This weekend brought all the 2 week special volunteers together for some exploring and bonding at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghat mountains. It also brought a big change in scenery with the rain and cold of the hills in stark comparison to the dryness and heat of Tamil Nadu!

On Saturday, we broke up into several groups to take in a boat ride on the lake in Periyar and then a trek through the reserve. After a well deserved rest at the hotel (our day started at 5:30 AM!) we had a special performance of kathakal, a traditional dance form from Kerala, in the early evening.

Here are some photos ……..

One group before their boat ride. They are ready to see some tigers!

Unfortunately we only saw some wild boars and a water buffalo

Considering the rain and leeches, I think our volunteer trekkers were “bold and brave”!

The ladies showing off their stylish anti-leech waders

Emma, Vicky and Sitara on our trek

The kathakal dancers and me. I asked if they wanted to have a dance-off but they declined. I think they were afraid of my dancing abilities.