Thekkady in Idukki - Hilly, but #notinnorth !

Believe it or not, that tiny group of buildings is Sabarimala, recently in the news for all the wrong reasons, unfortunately

Panorama of a clear morning over Periyar

The lake formed by the Gavi Dam, which is used for leisure boating & birdwatching

The entrance to a wealth of wildlife

Bison spotted! I wonder why it was alone, wherever it may roam, to paraphrase Metallica

Wildlife conservation is serious business

An old cinnamon tree reaches skyward, perhaps seeking salvation

Raamba the elephant knocks one's breath out of the lungs with spectacular splashes from his trunk

The majestic pachyderm chills in his bath

A few fowl at a spice plantation

Kalaripayattu Centre in Thekkady/Kumily - a must-visit for their fire-acrobatics

An evening walk to see how cardamom grows in the undergrowth

That's a forest fire in the distance - no kidding!

Mr. Kumaran was quite expeditious, and the Sterling property was exceptional

The pool was so inviting, I wanted to dive in from my second-floor balcony - instead, I went down and backflipped into the water!