After Satheesan, it's Shibu Baby John: The Kerala leader's trek in Vandiperiyar

Kerala's Opposition leader VD Satheeshan's recent trekking trip to Idukki's Kuttikkanam had made quite a few headlines. Yet another UDF leader has also followed his path now, to relax and refresh before the Kerala Assembly Election results. RSP leader Shibu Baby John, an ally of the UDF, explored the wilderness with his collegemates in an estate closer to the forest in Kerala's Vandiperiyar. The politician said that he, too, is quite an avid trekker and wildlife enthusiast, just like Satheesan. Vandiperiyar, which is quite close to the eco-tourism destination Thekkady, is located in Kerala's Idukki district. 

What to see in Vandiperiyar?
A 'tea factory' hub, Vandiperiyar is also known for its Government Agricultural Farm, various spice gardens, and viewpoints such as Parunthumpara. The tourist spot is also just about an hour from the renowned eco tourism spot Gavi. 

The leader's favourite travel spots
After the trek, Shibu Baby John exclaimed that he enjoyed the fun trek in Vandiperiyar. “I was busy with work even after the elections got over. So, I could only enjoy the trek here for a day,” he says. John said he used to enjoy trips as a businessman, too. Over time, his journeys transformed into leisure trips as well, he confesses. “Even now, I go for trips every year. I try to adopt the lifestyle of the country that I visit when I am there. I really like the dense forests of Africa. Meanwhile, New Zealand mesmerised me with its unique geography. As I believe in Marxian ideology, I quite enjoy trips to Russia too,” notes the politician. 

An 'adventure' story
Quite a few years ago, while returning from a trip to Thekkady, a friend recommended to the leader an easy shortcut to reach his destination, Poozhiyar. "After driving for a while inside the forest, the road disappeared. My car started heating up, and I couldn’t move forward. I started walking inside the dense forest, and there was darkness everywhere. I even heard some kind of footsteps from various directions. I don't know how I managed to escape the stretch and by 11 pm, reach an inhabited area," he recalls with a smile.