Background: I am trying to explore India as much as I can. In my case, it cannot be done in a single mega trip. Hence breaking it down into many small trips.
State: Kerala
Towns/Cities: Munnar, Idukki.
Introduction to Kerala
Kerala’s biggest claim to fame is that George Attokaran hails from this state 😉
The state has a literacy rate of 96%+ and ranks high in HDI (Human Development Index) and also has the lowest population growth rate in India.
One of the smaller states in India.
“Malayalam” is the official language. (The number of languages and dialects in India is just amazing!)
Thiruvananthapuram (formerly, Trivandrum) is the capital city of the state.
The main tourist regions of the state are: Alapuzha (Backwaters), Kasaragod (Backwaters), Wayanad (Forests & Hills), Munnar (Hills), Thekkady (Forests), Kovalam (Beach) Etc.
Probably due to the relatively smaller size of the state, the state has very few multi-lane highways, which makes long drives quite tiring, unlike in the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
My experiences
Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Idukki, Kerala. On the way to Munnar … There was quite a crowd when we reached there. In general, Munnar was severely crowded as it was the last weekend before schools reopened after the summer break. Munnar area has quite narrow roads and when the number of vehicles increase, it creates issues …The nearby Valara Waterfalls … I could not locate any easy way to get closer to the falls 🙂 So this was it.Lunch @Spice Aromas Open Air Restaurant, near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala. We were early for lunch and only a few customers were there. The food was very nice and the ambience was even better!Fish Pollichathu (fish coated in rich masala and wrapped in banana leaves) … @Spice Aromas Restaurant, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.And of course, a weakness of mine … Porotta! Love it with spicy dishes. But cannot have it often as it is not exactly the poster child for “healthy eating” 🙂 Spice Aromas Restaurant, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.It was, expectedly, quite a wet weekend in Munnar. Along with the rains came the fog. The famous tea estates of Munnar …It was, expectedly, quite a wet weekend in Munnar. Along with the rains came the fog. The famous tea estates of Munnar …It was, expectedly, quite a wet weekend in Munnar. Along with the rains came the fog. The famous tea estates of Munnar … Idukki, Kerala.It was, expectedly, quite a wet weekend in Munnar. Along with the rains came the fog. The famous tea estates of Munnar … Idukki, Kerala.It was, expectedly, quite a wet weekend in Munnar. Along with the rains came the fog. The famous tea estates of Munnar … Idukki, Kerala.Macofa Chocolate Factory, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala. Frankly, I think it is quite over-rated. The chocolates were hokey, just about. It was quite crowded when we were there.Macofa Cocoa Roastery, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.A nice view of the rolling hills of Munnar … Wish it was Sunny 🙂A nice view of the rolling hills of Munnar … Wish it was Sunny 🙂A nice view of the rolling hills of Munnar … Wish it was Sunny 🙂Mattupetty Dam … Was alarmed to see the very low water levels. You can note the marks where water levels reach after monsoon season. Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.Mattupetty Dam … Was alarmed to see the very low water levels. You can note the marks where water levels reach after monsoon season. Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.Views … On the way to Top Station.Views … On the way to Top Station.Views … On the way to Top Station. Around this time, the clouds cleared and it was quite hot and sunny.Views … On the way to Top Station. Around this time, the clouds cleared and it was quite hot and sunny.Views … From Top Station. Top Station offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Western Ghats, tea plantations, and misty valleys. And it was very crowded. Once you park your vehicle, there is roughly 1km walk to the view point. You need to purchase a nominally-priced ticket. There are many stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, drinks Etc.Another nice view of Top Station … Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.Another nice view of Top Station … Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.Muthirapuzha River which feeds the Mattupetty Dam … Look at the extremely low water levels. There was a bus full of college students at this location when we were there.Muthirapuzha River which feeds the Mattupetty Dam … Look at the extremely low water levels. There was a bus full of college students at this location when we were there.Munnar Tea Museum … Munnar, Idukki, Kerala. Man, was it crowded! 🙂 For the ticket price, it is worth a visit. Quite a small museum though.They have a few artifacts from the British Era … Munnar Tea Museum, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.We can view the machinery used to process the harvested Tea leaves …Different varieties of Tea … From coarse to fine.The museum also has a gift shop … Quite pricey though.The variety of Tea products were mind-boggling …Lunch at Prakriti Restaurant … Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala. We had to wait for close to 45min to get table, the restaurant was that crowded even though we arrived at 2PM which I would think is past the peak time. The staff was very efficient and they managed the crowd very well. The food was also worth the wait …Had Prawns Masala with the Meals and it was awesome! Prakriti Restaurant, Near Munnar, Idukki, Kerala.View of the Periyar River from Keerathodu View Point … On way to Idukki from Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala.View of the Idukki Dam from the terrace of our resort in Idukki town, Kerala.View of the Idukki Dam from the terrace of our resort in Idukki town, Kerala.Kalvari Mount Viewpoint … Well worth the visit. The views of the Idukki Dam were amazing! Idukki, Kerala.Kalvari Mount Viewpoint … Well worth the visit. The views of the Idukki Dam were amazing! Idukki, Kerala.Kalvari Mount Viewpoint … Well worth the visit. The views of the Idukki Dam were amazing! Idukki, Kerala.Kalvari Mount Viewpoint … Well worth the visit. The views of the Idukki Dam were amazing! Idukki, Kerala.Kalvari Mount Viewpoint … Well worth the visit. The views of the Idukki Dam were amazing! Idukki, Kerala.Idukki Dam … From the other side.View of a huge cargo ship … From the Seagull Restaurant, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala.View of a huge cargo ship … From the Seagull Restaurant, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala.Beef Roast … Seagull Restaurant, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala. We had a long wait, almost 1 hour! The food was quite mediocre, but the ambience was nice, a chilled atmosphere.Fish Curry … Was quite average IMHO.Prawns Curry … Again, was quite average IMHO.And ….. Porotta! 🙂
