Kochi Restaurant Guide at a glance

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Kochi Restaurant Guide at a glance

Pai Dosa

No trip to Kochi is complete without stepping into the Pai Dosa. On MG Road, just next to Sankar's book store, in a narrow lane is a little place called Pi Dosa, known for its 61 types of dosas and is mostly open beyond 12 midnight. From lahsoon dosa, egg dosa or bull's-eye dosa, it's amazing how one can be so creative with dosa. After a late night movie at Sridhar, this is where all the youngsters head to. If you're not too bothered about the ambiance, help yourself to a plastic chair and relish mammoth size dosa with mouth watering chutneys.

Upstairs 

Kochi is an amalgamation of cuisines from all over India and the world. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine, then go to Upstairs in Fort Kochi, run by an Indian and Italian couple who take pride in serving authentic Italian cuisines. 

Kasi Art Cafe

Kasi Art Cafe is a hang out place for most of the art lovers, artists and film makers. Not so much for the night life, but one must visit Kasi Art Cafe. 

Fort Kochi area

Fort Kochi is also a popular place for dinners. There are plenty of ‘You buy we cook’ shacks were you can buy up fresh fish and give it to one of these shacks who will cook it for you for an extra charge.

Almost every corner of Fort Kochi has a delightful restaurant or shack. From Chariot, Salt-n-Pepper, Tea Pot, Dal Roti and of course the 'You buy we cook' shacks you will not run out of options. 

Pure Vegetarian Food

For pure vegetarian food, head to Bharat Tourist Home (BTH at Wellington Island) and Dwarka(MG Road) are absolutely amazing. 

North Indian Cuisines

For North Indian cuisines - head to Tandoor and Kebab House on MG Road. Tandoor is famous for its lip-smacking tava chicken and garlic naan, while Kebab House has a lovely assortment of kebabs. 

Biryani 

For authentic biryani, visit Kayee's opposite Exhibition Grounds for vegetarian and non-vegetarian briyani served with accompaniments. 

Chinese 

For Chinese, head to Chinese Dragon and The Wok on MG road. 

Continental

If you're looking for burgers, sizzlers or steaks head to the Attic opposite Bay Pride Mall. 

Top end restaurants and hotels

Top end restaurants and hotels that one must visit are - Hotel Casino, Taj Malabar, Avenue Regent and Avenue Centre. The buffets here are total value for money, especially if you're looking for a complete south Indian fare and want to taste a bit of everything. 

Shawarmas

Visit GCDA where you can try out Shawarmas from a couple of fast food joints. 

Food Court

There's an Abaad Food Court in Bay Pride Mall, which is also pretty good and has - north Indian, south Indian and Chinese cuisines on the offer. Bay Pride Mall also has a Barista and on MG Road, you can stop by for a cuppa at Cafe Coffee Day.

Coffee Shop & Lounge bars

Cocoa Tree is a popular teen hangout which is open till 12 midnight. Don’t miss out Loungevity – the pub at Avenue Regent, on MG. Both Cocoa Tree and Loungevity are owned by Avenue Regent. These are frequented mostly youngsters, tourists and naval officers and families. 

Published in Yatra.com

Link: http://www.raahi.com/travel-guides/kochi/where-to-eat.html#pixbody

Travel> Kerala> Thekkady/ Kumily/ Periyar

Image: Planters house at Connemera Tea Garden, Thekkady
Image by: Anil R

Text by: Tanya Munshi

One of the most picturesque locations in Kerala, a trip to Thekkady, Kumily and Periyar is ideal for a long weekend. It is one of my personal favourite destinations in Kerala. I had visited Thekkady, Periyar and Kumily during a school vacation, several years ago. Monsoons are the best time to visit Kerala as that's the time the state looks even more beautiful.

About the place

Set amidst the beautiful Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal setting to spot some wildlife on a boat safari with fellow tourists. We spotted from the Asiatic Elephants, Monitor Lizard, Bisons and a herd of Chittal or Spotted Deer during our boat safari. In such cases, keeping a high zoom lens camera in hand is ideal to be able to capture the fauna in the wild. While Thekkady is known for its spices, Periyar is known for its most beautiful man-made lake, set amidst the forest.

Thekkady also offers amazing nature trails and trekking with the help of tour guides from the forest lodges that you put up in. While on the trek, you must visit the Cross Mountain, as it is so named of the only cross present here and from here you get to see one of the most breathtaking views ever.

Apart from the safari, you can also visit the spice gardens and tea, coffee and cocoa plantations nearby. Making a trip to the Mangladevi Temple and the Mullaiperiyar Dam are also a good idea if you have enough time. Not to forget that in Kumily you can visit their market for tourists that offer handloom, spices, rosewood and sandalwood, batiks, silks and antiques.

How to get there
By road, it is about 115 km from Kottayam and 185 kms from Kochi. You can hire private vehicles from your tour operator, the airport or contact local private taxi operators in Kochi.

Cochin to Kottayam will take you around 2 hrs by road and then to Thekkady a couple of hours more hours on road. The second part of your travel may take a little longer due to the ghat section.

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Hotels

http://hotels.kerala-tourism.org/thekkady-hotels.html

http://www.thekkady.com/htm/hotellist.php

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Websites

http://www.thekkady.com/htm/loc.htm

http://www.periyartigerreserve.org/

Travel> Kerala> Wayanad

Image: Chemdra Peak Wayanad
Image by: Dhruvaraj

Text by: Tanya Munshi

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Wayanad
Looking for an ideal destination for hiking and trekking, Wayanad is the place to be. Famous for its home-stays, tea, coffee, rubber and spice plantations, Wayanad is a perfect weekend getaway for the adventurous spirit in you.
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About the place
Trekkers can hop on to their trail to the Chembra Peak which is around 18 kms away, the Banasura Sagar Dam near Padinharathara, which also 18 kms away, and the Meenmutty Waterfalls which is about 40 kms from Kalpetta.

Don’t miss the Pookote Lake which is an ideal picnic spot where you can also go for boat cruises in the lake. If you wish to visit some beautiful coffee plantations, then plan a trip to the Manathavady, which is about 110 kms from Calicut.

Apart from monumental temples such as the Thirunelly and Valliyurkavu Bhagawathi temples, you can also visit the bird-watching centre of Pakshippathalam. Also don’t miss the Ambukuthi Hills to see the Edakkal caves formed by natural rock-cut formations. Once in Waynad, you can make it a point to visit the famous Ananthaatha Jain Temple at Puliyarmala, which is located on the slope of the Vellarimala Hill. This temple bears testimony of the Jain population of this region of the yesteryears. It is a must visit to see the mirrors inside the temple that reflect hundreds of beautiful patterns of the temple icons.
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How to get there
Wayanad is well connected by most state run buses. In fact, Wayanad is head quartered in Kalpetta which is well linked to towns in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

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Air: The nearest airport to Wayanad is Kozhikode, Calicut - about 100 kms. You can also reach Wayanad from Cochin International Airport, which is about around 300 kms.

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Rail: The nearest railhead is at Calicut - about 110 kilometers from Wayanad.

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Hotels

http://www.hotelskerala.com/wayanad.htm

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Website
http://www.beautifulkerala.com/coco/redcarpet/wynad.php

http://www.wayanad.com/

Travel> Kerala> Idukki

Image: Mattuppetty Dam Munnar
Image by: Dhruvaraja

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Do the mountains and thick forests beckon the peace starved soul in you? Then a trip to Idukki is a must. Idukki is known for its hydroelectric power projects where more than 60% of entire Kerala state’s electricity needs are met, and more than half of Idukki is protected as forest reserve.

About the place
With mountains at the height of 2,500 to 5,000 feet above sea level, Idukki has enough reasons to make your holiday memorable. Known for the 1500 sq ft Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary and the Idukki reservoir, this place is a photographer’s delight.

Apart from being a home to a variety of plants and wildlife, this forest also has sandalwood, rosewood and other exotic variety of wood. Lush green valleys, streams and mountains complete the picture of ideal weekend getaway.

How to get there
Like all places in and around Kochi, Idukki is well connected by good roads. The NH49 is the main highway connecting Idduki to other parts of the state. It is about 40 kms from Thodupuzha.

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Air: Nearest airport from Idukki is the Cochin International Airport which is about 132kms.

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Rail: Nearest railway station is Kottayam which is about 133kms away.
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Hotels in Idukki
http://www.hotelskerala.net/kerala_idukki.htm
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Websites
http://www.idk.kerala.gov.in/

http://www.idukki.com/home.htm

Travel> Cherai Beach, Kerala

Image1: Footloose

Image2: Sunset at Cherai Beach

Image3: Gold rush
Images by: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
A cosy 15km long beach spot, Cherai Beach is around 26 to 36kms from Ernakulam. This beach is one of my favourite spots, for the homely Cherai Beach Resorts. A drive up to Cherai Beach is incomplete without chicken pakodas and tea at this beach resort. You can park your car inside the resort premises, grab a bite and as you go outside the main gate and walk right into the beach. Don’t miss the new 400m walkway and High Mask Lamps at Cherai Beach.

From Fort Kochi, my husband and I would take our car in the barge/ ferry and cross the channel to Vypeen Island. From there the beach is hardly half an hour.

How to get there:

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Best time to visit: All year round

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Distance: 26 to 36kms from Ernakulam and 20-30kms from Cochin Airport.

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By road: From Irinjalakkuda, Cherai Beach is about an hour’s drive. The road becomes narrow as you reach Cherai. From Cochin international airport, take a pre-paid taxi.

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By ferry: You can opt for a ferry from Fort Kochi, just next to the Chinese fishing nets and cross the channel to go to Vypeen Island.

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By bus: You can also hop on to a bus from Ernakulam to Paravur and then another bus or auto rickshaw from Paravur to Cherai Beach.

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Personally, I recommend, hiring a private taxi or driving down is the best way to enjoy your break.

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Hotels:
Cherai Beach Resorts
Cherai, Vypin Island,
Kochi - 683514.
Ph : +91 - 484 - 2416949, 2481818, 3297651, 3253101
Fax : +91 - 484 - 2417333
Mobile : 98472 31400
Email: enquiry@cheraibeachresorts.com and reservation@cheraibeachresorts.com

Travel> Soaking up the Beach at Varkala

Image1: Sidewalk on the cliff, overlooking the sea

Image2: View of the beach from the cliff

Image3: At the restaurant

Image4: View

Image5: Large tiger prawns
Image Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Where can you bask under the golden rays of the sun on an empty beach?
Welcome to Varkala in Kerala. A four hour drive from Fort Kochi, Varkala is a quiet seaside destination on the shores of the Arabian Sea, about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. The high cliffs offer a spectacular view of the sea below.

I must admit, this is one of the cleanest beaches I have been to. Lifeguards and cops patrol the entire stretch of the beach, to ensure your safety. You can relax and enjoy yourselves bouncing in the waves.

Where to stay
We stayed at the Keral Heerum Hotel at North Cliff. Most of these homestays are small houses/cottages on the cliff, where you can just walk in and ask for rooms.

Sea-facing rooms cost about Rs 350 per night during off-season. Peak season (October to February) rates would be about Rs 500 per night. Non-sea facing rooms are Rs 200 to Rs 250 per night. Summer is a good time to go for a peaceful holiday. It is warm during the day, but you can laze with a book and a drink on a hammock in your hotel or at a beachside restaurant.
As the hot sun begins to recede, head out to the beach for some fun and frolic. The best time to visit the sea, I would say, is in the morning, before 10 am.

Hot holiday spot!
Varkala is quite a favourite with foreign tourists, who come here to tan themselves.
We, by contrast, of course, stay away from the sun and ventured out to the beach only after 5 pm.

Around 6.30 pm we were asked to leave the beach by the lifeguards and the police.
You can, of course, go to the beach unattended by the lifeguards. But that is best avoided because the sea becomes choppy. During high tide the waves reach as high as the foot of the cliffs. There are red flags to notify the danger zones in the sea. If the currents are too strong, no one is allowed to enter the sea.

What to eat
We started our day lazing on the beach. When the sun climbed up into the sky we left the beach and ascended the stairs back to the cliff. We loved breakfast at the Cafe Del Mar, one of the first restaurants you bump into on the North Cliff. Here you can get an English or American breakfast for Rs 90 and Rs 80, respectively.

Don't miss the seafood around here. It is fresh, delicious and simply exotic. And you can have it grilled, steaks, fried or curried. Your restaurant will oblige.
Many folks may find Varkala not too different from Goa. But I think this place is in a class of its own. We tried prawn curry with rice or Naan (complimentary with the main dish) for lunch which was again delicious.

Just chill
After sunset, as the restaurant and shop lights are turned on, we took a leisurely walk around.
Restaurant owners will call out to you showing the fresh catch of the day. Red and white snapper, tiger prawns, barracuda, squids and tuna -- name it -- it's all there.
Look around for a good deal. Normally, a portion of four to six tiger prawns will set you back anywhere between Rs 400 and Rs 500. It is worth it.
We tried steak barracuda in lemon garlic sauce, grilled tiger prawns, prawn pakoras and cold drinks at the Dolphin Bay restaurant.
As we walked back along the narrow path the only sound was of the sea waves crashing against the rocks. Varkala is simple awesome. You can go in a group. Or as a couple. You will love the place.

Travel tips
~ There are cyber cafes, government tourist booths and money exchange facilities.
~ There is only one ATM, the Centurion Bank. It is better to carry cash, as not all places accept credit/debit cards.
~ Don't forget to carry a sun block, an umbrella and sun glasses.
~ Avoid taking valuables like jewellery, cameras etc to the beach.
~ Most people leave their change of clothing in a bag on the beach and go for a swim. ~ Make sure children are not left unattended on the beach.

How to get there
By road: Varkala is 180 km from Fort Kochi and 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram.
From Fort Kochi, take the NH 47 to reach Varkala. You can stop at Huts, a highway restaurant for a meal. Huts Restaurant NH BypassCherthalaPhones: (00478) 2817277, 3956683

By air: The closest airport is Thiruvananthapuram

Rail: The nearest railway station is Varkala

For details, visit: http://www.southernrailway.org/

Peak season: October to February Off-season: March to November. This is the best time to visit. It is less crowded and less expensive.

Places to see in and around Varkala:
~ The Janardhana Swamy temple and Sivagiri Mutt. The Janardhana Swamy temple is on the way to the Papanasam beach.
~ Anjengoan (five coconut trees) old English Fort about 20 km from Varkala.

Restaurants
Cafe Del Mar
Hill View
Varkala

Dolphin Bay Restaurant
North Cliff,
Varkala Phone: 0984646940
e-mail: sulfikaif@yahoo.com

Homestays
~ Most of the homestays and hotels are on the cliff. It is not very difficult to find rooms at Varkala Beach.

Keral Heerum Hotel
North Cliff
Next to Amma Dental Spa
Varkala

Hindustan Beach Resort
Papanasam Beach
Janardhanapuram
PO Varkala -- 685 141
Phones: (0474) 2604254, 2604255 e-mail: hindretreat@vsnl.net Web site: http://www.hindustanbeachretreat.com/

Lanzy Plaza Beach Resort
Beach Road Papanasam,
Varkala -- 695 141
Phones: (0474) 2609764, 09846331355
e-mail: info@lanzyplaza.com
lanzyplaza@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.lanzyplaza.com/

For more hotels at Varkala, please visit http://www.hotelskerala.com/varkala.htm

Published in Rediff.com, on April 24, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/apr/24slide1.htm

Travel> Kumarakom: The Houseboat Haven

Image1: Boatman

Image2: Perched Cormorant

Image3: Fellow tourists

Image4: Kerala Houseboat

Image5: Toddy, Karimeen Curry & Tapioca
Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
On a trip to Kerala, it doesn't take too much planning to visit Kumarakom. A few hours' drive from Kochi, Kumarakom is a fun place to visit. Famous for its enviable location on Vembanad Lake at the mouth of the backwaters and its beautiful houseboats, Kumarakom is a place like you have never been to before.

En route to Kumarakom, a stopover at the Indian Coffee House at Vaikom is a must to enjoy dosas, bread omelette and traditional South Indian coffee. We started our journey from Kochi at around nine in the morning and reached Kumarakom by 11 am.

We stopped over at the Kerala Tourism Department Corporation owned Motel Aram, which has clean toilets, ample parking space, decent rooms and clean restaurants. From there, we hired a private six-seater motorboat for Rs 600 for a two-hour backwater tour, which we considered a steal, especially for a group like ours. In fact, the KTDC also rents out boats for Rs 550 per hour.
It's better to stop over at this KTDC motel to rent boats as it is more organised and less expensive compared to other places, where you may have to bargain and the reliability may be in question.

Floating hotels
A day or two on a houseboat is an experience of a lifetime and is perfect for a break or an anniversary surprise. The room charge per night for an air-conditioned and a non-air-conditioned houseboat is Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, during peak season, which runs from mid-October till March.

This includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, while sailing down the peaceful backwaters. Meals include the fresh catch of the day fetched by the boat's cook. Each boat has a bedroom, living room and a dining area. The check-out time is usually 12 noon. For bookings, one can get in touch with KTDC or private tour operators to get the best deal. The off-season rates are a steal. Just Rs 5,000.

Tuck into this spread
One of us expressed the desire to taste the authentic toddy, tapioca and karimeen curry. So, Sukumaran took us to a restaurant on the shore. We ordered toddy, a popular local drink in Kerala that is fermented coconut wine, extracted from the coconut palm.

I guess one has to develop a taste for toddy, as the sour flavour and aroma kind of masked the coconut wine. My husband relished the toddy, as it blended perfectly with the tapioca and karimeen curry, My favourite dish though was the karimeen curry -- a red tangy spicy curry, prepared with the pearl spotted fish, or the karimeen.

The curry is prepared using a small dried up fruit known as cocumstar, which offers a unique tangy flavour to the curry. The cocumstar is removed after cooking and is not a part of the main dish. The tapioca or kappa, a light snack, which tasted somewhat like yam. Our total bill came to Rs 170.

Attend a 'boat warming' party
On our way back, we chanced upon a 'boat warming party'; the locals were innaugurating a new house boat. We finished our backwater trip in about four hours and we paid Sukumaran for the extended hours, which he took quite reluctantly. We picked up souvenirs -- miniature versions of beautiful houseboats -- that ranged from Rs 200 to Rs 750 from the KTDC souvenir store.
On the way back, we had lunch at the famous K R Bakes, which serves a wide range of small eats. It is especially famous for its chicken and fish dishes.

How to get there
By road
Kumarakom is 60 km from Kochi and 16 km from Kottayam.

By air
There are daily flights from Mumbai and Chennai and connecting flights from New Delhi and other places in India to Kochi, Kozhikode and Trivandrum.

Kumarakom is 175 km from Trivandrum International Airport and 85 km from Cochin International Airport.

By rail
Kochi is well-connected by rail with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and with other smaller metros.

Web sites: www.ktdc.com/WaterScapes.htm
www.kumarakom.com/howto.htm

Published in Rediff.com, on November 15, 2006
Link: http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2006/nov/15slide.htm

Travel & Food> Cafés and Cigars at Fort Kochi

Image1: Solar Café

Image2: A peek inside

Image3: Inside Kashi Café


Image4: Entrance of Solar Café

Image5: Inside Solar Café

Image6: Window at Solar Café
Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Fort Kochi
If you want to spend an entire day leisurely walking around or simply reading a book at an art cafe, consider Fort Kochi, a mere 9 kilometres from MG Road, Ernakulam.
Apart from enjoying the food and line up of curio shops, you could watch locals pulling up huge Chinese fishing nets, or take a walk along the fish market. Although prices are sky high, you could probably buy a couple of delicious Karimeen or Spotted Pearl Fish, and give it to the shack owners alongside to cook -- steamed, fried or in a curry.

Fort Kochi is mostly famous among foreign tourists for its home stays and cuisine. But, it has preserved a certain old world charm that lavish hotels and restaurants, with their sterile environment, simply cannot offer. The streets of Fort Kochi are narrow and cobbled, lined on both sides with trees and beautifully maintained heritage houses. Most of these have been converted to part hotels or home stays, with art galleries and restaurants for tourists to enjoy seafood and beer.

A Café with a difference
On one of our Sunday drives, we chanced upon Solar Cafe -- a different kind of art cafe.
The blackboard at the entrance announced its daily menu, along with timings for cookery classes and several workshops, including one on mask-painting. The walls were yellow and red, their peeling paint adding a rustic tinge to the ambience. While a World Space radio station played Indian classical music, we ordered two Farmer's Omelettes, which came with generous amounts of tomato, cucumber and spring onions (Rs 50).
We also got wheat grain bread and Himalayan salt, ground with sesame seeds. Finally, a pot of soothing English tea (Rs 30) made for a perfect breakfast. An average English breakfast for two, priced at Rs 130, is not a bad idea at all!

Colour therapy at work
While waiting for the bill, we took a stroll along the first floor, which was a pleasant surprise.
With typical Kerala coir carpets on the wooden floor, the white walls were adorned with paintings by several local artists. The place was peaceful. The windows, overlooking the channel with little fishing boats on them, completed the look. We walked into the adjoining Blue Room, primarily adorned with blue upholstery and blue paintings.
Maybe it was colour therapy at work, as this room was calm and soothing, classical music playing in the background.

Dine on a sewing table
On another Sunday, we experimented with another popular stop -- Cafe Kashi. The highlight here is they have converted sewing tables to dining tables, with antique furniture in their gallery and restaurant. We opted for the Breakfast of the Day (Rs 70) -- a cheese and tomato omelette, brown bread, and a dollop of butter.

More hot spots
On a lazy walk, post breakfast, we noticed a shop selling Cuban Cigars, a store called Kapitan for cold cuts and fresh meat, and a store called Shop 'n' Save, catering to everyday needs of the neighbourhood. We took a break from the sun and stopped by Vasco Cafe, next to a tidy bookstore called Idiom. Over a cup of masala chai, we read the morning paper and took a peek inside. It made for one of the best weekends spent in complete leisure.
So, the next time you're in Fort Kochi, wander into an art cafe, relish the food, enjoy the ambience and maybe you can pick up a painting to remind you of the day you broke away from the ordinary.

Fort Kochi Fact File
1. Kochi is the commercial capital of Kerala. It is well connected by rail, road and airways with major cities across India.
2. You can cover the length and breadth of Fort Kochi in about an hour.
3. Once in town, hire a cab from the airport, ask your hotel to organise reliable transport, or take the ferry from the main boat jetty or terminus jetty near Willington Island.
4. Fort Kochi has several sightseeing options -- the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, and a whole lot of Portuguese architecture.
5. Cuisines includes North Indian, Keralite, Chinese, European and continental food. If you are non-vegetarian, you are in luck. Indulge in a variety of seafood and meat.

How to get there
By rail: Ernakulam Railway Station is 1.5 kilometres from the main boat jetty.
By air: Cochin International Airport is 50 kilometres from Fort Kochi.
Web sites: http://www.keralatourism.org/, www.ernakulam.com/fortkochi.htm

Published in Rediff.com, on November 7, 2007
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2006/nov/07slide.htm

Travel> Why you can't miss Munnar

Image1: A cottage up in the hills

Image2: A quaint place for prayer

Image3: View from our hotel room

Image4: Cloud of green, the tea gardens at Munnar
Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Munnar
Far from the crowds lies this haven of green. Its smooth, winding roads are a pleasure to drive on, the pitter-patter of raindrops on your windshield for company. The time is just right for Munnar, considering the swish of wipers is possibly all you will hear now, aside from the occasional birdcall.
If you want to make the most of a weekend trip, start early from Kochi. This 140-kilometre drive can be covered in a leisurely 3-4 hours, complete with a couple of coffee and wada breaks at small restaurants along the way.

A flower 12 years in the making
I had the opportunity of seeing the famous Neelakurinji flowers years ago, when I visited Munnar on a school holiday. This unique species blooms once every 12 years, from mid-August to December. Coming up in their thousands, the tiny blue flowers overwhelm the entire hilly area of the Eravikulam National Park. This year, coupled with Onam, Munnar is flooded with local and foreign tourists, all here to catch a glimpse of Neelakurinji.
A huge mob of tourists, choking roads leading to the Park, made it difficult for us to trek up the hills and see the flowers in bloom again. Amidst these blossoms, mountain goats known as Nilgiri Thar or Ibex also share the limelight. Capturing this flora and fauna is a photographer's delight.

Take time for a cuppa
We couldn't enter the Park, but we managed to buy some fresh tea. Near the entrance to the Eravikulam National Park is an exclusive Kanan Devan Tea outlet, with a variety on offer. For instance, Green Tea is priced at Rs 75 for 250 grams, while Madupatty CTC Leaves costs Rs 45 for 500 grams. What's more, during the drive, you can spot several other estates with outlets selling tea. It is disheartening to see plastic packets ruining the greenery of Munnar, although forest officials are doing their best to keep the area plastic free. This is a magnificent holiday spot and, as tourists, we ought to be careful with what nature gives us in such plenty.

Where to stay
Munnar is dotted with hotels and resorts for all budgets. Most bookings can be made booked online. Rates are currently up, thanks to the crowds coming in to see the flowers.
Although the best time to visit is from September to February and April to May, Munnar is breathtaking in the monsoons between June and July. As you drive up, there are springs and waterfalls all along the way.
You could check out Las Palmas or Hotel Hill View. At the former, a deluxe room costs about Rs 2,400 (plus taxes). A room at the latter should be about Rs 1,000 (plus taxes), and includes a complimentary breakfast.

Contact:
Las Palmas: NH 49, Devikulam, PO Munnar 685 613. Phone: (04865) 264218.

Hotel Hillview: Kannan Devan Hills, Munnar 685 612. Phone: (04865) 230567 / 230882.

Fast facts for travellers
Distance by road to Munnar from Cochin: 140 kilometres.

Nearest railway stations to Munnar:
Kochi -130 km
Kottayam -142 km

Nearest Airports: Kochi (130 kilometres) and Coimbatore (156 kilometres).

Season: September to February and April to MayOff season: June to August.

Published in Rediff.com, on September 25, 2006
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2006/sep/25slid.htm