Agumbe:

Being part of Western Ghats and so UNESCO World Heritage, Agumbe (32km from Tirthahalli) is a village known as the place of highest rainfall in southern India. This place is famous for its evergreen forests with wild animals like King kobra, waterfalls and sunset watching site. Visiting any of the waterfalls is difficult during rainy season because of slippery roads and leeches which are in abundance in these forests. One does not even feel when a leech climbs on the leg and only after it has sucked enough blood, it starts itching and one would realize, oh there is a leech. And these little creatures are YAKKK to see than being harmful.

The Ghat section route down through the mountain leads to Someshwara, Seetanadi, Hebri, Karkal, Udupi and Mangalore.  It was a dream to walk down the Ghat section during heavy rains. Everyone thought we are insane. We were not afraid about the leaches, rain or the distance, but were bit concerned about the Monkeys as we were not sure how they would react.

Expected some friends and cousins to join us for our hike. But, ended up being only 2. Our determination to walk down the Ghat section road was so strong, we decided to do it in spite of objections and discouragement from people around and loss of self motivation as there was no one else to join us. In the midst of Foggy mountains, tall diverse trees, apes and monkeys, butterflies, spiders and the crickets, it was a heavenly experience.

At times felt that butterflies and monkeys are following us. Remembered Jungle book many times. People in the vehicles which passed by gave us strange looks. Some even asked if we needed a drop. Total 8.5 kms, it was a divine walk. Seemed as if Sun wanted to see us walking and he was coming out every now and then and it did not rain as much as I expected or wanted.

If I would have known the language of plants, I would have loved to talk to each plant and would have asked for introduction. Would have told them that I love them and I want to be with them for ever.

Someshwara and Seetanadi are known for delicacies like “neer dosa” and “banana buns”. We ended up having hot hot idli sambar and Banana buns at Hotel Nandini in Someshwara. And it was time for us 2 to depart. We both had to go to our natives, I had to take bus and go up the mountain to reach Tirthahalli. Harish was still doubtful that I might get down in between on the Ghat section and start walking up the hill and he told  me atleast 10 times not to do so. And as soon as I got into the bus, seeing the stick I had in my bag(to scare away monkeys if needed to) which looked like Lati thatPolice use, the ticket collector got up and gave seat for me even though the bus was full and many other ladies were standing.

After coming back got only one question from my brother  “Didn’t anyone ask whether  you both escaped from Manasa Nursing home?” which is the place where mental patients are treated in Tirthahalli. All I had to offer was a smile of Satisfaction of being insane.