Periyar in flipflops ?

butterball · Nov 25th, 2004, 14:35

OK... this IS a serious question.

I'm in Kochi at the moment and have only brought an 'overnight' bag ( from Varkala ) and am staying a few days here...

I've been meaning to go to Periyar for years, and it seems easier to go from here than from Varkala. Trouble is, the only footwear I've brought are my trusty flipflops !

Will these be OK ? I'm not planning any super serious 'trekking', just a boat ride and a wonder around..

Will my feet get bitten to pieces ? Or should I buy something a bit sturdier or even wait til I can get my trainers from Varkala.. ( I have PLENTY of time and might be back in Cochin later in December.. )

Bigzero · Nov 25th, 2004, 14:53

hi butterball,

flipflops should be ok i guess since you dont seem to be planning any serious trekking. watch out for those leeches however when you venture into the forest.

have fun!

butterball · Nov 25th, 2004, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigzero

watch out for those leeches however when you venture into the forest.

.... sounds scary..

Bigzero · Nov 25th, 2004, 15:39

leeches are more of a nuisance than any real danger..

hope they wont be as big as this..

Sachi · Nov 29th, 2004, 13:36

Hi .. This is about Leaches.

They are not dangerous even if they are a nuisance.
Do not pull a leach to remove it from ur body. Its
almost impossible. Use a cigar or lighted matchstick to remove
it.

you can use some strong tobacco products on it, applying it
the leach will spare u , when u could throw it away. :-)

Need not be scared.

One more tip : Use anti mosquito creams on exposed body.
I'm not sure if leaches could be kpt out by this method. !!

Sa.

Nick-H · Nov 29th, 2004, 18:13

When I was there leech-proof socks were available from the hotel shop, but I didn't go on the trek anyeay. Certainly not needed for boatride.

skell · Nov 29th, 2004, 23:19

You can rent leech socks at the park. I'm in Periyar now BTW and going on a trek in the morning. Will have more info tomorrow if you're still interested.

Nick-H · Nov 30th, 2004, 01:05

Bigzero, it's a good thing your leech wasn't this big...

(Purile post: please excuse

)

crvlvr · Nov 30th, 2004, 02:33

flip flops are usless in muddy ground. They will either get stuck in the mud and get ripped off your feet and you'll just end up spraying your backside with a lot of mud..

butterball · Dec 4th, 2004, 17:33

OK...

I decided to go back to get some more clothes & some trainers. That last leach photo did it for me.. ( only kidding.. )

Like with many of these 'destinations', Im keeping my expectations quite LOW as I'm imagining the boat ride will be a bit of a palava..

Still, I'm told the bus ride from Kottayam to Kumily is worth the journey & I have plenty of time to kill..

swami upanunda · Dec 4th, 2004, 21:37

Flip flops - as you call them - are admirably suitable for just about anywhere in India, and I would advise you to wear them. Leeches are no major drama - salt is a really good deterrent and leech removal tool. If you ask them nicely, I'm sure they'll leave you alone.

usha · Dec 4th, 2004, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigzero

leeches are more of a nuisance than any real danger..

hope they wont be as big as this..

I Havent seen this kind of leeches in periyar or thekkadi

usha · Dec 4th, 2004, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterball

OK...

I decided to go back to get some more clothes & some trainers. That last leach photo did it for me.. ( only kidding.. )

Like with many of these 'destinations', Im keeping my expectations quite LOW as I'm imagining the boat ride will be a bit of a palava..

Still, I'm told the bus ride from Kottayam to Kumily is worth the journey & I have plenty of time to kill..

Hey,
where r u now BB ?

indiadreamn · Dec 4th, 2004, 22:37

Thats the biggest leech I have ever seen! He must have had that one on him for a really long time. I dont know if the leeches in the indian jungles are anything like the ones in Malaysia, but if they are, they start out to be the size of the North American inch worm, then grow as they suck the blood outta ya. ick! You can rip them off with your fingures, it stings a little and you're left with a mark. I had my "battle wounds" for about a month or so. Supposidly they leave a tooth or something in you when you pull them off.

I believe you can also get a special anti-leech repellant just like the ones for mossies.

Anyhow, I'm thoroughly creeped out now... Back to packing (not the good kind sadly, the moving kind... sigh)

seventies'hippy · Dec 4th, 2004, 23:06

I found myself in a place called 'tato-pani' near the chinese border in nepal, there was loads of leeches & yes they started of very small but the more blood they sucked the bigger they got.
Apart from just getting one on your arm after brushing some undergrowth
they could get through the weave on a pair of socks or through boot eyelets & grow between your toes, we regularly had to strip off & have a leech check,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Applying a lit match or lighter flame to them encourages them to drop off with less of a mark or bleeding,,,,,,,,,

Nov 25th, 2004, 14:35	#1
butterball Mine's a Haywoods... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: London.. sometimes.. Posts: 686	Periyar in flipflops ? OK... this IS a serious question. I'm in Kochi at the moment and have only brought an 'overnight' bag ( from Varkala ) and am staying a few days here... I've been meaning to go to Periyar for years, and it seems easier to go from here than from Varkala. Trouble is, the only footwear I've brought are my trusty flipflops ! Will these be OK ? I'm not planning any super serious 'trekking', just a boat ride and a wonder around.. Will my feet get bitten to pieces ? Or should I buy something a bit sturdier or even wait til I can get my trainers from Varkala.. ( I have PLENTY of time and might be back in Cochin later in December.. )

Nov 25th, 2004, 14:53	#2
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,464	hi butterball, flipflops should be ok i guess since you dont seem to be planning any serious trekking. watch out for those leeches however when you venture into the forest. have fun! __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

Nov 29th, 2004, 13:36	#5
Sachi Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: India Posts: 4	Leaches Hi .. This is about Leaches. They are not dangerous even if they are a nuisance. Do not pull a leach to remove it from ur body. Its almost impossible. Use a cigar or lighted matchstick to remove it. you can use some strong tobacco products on it, applying it the leach will spare u , when u could throw it away. :-) Need not be scared. One more tip : Use anti mosquito creams on exposed body. I'm not sure if leaches could be kpt out by this method. !! Sa.

Nov 29th, 2004, 18:13	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,701	When I was there leech-proof socks were available from the hotel shop, but I didn't go on the trek anyeay. Certainly not needed for boatride. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Nov 30th, 2004, 01:05	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,701	Bigzero, it's a good thing your leech wasn't *this* big... (Purile post: please excuse ) Attached Thumbnails

Nov 25th, 2004, 15:39	#4
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,464	leeches are more of a nuisance than any real danger.. hope they wont be as big as this..

Nov 29th, 2004, 23:19	#7
skell Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The OC Posts: 975	You can rent leech socks at the park. I'm in Periyar now BTW and going on a trek in the morning. Will have more info tomorrow if you're still interested.

Nov 30th, 2004, 02:33	#9
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,501	flip flops are usless in muddy ground. They will either get stuck in the mud and get ripped off your feet and you'll just end up spraying your backside with a lot of mud..

Dec 4th, 2004, 17:33	#10
butterball Mine's a Haywoods... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: London.. sometimes.. Posts: 686	OK... I decided to go back to get some more clothes & some trainers. That last leach photo did it for me.. ( only kidding.. ) Like with many of these 'destinations', Im keeping my expectations quite LOW as I'm imagining the boat ride will be a bit of a palava.. Still, I'm told the bus ride from Kottayam to Kumily is worth the journey & I have plenty of time to kill..

Dec 4th, 2004, 21:37	#11
swami upanunda Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 19	Flip flops - as you call them - are admirably suitable for just about anywhere in India, and I would advise you to wear them. Leeches are no major drama - salt is a really good deterrent and leech removal tool. If you ask them nicely, I'm sure they'll leave you alone.

Dec 4th, 2004, 22:37	#14
indiadreamn There's Waffle in em! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 98	Thats the biggest leech I have ever seen! He must have had that one on him for a really long time. I dont know if the leeches in the indian jungles are anything like the ones in Malaysia, but if they are, they start out to be the size of the North American inch worm, then grow as they suck the blood outta ya. ick! You can rip them off with your fingures, it stings a little and you're left with a mark. I had my "battle wounds" for about a month or so. Supposidly they leave a tooth or something in you when you pull them off. I believe you can also get a special anti-leech repellant just like the ones for mossies. Anyhow, I'm thoroughly creeped out now... Back to packing (not the good kind sadly, the moving kind... sigh)

Dec 4th, 2004, 23:06	#15
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	I found myself in a place called 'tato-pani' near the chinese border in nepal, there was loads of leeches & yes they started of very small but the more blood they sucked the bigger they got. Apart from just getting one on your arm after brushing some undergrowth they could get through the weave on a pair of socks or through boot eyelets & grow between your toes, we regularly had to strip off & have a leech check,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Applying a lit match or lighter flame to them encourages them to drop off with less of a mark or bleeding,,,,,,,,,

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