Trip to Wayanad (Part 2)..Ente Veedu

For the earlier post refer here

While on our way from Edakkal Caves to Ente Veedu we decided to do some shopping on the way. Ente Veedu essentially is located at about 3/5 kms from Panamarama which is about 35km drive towards from the Sultan Bathery to Kalpetta (State ?) highway.  We were told by Vivek that there were Gandhigram stores spread across Wayanad from where we could purchase local flavours. So we stopped at one of the Gandhigrams and did some minor purchases.

With the items in our kitty, we decided to head towards Ente Veedu. The drive was scenic and beautiful with Vivek giving us useful information of the locals. We reached Ente Veedu by around 6:00 pm to be welcomed into a beautiful home. Mrs. Seetha wasn’t there and we were told that she had gone to attend a cultural event nearby and would be back soon. Vivek showed us the place and provided us the keys to the cottage. We just loved the place, it was cosy, yup that’s the right word, a cosy little home stay nestled within the woods, away from the humdrum of the town, totally isolated, no crowds, no rooms and multitude of guests vying for attention, it was pure bliss.

We were served some delicious local sweets ..I forget the name, but essentially very similar to the Maharashtrian Modaks that we have, just flat, comprised of coconut + jaggery covered in rice flour engrossed in leaves. It tasted fantastic along with fresh coffee from the estate.

All of us were totally relaxed and we lazed around a bit. The estate is essentially a bungalow where Mrs Seetha and her husband Mr Raj live on the ground floor and they rent out the top floor. Adjacent to it, divided by an awesome badminton and common garden area (which is huge btw) are the 2 cottages. We had decided to stay in the bamboo cottages as opposed to the concrete bungalow to experience the jungle.

Along with there’s a nice lounge and a small birds nest where a wide variety of birds thrive.

The view from the home stay overlooked the beautiful estate owned by Mrs. Seetha herself.

We lazed around the evening and relaxed as the sun went down and darkness engulfed us.

The 3 kids were having a blast, enjoying cricket, badminton, carrom, running around and then relaxing in the hammocks.

Sawani & I relaxed on the jhoola talking to each other..discussing so many things. It was awesome.

Around 7/7:30 Mrs. Seetha arrived..what a gregarious and gracious lady. With the round of introductions complete, Mrs Seetha was a host personified. She mentioned that whatever we needed, we just had to ask and it will be available. With tons of freshly brewed coffee and tea available it was the epitome of relaxation and pampering. At about 9pm we were served with traditional Keralite cuisine for dinner. Later after dinner Mrs Seetha took us around the house, introducing her to the family and explaining how her 3 kids stay away from them and they manage the home stay. Felt wonderful and was amazed to see the resolve of the woman who oversaw the entire operations of the estate and the homestay along with her doting husband.

Later in the night we came back to our cottage and retired for the night. Felt great and all of us dozed silently and peacefully with the forest noises putting us to sleep. Day 1 done and over…

Day 2 and Day 3 coming soon..

For photos visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/yranade/WayanadTrip#

Cheers,
Yogesh Ranade