Picturesque Munnar

Alright, here we start our journey to Munnar this morning. And we wanted to have an awesome sambhar wada one more time. Sambhar in Tamil Nadu is the best is what I feel 🙂 We took recommendation from our hotel at checkout and went to Ponmari restaurant. Awesome breakfast before leaving Ooty.

Breakfast – Ponmari restaurant – Hit

Doddabeta peak – Miss

After which we thought of checking out the most publicised view point of Ooty, The Doddabeta peak. It turned out to be a bummer. Far too touristy and chaotic mess in the parking. Went to the parking and the realised no place to park and the route to exit was blocked by parked vehicles too 😦 After wasting 45 mins in the parking, we parked on the road before the parking entry so that we can exit with ease. The peak itself had pretty ordinary views and viewpoint was saturated with people to the point we were getting suffocated. Massive thumbs down to the place.

Unforgettable drive while entering Munnar – Elephants and fog

While cruising towards Munnar, we learnt that we will be crossing Anamalai Tiger Reserve on the way and we couldn’t be happier. Just the sheer possibility of spotting a tiger up and close in the wild gives me adrenaline rush. Who cares even if the probability of actually spotting a tiger is very less. It was about sunset time and drive was very scenic inside the reserve. Greenery all around was already making our road trip worthwhile even though we haven’t arrived at the best location of our road trip so far – which was going to be Munnar.

Just when the sunlight was completely fazing out, we saw a bike parked on the side of the road although parking/stopping is not allowed inside the tiger reserve. Upon paying close attention, we were startled to see two wild elephants on the side of the road. Our car was a mere 20meters or so away from them. It had so happened that the folks on the bike were taking photos of the elephants and the elephants didn’t like the flashlights of the camera. Probably they were taken aback and a bit of commotion followed with the bikers panicking on the spot. Luckily no-one got injured and we drove past that spot. It makes me sad how some of us can get so blind and engrossed in our own little fun world that we completely ignore the fact that even animals are living beings. They also deserve a place on this planet without getting disturbed by our attempts to amuse ourselves.

Moving on, we crossed the tiger reserve and stopped for a cup of tea around 7pm at what appeared to be a very scenic destination in itself. I don’t remember the name of the place, however, I remember the sound of water from a nearby waterfall and greenery all around. Few small guesthouses and stalls. It was a chilled out place for stopping over and getting refreshed with the nature.

Driving in the fog

When we resumed our drive from this place, Munnar was just about an hour away and it started drizzling. Man o man – zero visibility on the roads with fog everywhere. I wasn’t able to see even 5 meters in front of me. Imagine my situation where I had learnt driving just 6 months back and our car was just a month old. Quite interestingly and foolishly – I didn’t even know how to turn on the fog lights.

This stupidity of mine made both of us realise a beautiful observation about human behaviour. While we were parked on the side and figuring out the controls on my driver’s panel – we noticed that every vehicle which was passing us by ensured to stop and enquire about our well being or if we needed any help – that too without we asking for it. It was a moment of reflection for both of us that no matter how much evil surrounds us, there is still humanity left and this is what makes our life worthwhile 🙂

After about 90 mins of struggle with finding the white edges on the sides of the road and with almost zero visibility even with fog lights on, we did manage to reach Munnar late in the evening – safe and sound. One should refrain from driving in the mountains in the late evenings. And if it rains, then driving should be a complete NO.

By the time we reached Munnar, many eateries were closed, and we were lucky to find Casa Montana. The manager and chef were so kind to cook us dinner at around 11pm in the night – Bhendi fry, dal tadka and phulka – exactly what we needed after a gruelling stint of driving.

Day 2

Definitely the most stunning landscape we have seen on the trip so far.

The tea Gardens combined with the misty mountains. Last time we were here in the rainy season but yeah even now in winters, Munnar is so beautiful literally I’m short of words to describe.

Lockhart Gap Road – Hit

Ratish from East Stavanger helped us throughout our stay in Munnar on exceptional things to do. He guided us even before we have we has stayed at booked his property. Gem of a person.

His suggestion Lockhart gap road view point was spot on and this stretch is what gives Munnar the beauty it is known for.

I have been to Munnar and Kerala before but yeah this seems like I have never been here. I am stunned it is so beautiful and normally I am not in the moment (with several thoughts running in my mind) but yeah right now with the scenery in front of my eyes I can’t think of any other thought it is so beautiful. I had been here in 2016 Now it is 2023 7 years of past and I wonder why haven’t been here more often. One can visit this place again and again.

Anayirankal Dam – Hit

Right now, I am at near Anayirankal Reservoir Dam. Standing on the dam and on the one side side, the view of the Reservoir to combine with the tea Gardens, clouds the mountains, on the other side – it is heavenly! The cloudy day like it is today – it is making everything so beautiful. I am short of words to describe it and pictures are also not able to capture the beauty of it and that is when we realise you cant capture the nature’s beauty on camera.

Some snaps from The Silvertips Munnar in Munnar town

Dinner – Casa Montana – Hit

Dinner – Alibaba and 41 dishes – Hit

Stay – Red sparrow – Hit

Last Day – Lockhart Gap road – Again 🙂

We were kept getting drawn to this beautiful stretch and we visited it on the last morning of our Munnar stay and yet again while returning back from Trivandrum. These pics were taken in the morning hours with bright sunshine.

Anayirankal Dam

We couldn’t control ourselves but drive till the dam, even when we were getting late to reach Kollam – our next stop.

Totally worth the delay – Stunning landscapes!!!