December 29 Karumba Village Resort, Blue Mountain, Tamil Nadu

Slept in, and had a good breakfast. Then met the guide, and his young helper, and we left at 10:30 AM for the trek, as they call it. We walked across the stream at the hotel, and up the mountain. Lots to see, new views, and saw a deer, lots of monkeys. I had to take great care, as my runners are toast now, and slip easily. I had good help from the guide and his helper, especially as we then descended into the valley. We saw a deer, small, which scampered away. No real paths, just a faint trace of one at times, and we found the main river. We walked along the bank for a while and then, the guide announced we were crossing the river by wading. I agreed, hiding my trepidation. I did not want to be swept away, or slip on a rock. However I was helped along….we rolled up pant legs, and my shoes and bag were carried for me so I could concentrate on not falling in. Then we climbed up the steep forested side of the mountain with the guide. Quite slippery although not wet. We came upon the main waterfall, which was very impressive. Then we climbed back up the side of the mountain, and avoiding slippery areas of moss, and water flowing into the main river to come out above the waterfall. Very impressive. I hid my fear of crossing above the waterfall, praying that I would not slip and be swept over the high waterfall. Although there were deep parts, we crossed, and I concentrated on each step, as the rocks in the river were slimy too!! I held onto the helper guy, and at times the guide, and made it across. I have pics of it all. We sat for a while, listening to the roar of the waterfall in front, and enjoying the great vistas. I took pics of cactus like trees, and huge jack fruit trees. ( elephants love them). We didn’t come across elephant or water buffalo ( though we saw their scat ). Then it was quite steep climbing up the side of the mountain, and we went up to the main road. At a roadside stall I had a lime soda and the guys had tea. Then we followed an elephant path back to the hotel. I was so pleased. After a shower, I had a superb lunch. The rich Arab family was there, and had a huge argument with each other, which I ignored. Now peace and bliss here blogging to you from my balcony looking out at magnificent trees all around. This place will soothe your soul, like it is doing for me. The gentle roar of the mountain stream, constant birds, sometimes a visit by monkeys to the balcony. Close your eyes, and picture the scene in your mind….great weather today. What is great is the mists that seem to come down different valleys, although it is a sunny day, and makes the view spiritual, and mystical blue. I relaxed and went to the lawn at 7:30 PM for a Tamil Dance Performance called Kattegaran. It was a solo dancer with a single pot on his head. He danced to  Tamil folk dance tunes, and did many balancing tricks like flipping the pot onto his neck, then gradually moving it back onto his head ( to be seen to believed). He put 3 pop bottles with a tray over, and a pile of sand on the tray. A long needle poked out of the sand. He picked up the needle with eye lashes and lodged it in the corner of his eye. He came into the audience to show us. The resort had a fire on the lawn to warm us up, as the evening air was quite cool. ( no furnaces here!!) The dancer

 The main waterfall. We waded across this river twice, with bare feet, and pant legs rolled up.

 Above, at the top of the waterfall with Friss, the young guide.

 I didn't want to slip over the edge as we waded across here further up.

 The Blue Mountain. The trees are so exotic, deciduous and so different to our trees.

 The Tamil Folk Dancer balancing on a pot below.

 Pot being placed on a lady. The heater ( a fire ) in background. Below a pic with the dancer with his pot on my head.

 balanced himself on a metal pot ( plus pot on head). I had a pic with him, and the pot on my head.Many of the audience also tried the pot. He actually put on a saree laid on the floor whilst the pot was still on his head. One trick was to balance on a plank put over a roller. After the performance I had supper, then bed. Quite a day.