Periyar National Park

It was a long drive through the Western Ghats and around the hairpin bends of the Cardamon Hills to reach The Periyar National Park.

We had a few brief stops along the way. This one was so that the bus driver could purchase a talisman to ward off the "evil eye" for the front of the bus.

This pretty stop was a "Dhobi Wallah" camp. Great spot to do the washing just below a waterfall.

Crossing into Kerala we went tbrough the busy border and were soon into  Idukki, our base for a visit to The Periyar National Park. It is home to tigers, elephants and many animals and birds.
We managed to fit in a visit to a spice garden and do some shopping in the local markets.

                                                    Jackfruit. These are just small ones!

Pepper.

Turmeric

I*n the morning we had an early start to ride on a boat around the shores of Lake Periyar.  We did see monkeys before departing and beautiful birds but except for a distant wild boar and water buffalo that was it! No tigers drinking at the edge of the lake and no elephants bathing in the morning light. It was nice scenery!

We were on the boat on the far left. The morning mist did lift but not till the wildlife had resumed hiding.

                                      We watched the monkeys as we waited for the boat.

With no elephants or tigers we will move to birds! They were very interesting but not as good as the earlier sightings that we have shared.

                                               The beautiful White Breasted Kingfisher.

                                                     A Snake Necked Cormorant.

                                                           An eagle with young.

                                                    Cormorant drying its wings.

                                                             Another kingfisher.