When the scorching heat of southern India becomes too relentless, seek some relief in Munnar. At nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, the cool mountain air is a world away from the dusty lowlands; it's no wonder that Munnar was the summer resort of the British during colonial times. Munnar's trademark is its manicured tea plantations, covering practically every hillside in sight - look closely and you can see armies of women harvesting the world-class leaves by hand. The town itself is an eyesore, but makes a good base for exploring the lovely hills and mountains beyond; plantation tours, trekking and river trips are all possible.
Artificial lake, great for boating and picnics. Located just outside Munnar, Mattupetty Dam is a m...
Munnar information
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Getting Around
Getting there and around
The easiest access is by bus or taxi from Kochi. There are also daily buses to Kumily and major towns in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The town is small and pleasant for exploring on foot, although there are autos. It is worth hiring a bike or a jeep for trips out of town.
From tourist information office, Rs 50 per day. Kestrel Adventures has 18-speed mountain bikes.
Bus
State buses start and terminate at 2 separate stands south of town, but also call at the Town Bus Stand near the market. Enquiries, T04865-230201. Frequent services to Mattupetty (30 mins), Devikulam (30 mins), Adimali (1 hr) and Top Station (1 hr). Daily to Coimbatore (6 hrs); Ernakulam/ Kochi (4½ hrs); Kodaikkanal 0700 via Udumalpettai, change for Palani and Kodai. If the Palani–Kodai Rd is closed a further bus goes to Vatalakundu and then Kodai; Kottayam (5 hrs); Madurai via Theni (5 hrs); Palani (4½ hrs); Thekkady (4½ hrs), leaves from stop next to the post office; Thiruvanantha puram (9 hrs), Thrissur via Perumbavoor (5 hrs).
Jeeps/taxis
Shared jeeps and minibus taxis for Eravikulam and Mattupetty Lake wait around the post office. For.
State Bank of Travancore ATM, in the centre near KDHP headquarters. Federal Bank, near Tata Hospital Rd, very helpful; State Bank of India, 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.
Internet
Olivia, next to footbridge in the bazar, Rs 30, good connection and free sweets.
Medical services
Excellent Tata General Hospital, T04865-230270, on the north edge of town on the Rajamalai Rd.
We had a journey of 7 cities in Kerala in month of March 2009. We visited Cochin (Earnakulum), Munnar, Thekkady, Allaphuza (Alleppy), Kanyakumari, Kovalam and Thiruvanthapuram (Trivendrum) the capital of Kerala. A refreshed and relaxed moods with lots of memories invoked in emotions a drastically changed outlook of time personal, social and emotional.However, letting alone the personal front and getting into the beautiful land of Kerala and the joys we shared there that may have been through by those who may have lived or visited there. Cochin was elite city with advertisements largely of jewellery and surprisingly the women were in suits. We went to the Dutch Palace – a small place of paintings and remnants of the past decore to walk the street for some shopping. Saw the churches alongside. Drove uphill to Munnar for the exquisite scenes of the terrace farms largely the tea gardens.The most of the land took on lease by Tata group. The route circuitous and dazzling. Lush green shiny leaves, the red soil, the clay soil, the black rocks and the mountains like the tortoise backs strolling together for fun. It was very much picturesque. Munnar means city of three rivers. Maluppetty Dam was flocked by hawkers and street vendors. The Echo Point too was same. The lots of tourists gathered with all in their own joy expressing in shouts, play, pictures and all. The Kundale lake was blissfully flowing water with all calm and serene. We decided to boat and the local boatman took us for the joyride.It was a spellbound surrounding – a wild squirrel on trees, The crows crowing, the isolated birds – the crane, ducklings, the rife at the shore full of tall tress with one end of bridge and the other mountains with the water as the tapering peninsula of the map of India. On return back we saw “uni” flowers that were tiny pink and yellow with a wild white goat resting below. The next day we drove down to Thekkady. A tourist spot for the artist who loves to paint the oil and water. A perfect destination. It has a one of the world’s largest wild life sanctuary spread in approx. 777 sq. km. We visited the wild life sanctuary for a joyride on the double-decker motorboat. It was comfortable but a slow kind of time stressed and aches for something to happen. Isolated black birds – crane, crow, and ducklings were spread across the lake.Had glimpse of herd of Elephant and wild deer, a wild goat, a sea horse and on the walk back on the tiny bridge a flock of fishes pouting out for air – all of them black. While we drove back a couple of Wild horse stood by the road, wild cattle crossed us by. At the hotel was a street for shopping. The had Kathakali Dance- the traditional folk Dance and some martial art folk dance programmed for tourists. The jewelry was catchy mainly in stones and sterling silver. The morning came serene with sound of prayers from distant temple and after breakfast we drove down to Alleppy.The back water ride was a perfect sneak ride and comfortable in dreams and reality or maybe a hypnotic state. The place is famous for its back water where locals grow the sea food and have house boats. Mostly tourists took house boat on rent. The next day we drove to Kanya kumari, Tamilnadu. The day had been cloudy and the weather pleasant. The Hotel had excellent view of the Kanya kumari the Arabian sea (green water), Indian Ocean (blue water) and Bay of Bengal (brown water) all merging and splashing at the shore. The Swammi Vivekananda statue stood high with vivid black silhouette of a temple close by. A little infront stood the church all white and elegant in its obvious architecture. The pyramidal domes and the cross gave its picture a very exemplary place in the view from the balcony. After the day broke and the sky was clear and sunny, it felt good to be actually there at the shore of Kaniyya kumari.The shore was busy with local and tourist folks offering prayers. Waves splashed loud and the rocks stood high. The view point was newly made it seems with the passage of stones that was great. It was to enable watch the sea from great heights. Offering a brief homage to the place, we left for Kovallam. Kovallam is perfect destination for sea lovers. The tides were high with night being a full moon. The next day the sky blushed pink and was dressed lavender and bright blue and painted itself with golden hue as the day progressed being cloudy and sunny time-on-time. The eve sea was roaring high. Splashing on the rocks.Tides went up and high to bring night full of rain and lightening. The morning sea was tranquil as if it had vent out all its feeling. The water spread on the shores and its drops spread like pearls as if it was getting ready for a beautiful day ahead. The temple jingled the typical Malyali music of prayer that blended with crows around. The most fantastic feeling of joy!!! The Trivendrum Temple looked wonderful with engraving of the Hindu deities. The palace of the king was let open for the tourists. It was full of royal gifts. The architecture was worth the note.The colorful homes painted in bright shades, the wonderful landscapes, the roaring shores, the sneaky back waters, the beautiful skies, the morning bliss and eternal memory of being there and the togetherness of love, affection, dream and ambitions left behind again to get back to my present. Back again in the comfort of my own home.Home sweet home!!! I like Kerala for spices, Tea, Churches!
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