windblown: Munnar - mmm mmm tea

We came to Munnar late in the evening, and faced a big problem – finding a decent budget hotel. Most places were full. Running from hotel to hotel and slowly running out of options, we decided to stay at Kaippallil Homestay. Picturesque some time ago, the room was now dingy, with peeling paint and mold stains on the ceiling. We asked for a change of sheets, only to receive ones either ripped in half or full of enormous holes. To top it off, the shower head was missing. The evening was redeemed by a dinner with a sweet German couple, who found themselves with the same problem.

Sneak attack of the paparazzi on the bus

The next morning, we started looking for another place, only to be faced with a similar situation. One of the hotels had a sister location, Greenwood Cottage, outside of town, and one last room was available. We signed on enthusiastically, only to be once again sorely disappointed. To wash up, we had to use a bucket “shower” (some might say a folky experience), and the family of staff was rather unpleasant. But at least it was clean.

And at least we didn't spend too much time inside. The next morning, we took a day long trek throughout the countryside. Beautiful rolling hills, full of tea plants that formed a lush green carpet, delighted us. We were in nature's supermarket, fruit and spices at hand's reach. We saw banana, grapefruit and papaya trees, as well as coffee, cardamon, nutmeg, lemongrass, clove and pepper plants, among others. The aromas in the air were heady. After a long, sweaty day, we were only too happy to relax on the homestay's veranda.