Beyond the vale, beneath the trees, our little house is there
And on the gentle slopes around, the tea grows everywhere
So I must rise at early dawn as busy as a bee
And start my daily labours and pick the leafy tea. A poem from a box of tea.
Today we drove from Kochi to Munnar. It was a spectacular drive especially once we started climbing. The tea plantations covered all the hills in a neverending line of bushes that followed the contours of the undulating slopes as far as the eye could see. From a distance they looked like heads of broccoli arranged in neatly spaced rows from which the tea pickers reached over to pick the new growth. Needless to say the whole scene was breathtakingly beautiful. Our day had not started that well because we had paid for a car and driver to take us and had expected the nice 7 seater car that had picked us up from the airport but got an old wreck, without workable seat belts - really not the best for Indian roads. Nevertheless, we got here safe and sound.
We reached our Munnar homestay mid-afternoon and were greeted by Jeeva and Anil, the owners of the Royal Mist. They are the nicest couple, most welcoming and accomodating. Our rooms are very nice with great showers which was a welcome relief from our previous homestay. Immediately upon our arrival, a tray filled with hot tea, warm milk and cookies was brought up to our room which opens onto a nice covered veranda where all our meals are served and what meals! South Indian food is really good.
Around 5 p.m., Anil introduced us to another couple living here, Paul and Lisa from England. They were delightful. We then all left with Anil to go on a walk up the mountain . The flanks of this mountain are covered with tea plants and, as if that was not beautiful enough, we were there for the most incredible sunset ever. On that walk, Anil pointed out wild cardamon pods, peppercorns, pomelos, told us to stay clear of wild elephants roaming the region and brought us back home to a wonderful meal of rice, chapatis, chicken curry and spinach curry. After such a busy day, we all retired around 10 p.m. Life is good, people and we are all happy to be together. See you tomorrow.
And on the gentle slopes around, the tea grows everywhere
So I must rise at early dawn as busy as a bee
And start my daily labours and pick the leafy tea. A poem from a box of tea.
Today we drove from Kochi to Munnar. It was a spectacular drive especially once we started climbing. The tea plantations covered all the hills in a neverending line of bushes that followed the contours of the undulating slopes as far as the eye could see. From a distance they looked like heads of broccoli arranged in neatly spaced rows from which the tea pickers reached over to pick the new growth. Needless to say the whole scene was breathtakingly beautiful. Our day had not started that well because we had paid for a car and driver to take us and had expected the nice 7 seater car that had picked us up from the airport but got an old wreck, without workable seat belts - really not the best for Indian roads. Nevertheless, we got here safe and sound.
We reached our Munnar homestay mid-afternoon and were greeted by Jeeva and Anil, the owners of the Royal Mist. They are the nicest couple, most welcoming and accomodating. Our rooms are very nice with great showers which was a welcome relief from our previous homestay. Immediately upon our arrival, a tray filled with hot tea, warm milk and cookies was brought up to our room which opens onto a nice covered veranda where all our meals are served and what meals! South Indian food is really good.
Around 5 p.m., Anil introduced us to another couple living here, Paul and Lisa from England. They were delightful. We then all left with Anil to go on a walk up the mountain . The flanks of this mountain are covered with tea plants and, as if that was not beautiful enough, we were there for the most incredible sunset ever. On that walk, Anil pointed out wild cardamon pods, peppercorns, pomelos, told us to stay clear of wild elephants roaming the region and brought us back home to a wonderful meal of rice, chapatis, chicken curry and spinach curry. After such a busy day, we all retired around 10 p.m. Life is good, people and we are all happy to be together. See you tomorrow.
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