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World on a treetop

Sit back and enjoy Nature from the top of a tree in Top Slip

Photos: K. Ananthan

PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT At the accommodation in Top Slip

It is an early morning drive, and a placid zephyr coddles me. I head to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park at Top Slip, happy that a treetop house is waiting for me.

After the mandatory stop at the check post, I drive past a spotted eagle perched pretty close to the road, insultingly indifferent wild boars making a mess of dried leaves, and a herd of shy spotted deer.

Finally, the sanctuary. The forester at the reception hands over the keys to the wonder on a treetop. The colossal structure houses two suites. Climbing a fleet of rickety wooden stairs, a verandah, with a wooden teapoy and a couple of inappropriate plastic chairs, greets the eye. I sit on the chair and am humbled by the sheer magic of the blue-green Anaimalais sprawling in front. This place calls for a mug of steaming coffee, crunchy snacks, a book on photography, and constant gazing at the mountains.

The door of the suite opens to a room whose walls remind you of your grandmother’s panai olai visiri, except these laminates are a rich brown, and look exceptionally natural.

However, incongruous off-white floor tiles, and green-and-white cotton window curtains draw instant disapproval. Wouldn’t a wooden or red-oxide flooring, and rust-brown curtains have complemented it better?

A cot with two beds, a couple of plastic chairs, a wooden table and a long mirror occupy the room.

On the other end of the room are two doors that lead to a balcony and bathroom.

The balcony is all wood — the ceiling, floor and the parapet — and, it opens to the woods too. Just the kind of place that puts a lot of things in perspective! Inspecting the place to my heart’s content, I step out for a bland lunch at the sanctuary.

I return to the suite just after supper, treading on a completely dark stretch, only to be saluted by hungry lizards, moths, grasshoppers, and insects, swarming all over the place.

The windows and doors sure do require wire mesh panels. Tiptoeing to the bathroom to not harm the creepy crawlies on the floor, I find, among others, a couple of huge dark spiders lurking.

Despite the fear of insects, the night enchants no end — a couple of glow worms do a passionate tango right in front of the window; the bamboo clusters around let off a strange noise like the opening of doors.

Creaky doors open all night for guests who never call on. The trees whisper endlessly, the birds have a marathon tête-À-tête.

Regardless of the shrieks from naughty children in the next suite, the gentle, if cold, breeze lulls me into sleep.

I wake up to a morning thick with mist and muted birdcalls.

After taking in the greenery bathed in dew from the balcony, I move to the porch. The stunning Anamalais is wearing a brand new garb dipped in fog.

Just then, on a tree right in front of the room, the whistling thrush starts off his song, conceivably in response to a call from his lady love far off.

Initially off-key, he soon gets the notes right, and an eloquent serenade begins.

I spot a handful of thick golden strands of spider silk swaying in front of me from the ceiling, strangely reminding me of Rapunzel. Tracing the weaver, in vain, I watch the fog begin to clear.

After a walk and shower, I check out, and head for breakfast.Things to remember

Drinking water is not provided, so carry your own.

If you are particular about food, pack some from home. The stuff you get here is strictly just about palatable. The place is prone to frequent power disruption. Carry a torch, candles and matches.

Only BSNL network works and the house does not have a phone.

Cost: Rs. 1,049 a suite, for a stay from noon to 9 a.m., and service charge of Rs. 200 extra.

How to go

The sanctuary is 35 km from Pollachi. Two-wheelers are not permitted.

For details, call the Wildlife Warden at 04259-225356.

W. SREELALITHA

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