[MX6]

And finally some rains! Whew. So expecting to see more amazing stuff from here on LDL!

[LongDrive lover]

Day 10 continues..

Have you seen 'Kathak dance at Echo point?

Well, here is your one and only opportunity to have a look at it.

Our kids (and we too ) liked Echo point so much for its views and pleasing weather. Though water was less in the water body, but views were great.

PS: And there was no rain, and no signs even of rain at Echo point! Just few kms away from Kundale lake!

So I am afraid, you may be lil disappointed MX6, on rain front only!

Now few snaps..

[Fordmanchau]

Lalit,
Your daughter's damn cute. Is she taking Kathak Lessons ?
All of you sure seem to have enjoyed the trip thoroughly.Weather also had been good it seems. Was it your first trip down south ?

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Lalit,
Your daughter's damn cute. Is she taking Kathak Lessons ?
All of you sure seem to have enjoyed the trip thoroughly.Weather also had been good it seems. Was it your first trip down south ?

Answer to everything you said/asked is YES, though I have been to South on several official trips, but, as family tourist trip, this was 1st. Her dance lessons have just started, but, there she was jumping and doing all that on her own in joy. Such were those serene surroundings. Hence, there is a single echo at home, whenever passing through nearby in south, its going to be Munnar again.

[MX6]

Ha ha. Take them to Ponmudi next time. Nutty Nair might agree with me.
Good to know that your daughter is learning Kathak. What about your son? Is he in to some art form too?

[LongDrive lover]

Day 10 continues..

"Wildlife watching" !

On return from Kundale lake, we saw 2-3 cars stopped on side and people loaded with all their camera and video cam guns, eagerly looking for views through thick rows of those tall trees. We too were wanderers only with no fix plan, so immediately pulled to left and got out fast, so as not to miss whatever was 'on offer to view'!

It was an elephant, or may be a group (but, we could see only one), down in the valley. Tried taking snaps, cold take 1-2, as our camera battery was dying by that time!

Having a feeling of 'wildlife watching in nature', we returned to the Mettupetti dam boat house gate. It was approx 3 pm, and gate was closed, staff told, it's already house-full, so come tomorrow 10am!

Having missed the boating at Kundale lake; and having seen in the morning (while going to top view) how beautiful experience it was going to be, we were disappointed. I somehow consoled the family, that anyway, we are staying here tomorrow, so will come here morning again. But,it meant that we won't be able to complete this side of the sight-seeing today, and need to come back again.

With these thoughts, we returned to Munnar center, rain didn't visit us again in the day, views continued to be stunning; but, sadly, our camera batteries were exhausted.

Note to self: One battery can't last whole day, need to purchase and carry a spare one for next trips.

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by MX6

Ha ha. Take them to Ponmudi next time. Nutty Nair might agree with me.
Good to know that your daughter is learning Kathak. What about your son? Is he in to some art form too?

Yes, even I agree. Whenever we head to a 'Kerala safari', I am going to take a printout of locations covered by Nutty Nair in his brilliant log, and see which of those can be seen. But, Kerala will need time, and I think, shouldn't be clubbed with other trips, to see and enjoy it truly.

[KRRaj]

Beautiful Rain Pictures. Everything looks more green during rain. Looking forward to more Wet Kerala pictures.

[TaureanBull]

Great pics of a great weather. Princess is very happy and rightly so.

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Note to self: One battery can't last whole day, need to purchase and carry a spare one for next trips.

IMO just buy a charger to charge from the 12V socket. Whenever driving plug it in.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Fordmanchau

Lalit,
Your daughter's damn cute. Is she taking Kathak Lessons ?
All of you sure seem to have enjoyed the trip thoroughly.Weather also had been good it seems. Was it your first trip down south ?

You bet! She would not leave me to talk to ldl, till I gave her my umbrella and and an ice cream for a bribe!

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

IMO just buy a charger to charge from the 12V socket. Whenever driving plug it in.

Yes, haven't bought even this! Will do this and also extra battery.

Day 10 continues..

A beautiful water fall..

Back at the Munnar center, we stopped at our favorite restaurant, due to heavy bf, didn't feel need for lunch, but this was right time to have something, and make plan for rest of the time. Ordered hot veg pakodas and tea. Also charged our camera battery there! Not to mention that our daughter had her or rather should say, made the staff at Annpoorna, to run around with her! Their usual punishment till we were there!

After 40 min break there, we left on NH49 towards Cochin direction (2nd of the four directions, Munnar is having roads for sight-seeing). Very little of the day was left, and foggy/misty weather could take over anytime, so without much expectations, we wanted to see at least part of that side.
Weather was still clear and views of tea gardens and valleys, even better!. We stopped at a couple of places, enjoyed those views, took some snaps and moved further.

At a point came the diversion to Attukkadu water falls. There was a Tata Tea factory board and their factory tea shop, selling tea packets. Though time was less, still confirmed the route to waterfall, and started driving down the road to valley towards water fall. It was a lovely but single lane road through tea gardens. As we kept moving down and down, the road got even narrower with sharp turns. But, there was no traffic, just us.

After some time wife got little concerned and asked, will it be wise to go further? It'll get dark soon, and road is very narrow. I said don't worry, we'll go till it is doable road. In case, further road will not look good, I'll turn and return. Despite its size, I am confident of turning our Tigress in very little space! Thanks to its steering. All it need is a couple of extra moves. Soon, the sound of water started to reach us, and in a couple of min, we reached to the bottom of the valley. And there was a beautiful waterfall. Breeze was cool, still some daylight was left, though it was little misty. There was a small, old bridge. The road was going even further. But, we stopped just before the bridge on extreme left. Got out, spent some minutes there, was very refreshing. Couldn't take pics as our camera was again out of order.

Satisfied that with little courage we could see this beautiful point, we returned in time to reach back to main NH49. Return drive took less time, and was less anxious, obviously.

Stopped at that Tata factory tea shop, purchased few tea packets, and returned to city. Stopped at Blossom park, but, entry was closed as it was already 6.30pm. So, We have to convince our daughter with a solid promise to come back to this park tomorrow.

Got back to hotel, had some rest, and went for dinner at 8.30 by auto to same resto.

We all were very satisfied and eagerly waiting for the next day at Green Munnar.

Few last snaps of the day taken on Cochin road..
You can see the misty evening weather.

[laluks]

The drive till that falls is beautiful.

The bridge is very old I guess and there was a board not to take the vehicle on it, though I saw some guys have parked on the other side :( The other side has more tea estates.

And as usual lots of people bathing in the falls!! Its a nice little spot, very much accessible from the bridge.

[LongDrive lover]

Day 11:

Exploring Munnar - part II

Pothamedu View point, Boating in Mettupetti reservoir, Elephant ride, Blossom park...

In original plan, we had to leave Munnar today, sometime around 11 or so. But, we decided to stay there for one extra night, so that we get one more full day there.

Started early. First went to Pothamedu View point. For it there is a left diversion on Cochin road 2-3 kms after Blossom park. Weather was clear, so valley views were great.

Returned, had bf at same restaurant (Though Sarvana Bhawan was also suggested, but, we were satisfied and so comfortable there, didn't try the other one. Moreover, we all are very light when it comes to eating, hence, we dont experiment much!).

First went to Mettupetti dam boat house first. reached there at 10. Speed Boating experience was fantastic for all of us. So clean water, such seren sorroundings, great views. We all were thrilled. Boat driver also took to the spot from where wild elephants roaming on shores were closely visible. Spent lot of time clicking pics there.

On return, again to fulfill daughter's desire, we spent Rs.350 on few minutes Elephant ride near dam.

By the time, we returned from there, it was lunch time. Had lunch and went to Blossom park, spent time there, though, it was not much of a thing actually.

Now pics from the Pothamedu View point...
But, it needs a better camera to capture best of those views
In last few pics, you can see the bridge that have to be crossed when taking left diversion from Cochin road, towards View point;

Also Cochin road/NH49 is seen on the other side of the valley, zoomed from this side.

[ampere]

The day seems to have cleared up. Lots of sun.

[LongDrive lover]

Originally Posted by laluks

The drive till that falls is beautiful.

The bridge is very old I guess and there was a board not to take the vehicle on it, though I saw some guys have parked on the other side :( The other side has more tea estates.

And as usual lots of people bathing in the falls!! Its a nice little spot, very much accessible from the bridge.

Sorry folks for being away for 2 days.

Yes, laluks, that road was beautiful, and there was that board too, that's why we didn't cross the bridge.

@ampere. yes, that day we had a full day bright sunshine .

Rest of the story with more pics coming up soon..