After leaving Mysore, its friendly people, its majestic palace and its superb market, we sail towards Wayanad. The journey allows us to cross the Nagarhole National Park and to discover the local fauna and flora.

As the kilometres go by, the surrounding nature changes, the landscape becomes full of green colours.

At first glance, it seems messy, even strange: we are totally disoriented and our minds have not yet found their bearings.

But before long, thanks to Anoop’s prodigies, we will learn to recognise some banana trees, some coffee trees, some pepper and nutmeg trees. We are looking forward to discovering the hidden treasures of this abundant vegetation.

We arrive at the entrance of the village of Trikaipetta, the immersion is about to begin. We are eager to meet our hosts.

We are now in the middle of the coffee plantations of our charming hosts.

This is the time to discover the different stages of this culture that has instilled universal habits. These little beans will probably travel around the world before unfolding their aroma and giving a boost to those lucky enough to be able to taste them.

The shrubs are covered with berries, promising beautiful cups of coffee to be enjoyed all over the world.

The vegetation around us is lush. Just turn or look down for a moment to discover all sorts of spices and berries abounding on all sides.

Here’s something to spice up life with the flavours of these delicate pepper berries.

A little further on, in the middle of the various trees, we can happily distinguish the local grapefruits, enough to delight our thirsty taste buds.

In the midst of this variation of greens, we are delighted to see a few spots of colour scattered by the hibiscus.

We are then delighted to discover the fruits of the roucou or bixa tree which allow Indian women to adorn themselves with their famous bindi on the forehead. It is also used as a body pigment, dye or flavouring. In our region, it is also found in the Avesnes dumplings.

Let’s have some fun with this mimosa pudica whose leaves retract when touched. These leaves are called sensitive leaves because they have the property of folding up when too much heat is felt in order to preserve water.

Over here, it is the banana bunches that give in abundance and what a treat: a taste never equalled.

Let’s stop for a while to harvest some turmeric and ginger directly.

The ground is covered with plants and the wonderful yellow or saffron coloured roots will soon delight gourmets and cooks.

If you pay close attention, you can see a few nutmegs here and there through the dense foliage.

Just break the shell to discover some wonderful arils surrounding the tasty nut.

Within a short distance of the scattered houses, there is also food for the livestock.

Let’s continue the hike on the small winding road in the heart of the large palm trees. The landscape is breathtaking and very exotic.

On this side, one can easily see the coconuts as well as the ropes that will be used by the pickers, who are less and less numerous in view of the risks of the job.

Over here you will find the roots of Ashwagandha, a plant with well-known Ayurvedic properties.

It is said that the plant is also an anti-stress plant, which may explain the unparalleled Indian patience.

From there, we are carried away by a new explosion of colour in the saffron yellow tones so dear to this country.

Going further into the forest, still in the company of Anoop, from the Kabani association, we come across a rubber tree plantation.

With our eyes wide open at so many discoveries, we enter the plantation to understand the harvesting technique.

Small cups are hung along the trees.

Anoop explains how this is done.

A small cut should be made in the bark, neither too deep nor too light. The first drops of latex will then appear and bead on the surface.

In just a few minutes, a small trickle flows out before our astonished eyes.

The bucket stands ready to collect the pristine white liquid.

All you have to do is place a small gutter so that the precious liquid flows into the cups installed for this purpose. Then you can imagine all the work that will lead from the harvest to our comfortable organic latex mattresses…

It is time to take a break and look up. The sky is magnificent, the foliage protects us from the sun, which is now pouring out its rays with force, the air is moist but there is no doubt that there is a foretaste of paradise here. We will meet again soon for the continuation of this magical walk in the heart of a prodigious nature.

Par Nathalie

Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)