Landmarks do happen. But don’t happen everyday. When it happens, you toast it big and bigger. The biggest historical moment for me and my car to date !!

Don’t you need an exclusive place? What better way than celebrating this grand feat in the forests of Karnataka and Kerala !! And yes – Vythri Village Resort !!!

Immediately after our cousin’s expedition to Vishakapatnam, my wife started nudging me for a trip. As a matter of fact, I was expecting it. Wayanad was always in my list to see in monsoon but due to severe floods and deluge during the previous and current years, I skipped it. I realised that November would not be too late and with the delayed departure of monsoon, the place would still be green with a pleasant climate. Just the mention of Vythri (Wayanad) as one of the options was enough for my wife to go ahead and book our stay for three nights and four days at Vythri Village Resort which is one of her bucket listed resorts.

14th November, 2019 – Thursday

We left our home with the clock ticking fifteen minutes to six. Any trip towards Mysore, our irresistible breakfast stop would be at Kamat, Ramanagara. This time was no different but unfortunately their signature buffet breakfast was not available as the entire place was booked for another event. Nevertheless, we had delicious alacarte food.

We left Kamat at half past eight and reached the Mysore ring road by 10 AM. Being a weekday, traffic was not bad and we could maintain a decent speed. With the sun beating hot, we entered the Bandipur forest. As is often the case, we saw only deers and monkeys.

In the interiors of the reserved forest area, we crossed into the Kerala border. The biggest dissimilarity without even looking into the toll gate was the quality of roads. In a span of couple of KMS, beautifully laid marked roads paved way for broken roads with no markings and half broken speed breakers. Another frightening factor was the Kerala registered vehicles. They are fast, rash and without any second thought you have to give them the way.

Rightly after entering Kerala, Wayanad forests, ODO read as below.

Then after a KM, the much awaited number arrived

We reached our resort, a little before 130 PM. Check-in process was smooth with the lemonade tea. It tasted divine after a long drive. Rooms were about 300 metres from the reception. Resort has regular shuttles to drop and pickup the residents.

We already packed cup noodles for our lunch as we were sure any order at Club Mahindra would take close to forty five minutes. We had our noodles and took a nap until 4 PM. In the evening after a cup of tea, we decided to walk around the resort.

Incredibly maintained Infinity Pool

An artificial fall

It was made in such a way that the tourists can take bath. Because of the inclement weather I missed taking bath here.

The very famous and the most envisaged rope bridge of the resort. This was one of the initial pictures that made us take notice of this resort. Heavenly place to stand there with the breeze and a gentle swing of the rope.

As said before, any visit to Kerala had to be in the middle of rains. Lush greenery and the freshness of the place amidst rains is unmatched.

Another bridge for vehicular movement

This stream originates from Chembra peak and eventually joins Kabini near Mysore. Rope bridge in the background.

Picturesque complex. The ambience, hospitality and the beauty of the resort is second to none. This place houses spice bowl restaurant, play area and most of the other amenities.

One for the wallpaper

Boat shaped buffet spread

The gardens with innumerable flowers were maintained in an immaculate manner.

Hydrangeas – Shot on Macro

Allamanda Schottii – Yellow Hibiscus

Sphagneticola Trilobata

Another flowering plant. There was no name on it. But looked splendid with the green background.

The Sky restaurant

Art work on the walls

Aesthetically carved

Kids Play Area – My kid’s favourite hangout spot. Didn’t have the heart to come out of this place every time she came here

Another one next to the spice bowl restaurant. Good idea to keep the kids engaged during our dine time.

There are numerous other facilities like 12D theatre, adults indoor play area, pool table, gym and many adventure activities. Since this was one of our laid back vacations, we did not try anything. It was more about hogging food and taking rest. We had scrumptious food of Kerala parota and paneer, mushroom gravy cooked in coconut milk for our dinner and retired for the day.

15th November, 2019 – Friday

We got up to the sounds of rain and chirping of birds. We went to the sky restaurant and had chole batura and masala oothappam. The tomato chutney was juicy and was way too delicious. Our plan for the day was to visit Banasura Sagar dam. The road to the dam was quite scenic with beautiful tea plantations, mighty Western ghats and picturesque dams.

Enroute to Banasura dam

Over the last few KMs we had this beautiful Manjoora saddle dam by our side. On every twist and turn the dam looked splendid and it was a sight to behold. Around this time, while I was sedately driving around the ghats, I noticed a dark hose across the road and it kept moving. I stopped only to realise that it wasn’t a hose but a six footer snake. I gave him his way and proceeded towards the Banasura dam.

Manjoora saddle dam that feeds Banasura Dam

In one of the other turns I thought this was a better view

Looked even better with the gigantic Ghats at the back

Banasura sagar dam is the biggest earthen dam in India. It houses India’s first and one of the largest dam top solar project. The place boasts of having the longest zip line in Wayanad laden with beautifully laid parks, speed boating and a children’s park.

Panoramic view of the dam and the earthen wall

Earthen wall

Dammed waters

Huge mountains on the other side acting as a natural barrier

Speed boating. From the looks of it, looked risky with not many people opting for life jackets. We did not give it a try.

Exquisitely maintained gardens with the tree tied swings. We had a great time swinging and revisiting our childhood days

The solar panels

After this we returned to our resort and had Lasooni parata with delicious Gobi chat patta gravy. We took rest for a while. Around evening, we took a stroll around the resort. We had buffet dinner for the night. Though the varieties were limited, it was immaculate. The highlight of the dinner was the dessert Mahalabia, an Arabian dessert. We retired for the day.

16th November, 2019 – Saturday

This was no different from the previous day, we woke up to the sweet sounds of rain and the touching melodies of wind. We decided to visit Pookode lake. Once you park your vehicle, you have to walk close to 300 metres to the lake. There are lots of monkeys around this place and so be careful and avoid any food items at this place. It had numerous boards to avoid plastics, but neverthless there was still a lot littered with other wastes.

Rain drenched roads and trees. Way to Pookode lake.

A depth of 45 ft, a no joke. But none opted for life jackets. Only after a quarrel with the operator, I got mine.

A nice walkaway around the lake with the trees kissing you on either sides.

Serene lake

Waves dancing to the winds

After spending a good amount of time at Pookode we left to the resort. We had our lunch and being our last day here, we again wandered around and my kid spent good amount of time in each of the play areas. We also bought spices for our families. Post dinner, we retired for the day.

17th November, 2019 – Saturday

Unlike the previous days, we got up quickly. We had our breakfast and packed Dal Kichidi for my daughter and left the resort at 10 AM. Like our onward trip, we saw very few animals in the forest limits of Wayanad and Bandipur. We reached Upsouth, Mandya for our lunch around 130 PM. After a quick pit stop, we gathered speed but Mandya and Ramanagara towns as anticipated slowed us down. With the six lane construction on, traffic moved slow and we reached our home by 6 PM.