This was my second trip to Kerala, and this time, we chose Wayanad. It wasn’t a rushed itinerary; we didn’t try to plunge into too many places. Realistically, we didn’t want to tire ourselves out. We simply wanted a break from the work that was breaking us.

We originally planned this as a grand group of seven. But, as travel plans often go, life intervened. One backed out a few days prior, and two others couldn’t make it on the very day of the trip. So, it was just the four of us, a “Fantastic Four” spanning different life stages. Two were in their early 20s, I’m at the tail end of my 20s, and one was in her 30s. Being the older ones, there was that unspoken responsibility: the elders look after the younger ones.

I joined this trip with my former colleagues. Though we work at different offices now, there is a touch of tragedy in each of our lives. We all have “villains” with similar temperaments, I think. At least their villains didn’t disturb an ounce of their vacation, while mine was visibly shattered by the intrusion of work.

Seeing others take a break without hindrance makes me wonder: Is it just me? Am I the only one taken so much for granted? I don’t see anyone else’s vacation getting screwed like mine. Am I a pushover? I’m bantering because I felt like the “loser” of the trip—carrying my work to every hotspot and playing the role of the party pooper.

Wayanad Diary

Otherwise, if you ask me how Wayanad was… it was hot. Not metaphorically, but literally. Hot.

But we enjoyed it. We experienced the chill of the early mornings and late nights, and the extreme, lush greenery that took over our vision. We stayed in Meppadi, where I loved the sound of the birds and the way people grew fruit-bearing trees and vegetables in their yards. The neighborhood was so quiet, I still remember the sound of our trolley wheels unwarranted-ly breaking that calm.

The people there are raw and unfiltered, which means they are just as awkward as us.

Day 1: What We Did & Experienced

We rested. I was essentially “wasted” because of work. (Bear with me; I’ll crib about these memories throughout. I don’t want the time I sacrificed for work to go to waste, even though I know it won’t bear fruit.)

We started our visit by buying a lottery ticket. It was a dud. Duh.

After a three-hour journey to reach our room—carrying luggage from bus to bus—we freshened up, booked a private can with the help of our stay owner and started a trek to Soochipara Waterfalls on an empty stomach. NOTE: WE WEREN’T TRY TO KILL OURSELVES. OR, WERE WE?

But it became a core memory. I’ve trekked a lot with strangers, but this was the first time with friends. With people I know won’t leave me behind, it felt comforting. We took plenty of photos (definitely avoiding the men dancing shamelessly in their underwear under the falls).

From there, we went off-roading on the most adventurous terrain. It was unbelievably fun, especially the return from the 900 Kandi Glass Bridge. It was dark by then, and it made us feel extremely brave. The Glass Bridge is a must-visit, especially around sunset. We were a bit late, but the unique view we got at that hour was something special.

Day 2: Nature, Music, and Work Calls

It was a bright Saturday morning. I woke up early for a walk to find a store to buy shampoo. Once back, I showered and—you guessed it—started working before our exploration began. Work? On a Saturday? On vacation? Yes… presenting the launch of our new campaign.

Everyone was annoyed that I had escaped my previous job only to end up in a “sanctum of boundless cruelty.” I still remember what I heard from current colleagues told me when I got back after putting me through hell: “I know, I felt bad disturbing you on your vacation…” (said so slyly). Yet, I watch them take breaks without a single interruption when they does…

Day 2 was about “view-hopping.” We started at Karlad Lake, where I dropped my kerchief but took some great snaps. I dug the memory of the water lilies deep into my mind. From there, we spent three hours at Banasura Sagar Dam. We went on a speedboat and walked the park—all while I was shamefully attending work calls.

Amidst the work stress, there was a moment of pure magic. As we were surrounded by the endless green layers of Wayanad, we just started singing. We went through all our favorite songs, our voices echoing against the trees. In that moment, the pressure faded, replaced by the harmony of friendship.

We went for Ziplining, beautiful experience. Rs. 300 per person. Worth it.

Throughout our trip because of the gas cylinder issue(because of war), all restaurants were having limited menu. So it’s just too much compromising. Plus, I feel like in Wayanad the chickens are hard. Wherever I ate it’s hard.

In between we wasted another 1hr in middle of a road because of an accident. It’s quite dangerous when you think about it. It was a vehicle carrying gravel. Not a huge one, somewhat mid size. Luckily no one got injured. A lot of people came forward and helped lift it up and clear the traffic.

Then our next stop was the zipline and then a short stop in the plantation for a photoshoot. Then we moved to our last stop Spice garden.

It was a relaxed day. Yes, we missed Edakkal caves… Missed Tribal village… And a good trek trail in Chembara Peak.

With that weather. I feel it’s good that we skipped. Probably we will do it in a time when weather is less hot and more pleasant.

At dinner finally we had some fish pozhichathu. And Nice Pathiri. You know me. I want to eat atleast one local food. Or else I won’t be satisfied.

What we did & What we experienced in Wayanad? – Day 3

Woke up early again. And in 5min was on a work call. Yes… Sunday Morning… On a vacation… And the first call is work call. Am I glorifying? No… I feel pathetic as I write now.

No one should ever experience such a misfortune like mine. Well… If you want to say I’ll bear the fruit someday. I am way past that age. I know who bears the fruit.

I went out for a walk with my friend Ramya.

We just wandered. Had a cup of hot boost. She had tea. Then we went and further roamed. Got back to our room and started packing for checkout.

We had some ullivada, puttu and Kadalakari next to a small restaurant near busstop.

We got a bus to Kalapetta bus stand. Once we reached, we waited and waited and waited before we finally got a bus to Kozhikode. It was chaotic. Carrying those trolley and backpack and stuffing it to make some space amidst the crowd.

The view was stunning. 2-3hrs journey and we reached Kozhikode.

We went to Topform Restaurant. Food was good. Finally a decent one. Some fish grill fry. Worth mentioning. But again here also, the menu got punctured by gas constraint situation.

After lunch we went to Kozhikode Railway station and placed our bags on the big yellow magical box. Digitalized storage. So cool. I find it so cool because I remember how long we stood in front of the storage place because of the crowd. Now this has made our life way more easy. Its very simple to use. All you have to do is to scan and pay and select the locker thats available. Its so simple.

We kept our things and went to Mittai Theruvu. Shopping street. I’ve already been there. So didn’t excited me much. It was so hot. Kozhikode felt like I was put in an oven to get cooked.

Then we went to station… Relaxed for a bit, took our bags back. And fun part: Our tickets were in RAC so, mentally prepared to share one birth.

But God is kind on the 4 Ladies and served us a comfortable ride back home. We got individual berths.

And that’s it.

For someone who doesn’t get to travel with group of friends often… This is like a treasure like moment.

I don’t know if I’d ever get an opportunity again like this. Thanks to my stupid work. That’s why I made sure to enjoy the max I could out of the tiring situation.

I won’t forget the lesson I learnt. And my enlightenment is, don’t be the goody-two-shoes. It’s not gonna take you anywhere. It will always gobble up your happiness. But I also learnt that I am capable of handling things. But it didn’t felt right.

May be, if at all in future if I end up having a team under me, I know how to act and how to not act when they are vacation now. My empathy will sure drive me to become better human than those who I am stuck up with.

You can check out my instagram page to see more photos from our visit!