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Shovelnose
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 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:28 pm Post subject: Meghamalai |
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Meghamalai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meghamalai) is a mountain range situated near Theni, close to the Tamil Nadu / Kerala border. Been wanting to collect in this place since I heard 'bout it last year.
As luck would have it, I had to go to Theni on work. Planned to stay a day longer so I could collect here. Reached Theni on Monday (21st Feb). Was off at 4 :00 Pm to collect.
The first spot was a small stream. Collections here yielded
Devario malabaricus (???)
Travancoria Sp
Schistura cf.semiarmatus (Closest I can get with Id)
And a Garra Sp.
The substrate was primarily rocks and pebbles. No vegetation.The stream was'nt very fast flowing. All the Travancoria Sp were collected from around a boulder under a small cascade.
Meghamalai was a 4 hour drive from here. Since twas already past 6 Pm by the time collection ended, I decided to get as close to Meghamalai and halt there as ascending after dark is not recommended. Bloody elephants all around.
Stayed in a small town bout 30 kms from Meghamalai called Chinnamanoor. Not too much to write 'bout.
I didnt have Famouse Grouse for company this time. So had to stick to the local brandy. Indian whisky is only for people with brave hearts or spare eyes and kidneys. You will be lucky if you wake up with the aforementioned parts intact.
A nice dinner , fish filled sleep and a broken alarm clock later, the drive up the hill started. Now the car was a hatchback and had no clue what it was gonna face. That road would ve put a Humvee to shame. It was not a road for most parts. Just rocks and pebbles strewn 'bout pretending to be flat surfaces.A 2 hour drive for 30 kms. That should say it all.
Once at the top, we checked out the streams. 2 turned out to be empty. Pesticides again??? The third one luckily proved to be much better.
Garra Sp
Love the caudal on this one.My first impression was an Indoreonectes Sp. Sent some specimens for Id.
The spot.
This is when the damn rain gods decided to play spoil sport. Extremely heavy rain. Ran back to the car and nothing could be seen outside. Waited for sometime but had no choice but to reluctantly head back. A wet 3 hour journey later, we were back in the room.
The tea estates.
Since we hadnt had breakfast, we decided to really indulge with the lunch. Here s some pics of how my favorite food is made
The making of a Parotta
Wheat flour.
It is then spread out.
Several moments of torture later, it takes this shape.
On the pan with some omelette's for company.
Bon appetit
Here s another form it can take when cut into fine pieces. Eggs,random vegetables ,sauce etc are added and then
I know it looks like it came out through the derrière of a venomous reptile but trust me, its delicious.
Definitely not for the hygiene fanatics. Only for those whose taste buds control their hands,mouths and wallets.
Lunch, a small siesta and a none too willing bath later, twas farewell time.
Meghamalai definitely warrants a 2 day trip. Lots and lotsa small hills and streams around this almost untouched area.
Soon is the only word I can think of now. |
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MadDuff
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Joined: Jun 23, 2009
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Location: North East England
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Excellent stuff, as always with these reports I am now sat here incredibly jealous 
Not sure about the food myself but I will take your word for it  |
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rkkaran
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Very interesting write up Pal !! way to go ;)
I really enjoyed reading your experience and hope to see more coming up :-)
PS: I liked the comment on Indian whisky, shared it with a few drunkards here...lol
Cheers,
Karan |
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abhis9
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Joined: Nov 17, 2008
Posts: 3236
Location: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Nice tour........Food also looks interesting..........  |
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beta
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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| Is that a certified Poo Ithal Parotta? |
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nikhilsood1
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:26 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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| Awesome looking fish, lovely scenery and I can imagine that food in the after weather rain. Awesome. |
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rocky2
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Lawrenze
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Beautiful fish esp the last loach looks very interesting also I hear my stomach rumbling after looking at the last few pics
Cheers |
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Shovelnose
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Thanks all.
| MadDuff wrote (View Post):
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Not sure about the food myself but I will take your word for it
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Be prepared to take my word and a lotta medication as well!!!!
| rkkaran wrote (View Post):
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PS: I liked the comment on Indian whisky, shared it with a few drunkards here...lol
Cheers,
Karan
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Im sure everyone from alcoholic tribe share the same sentiments!!!
| beta wrote (View Post):
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Is that a certified Poo Ithal Parotta?
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Ha ha. No way!!! Rajeshwaran has to gorge his way through a dozen to certify that. Condom parotta is the name I was suggested to use.
| nikhilsood1 wrote (View Post):
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Awesome looking fish, lovely scenery and I can imagine that food in the after weather rain. Awesome.
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The only thing missing here was some good old Scotch. |
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Shovelnose
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:38 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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| Lawrenze wrote (View Post):
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I hear my stomach rumbling after looking at the last few pics
Cheers
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The 'kothu' did hit the spot. 2 meals there and I think the fast food guy made enough money outta us to expand into a small chain. |
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rasikanayak
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Balaji,
Nice narration and pics 
A true nati fish and nati gourmets delight, your write ups
Regards,
Nayak. |
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Severumkid
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Brilliant writeup. Love your threads a lot.  |
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saikumar
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Cool write up bro!
Interesting fish and food as well.
Thanks for sharing.
And Good luck for your next trip  |
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vyastk
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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| Awesome stuff...Super fish and a fantastic write up...Thoroughly enjoyed reading |
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madhu_ulysses
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Meghamalai |
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Soopar meens
| Shovelnose wrote (View Post):
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The 'kothu' did hit the spot. 2 meals there and I think the fast food guy made enough money outta us to expand into a small chain.
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No Chicken spray? |
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