to come.

Well, while going Aarush had a good nap but on the way back he was very active and naughty - as a whole he was a good kid.

Odometer Reading 0KM – Home 10KM – MG Road 23KM – Hebbal 52KM – Diversion for Nandi Hill 70KM – Chikballapur120KM – (Bagepalli) AP Tourism Restaurant / RAXA Academy Take Left122KM – Big Cement Crane135KM – Lepakshi

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Birth of a Mother-II

Truly said-

The moment a child is born,the mother is also born.She never existed before.The woman existed, but the mother, never.A mother is something absolutely new.

~Rajneesh

As soon as I was moved out of O.T. Aarush was brought to his crib next to me. His didu was first to hold him in her arms then was given forcefully to his thamma. She didn't wanted to take him as it seems he would become "Kol-lengra" (will get use to be in arms). His didu & nanu were extremely happy on his arrival as he was the first boy in their family of daughters and grand-daughters. My bottom part was still paralyzed. Since I was half conscious soon both new mom and son were sleeping. In the same evening, I was feeling sick while everyone in room looked busy. Hubs busy seeing his offspring, taking picture running here and there... taking all those phone calls, sms

... . I laid there looking around. My mom was there day and night at my side.

I was to stay here for complete 5 days. During the stay in hospital, I was asked not to take bath but only sponge for 10days from date of delivery while an old attendant used to give bath to Aarush. She was a charming lady always helping and giving tips to a first time mothers like me.

The first two days was very difficult for me as I was not able to move myself neither can sleep on sides because of IV and going out of bed was like climbing Mt. Everest. On third day doctor removed the catheter and asked to go to loo by myself or with help. But at any cost I was asked to get out of bed which really killed me almost.

Who on earth says its better to be operated. My personal thinking is both normal delivery and c-section has their own plus-minus points. I heard and read from different blogs about normal delivery; labor pain is hell but the recovery is quite quick while in c-section birth is easy but recovery is excessively painful and long. To get up from bed after operation I had to call attendant so that she would hold me and I can drag along with her to the toilet, each steps felt like a mile. The tip is to start walking straight from that moment onwards however it pains you just need to do it. Although you feel a pull at the stitches but this is normal. Walk as frequently as possible even if it is just a few steps at a time. You will gradually find it easier to walk.

On third day doctor asked me to start feeding Aarush; but it looked like I was not lactating so he was given formula through syringe. After taking medicine I started lactating but he was not ready for breast-feed. He did not like to work hard for sucking the milk while formula was dropped inside his mouth. He does not have to do any effort for that. He really made me feel miserable because of sleepless night from that day. He was hungry but he did not wanted to take my milk and doctor was now adamant on breast feeding only- “No more top milk and no water only breat milk till any solid is started”. On 4 th day somehow he tried but very poor job. Being first timer I too never knew how to feed. Result- got sore nipples. Then on 5th day pediatrics came to show the proper latch which really helped. And she added no cream for sore nipples- mothers own milk will heal it. The same evening I was discharged from the hospital; we reached home just before dusk.

Before discharge I was given certain advice by my Gynae. to minimize pain and soreness as stitches are done in layers - No excercise at Gym for next 6 months- walking is best excercise.No lifting of heavy things for 2 months.Not to go near fire for 3 months.Resting helps to heal so don't even laundry,clean or do dusting for atleast first 2 months.

At home we were welcomed with blowing of conch shell and ululation. Everything went on smoothly till middle of night. Aarush's crying session started as out of habit he wanted top milk without effort. That night was really long for whole family. Neither Santanu nor my parents had sleep because of his crying. Whole night I kept trying to feed but in vain. Santanu and my mother were very anxious as yet Aarush did not started breast feeding.

I experienced “A baby who has been crying for some time before being tried on the breast may refuse to take the breast even if he is famished”. We made all the arrangement for the formula but we knew if we give him top milk - it will be almost impossible to give up this habit of top milk. Atlast, on Tuesday morning when Santanu was about to heat water to make formula around same time he started to have milk. Oh! God what a relief that was for every one; soon both Mom and son were having a sound sleep after a grueling night. It took 6 days for both of us to learn the technique of feeding and to be fed.