Don didn’t fare too well on the trip as the driver was a madman who stopped for nothing. He had his barf bag ready but managed to not have to use it...
We stayed about 10 kms outside the town of Munnar in a tree house overlooking the tea hills...
It had a great balcony that stretched across the front and sides with lanterns and lights in the trees at night...
Down below was the kitchen and bar area where we enjoyed some great food and conversation with the other guests...
One early morning we joined Sri, a local trekking guide for a 12 km hike to the top of a local hill and through the magnificent tea gardens...
We were joined by Lewis, a young traveler from England and after a cup of tea we were off...
Until 1790, Munnar and the surrounding area were forest covered, when they were first recognized by the European known as Duke of Wellington. Later in the year 1870, the leader of the area leased 588 sq. km of land to a Scottish tea planter named J.D. Munro, who was the lawyer in the employee of the Travancore Government. The first tea sapling was planted by A.H. Sharp at Parvathi, which is currently the part of Sevenmullay estate. Presently the whole area is covered by the miles and miles of lush tea gardens, owned by the various private companies including the Tata Group, one of the richest families in India.
Some of the scenery as we walked through the tea plantations...
The tea plants are not very high but seem to be many shades of green in the early morning light with the mists in the valley...
As we climbed higher the villages got smaller...
The tea is planted on every surface especially on the sides of the hills. Munnar is 1600 metres above sea level and rarely gets hot, so the cool, misty climate is ideal for tea growing.
And we kept on climbing...
Until we got to the first ledge...
The views from there were stunning...
We had a wonderful Indian breakfast prepared by Sri’s wife, the dal which is a lentil curry was delicious!
This was served with fresh bread, roti and fresh pineapple on the side.
We felt like we were all alone on top of the world and then the mist rolled in as we were about to make it to the very top...
However it was so refreshing and beautiful...
But we made it!
At the very top there is a cross as this is also a pilgrimage trail with the 12 stations of the cross at various stops along the way. It is very popular for Christians at Easter to do this trail...
Don was happy to see someone left walking sticks which he claimed for on the way down...
Now to go back down...
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