• About
    • Testing
  • Basking in Glory
  • Marathon Bloggers
  • Path to Fitness
  • Reading Corner
  • Sin-A-Mon : The Food Tales
  • Song on my Mind
  • The Header Story
  • The past thoughts
  • Thru My Lens

Monika's World

~ Monika's World : Some memories I am trying to treasure in a busy life

Monika's World

Tag Archives: tea

Tea Heaven Munnar : The journey from Bangalore

22 Monday Jun 2009

Posted by monikamanchanda in Highway Travels - the mad couples travel tales

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

bangalore, kerala, munnar, safari, tea, tea heaven, tirupur

12noon – 11th june 2009

N Experienced a feeling of excitement for the ensuing maiden voyage to Munnar cocktailed with trepidation about successfully collecting and packing paraphernalia mostly called out by M, but alas a few of them are also imagined by M which N would get to know enroute when the item’s purpose is born 🙂

At 3 pm the Safari commenced with the first tentative steps encumbered with M, N & O. DICOR is sufficiently warmed up beyond Hosur by 4pm, the Safari shedded its elephant garb charging away headlong leaving behind unsuspecting defeated vehicles. The up-to-time sunny disposition turned cloudy and lashed the sprinting Safari with a deluge of water before MNOS (M,N,O & Safari) accost Krishnagiri at 1545hrs and immediately halt to pay Rs.25/- at the toll booth.

Dharmapuri (123km) whizzed past at 5pm and 3×3 NH7 was impeccable. When one looked at the speedo mostly showing speeds above 120+ KMPM and the tranquility MN&O were tranquil never feeling a single vibration. Toll vasuul really happened. MNO shelled out another Rs.48/- just after Dharmapuri and were wondering whether it would be, pay and use all through. Out of nowhere, circuitous ghats appeared coupled with speed breakers slowing down the entourage. Due to prior knowledge of the highway-widening/construction-NH7 upto Salem and a little beyond from here, MNOS test waters of SH20 at Thoppur and ramble along to Mettur (180km-1800hrs) briefly glancing Mecheri enroute.

The Mettur dam walls, one of the largest dams in India looming ahead MNO took a 15minute peat-puja+chai stop. On exiting Mettur the scenery on the right was of a long mountain covered in greenery with the setting SUN creating a collage of colours in the visible skyline. The remnants of the claustrophobic metro existence endured back home on a day-in and day-out basis dissolved without a trace. Arrived at Bhavani (221km) famous for Sangameswarar Temple located at the confluence of river Cauvery & Bhavani which draws a large number of Pilgrims throughout the year, at 1907hrs to reconnect with our long lost friend NH7.

At Avinashi (276km-2006hrs) on the NH7, MNO swung left into Tiruppur and called it quits for the day. Export surplus garments, excellent chettinad food and deep slumber kept MNO busy the rest of the night.

On Day2 at 0730hrs the tripmeter reading 291km the Safari sprang to life munched away the 15 odd kilometers to Palladam. Suddenly one could see wind mills randomly lined up on either side upto the end of the horizon. Breakfast was voraciously gobbled at Udumelpet (351km) from 0840 hrs to 0910 hrs though it was pathetic.

DSC05534

Anamalai Tiger reserve checkpost in Pollachi (366km) at 9.35 barred our way to note the MNOS details in a register and took Rs.25 as the disgusting ‘maamul’. The reasonably straight highway road was accompanied on either side by undulating plains with dry bush which slowly but steadily altered into greener winding ghat sections. MNO were lucky to spot a fawn by the road side trying to apply the road crossing techniques. At one of the spots from the road MNO could spot a huge water fall down in the valley. Sign boards stated that one must not stop and get off vehicles in this part of the forest. M&N wondered how they would react if a tiger signaled for a lift in the Safari by the roadside. They were sure O would be pleased with Tiger for company. On spotting a deserted coconut water shop in the middle of a thick jungle M&N concluded that this was a decoy setup by the tiger to grab innocent visitors.

DSC05552

DSC05549

DSC05540

Marayoor (390km-1026hrs) whizzed past and the first tea estates were spotted. From here to Munnar M&O frequently stopped to picture the orderly tea plantations. It was amazing to gaze at slopes covered with tea bushes ranging from 1.5 feet to 3 feet. The color of the tea leaves ranged from yellowish green leaves to dark green leaves. All the bushes in a slope were almost of the same height give or take a few inches.

DSC05554

DSC05561

DSC05565

MNOS crawled into Munnar town by 1130hrs and drove into the resort about 15 kms away by 1230hrs. The last 3 kms was a steep climb in one lane mud paths with a sheer drop on one side and the mountain face on the other side. At some of the points the climbing gradient felt like it was 60degrees and one felt that if the Safari stopped mid way for any reason, one would have to come back to the base of the gradient and attempt to climb all the way up. The Safari groaned and creaked in the first gear most of the way in the last mile.

DSC05607

DSC05690

The resort was right up there in the clouds. Weather makeover every 30minutes was a given. Clouds would engulf the resort reducing the visibility to 10mts and leaving people wet if one spent more than 30minutes in the open and suddenly metamorphose into a resplendent sun lit place basking the entire valley and the nearby mountains laden with all the surreal greenery.

The stay at the resort for 3 nights and 4 days was extremely soothing and peaceful. The days were spent in lazily sauntering around the tea estate of the resort or crawling around in the Safari in Munnar or to some nearby tourist attraction. Managed to speed boat in the Mattupetty lake driven more by stuntman than a boatman who impressed everyone with crazy high speed twists and turns. On the far shore MNO spotted Bison’s gazing peacefully.

DSC05620

On an other day MNOS drove to top station 40km from Munnar only to be deprived the pleasure of a fantastic view by O who refused to leave the Safari and walk / be-prammed / be-godhidly-carried the last 50mts to the point.

The visit to the tea museum lasted all of 20minutes before O decided that he had other interesting pursuits resulting in immediate abandonment and appeasement of O.

All the nights were spent in the company of Russian spirits, which warmed the souls of M&N and they never felt the cold nights.

With a rich haul of Munnar tea varieties, Honey, spices, home made chocolates MNOS started back on day5 from Munnar town at 13.30hrs and reached Bangalore at 2345hrs via the same route thoroughly refreshed and energetic for onslaught of the monotonous Bangalore life!

The trip table for the journey is as follows

Banglore-Munnar

Place Time Kms
DAY 1
Home 15:00 0 OOR, Jail road
Hosur 15:45 31 NH7
Krishangiri 16:30 79.8 NH7
Dharampuri 17:00 122.6 NH7
Thoppur 17:21 151.3 Take right towards SH 20
Mecheri 17:41 168 SH 20
Mettur 18:00 180 Took a tea break here for 15 mins
Bhavani 19:07 221 SH 20
Avinashi 20:06 276.3 SH 20
Tirupur 20:15 280 Take left on SH 166
Night Halt at Hotel Mariam 20:45 285.6
DAY 2
Tirupur 7:27 291 Take right on SH19
Palladam 7:48 306
Udamalpet 8:39 351.2 Had breakfast break here for 30 mins started back at 9:10
Pollachi Tiger Reserve Check post 9:35 366
Maryoor 10:26 389.6
Munnar Town 11:50 422 Take right in front of Kurunji gift shop on Letcmi Road
Camelot 12:25 434

The return journey

Continue reading →

Like it, Share it

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Munnar in Pictures

18 Thursday Jun 2009

Posted by monikamanchanda in travel, vacation

≈ 48 Comments

Tags

heaven, munnar, pics, tea, vacation

So I am back…had a fantastic vacation, Munnar is truly the tea heaven…

so what have all of u been upto… still have to catch up on the blogs… 6 days and reader says 800 unread posts… will slowly catch up 🙂

Till then I leave you with some snaps, the stories and travelogue will follow soon

DSC05535

DSC05563

DSC05610

DSC05620

Like it, Share it

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

hot tea under a tree (post no 31)

03 Wednesday Jun 2009

Posted by monikamanchanda in NaBloPoMo

≈ 41 Comments

Tags

Abc Wednesday, ABC Wednesday round4, family, hubby, NaBloPoMo, Ojas, tea, trees

Its time for ABC Wednesday again and this time its T….

So T is for Tea… I think I have mentioned this before here too that how addicted I am to my morning cup of tea… cant get to open my eyes without it…

And how I enjoy my morning tea with N and Ojas in the balcony… the feeling is contentment

p_687154

T is also for trees, something I think all of should understand the importance of…. I think tress are the tonly things that can save mother earth

Both me and N love trees and this is how the front of my house looks like from my terrace

DSC05843

PS: I tried to take a panaroma but I think there is a slight overlap will try and replace the pic….

and this is how my street looks like from the terrace

DSC05845

I think I am extremely lucky to be living in a place that is so green…. and U can see here it becomes colorful in spring

Me and N have also taken a pledge that as long as possible we will plant a tree on each of Ojas bday

This is the one we planted for his birth (a little late actually understandable isnt it)

DSC05848

and this for his 1st birthday

DSC05849

PS: And this is the last post of my blog-a-thon but celebration is another post

Like it, Share it

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Me, Myself and me

bundle of contradictions, a working independent woman, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a traveler and ya a blogger :)

Like it?

Subscribe in a reader

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 8,260 other followers

or get it in ur mail

Subscribe to Monika's World by Email

or make it ur favorite

Add to Technorati Favorites
Bookmark and Share

Or follow me in networked blogs

NetworkedBlogs
Blog:
Monika's World
Topics:
 
Follow my blog

Show some love err like on FB

Monika's World

Promote Your Page Too

Will always be proud of April 2011

Proud to be listed in

Best Blogs of India

Member at

India Counts

Also at

Visit blogadda.com to discover Indian blogs

My IndiRank

monikamanchanda.wordpress.c...
81/100

The Celeb Moment at BlogAdda

Would love to hear from u

SO WHAT WOULD DO U BUY FOR UR CHILD?

CAN WE HAVE A AMOL ARTE PLEASE

THE WEDDING STORY

A MOTHER OF THREE DAUGHTERS : GOD SAVE HER

DO U STAND UP?

THE MOST IMPORTANT YEARS REALLY

A SUNDAY FOR ALL RELIGIONS

AND THREW HIM DOWN THE STAIRS

EDUCATION A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE?

THE AUTO SAGA

Your precious words

Santhosh on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
nikita on Ladoo for the Elephant Go…
Manish on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Sima on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Rebecca on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Santhosh on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Zarine Kharas on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
shruti artsycraftsym… on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Rajlakshmi on Heroes of the Mountains : An o…
Srabani Rao on Screen time : a permanent deba…

RSS Sin A Mon Tales : for the foodie in u

  • Of being busy, Sabudana Vrat Namkeen & Weekly Menu
    I have been terribly busy for the past sometime. No time to breathe, too much work kind of busy. An exciting new consulting whose details I would share with all of … Continue reading →
  • Diwali Special Moong Dal Ladoos
    I chanced upon this video yesterday, about a grandfather missing his family. I was completely engrossed in the emotions of the video, when I realized the Diwali surprise. Watch this till the … Continue reading →
  • Molagapodi Recipe : A guest post by R’s Mom
    I have known R’s mom for a very long time now, been reading her blog for years when she was a mom of one R to now when she is … Continue reading →
  • Menu of the week 21st Sep and a bloggers block
    As it goes the last post I did was the previous Monday and was a menu of the week post. The whole of last week went off with me thinking … Continue reading →
  • Menu of the week 14th Sep and Recipe for Ragi Vermicelli
    It’s been a couple of months now, I have been sharing weekly menus now and the emails & response to this has been overwhelming. I am so glad you think … Continue reading →

Tweet Tweet

  • RT @M_Anantkumar: @VinitaDeshmukh @PMCPune If you really want to buy a tiranga please visit @Indicinspires store in pune Or order online. T… 1 hour ago
  • @MasalaBai Tagging @arundathi9 1 hour ago
  • @GautamGhosh @shantanub @sunayanaroy Aah. Can’t wait to watch. Waiting for this cough to tide over 15 hours ago
  • @sunayanaroy There is SRK in LSC? 16 hours ago
  • @amitvelo This one is beautiful 1 day ago

Looking for something?

Now Reading

Raise your Voice

Plant a tree and Save Earth

together we can make a difference

RSS India Helps

  • Fwd: Urgent appeal for Rahat Floods..
  • Help needed for a baby

Around the world

Locations of visitors to this page

I wrote about

10 day you challenge 55 word fiction 55-er Abc Wednesday ABC Wednesday round4 Abc Wednesday Round 5 Abc Wednesday Round 6 award baking bangalore birthday blogadda blogging book book review books cake Canon SX200 IS car causes to champion contest Delhi dessert drive family feelings Feminism festivals fiction flowers food Friday Feast friends fun garden highway travels india indian just me life love LRP main course Marathon Bloggers memories movie music NaBloPoMo Ojas parenting personal photography pics picture pictures politics project 365 rant recipe review society tag ten on tuesday This and that thursday photo challenge travel travel tales veggies wedding weight Weight loss Weight loss update whole wheat wishes wordless wednesday

The hit thoughts

  • My Name is Madhavi
  • Goa Calling

My Moment of Glory

My Interview at WebneeTech

U have company

From 23rd May'09

  • 363,472 came, thanks guys

I see ya

Did u Cruise January with me

I did it

June’s Daily Dose

ABC Wednesdays

A Picture is worth a thousand words - currently running The musical journey Also did

moi current state

My Unkymood Punkymood (Unkymoods)

Plagiarism is a virtual sin

Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Check Software Creative Commons License
Monika's World is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.

My recent ramblings

  • Save your family from Dengue
  • Heroes of the Mountains : An ode to the brave mountain people
  • Screen time : a permanent debate for today’s parent
  • Teri Bindiya re …
  • Dear Badi Mummy : A letter to my Granny
  • Things I never want to forget about N #4
  • Things I never want to forget about N #3
  • Things I never want to forget about N #2
  • Things I never want to forget about N #1
  • Gratitude Journal Part 1

My past ramblings

Let Me be Myself

I scribbled on…

August 2022
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031  
« Nov    

A Place for Booklovers to hang out

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Monika's World
    • Join 8,260 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Monika's World
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: