Unique kerala

Day 1 - Pune to Cochin
After a long wait we finally left Pune. Anagha's excitement was the highlight of the day.  she put on her shoes, took her bag and was waiting outside 15 minutes before us.  We arrived at Pune airport on time and boarded our flight. Landed at Cochin and started our road journey to Munnar. We lost our way and somehow managed to hold on to our nerves while our cab travelled through the narrow jungle roads through the dark and just managed to reach our hotel "The Wind". (Read my tripadvisor review here). Tired and weary, we retired for the night.

Day 2 - Woke up early morning to a wonderful view of the mountains and green valley. We got dressed and were very eager to go sight seeing when we learnt that a strike has been called and Munnar town is closed so we cannot go out. Disappointed we spent the entire day clicking photos around the hotel. Since we were too engrossed in our disappointment, we did not realize it then but looking back now, the view from the hotel was really amazing.

Day 3- Eager to make up for lost time, we checked out of our hotel and went for Munnar sight seeing. First we went to see "Eravikulam national park". We were a bit disappointed as there was a huge queue for tickets. After an hour long wait in the queue, we reached the ticket desk and after buying tickets a mini bus took us to the top. After alighting the bus, we were allowed to take a walk around the park. The view was amazing, it was unblemished natural beauty. We did not really go right up to the top as Anagha refused to walk and returned half way.

Tip: Don't go expecting to see tigers and wild animals. The only animal the park holds is an endangered species of some wild goat and that too, you can sight one only if you are lucky. Just go for the view and natural beauty and you will enjoy it.
Post lunch, we went to see a flower garden. It had lovely flowers. After that, took an elephant ride. That was an experience in itself. As the elephant trudged slowly along the rocky path, we swayed along with it. I prayed hard and vowed to myself that I would never do this again! But looking back, was not that bad. After the elephant ride, we drove past the Matupatty Dam. We were very tired and so did not step out of the cab but clicked a few photos from inside. Then went to echo point. Contrary to the name, now there is no echo at echo point and its just lined with shops that sell all kinds of stuff. We bought a miniature houseboat as a sovenier.  Tired and weary we checked in our hotel "The siena village".

Day 4 -Again strike was called for and so we could not travel to Thekkady as planned and had to extend our stay in Munnar at "The Siena village".  Disappointed we spent the day exploring the resort.

Day 5 - Much to our dismay, the strike was extended in "Idduki" district i.e. the district under which Munnar falls. Luckily for us, there was no strike in the district to which "Kumorokoam" falls. So we left Munnar by 4 AM in the morning in order to cross "Idduki" district before 6 am. We reached kumarakoam by 10 am. Since the houseboat was not ready we were given a hotel to freshen up after which we traveled to our houseboat. The stay in houseboat was a totally different experience. The serene backwaters lined with coconut palms on both sides looks like a picture from a post card. The staff on the houseboat are extremely friendly. After a round trip over the backwaters the house boat is anchored in the evening. For lunch they served us delicious fish cooked in Kerala style.

Day 6 -  After a wonderful breakfast in the houseboat, we left from Kumarakoam to Cochin for our journey back. Thus ended  a trip that was memorable for all the wrong reasons.