PassionatePhotographers
Athirappally Vazhachal Waterfalls Kerala – A minute with ClicksandWrites
The Athirappilly Falls is situated 1000 ft above sea level on the Chalakudy river, at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats. Athirappalli is a scenic combination of forests and little streams. Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state. Many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirapilly-Vazhachal area. This area is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered hornbill species are seen. The Western Ghats is one of the most important biodiversity hot spot in the world. This valuable natural world is already degraded by mining and hydro electric projects. Environmentalists claim that Athirapally is a one-of its-kind riparian ecosystem in Kerala. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board and former Director of the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore, has been quoted in Down to Earth magazine as affirming that the Vazhachal forest division is the second most biodiverse area in the State. The International Bird Association has declared it an “Important Bird Area” and the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation has recommended that the area should be declared a sanctuary or a national park, he points out.
Athirappilly is popular among tourists. Athirappilly Falls is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. Another popular waterfall to visit is the Vazhachal Falls. Athirappilly Falls is a part of Chalakudy river and it is approximately 80 feet in height. Athirappilly is easily reachable from Chalakudy by taking a vehicle for rent or by bus from the Chalakudy private bus terminal.
Proper precautions are taken on site to prevent mishaps while swimming and a police camp is always positioned there. Athirappilly is situated on SH-21 highway connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala, night driving is not advised. But you can enjoy the adventurous drive in the middle of jungle.
Route through Valparai: Coimbatore-Pollachi 40 km-Valparai 65 km From Pollachi onwards, the road climbs up steeply through tea estates to Valparai. From Valparai, the road goes through dense wild jungles after Malakkiparai. Route is as follows: Valparai-Malakkiparai 22 km-Sholayar 24-Peringalkuthu Dam 25-Vazhachal 5-Athirapalli 5-Chalakudy 33 km.
Route through Angamaly: For tourists from Cochin and other northern side of Kerala can take a short cut from Angamaly. After Passing Angamaly take right turn after the bridge. This route will pass through Mookkannoor, Edalakadu, Ezhattumugham, palm oil plantation and connect to Athirapilly Vazhachal route. This route can save time, distance and you can enjoy nature.
Route through Chalakudy: Tourists from Chalakudy and other southern side of Kerala can take the Athirappilly route starting from Anamala Jn. Chalakudy and pass through Kanjirapilly, Vettilapara Athirapilly route.
There is absolutely no human settlement between Malakkiparai and Peringalkuthu Dam. Wildlife—elephants and bison—spill over onto the road, and night driving is discouraged. Both Vazhachal and Athirapalli are on the same Chalakudy river.
Athirapalli Falls is best visited during rains. The rest of the year there is water flow but hardly the spectacle it is from June to October.
There are two water theme parks (Silver Storm and Dream Word) and many resorts on the way to Athirapilly.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely #SafetyFirst #PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites #AminutewithClicksandWrites #KeralaTourism #VisitKerala
A minute with ClicksandWrites – Nothing is impossible, if you try
The Kollur Mookambika Temple at Kollur, Udupi District in the state of Karnataka, India, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Mookambika Devi. There are bus services from Udupi and Mangalore to Kollur at regular interval.
Mookambika temple is an ancient temple located at Kollur in Karnataka. Kollur is about 135 away from Mangalore. And is easily accessed from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka by train and road.
The perennial Souparnika river’s pure water is used for theertham and puja. The kollur Mookambika temple wears a festival look during Navarathri and Navarathri is celebrated with pomp, show and gaiety.
By plane:
Mangalore International Airport, at Bajpe, about 20 km from the city centre. Kollur is two hours drive from Mangalore.
By Train:
Byndoor (Mookambika Road Station is the nearest station to Kollur, road distance is 28km. From railway station to Byndoor catch rickshaw & from Byndoor to Kollur private bus facility is there. Other option is private taxi from Byndoor or from the railway station. Big disadvantage of Byndoor station is its located remote border area of Kundapura taluk and there is risk of getting facilities during night hours.
Kundapura is another nearer railway station and road distance to Kollur is 38km. Station has good waiting room/hall and even Kundapura city is nearby so that it is safer if you reach in night hours. From Kundapura there are plenty of private express buses are available(every 15 min) to Kollur. Plenty of private taxies are also available from the station. Nearest route to Kollur from the station is via Basrur-Gulvady Vended Dam Bridge (Kundapura Station-Basrur-Gulvadi Vented Dam Bridge-Neralkatte-Vandse-Kollur), its lesser than 35km journey.
By Bus: There are direct public transport buses from all the major transport stations in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu to Kollur.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely #SafetyFirst #PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites #AminutewithClicksandWrites #KeralaTourism #KarnatakaTourism
#Kollur #MookambikaTemple
A minute with ClicksandWrites – A pit stop moment from F1 Abu Dhabi
In motorsports, a pit stop is where a racing vehicle stops in the pits during a race for refuelling, new tyres, repairs, mechanical adjustments, a driver change, as a penalty, or any combination of the above. Not all of these are allowed in all forms of racing.
The pits usually comprise a pit lane which runs parallel to the start/finish straight and is connected at each end to the main track, and a row of garages (usually one per team) outside which the work is done. Pit stop work is carried out by anywhere from five to twenty mechanics (also called a “pit crew”), depending on the series regulations, while the driver often waits in the vehicle (except where a driver change is involved or in Motorbike racing).
Where it is permitted, refuelling is often an important purpose of a pit stop. Carrying fuel slows down a vehicle and there is often a limit on the size of the fuel tank, so many races require multiple stops for fuel to complete the race distance in the minimum time. Changing tyres is also common to permit the use of softer tyres that wear faster but provide more grip, to use tyres suitable for wet conditions, or to use a range of tyres designated by the rules. Teams will aim for each of their vehicles to pit following a planned schedule, with the number of stops determined by many factors such as fuel capacity, tyre lifespan, and the trade-off between time lost in the pits versus time gained on the track due to the benefits of pit stops. Choosing the optimum pit strategy of how many stops to make and when to make them is crucial in having a successful race. It is also important for teams to take competitors’ strategies into account when planning pit stops, to avoid being held up behind a competitor where overtaking is difficult or risky. An unscheduled or extended stop, such as for a repair, can be very costly for a driver’s chance of success, because while they are stopped for service, competitors remaining on the track are gaining time on them. For this reason, the pit crew often undergo intensive training to perform operations such as tyre changes as quickly as possible leading to pit stops, for example in Formula 1, where the car is only stationary for a few seconds for a regular pit stop.
In most series the order of the order of the teams’ pit boxes is assigned by points standings, race results, or previous qualifying results before the start of the race. In NASCAR and in INDYCAR’s Indianapolis 500, typically pit assignments are made after qualifying, with the fastest qualifiers choosing their pit stall first.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely #SafetyFirst #PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites #AminutewithClicksandWrites #AbuDhabiGP @F1TotalOfficiel
A minute with ClicksandWrites – Al Ain Air Championship 2015
The Al Ain Air Championship (formerly known as Al Ain Aerobatic Show) is one of the longest running events held in the United Arab Emirates was held from 17-10 December 2015. The event is one of the world’s largest and prestigious aerobatic performance festivals, attracting a glittering array of the world’s foremost military and civilian aerobatics teams and flying champions. Held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s heritage heartland, the event was designed to deliver a weekend of unforgettable family fun– in the air, on the ground and across the destination.
Al Ain’s unique cultural heritage, natural assets and many attractions make it the perfect place to host such a dynamic championship event.
The show was organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and is supported by the UAE Air Force, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Al Ain Municipality and partners.
A minute with ClicksandWrites is a series designed to highlight various events that I attend or location that I visit through short videos. The video also has a key safety message that is to remind each and every one that safety is a priority for all, especially road safety.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely is the prime message that is the need for the hour. Beware of other drivers mistakes and drive carefully and cautiously see through to have a blessed day.
#StartEarlyDriveCarefullyReachSafely #SafetyFirst #PassionatePhotographers
#ClicksandWrites #AminutewithClicksandWrites #AlAinAirChamps
#InAbuDhabi
Life in a village – Thursday market at Kadugodi
It’s one of my routine to visit the Thursday market at Kadugodi, if I am free and available there. The site of farmers coming from villages nearby and bringing fresh vegetables and other associated produces and selling them on bargain rate is to be experienced. As usual and by now, I have many familiar faces and they also know me as they know, I do not come to buy anything but to capture them through my lenses. Sharing it to you to experience the feeling. You may share it if you like it.
Photo Speaks – The Solitary Reaper
A time to unwind and touch base with nature. That’s what visit to my native village in Kerala is. Always and ever. It is an unbelievable experience. I do travel light, but at the same time do not! Confused?. I travel light on clothes and other items, but pack my bag with as many different cameras and lenses as possible. By now, the customs people are familiar with my bag and its contents. In fact, this time the officer who was screening my bag even asked me, do you have anything new that we have not seen so far?!
It is really interesting to walk around and see the nature as it is and at its best. With good amount of plantation, vegetation and water sources around, there is no dearth for birds, insects and other creatures.
On one such walk, I found this bird sitting and whistling in a beautiful voice. It reminded me of the poem “The Solitary Reaper” by William Wordsworth studied during my school days.
Do not miss out on any such opportunity, if ever you get. Unwind, explore and experience.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
27 January 2016
ClicksandWrites 
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