Chakkippara as seen from in front of my school |
A better perspective of the landscape |
Chakkippara is a cliff that is just a couple of kilometres
from the school where I teach. Whenever I am on invigilation duty in the
auditorium [3rd floor] of my school I enjoy the sight of that huge
rock which juts out of the landscape rather coquettishly. Many of my students have
visited the place which has become a sort of tourist place though it is not
easily accessible. The approach road is quite narrow and it stops a good
kilometre away from the cliff. You have to walk up the steep concrete path for
a while and then do some trekking over the rugged mountain path made by
visitors.
When Tony, a former student of mine, suggested
a visit yesterday evening I thought that would be a memorable way to end the
year 2022. He picked me up from home by his car. Our original plan was to reach
Chakkippara in time to see the sunset. But some family matter kept Tony busy
and the sun was already setting when we left my home. We managed to reach the
cliff before it was dark – just in time to take a few snaps of the breath-taking
panorama before us.
You get a full view of the villages
around. My school and many other public institutions like the parish church and
its colleges are all clearly visible. There is a cool breeze that blows
ceaselessly there with a soothing tang. I would have loved to spend time there.
But the descending darkness made us hurry back. The mountain trail would be
difficult to navigate in darkness.
As we were walking down the concrete
path, we met the family of another student of mine from whom I came to know
that the local people wouldn’t be quite pleased to have too many tourists arriving
there. A lot of students come in the morning in school or college uniforms and
spend the day in the forest nearby, I was told. The hint that their activities
were not what a civil society would find acceptable was not lost on me.
It's better the place remains
difficult to reach, I thought. Let its pristine charm remain unsullied for as
long as possible. The place has left a unique impression on my soul and the
warmth of the affection that the student’s family exuded will stay with me for
a long while. Something really great to begin a New Year with.
Below are some scenes from top of the cliff. My school is the biggest building complex in this
The western horizon |
A selfie with Tony |
PS. The place is in Vazhakulam, 50 km
from Kochi.
Beautiful post and pics.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Greetings. Best wishes for 2023.
Thank you. New Year greetings to you too.
DeleteLoved the western horizon photo the best!
ReplyDeleteThe light was rather dim. So the pics are not clear enough. The distant shots of the cliff were taken in daytime.
DeleteBeautiful images and lovely post.
ReplyDeleteMemorable end to 2022.
I agree that may some places be inaccessible. Sadly, "civil society" is yet to learn about being civil. I feel terrible to find plastic pollution even in pristine places :(
Great cliff! Wishing you a Happy New Year 2023.
Have great year ahead, Anita.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLovely...
ReplyDelete👍
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