The Rolling Wheel: Misty Munnar !!

[This post is not a travel guide to Munnar. For that one can visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Munnar or tripadvisor. It is just an expression based on personal experience]

A place has to be special if one visits it thrice in 6 months !!!

If Munnar was to be an adjective it would have been a synonym of tranquil, serene, calm, etc. Kochi to Munnar is nearly 130 kms by road. There is heavy rush of vehicles till Perumbavoor (nearly 40 kms) and traffic reduces after that. After Kothamangalam, one starts getting feeling of hilly area and once you reach Neriamangalam Bridge on Periyar River, you are at your first stop. This bridge is famous as 'The Gateway to the Highranges' as hills starts after crossing this bridge.

Another stop on this way was Cheeyapparra Waterfalls around 10 kms from Munnar. After that, tea plantations start.

It takes nearly 4 hours to reach Munnar. Enroute you see numerous waterfalls and abundant natural beauty. One is welcomed at Munnar by misty clouds. This is how it welcomed us at 02:00 in daytime:

clouds and mist

Things to do at Munnar:

1. Feel the lazyness. First thing to do after reaching Munnar is to do nothing. Just enjoy the natural beauty. You will be welcomed by tea plantations before entering Munnar. Take a stroll and you will feel that doing nothing is so fun. Whenever we visit any place, we are always in hurry to cover as much tourist spots as possible. Munnar is a lazy, sleepy place but tourists here are always in hurry. With so many tourist spots to cover, life becomes hectic again as if we are performing our daily routine of 9-5 but in different surroundings. Ignore this.

2. Romance. With so many scenic valleys, hills, lakes, waterfalls in vicinity, the most obvious human emotion to evoke is romance and the presence of numerous couples on honeymoon will evoke this feeling more strongly. Walk with hands in hand, splash water in waterfalls, do boating, run around trees and shout names in valley !!!

3. The tourist spots. Don't hire a car and travel around all places. Take a scooter/motorcycle on rent. One can never feel 360 degree view and thus, the grandeur of Munnar in a car.It is a magnificent place having its own charm and splendor. Rent a scooter, stop anywhere. Just not visit them, feel them.

one can never get this view in a car

4. Feel the essence. This place is far away from hustle-bustle of a city. Take a break. Give way to trucks with paintings carrying wood logs from forest. Watch women and men plucking tea leaves in plantations. Pluck some leaves. Help loading some bags into tractor.

Loading of tea bags

5. Visit wildlife. Visit Eravikulam National Park to see Niligiri Tahr along with scenic beauty and tea gardens. View from top is breathtaking. Trek in Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary. watch herds of elephants and, if lucky, giant grizzled squirrel too. Even trekking is fun. Enroute pass through Sandalwood forests of Marayoor.

Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park

6. Dance, Drama and Action. Munnar has many events to offer. Watch Kathakali dancers doing 'mudras'. It takes nearly an hour to do the make up. Watch the dancer's eyes, eyebrows, mouth and lip movements. Watch their gestures. Even without saying anything they perform a drama.Talk to artists and you will know how much effort is involved. It takes more than six years to complete their course and lifetime of practice for perfection !!! Don't miss Kerala martial art form Kalarippayattu.

Male artist in female character

7. Kerala Food and tea. Forget the typical South Indian Dosa, Idli and Vada. Cherish Kerala delicacies Iddiyappam and Puttu here. Enjoy the sambhar/curries made in coconut oil. It taste very distinct from normal curries. Eat brown rice locally known as 'Chor' rice. Drink tea made in different way than normal boiling method.

A tea vendor preparing tea

8. Shopping. Purchase flavoured home made chocolates from here. Most famous shop is outlet of Kannan Devan but others are also good. Buy special Munnar tea freshly packed from tea gardens. Flavoured tea are also available in market. Try Jasmine, Rose, Green Apple, Peach, Lime flavours.

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