We traveled for about 7 hours across the central plains of Tamil Nadu to the base of the Kolli Hills (Which can be translated chicken or killer hills). It was readily evident that the term “Hills” was not the American Interpretation of gentle sloping short mountains. Seventy two hair pin turns later we were at the NallaThambi Resort (This translates nice younger brother, but it happens to be the proprieter’s name).
We had a pretty good time with the monkeys (Macaca radiata — red faced or bonnet Macaques). The ate, crapped, played, napped etc.. The several hours of observation were interupted by a Draco–a flying lizard (sorry no pics). The people you see way in the Back are the lead course instructor — Sunita Ram and course participant, Ariana Keyser
We (some of us not me) hiked down 1200 steps to the foot of a waterfall. It was exhilarating and beautiful.
We also visited a small mallaiali village where Carolyn and Laura decided to pose in a Jackfruit tree (Yes that green lump 3 times the size of a human head is a Jacfruit).
We had a brief stop on the side of the road when a forest ranger wanted us to get permission to head into the forest. This gave us the opporunity to run across a Bhairava Temple. Bhairava is a wrathful incarnation of Shiva who requires (according to legend) a blood sacrifice.
Our group was good fun and included out Guide–K.V. Srinivas, Gopinathan ( a brilliant photographer), Sebastian (a Professor from JNU–who teaches French but loves birds) Srinivas (a renowned tiger expert) and the students –Ariana Keyser, Carolyn Romako, and Laura Weber,
