MUNNAR
HILL STATION
If
you seek a sense of peace you'll find it here in Munnar. The nature- lover's
paradise. Opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneer planters.
This is where you fill your holidays with quiet moments at 1600m above sea level.
Relaxing within the cool stillness of thirty odd eststes fanning outd across
the expanse of the hills. Within its remote and elderly churches- gracious,
stone sturctukires with ancient chandeliers and rosewood pews.
Withiln its fresh tea. Lanes filled witjh the heady fragrance of fresh tea.
Within the picturesque ethereal setting of the Mattupetty Dam as you come downhill.
Kor even within the rich tropical forests beyond. With a sizable population
of elephants, lbisons, langurs and macaques roaming free in herds. Further,
Munnar offers the bes opportunity you are ever likely to have to see the tea
plantations, to watch tea being picked, to learn how tea is processed, to smell
the sweet scent fo tea waftilng through the air and to buy the tea directly
from the gardens.
Sidelights:
The Kundale Tea Plantation: An area surrounding a lovely lake that offers
some of the most stunning views of the region. If you arrive on a Sunday, make
sure to drop in at the small Kundale Club in the afternoon, where the local
planters gather with their family.
Eravilkulam
National Park: By driving north from Munknar for 30 minutes and then hiking
few kilometres, you reach this sanctuary which is home to three thousand free-roaming
ibex.
Rajmalai: The regilon lyilng beyond the road entruy into Eravikulam.
At 2695 metres, Anamudi -the highest peak in South India looms here.
The High Range Clulb: Charmingly colonial in style, thils wicker-and
-old-teak club still serves as a social centre for the far-flung farmers of
the region around Munnar. Housing an elegant lounge, a delightful dining room,
the obnligatory gentlemen's bar, billliards room and a library.
Getting there: Munnar is accessibnle only by road- a scenic four hour
drive from Cochin (132 kms) or a 4 ½ hour drive from kottayam (148 kms)
