Munnar trip - 3

September 4, Sunday

It was very encouraging to see that the morning was indeed bright and sunny. That gave us hope of doing some trekking as we planned yesterday.

We reached Kallar (about 10 km from Munnar town) by cab. From there, we travelled another 8 km, uphill on a rough stretch of road by a jeep. We were accompanied by a guide.

From around 10 am for about three hours, we climbed rocky hills treading rough paths that had bushes and weeds on either sides. 

Because of rain, the vegetation was thick, and the slopes were slippery. 

Needless to say, the view from atop the hills was breathtakingly beautiful.

View from top of one of the hills

We got back to Kallar, and then back to Munnar town by 2 pm. After lunch, we got back to the hotel by around 3 pm.

As we expected, it began to rain in the afternoon, forcing us to spend the rest of the day in the hotel. 

September 5, Monday

Our last day in Munnar. 

After breakfast, Henry and I walked to the Botanical Garden, which is 5 km from the hotel. 

We could have taken a taxi or an autorickshaw, like everyone else. But our objective was to walk. It took us one hour to cover the 5 km.

The view while we walked to the Botanical Garden.

The garden is not too big. There are many varieties of plants, but what struck us most was the large variety of different cacti. One can buy plant saplings from there.

After spending about 45 minutes, Henry and I walked back to the hotel, in time for the checkout at 12 noon.

The Botanical Garden is known for the collection of cacti.

It was a lovely three-day stay at Munnar. Normally, it's rain-free time at this time of the year. But thanks to the erratic climatic patterns, every day we had drizzle / rains in the afternoon / evening.

At 1.45 pm, we got on to a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus to Aluva.

All through our 5-hour bus journey, it was raining. Hats off to the bus driver for navigating the twists and turns of the hilly terrain safely.

Our train from Aluva to Bengaluru was at around 9.30 pm. But it was delayed by around 30 minutes. We reached back our home the next day morning around 10.

September 8, Thursday

Today was Thiruonam - the most popular cultural festival of Keralites. 

According to Hindu mythology, Onam is the time when Mahabali, the benevolent king, comes visiting his former subjects. In Kerala, the festival is marked by various cultural programmes. Thiruonam is the last day of the 10-day Onam.

Making floral designs is a part of Onam celebrations.
This one was at my brother-in-law's house.

We had a good family time at my brother-in-law's home. We were glad to have Henry for the special Onam feast, called Onasadya.

September 9, Friday

Henry left for Delhi by Rajdhani Express train at 8 pm. After a few days there, he will spend nearly a month trekking and mountaineering in the Himalayas, before he returns home in North Shields, northeast England.