Maldives March 10th – 13th

Day 1 :
Yes , the beautiful Maldives journey began on 10th afternoon from Bengaluru and we landed in Male airport at 5 PM.From there we were escorted to Maafushi island , one of the biggest and most happening islands in Maldives via speed boat . 
View from the speed boat

Bharath enjoying

That was quite a speed to catch up with my camera.On the way there were pit stops in some wonderful private resorts too ! The sun was setting in and we reached our Arena hotel in Maafushi.The day ended quite well  with the sumptuous dinner in the sea side.

Day 2 :
We decided to take a local island trip with water activities and after enquiring, we were offered a wide variety of options to choose for.We booked a half day tour which included snorkeling, Dolphin watching and a visit to private island.But for the next day.We had our breakfast early morning and took a stroll near the beach area.It was too good with swings around the bay. People started to gather for sunbath in the bikini beach. 




Kids were having their time and people were too busy with their snorkeling kits. It was a relaxing day for us . The heat was rising up so we ordered a juice and took our seats under the trees .





It was lunch time and yeah , noodles and fried rice was all that we could manage to get. 



There were lot of cute souvenir shops  everywhere, so , so what ? shopping time.Bharath purchased a slipper and myself a dress . 




Happy us and a good night with an amazing spread of dinner set up  followed by night walk and play around with the swings !

Day 3 :
Hmmm, the activity day .9 AM and along with 10 other tourists, we headed towards the dolphin watching area.It took almost an hour and the boat slowed down.
Dolphins

Dolphins


Those wonderful tiny Dolphins took our breath.It was so pleasing to watch them.Then we were taken near a small island resort for snorkeling.We were off with our jackets.There was a small training session initially.Later it was time to snorkel and watch baby sharks.

Happily showing of sharks

Me & He :)

White Shark


We came across some white sharks and colorful fishes as well.Ahhh , damn good experience.Almost an hour later, the boat stopped at a beautiful destination somewhere in the middle of the ocean.Wow, there was water on either side and an narrow sand path in between.It was breathtaking view.What else, photo sessions for sure.No one had the mood to get into the boat .






Finally we were forced to head towards a local island .Lunch was served in packets and were taken on a walk around the island.School,houses,shops,church was shown to us along with some touristy informations.

Busy with his new friends

Stingray

Local island

Local Island


We also played with beautiful stingrays .Finally headed back to our hotel with lots of memories.It was a tiring day.We rested for a while and evening walk began all around the Maafushi island . 

Sunset time




Also shopped some souvenirs.After dinner, we spend a lot of time near the beach with the swings gazing at the sky.It was a day fun filled and relaxing too.

Day 4 :

Our last day .12 PM was the check out time so we wanted to make the most of the half day that was available .Woke up early followed by fresh breakfast.Then roamed all around the bay area,clicked pics and had a lot of fun making videos and taking selfies.




Reached male airport at 1.30 PM and had a long 3 hrs for the flight to arrive.We decided to take a look at the male city but since the baggage lockers was priced very high, we though spending time in the airport would be the best idea.So what ? Buy a pizza and some drinks and just enjoy chit chatting.Thats it . 


Finally said bye to the beautiful island country and took off .

Vattakanal 10-12th Nov 2018

This exotic destination was in my mind since an year.Had read about it long ago in a website and also in many articles.Also known as "The Little Israel of India", it is situated around 7 kms from The beautiful hill station of Tamilnadu,Kodaikanal.Ok, started off from Shantinagar bus station at 9.15 PM on 9th and arrived straight to Kodai at 6 AM.Lots of taxi drivers were running behind the passengers to pick them up.Could not bargain as the fixed charge was 300 /- to Vattakanal.Chalo, reached Shafa Wood house.

It was a wonderful location , amidst scenery of surpassing trees and mountains.Hotel manager advised me to sip a coffee or fill up with some food in Altaf's cafe which was just 100 kms from the wood house.But i had to wait until 10 AM for the cafe to serve me ! It's all fine.

Right next to the wood house

Shafa wood house

Shafa Wood House


The view from the place with cold zephyr took my breath away and 2 hrs just vanished  just by gazing and clicking pics ! Aloo paratha and hot ginger tea was right in front.Checked in and rested for a while.Later, had Bamia rice to store energy for my next trek to Dolphin's nose.

Bamia Rice

It was quite steep 1km path down  to reach the green valley view point. Not so impressed with the view ! Another 1 km down and get to see the Dolphin's nose.It actually resembled like one in a proper angle.It was very scary to reach the edge of the stone and there were also hell lot of crowd which made to trek down further 1 km to reach a view point.Hardly there were any reaching that place.But it was amazing spot ! Few Mumbaikers joined me there.After clicking few pics, moved back to see the Echo point.It was literally stunning to view the mountain range from the tip and dangerous too ! I made it ! Most of the guys who were steeping back to reach there were shocked ! I'm super daring u see :) .... Then it was all the way back chating with an Israeli woman.And yeah , this time some pics on Dolphin's nose as well !

Foggy trek path

Poses

Great view

That was dangerous

Dolphin's nose



Reached Above and beyond cafe and drank hot and sour soup to refresh myself.Late night dinner was yummy noodles with the ever favorite ginger tea again :).That was all about day 1.

A relaxing day 2 began with hot hot idlis and vada . Writing and reading time .Half of the day well spent with books which was my another intention to visit Vattakanal.Rotis and veg curry to fill my stomach and headed towards Vattakanal water falls which was just near the check post , 1 km away .
Spent lot of time there.

Vattakanal waterfall



Vattakanal waterfall



Listening to water fall is so peaceful and refreshing.Was just about to head back while i saw a group of people walking down further.An old lady in a shop nearby advised me to try the same route as there were 3 more water falls with lion's den.OK,sounds adventurous! Began to make videos and started clicking pics all the way.Witnessed all there water falls . They were small ones but beautiful to watch in a peaceful environment surrounded by huge trees.
Second waterfall

3rd waterfall


Did not attempt to get into the lion's den as i did not find it so fascinating. So took my way back and reached my wood house.Had dinner and a long rest to close the day .

Stuffed myself with pooris and checked out of the room at 10.30 AM.Badly wanted to stroll and hence started to Coaker's walk by taking short cuts from check point.

Scary path




Coaker's walk point



It was 4 km long walk but thoroughly enjoyed as i saw a small church, villages,mountains,met few locals sipping my coffee.Almost a country side view that was.Finally Coaker's walk point.It is around 2 km walk where we get to see mesmerizing Kodai view . Spent almost 2 hrs there.Met two guys Guna and Venkatesh from Maduri who were also on a weekend bike trip .

Coaker's point


Muncheez cafe

Alba's cafe

After a long talk with them , moved further to Muncheez cafe ! Had a coffee and then again took a turn to a veg restaurant to have my tight lunch. Wasn't full though ! So Alba's cafe to taste nachos and juice.It was so cozy and i spent almost 3 hrs reading a book.See, that's the best part of travelling solo.Explore your favorite place ad stay as long as you want.Just u , u & u.It was time for my bus to Bangalore and bye to Vattakanal. Quenched my solo trip thirst .Totally worth all the adventure and trek :) Happily back :)

And yeah, make sure to jump into Tibetian restaurant and Pastry Corner which is very close to Kodaikanal bus stand.A must visit place :)