Thanks to the alarm in Isaac's cell, we were up around 0530AM. It was nice and cozy in the blankets provided but I just had to do the Nature Walk. We were all out at 6AM. It was quite cold but not dark. Not exactly a hill-station. Sharp shrill of the crickets or whatever they have out there. Couple of birds chirping. Daybreak.

First halt at a small coffee shop near the Reserve's Entrance Gates. Fantabulous strong coffee. Loved it till the last drop. Served in white china with a saucer. I think that's what made it even more pleasant.

We took our entry passes at the gate and hired an auto to get us in. 7AM is kind of early for the Guides to arrive. Or maybe it was off-season. Or its just India. We found two Swiss Nationals from Einsiediln also looking for a Forest Guide. Signed a form declaring no one except me is responsible for injury blah blah during the trek. Refused the leech stockings. They prevent the leeches from climbing up your legs. Yeah but what the hell, I had come in shorts to get those suckers to come and get me.. needed some of that fun.

Had to cross this 30feet across section of the lake. They have these bamboo rafts crafted to carry upto three people across. Construction was simple - about six or seven 4inch dia., 12feet long bamboo logs tied together with jute ropes. Three additional bamboo stumps provided to sit on. And you just sit still, because those things looked easy to flip. Yeah, but the ride lasts about 43seconds.

Nature Walk was more like a brisk walk thru the jungle. There's a well-marked trail thru most of the forest. Occasionally, our guide stopped to show us animal tracks. He even pointed to one paw and said 'Tiger'. That was pretty tiny to be a tiger paw. It wasn't scary like a real jungle. There was virtually no grunt, snort or growl throughout the trek. But we did spot some trees being shaken by monkeys, and he also showed us a beehive. Cat tripped three times and let out the only 'Yeowl' sounds that we heard.

Yeah, the leeches. They were good. These were not the black slug-like variety. More like some worms with suckers at either end. So they just cling onto your shoe and move upwards till they find your flesh. None of the leeches got above my socks. I think wearing white shoes and socks helped spotting them. The Nature walk lasted about 3hrs and was quite frankly, more like a walk across a poorly maintained overgrown garden. Though I did like crossing the many streams with cold water in them. As for animals, I spotted one harmless green snake as it slithered across some bush. And that too at the forest periphery. Nothing eventful. Isaac, Cat and the Swiss folks had a nasty time with the leeches. There was blood oozing below their jeans.. It was gross. Cat had two of them inside his shoes. I set fire to one and it bloated up before turning to ash.

Got home, changed and returned to Aranya Niwas, inside the sanctuary. Cat fancied the place because they called it Beer Parlour. No snacks. No smoking inside. But it was fun to lounge about and discuss the days events. We settled for lunch at the restaurant there. Surrounded by trees and somewhat overlooking the lake. Food was good. Once again there were no Appams and we settled for Parotta.

We were completely done with the Periyar Reserve business now. Felt like we'd seen it all. So we headed to Rizzaz - the only place that looked serious about their ice-cream. We had chocolate sundae, followed with butterscotch with chocolate sauce. Treat.

I think that did it. We had run out of things to do at Thekkady and headed back to Green View. We were all pretty tired and just got some rest. The weather had been so pleasant all along, it was fun to just relax.

Dinner was at this restaurant above Aayur Cafe - the coolest looking hangout in town. Totally frustrated with the lack of Appams during meal time, we just ordered more Malabar Paratha. I was still to figure out what it is with the menus in Kerala.