Around Kerala in 7 Days - In a Caravan - Munnar

   

We passed a lot of fruit plantations on our way from Kochi to Munnar. You could see tiny pineapples, bananas and guavas peeking out from under the trees. A delightful sight which you wouldn't come across in normal life. Bananas in all colours were being sold on the roadsides. I even saw some fruit I did not recognise, looked a lot like custard apples. 

On the way to Munnar

Being the rainy season, there were waterfalls of all sizes that had sprung up on hill sides, adding charm to the already breathtaking scenery. We stopped at a big one to take pictures. Greenery surrounded us. We passed through some thick forests and could feel a dip in temperature. Our driver suggested we stop at a Spice Garden to pick up fresh spices. It was a well laid out nursery with medicinal herbs, herbal plants, flower plants and spice plants. The owner gave us a tour of the nursery; while sharing valuable information about the healing properties of various plants. My friend picked up a herbal face creme. I picked up a lot of fresh spices for home.

                        

We reached our guest house late evening. It had a beautiful garden and a fantastic view of the unending tea plantations. The next day, after breakfast, we set out to explore Munnar. It was a lovely, sunny day. The air was cool and crisp. We went to Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr as well as several species of rare animals, birds and butterflies. We were enveloped by the mist once we reached the park entrance. We walked about 500 mts to catch a glimpse of the  very unique looking - Nilgiri Tahr and took a few pictures. 

View from the hotel

Mist everywhere

Nilgiri Tahr

After this, we went to the Tata Tea Museum & Gardens for a stroll and got some lovely shots of us. In the evening, we treated ourselves to an authentic Shirodhara Ayurvedic massage in a blink-and-you-will-miss-it massage parlour, recommended by a local. It was definitely the strangest massage experience I have ever had. I was made to lay on a wooden bed, which wasn't comfortable for obvious reasons. I couldn't switch off and enjoy the experience as I was very aware of my surroundings. This was also the first time I left a massage parlour with oil all over my body. I would still recommend it though :p

Later,we got some funny, oily pictures out of it. 

Tea Gardens everywhere

Thekaddy, Periyar National Park, was our next stop. 

5 Reasons to have a Winter Himalayan Vacation

Winter is most definitely upon us. A lot of us have been enjoying the afternoon sun, at home or even at our offices,  getting out of our cubicles for a stroll to soak up some sunshine. As the year is coming an end, a lot of us are making vacation plans for Christmas/ New Year. While many people prefer a warmer destination - Goa or Thailand, being a hot favourite amongst us Indians, here are 5 reasons why you should buck the trend and head to the mountains this winter.

1. Scenic beauty - Everybody travels for different reasons. Whether you are looking for some peace of mind after the crazy late nights at the office, need some quiet time to focus on yourself or a fun trip with friends, the mountains are beckoning you. The crisp mountain air, snow covered peaks, fresh water rivers and streams, wildlife sounds in the morning will surely put a smile on anyone's face. In that moment, all the noise and stress from your city life will be forgotten. 

2. Fresh perspective - The fresh mountain air will open up your mind, spirit and being to fresh, new possibilities in life. You will be able to reflect on your current circumstances in a calm and balanced manner. A trip to the mountains in the winter will leave you feeling rejuvenated, ready to take on the world with a fresh, new mind set. 

3. Adventure sports - For the adventurous, fun seeking lot, winter sports are definitely worth a try. At Solang Valley last year, I tried skiing, which requires an incredible amount of strength, endurance and balance. I also enjoyed driving an All Terrain Vehicle (OTV) in the snow and downhill, zipping through the long traffic jam. Para gliding, snow boarding, sledging and zorbing are some of the other options there. Gulmarg in Kashmir is a beautiful skiing destination, comparable to the Swiss Alps I hear. 

4. Away from the crowd - Depending on your preference, you can choose a getaway to a quaint village tucked away somewhere in the Himalayas or a busy city like Shimla. Barot, in Mandi district is a great option if you're looking for a quiet get away. Surrounded by the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas, with Uhl river passing through, Barot is a picturesque valley, well known for its trout & trekking trails. 

5. Discover a new you - Some of the most famous writers and poets are known to have been inspired by the beauty of the Himalayas. You can get completely spellbound by the surrounding natural beauty and might even discover the hidden poet in you. That is exactly what happened to me in Ladakh last year, when I just couldn't seem to put my pen down, and have been writing ever since! 

“Chasing angels or fleeing demons, go to the mountains.”
(Jeffrey Rasley)