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.
Tea plants
View of the Western Ghats, S India's mountains
Coffee
Pimp my rickshaw
Fellow Pole. We're everywhere
Grapefruit
Pepper - grows like a vine
Kids, always happy to get their picture taken
Pineapple, of course
Since everything dies down in India
around 10 PM, we called it an early night, ready to set off for Kochi
in the morning.
And to all of you as well!