Continued from here.
When we started from Kodenchery, little did we think that our journey to Kozhipara waterfalls would be an adventure. Google maps showed two routes to reach the waterfalls. One passed though villages and other route was inside forest. Obviously we chose the latter.
The road was narrow and climbed up continuously. In fact we gained 2,500 feet within the span of 5-6 kilometres. On the way we asked a local whether the route we were following was correct or not. He said something negative which we could not properly understand. Language was a problem. We interpreted correctly that he was asking us to return back. But I was so sure of Google maps that I ignored the local. “This guy does not know the place” was my reaction. The map was showing 7 km to the waterfalls and it was too difficult for us to ignore it and turn back.
But local person was absolutely right!! The road abruptly ended at one place. We were just 4.5 km away from the falls. Invectives came out of our mouth cursing the map provider. The place was empty and we could not check with anyone. It was not necessary as there was no way we could continue further. With decreased spirits we started driving down.
Now we were more intelligent to take support of a local. The first person we met on our way agreed to help us out. He was going to a small village near the waterfall. It was good and we asked him to get into the car. Apparently forest department had not given permission to construct road through the forest. Lesson learnt: “Combine technology with local knowledge!!”
We climbed down the road completely and started climbing up again on the different road. The roads were still narrow as we gained 2,500 feet. At a place called “Kakkampoyil”, we stopped to have a cup of tea. We were in the car for last 2.5 hours without finding the waterfall!! The villagers at Kakkadampoyil confirmed that we were on the right path. That was assuring.
After Kakkadampoyil, we got down into a valley. The waterfall was visible on the opposite side of the valley but we still had to cover a long distance. There were no clear signs about the waterfall and we did not realize when we crossed it. Again locals helped here. Turning back on the narrow ghat road was very difficult for the car.
Actually, Kozhipara is an easy waterfall to reach. You just need to walk couple of minutes from the road to view the falls.
But it is hard to get down to the base of the falls. We can only see from the side. The slippery rocks were difficult to negotiate. The waterfall is formed by Chaliyar River.
With every struggle I have seen a positive outcome. While struggling to find Kozhipara waterfall, we bumped into another waterfall whose existence was never known to us. Photo of that waterfall is in the next post.
Vineeta Yashswi
Your struggle get beautiful result for you…Lovely pictures…
R Niranjan Das
Looks beautiful.
Bhaskar Deka
Your blogs are amazing reads. I enjoyed reading each one of them; they are very much informative as well. Also, I would like to invite you to read mine on http://blog.antilogvacations.com/. It would be a pleasure to know your opinion on the same. Thanks!
aravindgj
Vineeta, Niranjan,
Thanks.
Bhaskar,
Thanks for your comments. Let me have a look at your blog.