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Old 4th December 2008, 23:18   #1
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Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar

I had gone for a trip to the hills of Idukki district from Trivandrum in October 2006 along with my friends. The trip was not planned, it was all of a sudden, and we set out at about 3.45 PM, had a long drive through the districts of Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Idukki. The route was Kottarakkara-Adoor-Pathanamthitta-Ranni-Manimala-Ponkunnam-Kanjirapally-Mundakkyam and Kuttikanam. Reached Kuttikanam by night 1 AM, retired for the day at Govt Guest House. Had not taken any photo till then, thought will reserve that for the next day.

We had spent the night here. This is a part of the Guest House and is 120 yrs old

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2858.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2859.jpg
My friend's Wagon R which took us through the hills

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2887.jpg

Before we begin the day's drive, let us give the car a thorough cleaning.

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2864.jpg

The small road which will take us to NH 220 from the Guest House
Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2868.jpg

NH 220, this is towards Kottayam. Our destination is Munnar.

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2870.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2871.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2869.jpg

Approaching the town of Kuttikanam, the buildings you see are part of Marian Institute of Management

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2872.jpg

Now we deviate from NH 220 and turn to a district road to the hill town of Kattapana
Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2873.jpg

Last edited by sudheeshnairs : 4th December 2008 at 23:37.
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Old 4th December 2008, 23:46   #2
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Kuttikanam-Peerumedu

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2874.jpg

Workers at Tea gardens

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2875.jpg

Tea estates
Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2876.jpg

Wild flowers by the side of road give different hues

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2878.jpg
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Old 5th December 2008, 09:57   #3
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nice pictures , are there more ? just cant get enough of the greens from kerala. and i can imagine the fun you would have had on an unplanned drive like this they always turn out to be the best , maybe because there are no expectations?
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Old 5th December 2008, 10:14   #4
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Looking good! Keep them coming
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Old 5th December 2008, 11:58   #5
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This is indeed one of the most scenic drive. During college days munnar and idukki used to be our hot spots.
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Old 5th December 2008, 12:44   #6
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Mundakkayam is where my in-laws belong. I truly admire the scenery around there, with so many scenic places quite nearby. Unfortunately, i havent really captured many of these on my camera, will do so the next time i go.

Keep the pics coming.
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Old 5th December 2008, 12:56   #7
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Idukki district is so beautiful and not explored.
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Old 6th December 2008, 23:49   #8
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Thanks all

Now continue with the trip.

We are going south to north, along the highlands of Kerala. Around 100km to reach Munnar. The average altitude would be around 1000-1500m above MSL.

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2879.jpg

Peerumedu gives picture post card vistas

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2880.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2881.jpg

Small waterfalls

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2888.jpg

Be cautious about the local buses in the narrow hill roads

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2890.jpg
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Old 7th December 2008, 08:21   #9
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I see the roads are still quite good. Makes me want to go for another D R I V E. Also, the Fuel price cut needs to be celebrated.
Great pics.
 
Old 7th December 2008, 08:29   #10
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good photos. new car?? you are the same fellow on skyscrapercity tvm photos blog right? welcome and enjoy.
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Old 7th December 2008, 12:18   #11
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Thanks, yes, the Wagon R was new, my friend's.

Right, I am present in skyscrapercity, btw I have photos of not Trivandrum alone, also Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Mysore, etc.


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good photos. new car?? you are the same fellow on skyscrapercity tvm photos blog right? welcome and enjoy.
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Old 7th December 2008, 12:30   #12
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Nice houses enroute

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2891.jpg

The altitude dips and now the road meanders through dense forests and cardamom & other spice plantations

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2893.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2895.jpg

The road gets relaid, it was nice driving through

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2896.jpg

Drive through the hills of Kerala-Idukki & Munnar-100_2897.jpg
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Old 7th December 2008, 14:02   #13
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Thats a nice photo blog, greenery all around and good roads, what more can one ask for on a holiday.
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Old 7th December 2008, 16:52   #14
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Nice pics. You metioned you had been to that place 2 years back. Ummm...you did trip in 2006 and postin it now? You hav a good memory dude...a very late travelogue indeed ??

Keep the pics flowing.
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Old 7th December 2008, 17:14   #15
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Thanks friend for ur comments. Unfortunately I was not a member of team-bhp then. Even though I joined this group in March 08, I was not able to be active due to various reasons. I do keep account all the trips I have made so far. The recent ones would be the Trivandrum-Bangalore which I did in April 08 as well as small drives like Mysore and Nandi Hills after that.

I drive my Indica V2 DLS, (December 2002), which was with me for many trips while I was in Trivandrum/kerala till April 08 and now here in Bangalore too.

@Lukeskywalker, thanks for the comments. Wait for the Munnar hills bathed in blue, with 'Neelakurinji' flowers which blooms only in twelve years. Our sudden trip was only to see the rare occasion

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Nice pics. You metioned you had been to that place 2 years back. Ummm...you did trip in 2006 and postin it now? You hav a good memory dude...a very late travelogue indeed ??

Keep the pics flowing.
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