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Posts from the ‘Kerala-Munnar’ Category

17
Nov

Trips: Kerala – The drive to Thekaddy

:: Galleries – Kerala – The drive to Thekaddy

It was barely the half-way mark in the trip, but Cochin and Munnar, with the lush tea plantations, rolling hills, waterfalls and amazing national parks, had already provided glimpses of why Kerala is so aptly christened ‘God’s Own Country’. After a hearty breakfast, it was time to head to Thekaddy, home to the largest wildlife sanctuary in India, viz. the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve.

 

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Scenic drives mark the journey to Thekaddy

Scenic drives mark the journey to Thekaddy

 
In this album:

Enroute from Munnar to Thekaddy Amazing panaromas greet us as we drive on Bright-roofed houses snuggle into the soft slopes, enroute to Thekaddy Bright-roofed houses snuggle into the soft slopes, enroute to Thekaddy
Tea plantations cover every available inch, up into the hills Terraced gardens, enroute Thekaddy Greens of tea plantations, as far as the eye can see Beautiful landscape, enroute to Thekaddy
Wispy clouds roll in over the carpetted slopes Symmetry: the tree-line, the slopes, the clouds (enroute Thekaddy) Lush green carpet of tea plantations against a spectacular backdrop A view of the road, etched into the hillside, enroute to Thekaddy
A cloudy avalanche seems to descend on the slopes Up, above the clouds so high... Clear blue skies provide the perfect background to these settings (enroute Thekaddy) Scenic drives like these mark the journey to Thekaddy
An expanse of tea plantations seems to boil over What a landscape! Aisles of winding road snake through the green hills, enroute to Thekaddy Scenic and sculpted landscape of tea gardens
More from this amazing album (continued in the next post)

11
Nov

Trips: Kerala – Munnar, Matupetty Dam

:: Galleries – Kerala – Munnar, Matupetty Dam

After the exciting day-trip at the Eravikulam National Park, it was time to head to the lake at Matupetty. Located about 13 kms from Munnar, and at a height of 1700m, Matupetty is nestled amidst lush forests, mountains and tea plantations.

The Matupetty Dam is a source of hydroelectric power to the region, and in its backdrop is created the beautiful Matupetty Lake. The scenery is amazing, and offers picture postcard views that will compete with those in foreign locales.

 

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Overlooking the lake on Matupetty Dam

Overlooking the lake on Matupetty Dam

 
In this album:

Nestled in the midst of mountains, the lake at Matupetty makes a picture perfect setting Blue skies, white clouds and green surroundings, at Matupetty Hills, kissed by clouds, slope into the lake at Matupetty Cottages dot the hill tops, at the lake at Matupetty
Still waters [must] run deep, at Matupetty Scenic vista along the banks of the lake at Matupetty Watching the trails of the speed boat, against the scenic backdrop at Matupetty Beautiful settings, along the lake at Matupetty
Lake view, from the parking lot, at Matupetty Scenic vista along the banks of the lake at Matupetty Till the boatsmen come home... Water gushes down over the Matupetty Dam
Water cascades down the steps of the wall at Matupetty Dam Overlooking the lake on Matupetty Dam A view of the gates at the dam, as water thunders through Driving through the scenic surroundings... Peace! O'er the hills... Scenic landscape
Stunning settings... Enthralling beauty - no matter which way

4
Nov

Trips – Kerala: Munnar, Eravikulam National Park

:: Galleries – Kerala – Munnar, Eravikulam National Park

After the refreshing morning walk, it was time for a hearty breakfast, followed by a visit to the Eravikulam National Park, aka Rajmala Sanctuary, Idukki district, less than 20kms away from the town of Munnar.

Eravikulam National Park, about 2000m above mean sea level, is renowned for two reasons:
1. It is where the highest peak – Anamudi (2690m) – south of the Himalayas is,and
2. Beside being home to a large variety of flora and fauna, it is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a goat-like animal.

The scenery was once again, spectacular, and more than that of just the lush tea plantations. See for yourself.

 

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Scenery to rival that in Northern Europe: Amazing landscape, Eravikulam National Park

Amazing landscape, Eravikulam National Park

 
In this album:

Feeling the rush, driving to Eravikulam Nat'l Park Lush slopes along the drive to Eravikulam Nat'l Park Take your chance, sign at Eravikulam Nat'l Park Colours of nature, ENP A view of the valley, as we enter into Eravikulam Nat'l Park Spectacular terraces of tea gardens, as we enter into Eravikulam Nat'l Park Spectacular terraces of tea gardens, as we enter into ENP Beautiful view of the valley, as we drive into ENP
Beautiful view of the valley, as we drive into ENP Cotton woolly clouds seem to mirror the jagged peaks Anamudi, the tallest peak - a first glimpse, ENP Beautiful view of the valley, as we set foot in ENP
Looking down onto houses nestled in the valley Picture perfect scenery at ENP Hill slopes blanketed by velvetty tea plantations Oh well! Didn't turn as well as I would've liked
Looking down onto the valley (and the bus stop, from where the trek begins) Picture perfect scenery at ENP That's (me) our Photographer's Club on this tour! More amazing views over the valley, as we ascend
The Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered animal The Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered animal More beautiful views of the mountains... The Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered animal
Just ferns Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP
Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP Amazing scenery from near the top, ENP A chameleon crosses our path, near the top, ENP
Amazing scenery overlooking the hill slopes,, ENP Amazing scenery overlooking the hill slopes, ENP Amazing scenery overlooking the hill slopes, ENP Back to basecamp (bus stop) - a view of the towering Annamudi Peak, ENP
The National Park's Bus, ENP A picture showing the Neelakurunji in bloom (once every 12 years) in the valley The Annamudi Peak contrasts with bright greens of tea plantations, ENP Passing through the lush green valley, ENP
Amazing scenery overlooking the tea plantations, ENP Stunning beauty of the valley, ENP Whizzing through a carpet of green, ENP Tea plantations cover every square inch of the hill slopes, ENP
A picture perfect landscape, ENP Lush, fluoroscent greens of the tea plantations, ENP

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