Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Kerala Trip Aug 2009

Had been to Kerala in the last week of August 2009,
Places visited:
Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey (Houseboat) Cochin, Gurvayoor, Cherai Beach & Attirpilly waterfalls.
Stay:
Ayur County Resorts, Munnar
Periyar Meadows, Thekkady
Sopanam Heritage, Gurvayoor
Hotel Mermaid, Cochin
Houseboat stay in ATDC boats
Travel Agent: Cochin Taxis, http://www.cochintaxis.com/

It was 5N/6D trip, well organised, family of 4, me my wife and 2 kids, vehicle was Tata Indigo, out of the all the places, I was bowled over by Munnar for its greenery, it was as if mother earth has been covered with an green carpet, that was the view of the tea estates, being the monsoon season all water falls were gushing with water and landscape was green all around.

Started from Bangalore to Ernakulam by Kochivalli Express, departure at 5:15pm reaches Ernakulam Juction at 4:50am. with kids and overnight journey, didn't want to head to Munnar, checked in at Hotel Mermaid (3*), Cochin @ 5:30 am, had an short nap, did our morning yoga and kriya, freshened up, had breakfast @ 9am, by the time v went to restaurant, most of the items were exhausted, didn't get much options, what was available was good.
Started to Munnar @ 10am, its a 4 hr drive, enroute you get to see 3 falls, Cheriappara water falls, Kallar waterfalls, Vallar waterfalls, and Kardippara view point. only at Kallar waterfalls, v got to get down and play in the water, photos of this place has come out superb, an good desktop wallpaper material, reached munnar @ 2:30pm, had food at Sarvana Bhavan, food is served on traditonal bannana leaf its 100% veg restaurant, oh! we are pakka veggies, kerala known for sea food, it will be difficult to find veg food at all places.

Kallar Falls


Karadippara View Point


Stayed in Munnar for 2 days, sightseeing in Munnar:

Kerala Hydel Park, aka Blossom Park
Floriculture Centre (Flower garden)

Erivikulam National Park - couldn't get to see any animals, had an 2 kms nature walk as it was drizzling had to get umbrella on rent, a pleasant waterfall is what v get to see.
Mattupetti Dam
Echo Point
Cinema shooting point... perfect view for an dance sequence.
Elephant Arrival spot
Pothenmedu view point
View points....where u get to see valleys, tea estate.. they are amazing mate...
Elephant ride...Rs.200/head for a 15 minutes ride.
We stayed in a Ayur County Resort @ Chinnakannal, its 18kms from Munnar town, the scenery enroute to the resort is fabulous, would recommend to stay in a resort rather then a hotel in Munnar town, so that u don't miss the early morning sunshine in the lush green surroundings.

Blossom Park


View from Ayur County Resort


Falls in Ernakullam National Park



Cinema Shooting point


Next destination Thekkady

Checked in to Periyar Meadows (3*), its in place called Kumili, a good hotel, clean and tidy rooms, good restaurant and quick room service. we visited Periyar Tiger Reserve, took a 2 hr boat ride in Periyar river, had few deer sighting, seats in the boat are not fixed, it kept very close to each other, v hardly have leg room, enjoyed the view and ride I would say. Its a good place for shopping, close to hotel you have many shops selling crafts, cloths, etc....
getting Veg food was disaster here, when I say veg restaurant, we are looking for an 100% veg restaurant, only after having our dinner v found a good veg restaurant. Apart from boat ride in Periyar river, you have Kathakalli dances, Karadipattu an traditional marhal arts

Periyar Meadows Hotel, Thekkady


Periyar Tiger Reserve


Other place visited:
Guruvayoor Temple
and 
the amazing Attirpalli Water Fall



returned by flight from Cochin and Bangalore by GoAir


Thanks to Ajit of Cochin Taxis for well organised trip.


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