Day- 1

From Thodupuzha to Vengalloor

We left my hometown ,Thodupuzha, at around six in the morning to start off our journey into Munnar, a hill station located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The ride kicked off with some fresh morning air along with the excitement of what laid ahead of us. We soon passed by Vengalloor, which had marked the beginning of our journey, as we traveled through the jam-packed streets and winding roads of Idukki.

Our unplanned visit to the stunning Perumbankuthu Waterfalls was one of the trip's early pleasures. Nothing could have truly prepared us for the utter splendor of what was to come. All of us stood in wonder, spellbound and amused by the grandeur and beauty of the falls. The waterfall, surrounded by dense bamboo forests, was nestled in a peaceful and quiet location. We couldn't help but be amazed by the splendor of nature that awaited us at such an early hour and it was ‘the most’ perfect way to begin our adventure to Munnar.

A Warm Welcome

After our stop at Perumbankuthu Waterfalls, we continued our journey, heading towards Mankulam. There we were warmly greeted by Sr. Mercy, a close relative, at the convent. It was a lovely break from the road and we were able to relax and even share a meal with her. From Mankulam, we then set off for the village of Anakulam where we were greeted by the growls and snorts of baby elephants nearby and had spent some time taking pictures and watching them.

After bidding farewell to Sr. Mercy, we moved on towards our final destination: Munnar. We arrived at around 5:30 to 6 in the evening, just as the rain began to pour down. The sound of raindrops hitting the car roof was soothing and the air had a refreshing coolness which by far was the perfect escape from the humidity and sticky heat of Idukki.

As we finally entered Munnar, I was mesmerized by the sight of endless tea gardens across the hillsides. It was my first time seeing what tea gardens really looked like up close and I stood there wonderstruck by the spectacular sight. The rows of lush green bushes seemed to stretch across the landscape resembling a giant, living carpet. I was too overwhelmed that I found myself wondering what it must feel like for the people there who get to call such a magnificent place their ‘HOME’.

Journeying Through Munnar’s Charm

As we continued our exploration of Munnar, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the people who lived there. The tea workers were seen carrying huge bundles of freshly plucked tea leaves, something which I had only seen in textbooks till then. The homes of the locals, who were all dressed up in warm clothes, were scattered across the hills and some even stood at the very tops. As we made our way down the streets, we passed by small shops on either side of the road selling everything ranging from toys and clothes to food items. The signs were mostly written in Tamil and plenty of fancy resorts and restaurants too dotted the area.

We then proceeded to venture on to the Gap Road, a spot famous for its panoramic views. By this time, the sky had turned dusky and the rain had drenched us completely. Thick fog had gushed into the surroundings and it was phenomenal to stand there, feeling the cool wind on my skin. We soon found a small stall selling corn on the cob and couldn’t resist stopping for a warm and comforting snack at such an hour.As we chatted with the vendor, I noticed that there were people from other states as well. The small stall where we bought our corn was perched at the edge of a massive cliff leading on to an endless valley below.

After a short break,we then finally made our way to the Great Escape Resort, Munnar where we were greeted with some warm herbal tea by the welcoming staff. The scent of the tea coupled with the comfort of such a lovely space was exactly what we needed after our long tiring journey.

After dinner, we decided to take a stroll around the resort’s beautifully curated open area, filled with wildflowers, trees and soft, bright lights. We soon headed to our rooms for a much-needed rest.

Day-2

Woke Up in Heaven

We woke up at around 8 AM in the morning and I was taken aback by the fog which had shrouded us on all sides. Seeing my excitement, the security guard explained of how this was what they woke up to everyday. To them, the mist seemed quite ordinary but for someone like me it felt as though I got to experience a piece heavenly glory right on earth. It was entirely different from the Kerala that I had known—a far cry from the familiar images of coastal tropical beaches and the usual city streets.

We soon checked out of the resort and began our journey towards the Mattupetty Dam where we went for boating.

Adventure and Memories to Last a Lifetime

At the Mattupetty Dam, the person who rowed our boat was a lively and a bit too adventurous Tamil lad who seemed quite determined to show off his boating skills. His attempts to flaunt his abilities quickly turned into a nerve-wracking ride and was supposed to be a peaceful boating experience became an adrenaline-fueled situation. With every sudden turn, I couldn’t help but grip the sides of the boat tightly. After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the shore and all of us let out a sigh of relief.

From there, we went on to the Echo Point located in the Kannan Devan Hills. As we arrived, we could hear people shouting all sorts of things and soon enough my brother and father joined in the fun. Me and my mother chose to sit back and watch it all as it took place.

After spending some time at the Echo Point, we headed to The Silvertips which was basically an old theater that had been turned into a hotel. We didn’t stay there for long but it was definitely a cool spot to visit.The next stop was the Bison Valley, where we visited the home of a relative. As the day neared to an end, we had to start our journey back to Idukki. In short, Munnar had surely given us moments of wonder, laughter and above all memories that would stay with us for a lifetime.