[ravi@64bhp]

It is true that this is bringing back the old memories. It has been one year since I was there, and I feel it is just yesterday I was there. A lovely place to enjoy the true nature.

I am surprised to see bright sun in all the photos. When I visited last time, it was raining cats and dogs and we were always in clouds. I can still feel the tingling sensation I got when a rain cloud touched me.

Thanks for the trip log and pics.

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by 1100D

Wow Michael Jackson! What a thread. You took us to Munnar through almost every turn.

Munnar must be one of the best scenic places I have seen in the south, although we approached from the Thekkady (Periyar wildlife sanctuary) side. Did you visit Rajmala. You were extremely lucky to have caught those pachyderms at Mattupatty.

Looking at the freshly tonsured heads, I guess you are aware of the therapeutic qualities of rubbing your palms over those globes.

Did you visit Rajmala, with your luck, I wouldn't be surprised if you have caught the Tahr by its horns!

Thanks mate. I did not visit Rajamala. Its on the list and I kept it as an excuse for the next visit
Ah, you made me search the wikipedia to get to know what I have actually seen. Lol.

Originally Posted by shajufx

Hi mjothi, you are taking many members here to their sweet memories ! Its a pleasure to read and view all whatever you are uploading. I am sure you enjoyed every bit of your journey. Thanks for taking the time to describe it here. I am waiting for my right vehicle to join you travel-crazy guys soon ! If I dont put some of my memories here, its not justice to myself, please tolerate

Back in 2003, I came from here, you can see how dry, humid and boring this place is; (picture taken when it is 49 degree celcius)
Attachment 57185


In Munnar, the hotel we stayed (same board what you saw before your hotel this time) temperature below 10 degree celcius !
Attachment 57187


My favourite picture from the whole lot over 1000 clicks:
Attachment 57186

Nice one there. Get your vehicle soon and jump-in, lets meet up. Btw, you are always welcome without the vehicle too in this great forum - for a meet, for a drive or anything.

Originally Posted by ravi@64bhp

It is true that this is bringing back the old memories. It has been one year since I was there, and I feel it is just yesterday I was there. A lovely place to enjoy the true nature.

I am surprised to see bright sun in all the photos. When I visited last time, it was raining cats and dogs and we were always in clouds. I can still feel the tingling sensation I got when a rain cloud touched me.

Thanks for the trip log and pics.

Yes. I packed my rainwears, winter wears, umbrella and you know what, as the theory of common man say goes, it was sunny, no rain (atleast in day) and I never even used those. They were lying in boot for the whole trip.

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Thanks mate. I did not visit Rajamala. Its on the list and I kept it as an excuse for the next visit
.

I think Eravikulam National Park (of which Rajamalai is part) is closed during the rains. Or am I wrong?

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

I think Eravikulam National Park (of which Rajamalai is part) is closed during the rains. Or am I wrong?

Not sure, may be.

But I see only this news in their site.
"The park remains closed for 45 days from February 1st onwards during the calving season"

Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kerala, India, the the home of Nilgiri Tahr

[mjothi]

From the Shooting spot we headed further to go to the Kundale Lake. On the we have the Elephant Arrival Spot. Its a place where you can have the elephant ride. Its costs Rs300 for 2 Adults. if you want to take photo alone, it costs Rs50 for one head. We did not stop here and planned to take the ride on the return.

Way to Kundale Lake



This lake is actually the mattupatty Dam.

By the way I would like to highlight here the reason for the name. As per locals, it is actually "Maattu Patty". Which means cattle farm in tamil. The name originated after the Indo-swiss project for breading the cattle in here. Up to 3-4 years back, they were allowing public to visit the farm. but then stopped to open for public.

And cattles here easily produce 40lts of milk one time a day.

Crossing the lake



This is a narrow lane where only one vehicle can pass. There was a smart guy in a Shared auto who wanted to sneek in while a Innova was coming in the other direction. But both got stuck in the middle and by the time they fight for whom to back up, there was huge queue of other vehicles in the back of Innova. So auto guy had no option to back up. This guy did not back up properly and moved to the right side and parked in the entrance. Anyway, with great difficulty Innova and others passed this guy. i am sure everyone would have cursed him to the core.

Pedal boats for ride


Proof of me visiting the Lake


Back to green again



I noticed that there are de-forestation happening in the ghats. I am not sure if its usual maintenance. I could see many trees being cut and it also had some effect on the traffic.

Deforestation???




Traffic jams


I was told these are varients of Eculuptus tree. When I noticed closely to the trees that are cut, I could see some juice ozing from it.

Do you see it?



Green again


Do you notice the fencing? These are electrified fences. But not the normal AC volts, but of battery. This is used to keep teh wild elephants away from the cattle. Those green carpet is for feeding the cattles.






"Head"ing back to Munnar



Contd...

[hvkumar]

Incidentally, those electric fences you saw are powered by solar. They give a mild shock and are meant to deter mainly elephants and bison from straying that way. This technique is extensively not only in Munnar but also in Chickmagalur and Coorg estates.

[hvkumar]

Some pictures of the Panniar View from the Thekkady-Munnar road, near Anairangi, January 1997

[amip]

Lovely pictures! I stayed at the same place in Munnar in September - think it was the same room as well! LOL. They charged us Rs600/night

[mjothi]

While we were heading back, on the way stopped for the elephant ride.

Elephant - new Arrival.




Heard this one was a new arrival from Thekkady. So they are not using this for the ride as of now. Probably in probation. Lol.

Other news is, this 2 elephants belongs to some MLA in kerala. he mentioned the place but forgot. He keeps it here for the ride. For one ride they get Rs300 and so you calculate how much they make per day.

I was initially thinking how expensive it is for a ride. Then i thought that it would really help the Elephant since there will be less number of takers

Anyway, hope they are taken care well.

Any guess on Horse power, oops Elephant power?


Once you return, the elephant goes straight to the corn shop next to the arrival spot and raised the trunk on the head. Nice picture right?

Haha, it is trained to do so for getting the corn that you give after the ride. And they charge for this too separately. The claim - "you will get a beautiful shot sir" Indeed yes, he is right.

Then we went back to the Photo point. Now it was less crowded and took photos.

Photo Point - Nice location for next photo shoot !!!



Then straight to the hotel.


Well, not exactly!!!


Had good lunch and relaxed inside the hotel. We had a nice Visu movie on the cable TV (Samsaram adhu minsaram). Watched and then it was time for dinner.

We took an auto from there to the town, just for the sake of going there. had a good walk around, window shopping and then back to hotel.

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by amip

Lovely pictures! I stayed at the same place in Munnar in September - think it was the same room as well! LOL. They charged us Rs600/night

Interesting. Yes, the rate diff, may be possible. I paid 1035/night. We were 2 Adults + 2 kids (6yrs + 2yrs). how about you?

Don't say me same

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Back in 2003, I came from here, you can see how dry, humid and boring this place is; (picture taken when it is 49 degree celcius)

Looks like Oman, Qantab Bay?

[trrk]

Hi mjothi,

> We had a nice Visu movie on the cable TV (Samsaram adhu minsaram).

Even after umpteen times, it does hold you down in front of the TV!

> window shopping and then back to hotel.

Not much of it there, isn't it?

Did you visit the Saravana Bhavan? Food is not all that good in most places in Munnar.

[pypkmsrikanth]

Hi MJ,

Lovely photos, I remember when my wife and myself went to Suruli falls during our Honeymoon trip to Munnar & Thekkady we had to literally drive our car (M800) through the river since the road was flooded, a nice place but spoilt by tourists as you rightly put.

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by trrk

Hi mjothi,

> We had a nice Visu movie on the cable TV (Samsaram adhu minsaram).

Even after umpteen times, it does hold you down in front of the TV!

> window shopping and then back to hotel.

Not much of it there, isn't it?

Did you visit the Saravana Bhavan? Food is not all that good in most places in Munnar.

No I did not try Saravana Bhavan there. The hotel guy recommended to try lunch there. but since the S.N.Restaurant was nearer and walkable, we went there everytime.

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

Hi MJ,

Lovely photos, I remember when my wife and myself went to Suruli falls during our Honeymoon trip to Munnar & Thekkady we had to literally drive our car (M800) through the river since the road was flooded, a nice place but spoilt by tourists as you rightly put.

Yes, It has lost the charm. But once in a while its ok to visit.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Proof of me visiting the Lake

What lake?!

Originally Posted by mjothi

Haha, it is trained to do so for getting the corn that you give after the ride. And they charge for this too separately. The claim - "you will get a beautiful shot sir" Indeed yes, he is right.

A concept out of the western world. When you visit zoo's you are given the option of buying the food from the zoo authorities to feed the animals that are captive in the zoo itself!

I doubt if these practices existed in India earlier. Effect of commercialisation of almost everything.