Feb 4th Monday
Our taxi was on time, waiting outside before 11am. Loading up we were soon on our way, getting to Heathrow at a good time. Whilst checking in I had to reprint our e-visas (I had forgotten them), in the days of less paper. Etihad however then split us up on the flight, with Bhavni and Airyen on one side and I on another. We would have to wait till boarding to see what could be done.
Having a bite to eat, Airyen managed to drop a load of tea on the floor, which was a bit of a cuffuffle. On the flight we managed to swap seats, so we were all together, just as well as Airyen was awake for the whole flight. At Abu Dhabi, we struggled to get a drink as most places had some sort of water issue, but we found a vending machine to have masal tea, and we had a bagel with cream cheese. Our next flight was not as nice as the A380, but at least Airyen fell asleep.
Feb 5th
After landing, we managed to disembark quickly enough, and make it to the e-visa desk, where we sat in some nice seats and got the paperwork stamped. Unfortunately we had to wait for out pushchair (the car seat came out quicker).
We were met by an agent for the travel company and our driver – Rajesh. He brought the car around and we then drove to our hotel (Fragrant nature kotchi). On the way we had a quick stop at Suburban travel to say hello to the lady who helped Bhavni arrange the tour.
At the hotel, our room was ready, so we went up and freshened up before going down to the restaurant at the hotel. It was quiet but nice. We had a chance to try a nice curry and apam for lunch – really nice (but spicy). Airyen enjoyed the apam.
We then met Rajesh and started our sightseeing tour. The first stop was the Chinese nets, where we went up and took a few photos. However when giving the guy there 50 rupees, he said “You call that a gift”, at which point I took the money back and walked away.
Next on the list was the Sant Cruz Bascella, where we sat sit for a bit inside, after which we had a quick walk around the local market shops. Airyen was getting sleepy by now so we asked Rajesh to take us for a ride, to let him sleep, whilst driving along the coast. Returning we went to the Mancherry palace, where Airyen woke up, so we had a lightning look around, then went back to to hotel.
Whilst Bhavni had a free massage, Airyen and I went for a swim in the rooftop pool, where she met us after. We had a bit of time to chill, then we went for dinner on the rooftop where there was live music. It was quite a nice night time view and nice food. Soon after we called it a night.
Feb 6th
Today was going to be a travelling day. Due to the time difference we woke at 9am, then were in a rush to get ready. We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, masala dosa, masala chai and sambar. Checking out at 11, we then started out drive to Munnar. Soon we were over the bridges and Fort Kotchi and then through to Ernakulam. After which the going got faster.
En route, stopped for lunch at a small diner and ordered a thali, which came with quite a few dishes. Carrying on, we passed a number of dry waterfalls (which were apparently flowing only a month ago). We stopped at a few which had good views.
we stopped at a spice garden, where we did the tour (100Rs a person). The tour guide was pretty good talking about the different plants and there herbal use. However they were all surprised when at the shop when Bhavni and I showed no interest in the herbal medicine side and instead looked at the spices. We bought a couple of things.
Not far from Munnar (and a bit after the stop for looking at bear rock) we had a stop at a chocolate shop (which was closing for the day), where we got a bit of local chocolate to try. Then back in the car for the last run and the turning to the hotel. Checking in we were taken to our room – floor -8, where we had a chance to freshen up before dinner. They were doing a buffet, which they gave a veg discount -750Rs pp. Very nice.
Feb 7th
So after requesting a room with a bath for Airyen, we found ourselves changing rooms from floor -8 to -9. We then went for a nice breakfast, though they took a while to bring out the tea. By 9.30 we were ready and out in the car.
Our first stop was a flower garden, it was quite busy, with us just walking around the paths reading the signs and seeing the plants, including the largest cabbage plants I have seen.
We then had a quick stop at an elephant ride area, where Airyen had a bit of excitement looking from the parking area – Bhavni and I declined to have a ride which surprised Rajesh.
We then drove to Mattupatti dam, which was heaving with people – we did not even try to go to echo point, however we walked around a little, before driving to the Kundala Dam. Here we had a walk over the dam itself, with an umbrella for the heat, taking a couple of photos, with the cows walking also. Finally we drove to the top station. Here it was really busy – right at the border to Tamil Nadu. We went to the view points, which is a paid entry to a steep path down the hill, but unfortunately the clouds had come in so the views were obscured quite a bit. As the time was ticking we power walked back up, getting out of breath, where Rajesh was waiting for us, near some aggressive monkeys.
We stopped at one of the local restaurants here – I wanted a drink, which took absolutely ages. It was then a 1h30 journey back towards the hotel, with a few photo stops on the way. We had a really late lunch in Munnar. Back at the hotel, after having a bit of r&r we went to the restaurant for a cooking demo, after which we freshened up then had dinner – Al Carte as there were not many residents in the hotel.
Feb 8th
After a chilled breakfast (getting Airyen to eat and also waiting for tea), we met Rajesh and drove about an hour to see a tea factory.
We had to wear the funny blue shoe overalls as we were given a tour. This started with the drying rooms and then all the stages of how the tea prepared and graded. It is a different system slightly to the one on Sri Lanka. (I was happily taking photos in front of the owners – but a local on our tour started complaining to me that we were not meant to, which was a bit annoying, but by that time I had had my fill).
After the tour we spent a bit of time there in the garden area before going back to Munnar. We had a wonder around the vegetable market, lots and lots of different stuff. We bought some spices from one of the shop, which was fine, but as usual we got conned by a guy selling oranges who charged too much for fruit…
Back at the hotel we had a special cooking class given to us by the chefs there. The prepared to curries and some sambarr. Lots of spices go into the food, along with plenty of coconut normally. They use coconut oil always. Airyen was entertained with the Ipad during this so he was fine.
After we went to see the cultural show in town. We were early enough that we saw a bit of the getting ready for the 2 actors doing the play from the old books. It was a slightly strange singing music experience. We then got persuaded to stay for the warrior show next. But during it Airyen got tired, so we left a little before the end.
We had dinner in the hotel.
Feb 9th
As we were leaving today, I took Airyen for food while Bhavni finished packing. After she had come and had breakfast, we checked out and managed to leave at around 10am.
The road was under repair most of the way so it was a bit rough in places. On the way we drove past the elephant crossing boating area. As Airyen was asleep we decided to go in. It was a silly decision as the price just to go in was expensive (plus the camera use cost, even though smart phones don’t count) and there was not much to do there. Even thinking to have a drink there was a bad idea as there was a rat in the restaurant.
In the end we carried on and had tea at roadside, after passing a religious procession. As the journey had become a bit sickly due to motion, we got out and had a walk in Thekaddy just before getting to the hotel.
At the Hotel, we had a welcome, then got to our rooms – a little simple after the last few hotels. We then had some tea at the garden area, before going for a little walk outside. Getting back I had to get the reception to book the boat for us tomorrow as the site did not accept and foreign credit cards – amazing.
Whist relaxing we could hear some noise – it turned out to be a big Christian procession with floats. We watched for a while then headed in for the dance show in the hotel and then dinner.
Feb 10th
We had to get up early today, for an early breakfast (with Airyen being a bit difficult).
At 8.30am we had to leave to walk the small distance to get the bus after showing our tickets. It was not that long a ride to the dock on the Periyar Lake.
It was annoying as even though we were early enough, all top deck seats had already been taken, so we were given lower deck fixed place seats.
In the departure area, it was literally a squabble of locals, all vying for space, and generally making a big ruckus. Every now and then there were shouts as people were approached by the monkeys that prowled here. Getting on the boat – we had to sit on some rubbish seats, but luckily there was some room and we managed to get a bit better seating (even if we were meant to wear the safety floatation devices)
It was a bit quiet for animal spotting, with mainly birds and buffalo. It was not enough to keep Airyen entertained, getting a bit of cabin fever. One of the guards kept on taking our camera to take photos (as he could walk around freely whilst we had to remain seated), so we ended up with a few animal shots.
Getting back to the dock and into the coach, we were soon back to the hotel, where Airyen fell asleep and we chilled. Afternoon we went to the afternoon tea, where we also had a tour of the hotel food garden, which had lots and lots of different vegetables and herbs.
Dinner was in the hotel.
Feb 11th.
Today was a drive to Kollam, so after breakfast we checked out by 9.30am (with some photos taken), and luckily some take away food for Airyen. The drive turned out to be much longer than any of us anticipated.
Our first stop was eagle rock, which was a couple of hours drive. It was on the top of some high hills, where people fly kites – We had a little walk around there up to the lookout points. From there the journey continued and after another couple of hours we ended stopping at a fruit cafe, to a) have a break/drinks and ice cream and b) for Rajesh to ask how far we were – apparently only a few hours away……
More than a few hours later we were still on the road, so it was time to stop for a rest. Rajesh recognised the town and took us to a hotel restaurant at around 3.30, where we had some verras, tea and some masala dosa – though one had to be sent back as it was with black salt.
We had one more stop at a roadside cafe later, before getting to Ravis at 6pm. Was quite nice to check in and have a welcome drink. We got to our room, watched the sunset from our mini balcony and freshened up.
We watched a bit of the dancing before a welcome dinner.
Feb 12th
We decided to have a more chilled out day today, so after breakfast (with the slowest masala tea around) we let Rajesh know that we would go out after lunch.
Airyen and I went for a swim (with me stepping in a tack which required some cleaning), meanwhile Bhavni organised a massage at the spa here. We carried on swimming whilst she had her treatment. When It was my turn we all got out and they went for lunch whilst I had my treatment. Some oil and relaxing later we met up, with me grabbing a sandwich before heading out.
Bhavni asked Rajesh if we could see some cashew factories as Kollam is famous for them. He got an address for one, and after finding it (driving past a few times and asking some stall owners), we were given permission to see it. Here they packaged cashews which were already shelled, mostly for export. There were a whole lot of people cleaning the cashews and sorting out them by grade. We found out that most of the cashews dealt with are from Africa. We then went to see the second factory where they do the initial prep – taking the cashews out of the shell, again lots of people.
After we headed to the beach-front to go to Kollom lighthouse. We got the lift to the top and took some photos from here. We could see our resort by the lake from here.
Rajesh then suggested we go to the Mahatma Gandhi park, so in the heat we paid and entered. However we pretty much of the amusements that Airyen wanted to see were closed, so we just walked around for a bit and took some photos before heading home.
We clean ourselves up and went for a pre dinner ride in the boat that is here, which went to the other side of the lake, before heading back.
We then went for dinner (where we had pre ordered food for Airyen).
Feb 13th.
I took Airyen for breakfast whilst Bhavni packed, with her joining us a little later for the slow masala chai. We finished, checked out and then head out to Alleppy.
As we were driving, Rajesh suggested to have a look at the Snake temple; we did not have a lot of time, but he thought it would be good. It was a little further than we thought. We had a little look around, before heading back.
By now we were a little late, such that the boat company started phoning Rajesh. Anyway we got to the boat just before 12, loaded the bags and then we soon were sailing. After a while the guys docked the boat at a pier and we sat down to a full lunch.
After we went for a small boat ride, to the smaller waterways and villages, which was really picturesque. Airyen had to be consoled as he was very tired, but could not put himself to sleep.
Getting back to the boat, we soon were cruising again. Bhavni got a bit of a cooking lesson in the galley kitchen on the 3 curries being made. After we were set for the night on the side of a big waterway.
So whilst we were waiting in the evening, Bhavni saw a uninvited guest – accompanied with some shouting….. That meant that dinner was eaten soon after with a bit of trepidation. We watched a bit of Still open all hours then we went to bed, Bhavni had a bad experience again, so we did not get a great sleep – I did not see anything though later.
Feb 14th.
Today was Airyens birthday! I took the bags out of the room into the seating area, for putting things in, as I saw a few small guests appear from behind a cabinet in the room. We did a mini photo shoot infront of a bill board, before morning breakfast. Then it was a small sail to the final place where we docked and left at 9am.
It was a odd drop of place – not really any docks – just a road side. Rajesh picked us up and we headed to Kumarakum, which was less then an hour away. We checked into our hotel for the night – the Zuri, which was a very nice welcome.
The hotel manager used a golf cart to drop us to our room, which was a lovely cottage. Time for a bit of unwinding then Airyen and I went for a quick swim, before going for lunch, which was buffet format. It was very busy as there was a company retreat happening at the same time – you had people standing and eating with their hands whilst in the queue.
We then chilled in the room for a bit whilst Airyen slept. After we all went for a swim again in evening, with a bit of fun getting pool towels as the company lot had been. It was nice and relaxing.
For evening we went to the restaurant – there was some live music happening just out side, so we listened for a bit before having dinner. After the chefs had prepared a cake for Airyens birthday – We tried to get Rajesh to come, but he was too embarrassed.
Feb 15th
In the morning I went for a yoga session after missing the sunrise. The class mostly turned up late and were the guys from the company retreat. It started easy but got progressively harder. Meanwhile Bhavni and Airyen had a nice walk around the site.
After I got back we all went for a morning swim, before getting ready and having breakfast. We were ready and checked out by 11am.
We then drove to Kotchi and to our hotel – Holiday Inn, where we checked in and were given a room on the 14th floor. We had a spot of lunch in the room and then met Rajesh back downstairs at 2.30pm.
We went to a Saree shop that Rajesh had recommanded – It was pretty big, but the prices were not cheap. We spent a while there – with me entertaining Airyen whilst Bhavni had a browse. She finally got the the right area and found a couple of things she liked.
After we went to one of the famous nick nack roads here, where we had a browse, but nothing much we were interested in – Just some nuts and weird price haggling at that. We then went to the Marine drive area and looked for a shop to buy some crisps to take with us. We ended up at a store, where after Bhavani selected some items they substituted them with older items without our knowledge. We watched the sun set over the ocean, with Bhavni slowly melting in the heat.
We managed to find a proper shopping store, where we bought a bit more stuff before going back to the hotel.
For dinner we ate at the Italian restaurant in the hotel, which had nice food and was nice and peaceful, then it was upstairs and packing.
Feb 16th
We had to wake up early to go for breakfast. We took down the bags ourself as no one came even after phoning a couple of times. It was a quick meal, before checking out. It was a hour drive to airport, where we said bye to Rajesh.
We Checked in, however the seats were again crazy, with us sitting apart, and even Bhavni and Airyen not sitting next to each other. Luckily on the plane there was a mother, daughter and child sitting and they were happy to swap seats so at least Airyen and Bhavni were next to each other for this first leg. At Abu Dhabi we had a quick connection onto a A380. The front was empty so Airyen had a place to run around, but we did not get any sleep. Arriving a Heathrow, it took ages for bags to arrive. The taxi was waiting and took us home, but the guy complained when Bhavni suggested we could take the A40 exit rather than go all the way up the M25 and he took the advice. Then at home he started saying that there were waiting charges as it had taken longer then expected – But he had come into Heathrow very early – Last time we use them.