Munnar

Tuesday 22/01/2013 & Wednesday 23/01/2013 - MUNNAR

Monday 21/1: Kochi to Munnar 
- Autorickshaw from the home stay towards the ferry landing in Munnar,
- Ferry from Kochi to Ernakulam, 20 minutes,
- Autorickshaw from the ferry landing in Ernakulam towards the bus station,
- Bus from Ernakulam to Munnar.

 Arriving at the Ferry Landing by rickshaw.

Congestion, even if a ferry leaves about every half hour.

Crossing the sister ferry.

 12:00 Noon bus for Munnar, awaiting at the bus station of Ernakulam.

 Driver seat.

 Wild driver

.

Bus stop underway (Kothamangalam).

Christian monuments along the road.

More monuments.

Munnar town center!

 Saint Anthony of Munnar feast,

in accoustic competition with the mosque evening prayers.

 Tuesday 22/1: Private tour around Munnar and tea factory visit.

Private tour with autorickshaw, finally the perfect vehicle: 

rather slow, easy stops, quick in/out stepping, good contact with the driver.

Tea plantations all along the road.

The big trees are there to regulate the humidity level of the soil.

Multiple companies are installed in the area.  Employing over 60 000 people:

men work in the factories (cutting, fermentation, drying) and the packaging plants,

women pick the tea leaves in thea plantations on the hills.

Tree with plenty of giant bee nests.

All the nests are concentrated in this one tree.

Bee nest.

Madupatty lake.

The fresh leaves are cut every 15 (monsoon) to 20 days (winter).

Farm.

Families working for the tea companies get free housing, electricity, water, medical care,

creche and schooling untill the children reach the age of 12. 

One of the many tea factories.

 180 degree panorama.

 Tea plantations.

Little village along the road.

 Horse riding

Tea plantation.

 Buying passion fruit from a fruit stall along the road
(1 fruit for 5 Roupies, or 0.03€).

Tata tea factory museum outlet.

 Wednesday 23/1: Hiking and visit to the rose garden.

 

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