Planning
The initial planning was quite difficult as we did not know where to head for. The South India TTK atlas map was so big that we were just guessing places where to head for. Beaches, Mountains or Bangalore. But then, we just had the quest to conquer or explore new destinations in South. What came to our mind was "Kerala" - it was just simply the brand name or probably the ' God Owns Country" that we had to visit. I don’t know how we started our planning - but the Google search was the ultimate experience - God - the websites and the photos of Munnar seemed to be great and when we went there - it was something elicit!!!!!
We did not know how many members would hitch on the rip but we just had to get out to celebrate Christmas!!!!
2 Days of Planning - and we finally settled to a destination called "Munnar" – in Kerala - approx. 12 hours of Drive.
Travellers - Sujoy, Pratima, Nitesh and RajivDate of Travel: 23, 24 and 25th Dec.2006
Day 1 (23rd December, 2006):
As usual, our itinerary was set and we had to leave at sharp 4 in the morning. Since we got slightly wee drunk, the alarm rang at 4. , but Nits. woke us at 5:30 a.m.
Washing his dashing Tata Sierra was hell lot of task to get it ready for the big 12 hour journey. Sujai was on his regular cigs. Early in the morning. We left bang. at 5:30 and could see the vehicles heading to get out of the city. "My god" it’s Christmas Celebrations ----- The two hour drive was quite fast since we covered a great amount of distance. i guess the morning rise helped to cover a great time.
I knew the way from Bangalore to Salem as i had done a couple of rides on the Bike, so till Salem was a smooth ride - i was giving more tips on how to explain more on till Salem route. I had taken tips from Muthu - my RTMC friend -way to Munnar. Our first stop was near Salem - Reliance Petrol Bunk - god damn. We lost 40 minutes to get some Idlis and Dip Tea. It was useless. Some photos shoot at Salem University. The 2nd stop was on the way to Pollachi. We found out that we did not take the Erode -Coimbatore Route since there was heavy Traffic and roads were bad. So the "Chai Wala " suggested to take the Bus route which is quite empty in the day time. A deviation now – and we found out that it was exactly the same. Sujai did take some wrong turns here n there but we managed to hit the Junction at Pollachi. On the way - we found "Aunty's Dhabha" - an amazing place which should be featured in the Lonely Planet - Amazing food at just Rs.30 and she knew English - Rotis, Chicken n Saambar (yummy)
From Pollachi via Chinnar were the ghats - some 80 kms. Ghat Section - it was quite a long journey,,once we entered Kerala, we could feel that Munnar was not far - The Mist n cool breeze real meant that we had come to "Gods own Country " - all the while - i was busy calling Travel Agents for Bookings since it was Christmas time - so we expected lot of rush. We reached Munnar late wee dark - 8ish . So in all - it was hell lot of Driving for Nitesh and Sujai. We finally stayed at "Tristar Resorts " a big resort . On net - it looks awesome - the pics. but on reality - it did not seem so. We tried to bargain a bit but Mr. Jobi did not offer discount. Sujai hit straight for the bed as he was not well. As this was a long ride n the deal we done, was not all that good - we had some drinks. After 2 hours - Mr Sujoy - woke up. As usual - he was n his mood for the drinks. So the night was long as we enjoyed the fresh air of Munnar.
Day 2 (24th December, 2006):
The Tristar People did not treat us well with the food - i guess they ran short of staff or they were too commercialized. Anyways - we paid our resort bill - clicked some fotos and wished the group ,,,”christmas hain bhai” We left for the City so that we could go for the next destination - Cliff huts. Brunch was at the main stop in Munnar - Omlettes, biryani, and Sujoy special - after food - soup. I don’t know how he manages with his tummy but hats off to his drinking and food. Kahi - Steppe kha jati hain ya kabhi kuch khaya hi nahin,,,,,,,, after lunch , i had to get Senthil and Sajan - experts in Trekking - there one of the best Trekking Guides in Munnar. Most of them only cater to Germans and hard core Trekkers,,,,i guess so . you have to be ECO friendly n real understanding as to how the Entire Trekking works out to be. After the deal - we left for "Cliff Huts" with a local guide. So on the way - we saw Mattupetty Dam and some local stuff. we had a Local guide to escort for the entire day. The trip from Munnar to base camp - cliff hut was a nice drive. So we were close to a point near the old Trolley - which is a natural tourist destination. After 2 hours - about 4ish-- we reached the base camp, parked the car, n head bang for the trekking to the Cliff Hut.Trekking - this could be the special thing we had during Christmas - as we never thought it would be such an experience. Within 20 mnts. - all of us were panting like dogs- the extra weight we were carrying n Sujoy who found "steppe" pahari kutta. I dont blame him for this as it was his first time seeing one- lots of mist and leaches we found on the way. The Cliff hut is a private house / rent property owned by the Trackfinder Adventures. Its right up in the mountains in the Western Ghats - you have to have adrenalin to go to these places,,, not that touristic stuff which most of us do. We reached in an hour’s time- "Cliff Hut" by joe - tents, old house, mist, leaches and Steppe. I mean u have to be in such places to get the experience and see it. We relaxed for a while and then decided to do some more trekking, so i had all the gang trekked back to the base camp. The guide had to go back since he had to get some German guests coming the next day. So we trekked with him on the same path,,,,,, after a while he left us and told us to return since it was getting dark.
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Cliff Hut Top- Munnar |
We came back to the base camp – to settle for some snacks. Our drinks were out within no time – as it was getting colder. A few pegs down our belly’s, we were enjoying our Christmas in Munnar. Amidst nature – there is nothing so beautiful that you could ever have. The leeches were causing a problem as we could not sit. Steppe – the Pahari dog was a good company. We soon settle for bed. In the night, I could hear Sujoy – can I have some food. I was totally surprised. What I later came to know was – Steppe (the Pahari Dog) had eater Sujoy’s food – and he could do nothing but have some crispy chips for dinner.
Day 3 (25th December, 2006):
Sunrise was not be missed at Cliff Hut. If we had spent all this time travelling to Munnar – Sunrise was the key attraction, finally, managed to wake Sujoy-m sure – he must have cursed me out. We took a guide to take us to the Top of Cliff Hut. A small trek uphill – 30 minutes climb – was worth the visit. The Sun was not out – and we reached on time. When we reached the Top – a 360 degree of the mountains, tea gardens and the clouds below us. It was an Unbelievable an spectacular sight. I would have less words to describe this place. Absolute beauty in wilderness.
Our Christmas Trip to Munnar was a success and worth the visit.
As the Sun rose high, the clouds faded and we could get a better glimpse of the town. Me and Sujoy froze for moments – just to take a breeze – of the wonderful sight we had seen.
We soon left from the Top to base. Nitesh and Pratima missed the sunrise as they settled for a late morning. Got ready, had heavy breakfast and bid farewell.
On our way back – we stopped for some more shoots, visited a Crocodile farm (Sujoy’s interest) and head fast for Bangalore.
Driving back home was not an easy task. 12 hrs. Nitesh had to take break so that he could catch up on sleep, in the wee hours at night – I helped Sujoy being the navigator. We stopped near Salem for Dinner late night and reached home safe.
Wow – a trip that we will never forget and always be cherished.
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| Sujoy,Rajiv,Nitesh & Pratima - enroute |
