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Vagamon Calling (Kerala G2G 2016)
Kerala G2G has been long pending for 2 years now, there have been discussions coming up for it here and there but nothing moved forward. Two weeks back, myself and Swaroop picked up the topic, made few phones and things started rolling. The date was fixed as May 14th-15th making the destination as Vagamon. The tee design inspired from Mountains and Pine Trees of Vagamon.
Vagamon is a hill station comprised of a beautiful series of Hillocks, Green Meadows, Tea Estate, Pine Forests and cascading Waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway during the weekend. The narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills makes the experience a true bliss.
Myself representing the group of xBhpians rolling to Vagamon from Trivandrum. We started the trip as early as 5am to catch the Morning mist and beat the Summer heat of Kerala. We took a short breakfast break at Mundakayam. Since we were rolling ahead of schedule, we decided to visit ‘Parunthumpara’ (Eagle-Rock).
‘Parunthumpara’, is a hill station, located between Peermade and Thekkady. This area provides a bird's eye view of an endless stretch of green forest land and low-lying areas from the top. Easily accessible through the narrow ghat road from Kallar Junction, this hill station stands out for its sprawling grasslands. We spend some time there exploring the unseen and the unexplored beauty of the pristine forests around.
Getting back on road, we reached Vagamon by lunchtime and met with the other group of xBhpians who have rode from across Kerala for the G2G. We had a delicious lunch from Vagamon town and moved in formation to the resort where all the arrangements were done and awaiting our arrival.
After catching up with old faces and meeting some new faces, we settled down in our rooms. We decided not to waste time and moved to ‘Thangalpara’.
‘Thangalpara’, is a rocky landscape which is the resting place (Dargah) of Hasrath Sheikh Fariduddin Baba, a Sufi saint, native of Afghanistan, who reached Kerala about 800 years ago. We did not visit the Dargah but explored ‘Kolahalamedu’ the surrounding hillocks and green meadows covered in mist. Few xBhpians took an off-road trail nearby, getting their motorcycles dirty.
We returned to the resort, got into some chit chatting while the Kerala G2G tees were being distributed along with tea and snacks. It was getting darker and colder, mist was all around us. A campfire was arranged which kept us warm and occupied till dinner was served in a hall within the resort. After dinner, we made plans to wake up early and capture Sunrise at Thangalpara which is very close by the resort.
Early morning Sunrise clicks turned the back on us as it was cloudy. However, we had a good time clicking some beautiful photos with the foggy mountains as background. After returning to the resort and regrouping since everyone didn’t come for the Sunrise visit. We moved to Pine Valley.
The Vagamon Pine Valley visit turned out to be very exciting with the Sunlight shining through the dense Pine trees giving rise to crepuscular rays. Since we were really earlier than opening hours, it was neither crowded nor had hawkers chasing us. We explored the Pine Valley for a while, took the Official Kerala G2G group photo and returned to the resort.
Soon after breakfast it was time for us to bid goodbye to Vagamon and head back home. We started our ride back home with one more place to visit, Panchalimedu.
Panchalimedu, the name evolves from the story of Pandavas and Droupathy. Besides the beautiful landscape and cool breeze at Panchalimedu, we visited ‘Panchalikulam’ (Panchali bath), where Droupathy had her royal bath. The cool climate and refreshing breeze was the specialty there, which offered an ethereal atmosphere. We could see a Temple and a row of Crosses leading to the top of hill.
Towards the Sunday evening we reached back to Trivandrum. We were welcomed back by rain shower just before entering the city. None were bothered about it since all were almost home. With yet again another successful Kerala G2G completed, we look forward for the next one. Ride Safe!
Vagamon is a hill station comprised of a beautiful series of Hillocks, Green Meadows, Tea Estate, Pine Forests and cascading Waterfalls that make it the ideal getaway during the weekend. The narrow, mist covered zigzag roads that wind up the hills makes the experience a true bliss.
Myself representing the group of xBhpians rolling to Vagamon from Trivandrum. We started the trip as early as 5am to catch the Morning mist and beat the Summer heat of Kerala. We took a short breakfast break at Mundakayam. Since we were rolling ahead of schedule, we decided to visit ‘Parunthumpara’ (Eagle-Rock).
‘Parunthumpara’, is a hill station, located between Peermade and Thekkady. This area provides a bird's eye view of an endless stretch of green forest land and low-lying areas from the top. Easily accessible through the narrow ghat road from Kallar Junction, this hill station stands out for its sprawling grasslands. We spend some time there exploring the unseen and the unexplored beauty of the pristine forests around.
Getting back on road, we reached Vagamon by lunchtime and met with the other group of xBhpians who have rode from across Kerala for the G2G. We had a delicious lunch from Vagamon town and moved in formation to the resort where all the arrangements were done and awaiting our arrival.
After catching up with old faces and meeting some new faces, we settled down in our rooms. We decided not to waste time and moved to ‘Thangalpara’.
‘Thangalpara’, is a rocky landscape which is the resting place (Dargah) of Hasrath Sheikh Fariduddin Baba, a Sufi saint, native of Afghanistan, who reached Kerala about 800 years ago. We did not visit the Dargah but explored ‘Kolahalamedu’ the surrounding hillocks and green meadows covered in mist. Few xBhpians took an off-road trail nearby, getting their motorcycles dirty.
We returned to the resort, got into some chit chatting while the Kerala G2G tees were being distributed along with tea and snacks. It was getting darker and colder, mist was all around us. A campfire was arranged which kept us warm and occupied till dinner was served in a hall within the resort. After dinner, we made plans to wake up early and capture Sunrise at Thangalpara which is very close by the resort.
Early morning Sunrise clicks turned the back on us as it was cloudy. However, we had a good time clicking some beautiful photos with the foggy mountains as background. After returning to the resort and regrouping since everyone didn’t come for the Sunrise visit. We moved to Pine Valley.
The Vagamon Pine Valley visit turned out to be very exciting with the Sunlight shining through the dense Pine trees giving rise to crepuscular rays. Since we were really earlier than opening hours, it was neither crowded nor had hawkers chasing us. We explored the Pine Valley for a while, took the Official Kerala G2G group photo and returned to the resort.
Soon after breakfast it was time for us to bid goodbye to Vagamon and head back home. We started our ride back home with one more place to visit, Panchalimedu.
Panchalimedu, the name evolves from the story of Pandavas and Droupathy. Besides the beautiful landscape and cool breeze at Panchalimedu, we visited ‘Panchalikulam’ (Panchali bath), where Droupathy had her royal bath. The cool climate and refreshing breeze was the specialty there, which offered an ethereal atmosphere. We could see a Temple and a row of Crosses leading to the top of hill.
Towards the Sunday evening we reached back to Trivandrum. We were welcomed back by rain shower just before entering the city. None were bothered about it since all were almost home. With yet again another successful Kerala G2G completed, we look forward for the next one. Ride Safe!
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