Heavenly abode called Munnar for honeymoon

You just got married and want to be with your love at the top of the world for your honeymonn. You want to be the first to see sunup and sundown. You want to listen to myriad cicadas and other nightly beings striking up an unceasing orchestra through the night. And, all this must be in a “winter like” temperature at the peak of summer.

There is only one destination that answers all this in the southern state of Kerala in India—Munnar.

This heavenly abode is nestled among hills  some 6,000 ft above sea level. It is 132 km from Cochin airport and  is a 3-hour pleasant cab journey from Cochin. Munnar is out of the way of air and rail link. Tourpackage Kerala has cabs and tie up with the best hotels in Munnar to befit the melodious beginning of your love life.

A summer hill station of the British rulers, Munnar is sought after by the newly married because it looks so surreal that you live in a dream. Witness how Nature unveils its glory in a slow motion at dawn when the ogling sun’s golden rays tries to peep through the shrouds of grey clouds and white mist that clothe the serrated hills--A sight beyond words.

As you wake your love up and sip the steaming cup of tea made of Munnar’s own tea gardens, life seems like an extended sweet dream. The daylight noises slowly sink the nightly music as the day progresses. But the heavenly smell of spices lingers all around for Munnar is known for tea, coffee, and cardamom estates. The day is just breaking and a long day of excitement awaits you.

The Ramble

Munnar has several spots of tourist interests. Sprawling tea plantations (30 of them), winding lanes,  picturesque vistas of hills and valleys and wildlife sanctuaries, all bewitch you beyond imagination.

This marvellous hill resort lies at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, You two could get going on a bicycle, holding communion and sometimes debate with fauna. Or, you could get the cab and go around all the places during day and lunch on a stream bank or in the forested hillocks. Better still, you could simple take a two-wheeler and go about the places with helpful tips from our staff.

The Mattupeety Lake is one of the major tourist attractions around Munnar. Closeby is  an  Indo-Swiss cattle-breeding centre. Some 17 km from Munnar is the Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Mountain Nilgiri Tahrs that walk on rocks like we do on level earth is a major attraction. The sanctuary also offers wondrous vistas of the valley. For adventurous activity seekers trekking is an option in the sanctuary.

If either of you or both are animal lovers,  you  must visit the Ernakulum National Park. The park is 19 km from Munnar.

A day trip to see the prehistoric burial sites - Muniyaras / dolmens - near Marayoor could take you back the hoary past. Further ahead along the Udumalpet road lies Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. The road cuts through the sanctuary and it is not uncommon to see wildlife such as elephants, langurs, peacocks , right on the road especially early mornings and late evenings.

The sanctuary is also known for its star turtles and grizzled giant squirrels. There are prehistoric rock paintings and some more dolmens deep inside the forest. To see these, you need to engage a forest guide from the checkpost at Alampetty. You can also trek to the horseshoe shaped Thoovanam falls - visible from the road.

After you come back, if it is a moonlit night, your happiness would be complete. The soothing, soft moonlight bathes the whole surrounding in mil-white and the silence, barring nightly beings, is so divine that speech seems sacrilegious. Let your eyes and hearts speak.