Joy is the only word to be emphasized when People encounter the first shower of monsoon which I had to witness them during my travel to capture the real essence of South west monsoon mood in Kerala, India. My Sikkim journey was recalled since it was another bench mark in my travel journey to document monsoon mood 2012 and I admit that it was one of the most exotic and adventurous trips since we got struck in many places due to landslide, mudslide and real monsoon was well seen near the base of great Himalayas. After four years, I planned again to visit the place where first shower of monsoon is encountered. A sharp shower accompanied with wind had welcomed once I got down in railway platform from train. Rain was not all stopping till Kothamangalam was reached and I never presumed that bus ride would be amazing. Since public transport is the only way to apprehend the real life of locals, I had this opportunity to travel 120KM by bus in such downpour.
After tiresome journey of four hours, I had to get down somewhere near pallivasal to reach Devikulam. Moreover, Temperature was hovering around 18 degree Celsius and I was not aware of such cold evening accompanied with rain and wind. My body was not all cooperative in such cold temperature to start my work on that day and decided to wrap myself to sleep for a while once I hit hotel. On the next day morning, entangled clouds and mist were playing in outside of window and I presumed rain would continue for few more hours. I packed myself and decided to head some villages like kottakamboor, Vattavada in Idukki district by local jeep.
Locals were working on muddy hill terrain to pluck fresh tea leaves though it was raining quite heavily and I had conversed that why were they working though it was raining. Their response was quite amusing and they told "whether it was rainy day or bright sunny day, we have to work in specified time otherwise we cannot meet daily needs". I had to walk down a certain distance since there was no road to Kottakombur village and people were so welcoming from other part of city. Rainy moods, walking with umbrella in slippery road and hitting cold wind often are the most common scenario during monsoon in hill station. Sometimes, it might lead to further disaster which distract daily life of locals and price may soar up. So, I decided to return Kochi after a quite long exploration of Hilly areas. I must admit that Kochi city was charming since rain and daily life were amusing. You hardly see people without umbrella in public place because of unpredictable rain in city. I really enjoyed local bus ride since moment of rain splashing over face is priceless. I leave my experience with pictures and please scroll down for further visual treat!
This blog was originally published on 'Srivatsaa Photography'