06/07/2011
Hill stations have always been a soother for me. Even though always caught up with work, I try to get out on a refreshing journey at least twice a year with a couple of good buddies. This time, during our annual leave, we tried a family holiday with friends. A group of 5 families started our journey to Munnar from Ernakulam. One of the friends had booked a mini bus so enjoyed the drive instead of having to concentrate on driving. The kids in the team livened the trip with songs and games and four and a half hours got over soon. We halted at Cheeyapara waterfalls. Picnicked here with the packed lunch. Enjoyed the sprays from the gushing waters but none of us ventured too near the falls being monsoon season. After resting awhile we continued the uphill journey. The curves in the road and drizzling rain made the drive slow. We enjoyed the view of tea gardens at close quarters. Reached Munnar and settled into the homestays booked by us. We got rooms in two different properties so the gang spilt up into two and got together in the evening to visit the busy town of Munnar. Munnar has developed a lot since I last visited about 8 years back or rather become cluttered. Reminds me of the rush of Ooty and Kodaikanal towns. The evening mist and chilli breeze was soothing and we enjoyed a camp fire at the hotel.The next day was busy, we started with visit to Eravikulam. The trek through the national park was enjoyed by all. The kids were thrilled as it was their first time through the wild. Didn’t see the Nilgiri Tahr but nevertheless the time spent here was enjoyable with mist covered ranges. Our next visit was to Blossom park and later to Kundala dam. We walked on the narrow pathway atop the dam but didn’t go in for boating here. We also went to Echo point, one of the scenic spots of Munnar. Our last part of the day was saved for Mattupetty. Here we went for boating and some also tried horse riding. Kids also enjoyed cycling here. Time flew by and soon it was evening and time to go back to the rooms. Our next day was even more exciting as it was to Marayoor. For many of us in the group, it w as the first time we were visiting the sandalwood area of Kerala.The road was flanked by tea estates and occasional waterfalls but the scene changed as we neared the area of Marayoor. The air is cooler here and one comes under the rain shadow area. Sandalwood trees are the treasure here. We visited the the sandalwood factory run by the Forest Department. Another major attraction here was the Muniyaras, or the stone coffins, which date back to the Neolithic period. The look like stone slabs resting on vertical rocks. Marayoor is also an area of sugarcane cultivation. Infact the best quality of ‘sharkkara’ comes from here so we all bought some for our homes. We rested at the childrens park. This park is unique as its formed under the canopy of a single Banyan tree and spreads across a hectare of land. The tme spent at this park was wonderful. Later in the day we visited the nearby Thoovanam Waterfalls. Due to shortage of time, we had to cut down the visit to the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. We had to reach Munnar before dark. It was a tiring day and the drive back was uneventful as most of us slept. That was the end of our group tour and next morning we started back home, bidding bye to Munnar.

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