If Kerala is God's own country, Munnar is the heaven on Earth". Joshi Chetta's voice still resonates with me, as we sat on the ledge of Letchmi estate and hit Absolut. All the while experiencing this view.
My brother Avinash and me left Bangalore on our Enfields, at 5 in the morning. Munnar is a 550 km long ride and the highway has been maintained quite well . The Sunrise on the outskirts, crusing at 80Kmph, the RE insignia on the odometer. It was very satisfying.
The Salem-Erode highway is a great track to test the limits of your bike. From Triumph Tiger to BMW K 1300 R, you can find riders zoom into the horizon. After a couple of breaks and having lunch en route, we arrived at Theni and decided to stay the night at The Orchid Inns.
The rooms are not too extravagant but will do justice to the 800 INR for 2 people. The cafe downstairs is very good and serves quality food. Their chicken sandwich is exquisite, biriyani rice is worth a try. And the owner is a hospitable man. There is a 24x7 bakery, around 200 meters from the place. We head there at night ordered a 7up and soaked in all the feelings pouring in from the trip.
Munnar lies in the Idukki district of Kerala. A place known for widespread flora and fauna. It is a 70km ride from Theni. An uphill climb overlooking the coconut fields and a dusty raw atmosphere amidst the hills. The ride from Theni to Munnar is an exhilarating one.
On the way there were vehicles TN regd and as we meander down the hills on the other side, under the canopy of jackfruit, arecanut and hillside homes, the vehicles turn to KL registration. It's a strange feeling, not knowing where the border was along the lush green valley.
It started drizzling when we were 15kms from Munnar city. The path ahead had quarry, so the roads were getting worse. It was a perfect mix of On road and Off roading with this spectacular setting.
We reached the City just as the rains stopped. And the view didn't disappoint. It is definitely not the season to visit Munnar, but the rain had timed it perfectly, for us.
The resort was in a place 25kms from Munnar, called Mankulam. It was dusk, by the time we left Munnar and the zero visibility in the night gave us the extra needed kick. The road was absolute crap and only looked like a mudwater shake with rock sprinkles. We reached resort by help from some locals in the area. The jaunty people made us feel at home and offered us cocktails in the middle of the night at the resort. Good Friday is a dry day in Kerala. Not on our watch. !!
We hit some liqour and went to our rooms.
We had a big day ahead !
The rooms at misty garden are quite the ones with an overall background of the tea estates in a homely district. The food wasn't the best. But the shower is a rain maker. The place is perfect for a couple getaway as the landscape is very fetching.
We went at night on a Bolero with all the Chettas to Anakulam where elephants herd at a local wateringhole. Sometimes as many as a 100 can be spotted.
After a bout of Chivas is the morning we went into an estate. Sabu Chetta, "laletta" as we fondly called out to him, is a treat. The humble man owns a homestay, and we stayed the great night. He's very hospitable and definitely made sure we were well fed. A night of revels, after visit to Anakulam was the perfect break. Kappam Beef, Kappam Chicken, Burji, pork pepper the man showed us Kerala style in a matter of hours.
Do stay the local homestay inns and enjoy your best. Call and visit.
Sabu Mathew Mankulam Homestay : 9495187575
We set off in the morning for Bangalore, bidding fairwell the Gentleman who had showed us a good time and were family to us. The Road ahead was long. We rode through one of the most spectacular landscapes bordering Udumalpet.
On the road we pass through the Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary, home to a variety of bird. We saw peacocks as the dusk was setting in and by the time the sun glistened red hot on the horizon we were in Annamalai Tiger reserve and Periyar National Park.
Its a pleasant road which gets you to Salem erode highway. The part of road is bordered up with Anamalai tiger reserve and gives a great safari through and into. Make sure you're out by the night, as tigers are common spot in the region.
We reached Erode in the night and booked our rooms at the local hotel Sivaranjini
Anjappars, downstairs serves a delicious biriyani and chilli chicken. After a brilliant dinner, we slept with same ugly thought, "we'll wake up early".
Hit the Salem Erode highway and Ride into the sunset of Bengaluru
Back on the Highway it took us 5 hours to clear the highway and reach the outskirts of Electronic city. The mood was set in. The cloudy Bangalore calling into its voracious rain, It was a great drive back into the city with towering monuments. I set out to find a few answers,but I learnt the lessons. The Rush, that Flow that intense blast of air at your face as you conquer the road on an Enfield. That's what makes me tick.
Go on a trip to Munnar. Feel that rush. Feel the local warmth. Feel the heart of Kerala.
Contact me for excruciating details at +91-8792191529
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