Munnar Calling

After experiencing the madness of Durga Puja in Kolkata, our travels led us to the state of Kerala, South India where we got a bit of coast, a bit of mountain, and a lot of road-tripping. Out of all of the cities we hit, for me, Munnar left the most memorable impression.

Munnar is a place of endless greenery and mists that blanket the mountains in an aura of mystery. The hills are impressive with their endless tea bushes arranged ever so neatly. We could have stared off into the distance for hours just taking in the massive plantations and fathoming that they are all maintained by hand. On multiple occasions, we felt as though we were in some sort of dreamland; like we were in a Lord of the Rings movie, visiting the Shire. Tinkling cow bells, chirping birds and rushing streams could be heard from all around us. It was magical.

Surrounded by the peace and stillness of the Western Ghats, our visit was filled with adventure, quirky characters and some of the best food I’ve had in my life. Our charming little bamboo hut homestay (at Potluri's 19 Degrees) was the perfect balance between cozy and outdoorsy. We made friends with lots of small critters and had the pleasure of being hosted by a loving local family. One of my favourite parts of the stay was our view of the stars in the clearest night skies I’ve seen in a long time. I didn’t realize how much I needed a break from city lights and polluted air. It was an escape unlike any other…

…And then we literally had to escape from Munnar when we found ourselves caught in the middle of a political strike! 

From crazy jeep rides through the winding mountain roads, learning how to make homemade - Munnar style - biryani, and hiring a driver to sneak us out of town so we could keep our booking in the next city, our stay was hilariously unforgettable.