Tea plantations of Munnar

Arriving into Munnar was worth the bus fare alone. Toi see all the tea plantations with all the women picking the leaves was really something. Munnar is pretty high up and so wasn't the warmest of places. We checked into our room and straight away went to book a trek through the mountains and plantations. We knew of these treks from a few guys we were talking to on our Backwaters tour who had just come from Munnar. We booked a two day one night trek which suited us because we were not looking for hardcore trekking, just a relatively easy trek so we could take in all the sights of the plantations and anything else that was to be seen. The rest of the day was spent just taking in Munnar which was not a lot. We tried some homemade chocolate which was horrible. give me Cadbury's any day. Our first day of trekking was a good one. We were doing it with another couple who we realised were more into the hardcore trekking. We found out that they were looking to do min 8 hours trekking every day. Needless to say they were mental. I sure had no intention of doing that and dying in a foreign country up the mountains. Our guide was of the same opinion as me, thank God, and so the pace was doable. The views going through the plantations were fabulous. The greenery was amazing. It was pretty hot and I was sweating buckets, but it was worth it for the views. Its so peaceful up there. We camped out up the mountain that night and sat round the campfire and sang Kumbaiya. Ah no only messing. There was a fire but no singing. Col and I had a couple of beers. THe next morning we were awake at half 6 to see the sun rise over the mountains. Beautiful sight. So beautiful that I fell back asleep after it for a few more hours. The homeward trek was pretty misty so we couldn't see a lot. We did come across some fresh tiger tracks which had us all a little on edge but nothing came of it. There was also elephant poo everywhere. Don't ask me how elephants could get that far up mountains, because it was really high uo and very steep. We got a public bus back down into town. It was the most memorable bus jourbey so far. The driver was uber-impatient and while trying to overtake a lorry which was parked our bus smashed the lorry's wingmirror. No stopping for our man though, just keep on going. Next we got a flat trye. It was one of the inner tryes at the back but not even that could make our driver stop. He did have to go a bit slower though. Drivers in India have this need for speed. Even when driving on a tiny road that is teetering on the edge of a cliff they bomb it down the road and only break if absolutely necessary. So on we went. Then came the woman that was puking out the window. The poor woman couldn't even get of the bus. Luckily there is no glass in these windows so there was no problem throwing up out the window. What a wonderful sight. Never a dull moment in India.