 |
| Munnar, Kerala |
As grey clouds loom high above, followed
by thunder and raindrops splatter the window, I gaze outside. My mind is
brimming with joy as I sip hot tea, with my notepad in tow. This is one of my
favourite times of the year.
With the summer crowds gone, it
is also a great time to travel, especially for nature lovers. Here are some of
my favourite monsoon trips (in no particular order):
1. Kasauli – I remember the mist seeping
into our room through the wooden ‘jaali’ door at Birds View Resort, after a
thundershower. The cool breeze interspersed with fresh, earthy smells of the surrounding
forest is always refreshing. If you set out for a walk soon after, you can hear
the call of the partridge and bird song around every bend. It is our family
tradition to have an evening BBQ with old classics playing in the background,
ending the night on a ‘high’ note.
2. Barot – My early memories of this
beautiful hill station are from when I was about 10 years old. When I went back
last month after ages, this picturesque hill station did not disappoint. The
monsoon showers had hit Himachal Pradesh by then, turning this riverside
retreat into a memorable weekend. I spent a lazy afternoon by the Uhl river,
watching the rain fall as I lay there under an umbrella; while the gushing
river provided the perfect background score.
3. Goa – Although monsoon travel seems to
have caught on in this tiny state, I would still recommend visiting Goa during
monsoons. South Goa is a great place to stay in as it’s less crowded. On a mid
July afternoon, my friends and I roamed around a deserted Colva beach, enjoying
the salty sea breeze as it poured. Peri peri prawns and beer in a beach shack
tasted wonderful afterwards.
4. Munnar – Although it is a good idea to
be anywhere in Kerala at this time of the year, Munnar is definitely worth a
visit. Lush green hills, tea gardens, cool breeze and a hot Shirodhara massage
make for a great combination. Driving through misty meadows, picking tea leaves
or simply trying out one of the many varieties of tea make for an unforgettable
trip.
