Winter break bliss!

By Nanditha Vinod Nambiar

“Vacations are the moments where laughter echoes louder, adventures paint brighter memories, and the joy of simply being together creates the best stories.”

This winter vacation, to feel the sweet chill of the season and celebrate Christmas, we decided to take a trip to Wayanad, Kerala, to feel the slight chill of the cold air there. We had my uncle and grandma who also accompanied us!

Before I tell you all about it, let me introduce you a bit about Wayanad.

Wayanad, nestled in Kerala’s Western Ghats, is a symphony of natural beauty and cultural richness. The undulating hills draped in emerald-green foliage captivate the soul, just like an artist’s masterpiece.

Mist-laden mornings cloak the landscape, huge tea estates that sprawl across the hillsides like enchanting tapestries. The aroma of spices hangs in the air, a testament to the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

So, we first headed over to Kerala, and then, along with my uncle and grandma, we packed all our bags and got comfortable in my uncle’s car, ready for a long car trip all the way to Wayanad.

Throughout the journey, we sang songs, played games, and joked around. Within a few hours, we reached Wayanad and entered the small resort tucked away in the tea estate. I climbed my way up to the terrace, eager to move around after sitting in the car for so long, and gazed at the scenery around me.

Wayanad was way better than what I imagined it to be. The cold, soft air was deemed fit for the lazy atmosphere, with the tea plantations swirling around everywhere. I could see people working on the plantations, tending to the delicate leaves.

The atmosphere was so calming, that I slept for that entire day. The next morning, I was up and ready for some sightseeing. We then spent the day trekking up huge hills and taking lots of photos. I noticed that the locals here respected nature a lot, and took care of the nature around them. They lived in harmony with nature, and that truly inspired me.

Not many people occupied these parts- the hilly surroundings weren’t fit for everyone. We then headed back to our resort and had the most amazing dinner by the campfire, which warmed us all up.

The next morning, we all headed to visit the Kuruvadweep Island, in Kalpetta. There was an enormous queue for the tickets, but soon enough, we got ours and settled down in a small raft to get to the island. Before getting into the raft, the officials took away all our plastic bottles, as plastic was banned on the island. This effort to reduce pollution on this island impressed everyone who came to visit, and they realised how important it is to protect our forests.

We then sailed across the glistening stream and got off the other side. I was amazed at the trees caving around me, and I followed the huge crowd snapping photos near the huge trees. As we explored a bit more, I found a small wooden swing, tucked inside the dense forest.

There were small kids awaiting their turn for the swing, each one of them screaming with exhilarating joy. We walked through the lush forests, and the air was earthy, filled with the scent of the fresh soil. We walked and walked and walked until we were exhausted.

Right as we thought that it was time for us to retreat, we came across a small stream of water. All the tired tourists were sitting down with their feet dangling in the water- chatting and unwinding. Small rocks peeked out from the water, smoothened by the water’s strong flow.

My uncle made it his goal to waddle through the water and reach a small patch of land nearby, where a tall teak tree stood. He somehow reached that landmass and then climbed up the tree to click some pictures. Laughing at this, I sat down with my mom and dipped my feet into the water. I felt utmost peaceful, and the serene environment made me feel like I should stay here forever.

Unfortunately, it was almost dusk, and the forest officials guided us out of the forest, as it was dangerous to lurk around these parts at night with all the animals around. We headed back to our resort again and sat down and looked at all the pictures we had taken.

We then had to leave in the early morning the following day and get back home. It was Christmas Eve that day. On the ride back, I decided that the greatest gift I could get for Christmas is all the memories I get to cherish. Our trip to Wayanad was definitely short, but the memories we all made there will definitely last a lifetime.