Kerala - Munnar is Must to visit

My mini trip to Munnar was more of a learning experience than just the leisure. I went there with empty hands and came back with empty purse, but the memory card full of beauty captured. My moments at Munnar are indeed one of the best time I had in travelling. The Magnificent Munnar is a Must to visit in a lifetime! And I am so glad that I did it at the silver jubilee of my life. Here is my mixed details on my mini trip to Munnar.

The Miracle started 510 years since Vasco da Gama's opened the first sea route to India. This sea voyage to India(1497-1499), is one of the defining moments in the history of exploration. It was southwest coast of India at Kerala,Calicut completely changed the Indian industrial history. Indeed, this tiny state of India , Kerala ones again making a difference in the Tourism industry with its remarkable reputation of being one of the most beautiful states. For long been known all around the world as the land of spices, today it has been nicknamed as God's Own Country. A land of lovely palm- fringed wide sandy beaches and lush green vegetation all over is a heavenly experience to visit. In 2006, Kerala attracted 8.5 million tourist arrivals, an increase of 23.68% over the previous year, making the state one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.

• Kerala - One of the 50 must see destinations of a lifetime - " National Geographic Travel "
  Kerela - One of the 10 paradises of the World - " National Geographic Travel "
• Nominated as one among the three finalists at the World Travel and Tourism Council's ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards in the destination category - Yr.2005.

Kerala offers one of the best beaches, backwater experiences and hill stations of the country. Hill station Munnar is situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. Munnar have a magnificent climate and view with the sheets of tender green paddy fields, cardamom groves, pepper climber, rubber plantation, slopping plantations of tea and many more. Munnar is blessed to have the cool climate attracting many tourists from domestic and around the world all season round.

The history of tea plantation in Munnar started in the 1895 by an European A.H. Sharp, at the A.H. Sharp Parvathy estate (Present Silent Valley Estate). Since than, tea plantation have come a long way making itself as one of the biggest exporter in the world. Today, most of the tea estates are owed by Tata Group, an Indian corporate giant , generating employment to most of the local people and protecting the ecology of the environment.

Tea production, consumption and export, India has emerged to be the world leader, mainly because it accounts for 31% of global production. Tea production is perhaps the only industry where India has retained its leadership over the last 150 years. And being the tea lover its an absolute delight to see the all around green slopes of tea. I was so much carried away by the salient beauty of the green slopes of tea plantation. One can also buy the fresh Tea from the outlets and shops in the market. And believe me there are varied collection of different tastes simply opening up the senses. Buy them for yourself and also gift them to your friends.

" Munnar is a land of waterfalls and species. We also had spice-tour, visiting the farms where the we could see the rubber tree plantation and whole production process of how the rubber was extracted from the tree and made. Pepper climbers, cardamom nurtured, cocoa bushes was indeed a lifetime experience to see. Land of species , also invites people to buy cardamom, pepper, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg etc on best price with excellent quality. Homemade chocolates, honey and other oils for massage are some of the condiments to keep for sure in the buying basket. "

On the way to Munnar, there are glistening brooks and the hills finally roll down to the coastal plains of Munnar through paddy fields and coconut trees. One of the main attraction of Munnar is the Mattupetty which is situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level. Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with the ultimate view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating facilities are available in the reservoir. Horse riding and elephant ride is also available there. It is believed that Munnar have the climate as similar to Switzerland, hence there is the Indo-Swisss Live Stock project which is well known for its highly specialized dairy. Echo gaze is another distinct picturesque beauty to visit.

Munnar way stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and magnificent monuments of churches and others statues. A wildlife lover shall love to go Eravikulam National Park, a sanctuary popular for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious). We were definitely lucky to see six such goats at the hill top. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. And the panoramic view from this place of the Munnar is simply great..where clouds touches one's head, leaving the feeling of fairy land or call it Heaven " God's own country".

Kerala is Worth a Thousand Words..Its like it's Tea, have a Sip and Experience...the Pleasure."

Somebody very well quoted saying, " If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you..." Munnar is a place revealing about peace, calmness, serenity and a blooming beauty prevails. The Miracle of Munnar is still blessing the world with its balanced eco-nature, hope the Man respects and cares for it..!

Enjoy Travelling..

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not because
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