Just a week for Kodai trek, coughing and sneezing I was happy to read the flooded WhatsApp messages that the trek will be mostly canceled due to torrential rains. A real relief for me, thanks to Bangalore rains and my shoes, just a day of walking from work on the water clogged streets with soggy shoes/socks landed me up sick. It was unusual for me to be so down with cold/cough and unrecoverable. Adding to the woes was my severe shoulder pain both sides, all very very new to me. Cancelation of trek would be perfect as even Opendro is badly bruised with deep wounds from his bike fall. I personally felt he cannot trek but he was optimistic as usual. So was relieved to read the alternate plans being discussed, touring in and around the area with the group, will be fun. Family trekkers is a  voluntary group of families trekking together since our first trek to Mullayanagiri in 2016, followed by many small and big treks like Nandi (many times), Kudremukh, Kodachadri, Antargange, Skandagiri, Maakalidurga, Uttarakhand and Kumaraparvath being the last one (last year).

Holidaying to me and us as a family, has been redefined after our family treks. It changed our typical drive to resort/relax/roam vacations as a tourist to more meaningful and fun filled trips. Personally I feel more connected to nature, the place/locals/their cuisine whereas the tourist experience kind of distants you. The feeling is so humble and encourages me to accept simplistic living amidst nature, best way to bow to its magnificent presence. So all the inconveniences (if you may say so) is dismissible as a way of respect to nature, reminding us to be grounded. I also believe it is a experience for the kids to be contented with basic needs met. The group itself is a mixed set of amazing people, some extremely fit (sometimes way too fit) to moderate people like me. Regular trekking and its preparation is our way of keeping ourselves a bit active.

Alas plan has been revised !, Meis confirmed that we can take alternate route to the trail, not via flooded kumbakarai falls. Left with no choice I made some sincere attempts to revive, with three physio appointments for my shoulder. Post sessions, excruciating pain worried me that carrying my own backpack could be a challenge. Trip was planned for three days, with the first day a daytime train journey to Kodai road, overnight stay at Bathlagundu, second day trek up to Vellakavi, a small hamlet accessible only by feet and third day trek from Vellakavi to Kodai. Plan was to take the late night train on third day post sometime at Kodai. All our treks are self planned/organized by one or two lead enthusiasts, dedicating quite a lot of time/effort in coordination. Of course we have had our share of surprises, unexpected turnouts like the tempo traveller ditching us in our kodachadri trek. Being flexible and adaptable is part of the package, and we are tuned to it, like the extra seat managed with SV's bamboo moda (in TT). Senthilvadivu (SV) and Opendro are leading examples in simplicity as well as flexibility that has trickled to all. This time the group was the largest 38 members, 18 kids youngest being 5 year olds Arjun and Shrutha. Group comprised of families from chennai plus Bangalore. For Sundar's family and Indhu(our friend) it was their first long trek, especially Indhu was last minute decision with no preparation.

Finally the day before trek was a marathon itself, after a long day at work stuck further due to heavy rains, I completed all golu visits and reached home at 9 PM to pack. Lingering in my mind on how unfit I was for the trek with no workouts, no snacks purchase, still sick told my husband the logical choice for me was to drop out. Interestingly all logical decisions need not be the right ones, I was determined to try out.

Meeting the gang at KR puram station was energizing. The train was very late confirming that it will be a long day @ train and quite late when we hit the bed. As a kid I have always loved train rides, especially the view thru the windows, passing trees, houses, waving kids, with us on one side out of mundane routine with a chance to view others in their routine. I have always imagined it as a live TV screen, television itself was a mesmerizing invention back then. But somehow this train ride was not so enjoyable, it was too tiring, probably am getting old :). I observed that Nirmalesh (Anwi's dad) and the kids were enjoying, Nirmalesh clicked some nice snaps. Even though we all were in same coach our seats were distributed, split as boys group, girls group, boring adults, sick adults etc., Post our packed lunch spread (different varieties of lemon rice, curd rice, pulao, idlis) we all managed to huddle in one compartment kicked off with beat boxing by Aadya and Vaibhav. Vaibhav is our entertainment champ and I was glad that he could make it amidst his classes (11th grade). Kids got down and explored many stations, tried different snacks. I am too grown up for train snacks, no longer does my mouth water and yearn for them. I weigh skeptically quality of the oily snacks as they pass by. Sundar (Anjana's dad) alighted at Dindigul to meet his parents and almost missed the train as it the halt was too short. He and his brother managed all local bookings at Bathlagundu. We reached Kodai road at 9 PM and hopped onto the waiting bus, driver was tracking train's arrival in his mobile (technology!). In a short ride we reached the hotel, huddled into our rools with some sharing. Pre-teen girls (Kayal, Nishka, Anjana and Anwi) slept in separate room. Chennai group except for Rajesh's family had already checked-in.

Started the morning with a good breakfast of hot idlis, pongal, kesari yummy typical tamilnadu spread. Group was also complete with Opendro and family, Yogesh, Shruti (2nd set from Bangalore) and Rajesh's family joined us. Surprise entry was Indhu who had not planned for trek but drove from Bangalore to Dindigul to join us, wish she is not disappointed.

Our guide was waiting in the hotel too, we started off at 9 AM to the base in two mini buses. They stopped in a shady mango groove with shallow streams running by. Weather was awesome, best start and in no time we were ascending. Trek was through forests and many small streams. It is common that the group gets scattered as per their pace, last ones supported by few leads/strong trekkers. From my past experience I know key is not to be stagnated but keep moving. Opendro was not his usual in this trek, his wounds, lack of camera in his hand all added up to his silence. Opendro was not his usual in this trek, he usually will trek up and down with his SLR clicking pics, motivating and supporting. As usual Sanghavi along with set of kids was leading the pack. Our first major stop point was at a pristine waterfall. I couldn't hold myself, super excited threw away the cotton (ear protection) and joined the ladies and kids. I knew this water cannot harm me, had an amazing time in the falls. Meis updated that Shanthini was not feeling well and hence she decided to return back with Sundar and their son Arjun. Indhu was trialing but she managed, motivated by Rajesh nad Meis. Such a waterfall during trek is a bliss, thanks to the constant rains. Rejuvenated we marched ahead. It does occur to me that arent we focusing more on reaching the peak, are we enjoying enough en route. Fact is if we stop at short sights then it holds us from discovering more treasures, this happened with Meis too. He spent more time in short streams plus also supporting others initially, so couldnt spend more time in the waterfall.

Pre-teen girls (Kayal, Anjana, Anwi and Nishka) were ahead naming the scattered group as super express (leading group), express, and goods train as per their pace. Whenever I was nearing them they rushed ahead shouting "Goods train is catching up". This helped them to keep up their pace, also to help Anjana keep up with the pack this being her first long trek, she was unaware that her parents had dropped off. I was mostly trekking alone, with my shoulder pain not that bad I was feeling much better. Indhu who caught up with us at the water fall started to trail requiring more short breaks. Now slowly we checked with our guide how much more distance, how much more time will it take and he said we should make it in two hours. This self-checks are a solace to prepare yourself mentally,  I ignore the distance/gradient and just tell myself that there is still climb for two more hours.

Sky was getting cloudy and in no time it started to rain, my ponchos was with Meis (to save some weight) and I was alone. I had no choice but to continue. I found opendro plus the teen girls with his ponchos opened up flat sheltering them, Sanghavi also was with them. I was concerned about Kayal as Opendro said no one crossed him whereas Sanghavi usually in the lead pack was with him. I was concerned about Kayal, she had a nightmare in our KP trek of being lost during trekking amidst heavy rain, my mother instincts kicked in even though it was not severe rainfall. I couldn't stand and moved ahead with Nikitha's spare ponchos. Rain wouldn't stop and in many place felt like I was walking up the water stream/falls stepping up on the rounded pebbles/stones, thanked myself for choosing sandals instead of shoes (suggested by SV before trek that also saved me shopping time/effort).

After sometime I still couldn’t spot anyone ahead and now I have had come very long from Opendro’s group too. With no mobile too, was wondering for a while if I am lost. Remembered the recent story of a trekker who lost his way in KP, prioritizing self survival I had to join the gang.  o  , Realised the agent need to join the gang. Luckily remember the whistle that I have from the girls the usually call a testicles power and bring one for every girl. To cope the whistle from my 70 back And whistle continuously. I reached a fork and was unsure which way to go. With taking a wild guess took the left to the left and in few metres heard a whistle back. I was Relieved To to see Kyle Anandi with Pune. They too were confused about the way but took the left. It’s up with some more clients we soon reached the Walla Kabhi village. The children were all scared about latest, almost everyone had at least one leech bites. I check my feet and so only I checked my feet and saw one Leach I removed it before it could suck my blood too much. Sandals or good even to spot leeches..

We reached Walla Kabhi I don’t 2 PM with a first then I’ll take that and within half an hour the whole group had reached. Hindu two had made it and was so relieved, the first big track with no prep at all. So fat is even the last batch didn’t take too much time. Nice hot lunch with rice, Samba and Puri and was served. It was too good on much required after I sent. It was great to see Viber in the lead on so it’s for unity big screen. Srinidhi was also the first time tracker who had come without parentsNo fans with her cousin and uncle (Bikram and Ram). She never slacked and was always ahead with the lead group. Nishka and Anjana were lost in between and then somehow caught up with others just like me. Most everyone had a leech bite and the small girl in the heart call Vinod the knee help us with papers on their lead to Satya area. Post lunch if you were lazing around the place while most of them went for a village strong. Oh! It was an amazing village super so peaceful and come on Siri. For every single purchase from more outside we have to either track up to Kottai all down to Periya kulam Athai. I host Dr Vinod that he was hanging around with us and was in fact cleaning of plates. Phone offers observed it andAnd soon we all watched our plates ourselves. In the nearby village Top. All or bags and clothes inside where most leave it still we managed to change anything and try some of her wet clothes. The camping site it’s self was a small clearance with tents pitched already and a nearby and the nearby hard to hang out and have food. Bella have more houses horses to carry the stuff many small temples or rather shrines shrines school and or Indian part of post office. The villages of charm he said Tom. The supper it was the perfect timing when I heard Chinna Chinna Aasai song from Kodai FM from one of the huts were during a stroll. Small Temple and spotted the Vaigai dam “I can’t an antenna. We also saw a another trekking group just few people unlike in western got tricks that’s usually crowded by Bangalore trekkers this place was really sitting Siri. We met a bunch of kids play in and around their innocence miles seeing a stranger equal curiosity as we had to go to them. The first thought when I saw two boys playing carom board was how old they have got our carried the board here. The host told us that they grow lot of organic foods which they sell it.

All coffee drinkers had black coffee as milk products or not available at the look of you teens had fun capturing slow motion videos of the splashes in multiples post or exploration we gather in the shelter for a round of Antakshari, with full fledged Ilayaraja songs. So nostalgic uninvolved Aviva we were led by Villa and she do. She sings with full emotions I need is a treat to see his expressive singing we were in school swing that all kids came out of that tends to be with us. Unfortunately even though I didn’t to CSM told them they couldn’t connect with the songs in sometimes the left. Next generation has lost touch with the continue with our without connect to Ilayaraja songs blame the cosmopolitan city they are growing up or the white exposure to many channels or media that they lose touch with the regional but are connected global.. The experience that I feel when I listen to Andhi Mazhai policy rather than know that get stimulated this feeling Kyle wouldn’t experience it. With this I probably she has her own experiences coming up from a Sabrina Carpenter. Miss was busy allocating tends to families groups and kids according to their preferences. Open through usually gets left out in the Antakshari is the only place where he is not able to contribute with jealousy he said everybody singing whatever comes to their mind. Yogesh and Nirmalesh the only non-Tamil group a kind of use to us so we pacified by singing Jyothi Ellie Jyothi Jyothi Ellie the only Kannada song we knew we knew. We all assembled for a big circle of Digvijay, the famous activity introduced by Viber. It is done in a big circle formulation with instructions light comes out, Tamsin elbows out, elbows in feet apart, jump hi bums out and did you good job sway or Brickhill your pharmacy move up and down. NBA enjoyed it so much at least most of us, Nitin told me that he didn’t like it though. Current was little upset on the need to share has paid dress with Anjana (ask your parents had to drop out). But this is what they need to know and learn to share and not just I had to explain her Anjana was feeling down that her parents were not there with her, but I’ll be in Kyle consoled her we had. We had spicy biryani that was bit too spicy for dinner compensated with organic bananas the wind it up to what ends.

Outside temperature was not too cold I’m so initially I felt it was little bit suffocating inside the tent. Open the window provisions little bit and took my long time to do so for omits maker into got a very early in the morning and finish the morning ablutions. I was so relieved to finish mine too. The toilets were clean basic facility Indian toilets with water stored just outside pants. Next big relief was when your child also finishes it, mother instinct. We had hot woman and pickle, audio was the first one to comment that though, so tasty unlike his mothers. Immediately most of the kids join team including my daughter the main factor was that they have all huge appetite but also to admit though was also tasty neither to orale just put on you but perfectly cooked. He backed off for a track when we know the knee requested us to do the check Puja once more she enjoyed it just like us and so we did it again this time for her. While brushing in that app we met a lady washing coffee beans she explained the coffee Bean making process she and her husband with their young son live in Walla Kabhi where is that daughter is studying in the school in Periyakulam is staying at her grandparents house they have to stay here to take care of their coffee estate. We also understood from other villages that it’s common that people have two basis one house up in one house down. She said except for hospital facility everything else is good here I wonder if we humans can ever preserve nature without compromising on basic needs why should comforts always work inversely or adversely to our surroundings.

Whose father motivated us by saying well kavi to Kodai is very easy usually they take a one hour and so probably two hours. We had to us and one him from the V dissent and then I’ll send again. Don’t trees with missed above what’s up beautiful seeing just completely different from that yesterday‘s trade which was more Forest. Is the ascended the “are you hill station A+ magically Misty how very posh not sure what to ask. However it was not a shot to our track though held only Village are descending down commented that we still have a long way to go mace who has spread this four times before set that this is the new train on the earlier one used to be a short steep hike the new train was more happened been shaped rain increasing the distance and time. Today I have to stop ass her shoes VAT to soggy and wet she’s back with my sandals so got laid back. Thankfully Thankfully 30 and others had carried extra bathroom slippers which came quite handy. I realised later that this we had to trek bad feet as she had to Linda sandals to Angela. The teens where I want to pack today enjoying the view is not in the lead engaged in their own chitchat. I caught up with them they also waited patiently for Viber to catch up today. It’s on. It seemed a long way up when finally we reached the dolphins nose stop human data off bad snack of a snack covers indicated we were very close to Kotak. I miss the crowd at dolphins nose it was still a beautiful is spot to click snaps. The Delhi should be relished hot noodles omelette exedra before me I sent it. Maggie is unbeatable for this weather and after a hot Texas nice exercise. To me the way up from dolphins nose to the one point seem too long and steep I will I believe it is again psychological feeling ass reaching the stock point shop point we assume it is over but it was actually not will know I’m is the roots of trees this seems like a never end. Military princess Rita was still energetic constantly coaxed by have parents. We finally reached the van with Shanthini waiting for us eagerly I think we reached the one at around 1 PM in batches but we got stuck in the van for two hours due to Kottai traffic! It was so dejecting Nehru Hill Station Road is workload with cars buses Park people to catalyst Park Bart hitherto Carol Leslie with no attempt to rescue finally SV and hemar got down from the van walk to the police Booth and it really guided and clear the traffic to move. Luckily kidswear and that alone would beat boxing with Weibo Bernardi self engaged thanks to the noodles with tummy is full. None of them realised we were at the sea stuck. What are you track was planted away so that we have some time to spend as a group after that I sent this was one of the ask that we had them all attraction earlier. So we had all afternoon planned around could I like Guna case except trap but all that have to be literally dropped as it also started to rain wind me had lunch at hotel. I was very disappointed like Royal who had so much of plans for this record exploration in fact we had convinced shraddha to join the horse ride two. Is not about sightseeing as the best sites or during adolescent but I will give it up for the tandem cycling as much as Kilen good sweat for horseriding a lot of fun activities as a group. We had booked the dog in Tamil Nadu hotel to freshen up guys who had reached earlier new it’s state. Mail as summarised it nicely ass people Tamil Nadu hotel is in the process of constructing a world-class Hotel but currently it is not to be there with it. Mason mini idols were not so happy I did state but low behold the kids were having the best part running around the bunker Bates climbing up and down having pillow fight they were at the top of the excitement. Teens preteens girls boys all were running in rolling over the whole it’s such a huge noise. They all ganged up against Viber who received the maximum pillow hits. Idols all freshened up one by one with a Chennai group for us to leave. Bangalore and enjoyed the Sundar snacks distributed as part of their hotels either Puja celebrations will descend it down to denticle where we stopped at some fruit stall but didn’t shop much as they were super expensive. Open to refuse to even touch them. All the kids were flying down except me open but but me (kid at heart). I couldn’t sleep last night you go spinning badly are you nice degrees really trek up so highly never happen roots in the bins are never seem to end but I couldn’t catch up sleep but I was fine as I manage the trip overall.

The country with the track with that likes and vicious as we were used to everyone shares that three likes and three wishes of the whole experience. Someone nicely summarised that district had everything in it I waterfall rain during track leeches camping et cetera in spite of couple of new join easily made it and none of us struggled so much yeah beer now I miss your family practice. I do wish that we could have had more time as a group at “I, hopefully next time. I also realise that even as kids have a lot of fun together we couldn’t spend much time as a group trying to reconnect names of Chennaites.