Kerala, the legend goes, is “God’s Own Country”. Spend a few weeks there and you will in your soul know why it is called so..........so many places to see; but to savour the spirit of Kerala you will do well to spend a few days at Munnar..........a not very big town in the Western Ghats range, ensconced in hills about 1700 metres above sea level.
Though only a small settlement some 150 years ago, British planters seeking suitable environment for Tea plantations began settling there, the beginning of a “Hill Station” for the British Raj elite in South India; and later the post-Independence elite, Government and civilian.
The old world charm still lingers, the broad streets lined with shops, hotels and restaurants to cater to the fancies of tourists from all over the world. And the speciality of the city seems to be home-made chocolates! So many flavours to boggle your imagination and leave a lingering regret that you cannot take home all of them.
Hotels and accommodations are aplenty ; basic large rooms with multiple beds to the OYO rooms to the most luxurious. Often there is no “service charge” for there is no room service- you get meals- very good meals- at some steps away. The Marwari meals at the restaurant of the Sujatha Inn are superb. Of course you can have meals of your choice at the literally hundreds of eating places lining the major and minor streets.
For proper sight-seeing, a personal/private car would be nice, though all sorts of vehicles are available for hire. Moving towards Medupatty Dam, the Rose Garden is a couple of kilometres; worth a stopover.
and then you will move on through the Tea plantations; the green terraced fields by the hill slopes, like waves of the sea, just awesome. Tea sales outlets are there every few kilometre .....Medupatty Lake is a perennial favourite; a serene lake created by a dam, surrounded by the awe-inspiring mountain range...............take a speedboat ride for that “heart in mouth” experience; of course more sedate boat rides are also available, but it is a good idea to book in advance. There are a couple of reasonably good eating places, with fast food and traditional goodies.
