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Periyar, a gem in the Western Ghats of South India
Periyar, a gem in the Western Ghats of South India

Periyar or Thekkady in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of rolling hills, lush green forests, amazing wild life and countless tea and spice plantations. The western ghats or Sahyadri Mountains run north to south along the western side of India. These hills are the perfect getaway from the heat of the south during the summer and host a large proportion of the country’s plant and animal species that are unique to this area only and nowhere else in the world.

Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

The drive up to Periyar or Thekkady (names of the same area) is specially scenic. It is about 5 and a half hours from Kochi, capital of Kerala. Rolling hills covered with tea plantations enveloped in mist and clouds for miles and miles is what you’ll feast your eyes on.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

It was good to see Shantha Kumari again. We visited her earlier in the year during our 2010 South Indian Odyssey and some members of our group got to ride her and give her a bath. She’s gentle and sweet.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

Shantha is off for a walk. She’s a young one at only 37-years old. I found out that elephants eat up to 300kgs (660 pounds) of food and drink about 200 liters (52 gallons) of water a day.
Giant Malabar Squirrel in Periyar National park. Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

During a 3-hour trek in the Periyar National park we came across this beautiful giant Malabar squirrel which is about 3-feet in length.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

It was hard to capture this gigantic red cotton tree that reached for the skies.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

Endless tea plantations.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

The hills are covered with tea plants as far as the eye can see.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

Tea leaf pickers sort their picking by the side of the road.
Periyar or Thekaddy in the western ghats of Kerala in South India is a refuge of lush green forests, tea and spice plantations.

The pretty Pattumala Matha pilgrim shrine on the way to Thekaddy sits atop a hill with stunning views of the countryside.

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A slice of beautiful Kerala
A slice of beautiful Kerala

Certainly one of the most beautiful states in all of India, Kerala is full of charm. Here are a few images from my recent visit to this lush, green state. A large clay Ganesha stands guard at the entrance to a hotel in Fort Kochi. A giant raintree creates an umbrella of green over the…

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A fisherman’s morning in Marari, Kerala
A fisherman’s morning in Marari, Kerala

Marari beach, quiet for most of the day is bustling with activity in the early hours of the morning. Fishermen, boats and birds line the shore. Young and old men brave the strong waves to cast their nets and haul in what the ocean may spare for them that day. Fortunate birds wait eagerly for…

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Indian Head Shake……yes or no?
Indian Head Shake……yes or no?

The classic Indian Head Shake or wobble has been the way many Indians communicated for centuries if not millenniums but it is certainly something that has baffled foreigners forever. We were about 7 hours into our flight to Kochi (via Abu Dhabi), though it felt like 15, cabin lights were dimmed a...

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Off to India….again!
Off to India….again!

The last time I was off to India was in January this year and I made a little video of my first few days. My friend, Mike, joined me on that journey as well. We went a few days early before the rest of the group joined up with us to and collectively we began…

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CEOs gather for yogic insights
CEOs gather for yogic insights

The Entreprenuers’ Orgranization invited me to conduct an all day workshop for them in Perth, Western Australia on August 18th. The topic I chose for this workshop was “Understanding the Mind”. The venue was the beautiful Matilda Bay conference room which overlooked the bay and ...

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Yoga, meditation & relationships in Eagle, Colorado
Yoga, meditation & relationships in Eagle, Colorado

Over the weekend of September 11th, Yoga off Broadway saw its beautiful studio filled with eager yogis keen on studying more about meditation, relationships, the yamas and niyamas, and the basic laws of transmutation. Friday night was a guided meditation class. I gave a brief overview of the work...

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