A drive to Munnar Hill Station
After a discussion the night before with our host, we thought that we had ordered a jeep for the day, so were disappointed when a car arrived at the door. However, along with a young American couple, Sean and Leah, we piled in and set off for a drive to 'Top Station'.
The Americans had left their jobs to go travelling, and proved to be good companions.
Followers of this blog will recall that so far we had failed to see a tile making factory, saree making and a weavers workshop. But today, we had high hopes of seeing paper making and block printing at a school for children of tea plantation workers. But, we were out of luck again! The place was closed. There was an excuse of stock taking, but I suspect this was to cover embarrassment that it was a result of a Communist led strike.
The strike also affected bank workers, and we later struggled to obtain cash.
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The mist covered hills of Munnar.
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Looking for wild elephants
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We headed on to Top Station, stopping to photograph a wild elephant on the way up. Top Station is a tourist destination in the Kannan Devan hills of Munnar. It was a transshipment point for delivery of tea from Munnar to Bodinayakkanur. Top Station derived its name from its being the upper terminus of the Kottagudi Aerial Ropeway. It was also the location of the terminal railway station on the Kundala Valley Railway. No evidence of the railway remains.
Sited close to the Kerala/Tamil Nadu, the views can be spectacular, but not today! The hills were shrouded in mist. Before going to the Top Station, we dropped off our companions, who wished to do a long walk, and then we made our way to the viewpoint. This is for the fitter tourists only, as it involves a steep climb. We had lunch in a small restaurant and then drove through the forest to pick up the walkers. I think they were pleased to see us.
Our driver wanted to stop for us to photograph the reservoirs, but they were of little interest to us. I suppose that if you live in a hot country where water is scarce, then this is indeed worth a stop.
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Posing - with Sean and Leah.
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We found one!
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We returned to Rose Garden, where once again we walked up to the view point for a drink. Back in the homestay, we were served an enormous meal heaped onto our plates. Self-service might have been better. However, it was a sociable and enjoyable gathering. There were opportunities to go out, but this involved travelling so we took the easy option.
Once we had made the arrangements for our onward journey the next day, we retired to our comfortable room.
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