Periyar 1970

camaysar · Oct 10th, 2009, 22:31

Hello,

One of the greatest of my India experiences from 1969-1971 was going to Thekkady to visit Periyar Sanctuary. I was horrified to read of the boat accident. I took the same tour, but the boat was probably a lot smaller when I went.

The lodge was very basic, and there was only one. Rooms were sparsely furnished. It was surrounded by a crude moat with a drawbridge. The sign said, approximately: "Please do not cross the bridge unattended or at night, as wild animals may be present." I especially remember that "may be present" part!

My travel companion and I went on a little walk down the road across the bridge and promptly began to see elephant droppings. We turned a bend and came upon a huge tusker, calmly eating grass. We snuck up quite close to him, and he minded his own business. I wonder if such things are still possible there, 40 years later.

We also walked into the near-impenetrable jungle and noticed a little crawly wormy thing on the ground. It climbed onto my walking stick, and we inspected it. Not 10 seconds later we looked at the ground and every square centimeter was filled with these things - leeches!- and they were all frantically racing towards us. Our legs were already dripping blood. We crashed out of the jungle and removed them with lit bidis. Wow, what memories! I thought it was all very exciting, but my friend just wanted to forget about it. Haha!

The boat cruise was great. I loved how the elephants "waved goodbye" with their trunks as the boat left.

One day I heard a slowly repetitive whirring/buzzing in the distance. It was a beautiful large green (I think) bird, flying in a perfectly straight line through the jungle canopy. Every time it flapped its wings - about once every few seconds - it made this strange sound. Magical!

We were told that there were people who lived in the jungle, subsisting on the wildlife.

Thanks for the memories, India!

Nick-H · Oct 10th, 2009, 22:57

What a lovely memory. I'm afraid you would find things much changed now.

malayalam · Oct 11th, 2009, 01:54

Thanks for sharing. Do you have any photographs. Could you publish them here.

camaysar · Oct 11th, 2009, 02:13

Hi... unfortunately, during my youthful travels in my beloved India, I saw myself more as a "traveler" than "tourist". I considered a camera as something that puts up a wall between people, and taking a photograph as an "agressive" act. That's youth for you! Of course now I am sorry that I never took even one photo in my travels, which included joining the New Grand Circus for some time as music wala. I joined in Ooty, and traveled with them to Mysore, where we gave a private performance for the wedding of the son of the then Maharajah. I visited many places way off the tourist trail, making many friends, but have no photos of any of them!

I always preferred South India... more relaxed and picturesque! Sweet, intelligent people, just as in my more recent visit.

nairpriya2004 · Nov 16th, 2009, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaysar

Hi... unfortunately, during my youthful travels in my beloved India, I saw myself more as a "traveler" than "tourist".

I always preferred South India... more relaxed and picturesque! Sweet, intelligent people, just as in my more recent visit.

just one off these boat You may traveled
earlier this boats was having open sides later glass windows was aded see the pic post NO 207

Thekkady boat accident..

Oct 10th, 2009, 22:31	#1
camaysar Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: hawaii Posts: 10	Periyar 1970 Hello, One of the greatest of my India experiences from 1969-1971 was going to Thekkady to visit Periyar Sanctuary. I was horrified to read of the boat accident. I took the same tour, but the boat was probably a lot smaller when I went. The lodge was very basic, and there was only one. Rooms were sparsely furnished. It was surrounded by a crude moat with a drawbridge. The sign said, approximately: "Please do not cross the bridge unattended or at night, as wild animals may be present." I especially remember that "may be present" part! My travel companion and I went on a little walk down the road across the bridge and promptly began to see elephant droppings. We turned a bend and came upon a huge tusker, calmly eating grass. We snuck up quite close to him, and he minded his own business. I wonder if such things are still possible there, 40 years later. We also walked into the near-impenetrable jungle and noticed a little crawly wormy thing on the ground. It climbed onto my walking stick, and we inspected it. Not 10 seconds later we looked at the ground and every square centimeter was filled with these things - leeches!- and they were all frantically racing towards us. Our legs were already dripping blood. We crashed out of the jungle and removed them with lit bidis. Wow, what memories! I thought it was all very exciting, but my friend just wanted to forget about it. Haha! The boat cruise was great. I loved how the elephants "waved goodbye" with their trunks as the boat left. One day I heard a slowly repetitive whirring/buzzing in the distance. It was a beautiful large green (I think) bird, flying in a perfectly straight line through the jungle canopy. Every time it flapped its wings - about once every few seconds - it made this strange sound. Magical! We were told that there were people who lived in the jungle, subsisting on the wildlife. Thanks for the memories, India!

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Oct 10th, 2009, 22:57	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	What a lovely memory. I'm afraid you would find things much changed now.

Oct 11th, 2009, 01:54	#3
malayalam Account Closed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 38	Thanks for sharing. Do you have any photographs. Could you publish them here.

Oct 11th, 2009, 02:13	#4
camaysar Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: hawaii Posts: 10	Hi... unfortunately, during my youthful travels in my beloved India, I saw myself more as a "traveler" than "tourist". I considered a camera as something that puts up a wall between people, and taking a photograph as an "agressive" act. That's youth for you! Of course now I am sorry that I never took even one photo in my travels, which included joining the New Grand Circus for some time as music wala. I joined in Ooty, and traveled with them to Mysore, where we gave a private performance for the wedding of the son of the then Maharajah. I visited many places way off the tourist trail, making many friends, but have no photos of any of them! I always preferred South India... more relaxed and picturesque! Sweet, intelligent people, just as in my more recent visit.