Wayanad Walks

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21/02/16 Leave Aseem's and join a 11am bus to Mananvathady 100k away inside the north Kerala rural patch of Wyanad, bus to visit the local village of Peechangode for my stay with second (csurfing host) Niraz. 22/2/16 Move sticks south to Vythili and spend the entire day strolling the surrounding foresty, tea cropped areas. 23/2/16 bus to meppadi at the feet of chembra peak, minus the compulsory clingy guide an enjoyable steep assent with misty plantation views yet not actually to the "peak" as is sadly restricted. Back in time for a late lunch followed by an afternoon on the buses to Varnham homestay north west of mananthavady to enjoy a higher standard of stay, great meals, sanctuary safari with other guests & more walkies. I nip a super 24 hour stay in the bud & sleep in mananthavady for the night for a 6am bus to Kannur 25/2/16, connect onto a north bound bus and stay in Kanhangad for an afternoon empty beach visit & scenic swim, stroll the sand to bekul fort and bus back for 100 rupee hair cut & another grand south Indian feed. 26/2/16 bus back via Kannur to reach Thottada beach @ fancier homestay KK heritage for another day's beach-side relax. 27/2/16 @ 5am Attend a local Thayem ceremony; historic religious annual events for each & every temple where performers embodied as spirit gods are excitingly reincarnated? with fire, drumming and dance. After a swim, canoe down river & home cooked lunch I leave Thottada by bus south to Thalassery. Annoyingly/Amusingly to find, (not for the first time) a local wedding has filled every tourist lodge & hotel room in central town, thus is the scale of a marriage here. I opt to take a night bus aiming for Coimbitore in Tamil Nadu

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