Break from backpacking...
As we've decided to go for the glam option and take a guided tour to Munnar. Our train journey from Alleppey again left a lot to be desired - though this one might have been our own fault, as we paid 35 INR (~45c) to get our 2nd class unreserved ticket for our two hour journey to Kochi. Dani squished in between a family, five to a bench that is designed to fit three. Stuart had the more spacious option - sitting on the floor. More spacious until an Indian boy sat on his feet for half the journey. The fear of not getting off the train was real too, as a scrum of people rushing to get on the train have no regard for your want of getting off. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Thankfully we were able to barge our way out, and another train station (and maybe our last!), as we set foot in Ernakulam (just outside Kochi). We splashed out for a night in a 3-star hotel, Senate by Nextel, a whopping €17.50 for the night. Again, a break from backpacking and living like the locals, as we went for home comforts, and found ourselves in a McDonald's again (this time by choice, unlike the need of sanctuary like last time) - not gonna lie, it was pretty good.
After two nights on the houseboat an early one was needed. We fell into such a deep sleep that we didn't notice the army of mosquitoes that seemed to take a liking to us overnight - if ever in Kochi, bug spray 24/7 is essential.
Only a quick stopover for the night, as we headed off the next morning at 8a.m. on a tour to Munnar, with our driver for the next 3 days, Pilson. Thankfully, he could drive like a sane person, which was refreshing to see - only took 6 weeks. We set off on a ~3 hour drive, eventually heading up the mountain roads to reach Munnar. Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, and cultivating other herbs, plants, and spices, for ayurvedic (Indian system of medicine) use.
As such, first stop was an ayurvedic plantation. Apparently everything can cure cancer. Stuart was not impressed.
Next up was the tea museum, where a very enthusiastic man loudly effused the cancer-curing properties of green tea. "Why don't you see animals getting cancer? They eat the green tea leaves - Why do you see cancer in humans?". Stuart was not impressed. The tea was alright though. Thankfully no cancer that needs to be cured!
There were also some waterfalls that weren't too shabby as we continued on up the hills to reach our guesthouse:
We finally made it to our guesthouse, and had a home cooked meal served up to us, before some thunderstorms set in for the night (It's actually cold in Munnar! Well, sometimes), and off to bed we went. We thankfully woke up to this view for breakfast:
After a lazy start to the day, and our driver wondering where we were, we finally emerged for a second day of sightseeing. An actually decent botanic garden:
A pretty impressive dam (apparently there's 39 in Kerala, don't you know):
In which we were able to rent out a paddleboat:
And a very impressive wild elephant:
The real highlight though being the general scenery of Munnar. It really is spectacular:
We finished up our evening with a walk around the town of Munnar with our now-friend Pilson, we bought all three of us a dairy milk (it's unreal over here) - which we think he appreciated:
And back to the guesthouse for our final night in Munnar. A lovely quick tour, and we set off back to Kochi to see what it's really like - spending a couple of nights in the main centre of Fort Kochi - and is our last stop in India before we set off on our first flight, and visit country two. We'll be back in India for a while, so no teary-eyed goodbyes yet. But our Indian adventure is nearing its end!
Big love, Dani & Stu.
Currently Listening to:
As we've decided to go for the glam option and take a guided tour to Munnar. Our train journey from Alleppey again left a lot to be desired - though this one might have been our own fault, as we paid 35 INR (~45c) to get our 2nd class unreserved ticket for our two hour journey to Kochi. Dani squished in between a family, five to a bench that is designed to fit three. Stuart had the more spacious option - sitting on the floor. More spacious until an Indian boy sat on his feet for half the journey. The fear of not getting off the train was real too, as a scrum of people rushing to get on the train have no regard for your want of getting off. Ain't nobody got time for that.
Thankfully we were able to barge our way out, and another train station (and maybe our last!), as we set foot in Ernakulam (just outside Kochi). We splashed out for a night in a 3-star hotel, Senate by Nextel, a whopping €17.50 for the night. Again, a break from backpacking and living like the locals, as we went for home comforts, and found ourselves in a McDonald's again (this time by choice, unlike the need of sanctuary like last time) - not gonna lie, it was pretty good.
After two nights on the houseboat an early one was needed. We fell into such a deep sleep that we didn't notice the army of mosquitoes that seemed to take a liking to us overnight - if ever in Kochi, bug spray 24/7 is essential.
Only a quick stopover for the night, as we headed off the next morning at 8a.m. on a tour to Munnar, with our driver for the next 3 days, Pilson. Thankfully, he could drive like a sane person, which was refreshing to see - only took 6 weeks. We set off on a ~3 hour drive, eventually heading up the mountain roads to reach Munnar. Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, and cultivating other herbs, plants, and spices, for ayurvedic (Indian system of medicine) use.
As such, first stop was an ayurvedic plantation. Apparently everything can cure cancer. Stuart was not impressed.
We finally made it to our guesthouse, and had a home cooked meal served up to us, before some thunderstorms set in for the night (It's actually cold in Munnar! Well, sometimes), and off to bed we went. We thankfully woke up to this view for breakfast:
After a lazy start to the day, and our driver wondering where we were, we finally emerged for a second day of sightseeing. An actually decent botanic garden:
Cannot confirm nor deny whether these cure cancer
A pretty impressive dam (apparently there's 39 in Kerala, don't you know):
In which we were able to rent out a paddleboat:
And a very impressive wild elephant:
The real highlight though being the general scenery of Munnar. It really is spectacular:
We finished up our evening with a walk around the town of Munnar with our now-friend Pilson, we bought all three of us a dairy milk (it's unreal over here) - which we think he appreciated:
And back to the guesthouse for our final night in Munnar. A lovely quick tour, and we set off back to Kochi to see what it's really like - spending a couple of nights in the main centre of Fort Kochi - and is our last stop in India before we set off on our first flight, and visit country two. We'll be back in India for a while, so no teary-eyed goodbyes yet. But our Indian adventure is nearing its end!
Big love, Dani & Stu.
Currently Listening to:
I remember the mad dash on \ off the trains... Rugby barging old ladies. They sometimes will jab you with their elbow in the ribs too
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