To kickstart our adventure, we reserved a self-drive car in Coimbatore and made arrangements for it to be conveniently delivered at the nearby railway station. Each arrival in Coimbatore greeted us with a sense of wonder. The city's welcoming embrace came with its pleasant weather, warm-hearted locals, delectable breakfast options, and a distinct respect that permeated their dialect.
Furthermore, this city held a trove of personal memories and stories, all near and dear to our hearts. Revisiting those cherished places and reminiscing about old memories kindled immense joy and heightened our emotions, transforming this trip into something truly special.
In the morning, we indulged in a hearty breakfast at the renowned Annapoorna Hotel in Coimbatore. The food was undeniably delicious, though, in my personal opinion, it came with a slightly hefty price tag. Our journey commenced from Gandhipuram to Pollachi Main Road, passing by locales laden with countless memories. Within a mere two-hour drive, we reached Udumalaipettai and set our sights on the mesmerizing Munnar hills.
Before venturing into the hills, we had to pass through the Tamil Nadu Checkpost, and once again, at the Kerala Forest checkpost to ensure no illegal substances were being transported. The road was flanked by sprawling tea plantations, and a gentle breeze enveloped us, providing a rejuvenating experience amidst nature's splendor. Along the route, we stumbled upon a quaint tea shop nestled on the country roadside, serenading us with old songs, and the aroma of freshly brewed tea beckoned us. We savored the tea and continued our journey towards Munnar town.
To our dismay, we found that all the shops in Munnar were shuttered due to a strike announced by political parties in Kerala. We decided not to linger and pushed forward towards our ultimate destination in Poopara, which lay 35 kilometers away from Munnar. Our journey unfolded along the picturesque Munnar Kummili Highway, an exhilarating ride through the captivating beauty of the hills.
Upon arriving a few meters from our villa, a Vintage Mahindra Jeep appeared to collect us, adding a touch of mini-off-road excitement to our adventure. Titha Service Villa was nestled in the midst of an enchanting nowhere, enveloped by lush green trees and boasting a spectacular vista of the verdant world around us.
The unanimous satisfaction with our choice of accommodations set the stage for a scrumptious lunch. With prior arrangements in place, they treated us to a delectable and flavorsome lunch, more than sufficient to induce a peaceful post-meal slumber.
As we awoke in the late evening, we received a call that our close friend had welcomed a baby boy into the world. This joyful news infused our gathering with a new level of happiness, giving us a reason to celebrate and adding another layer of joy to our journey.
On the following day, we decided to take it easy with no concrete plans for our journey. Instead, we relished sitting together and engaging in conversations amidst the serene beauty of the Silent Valley. As the afternoon sun approached, we reluctantly checked out of our cozy accommodations, expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the hospitable staff who had provided us with delicious meals and a memorable stay.
With no specific route in mind, we set off relying on our trusty maps, heading towards the enchanting destination of Vagamon, known for its lush meadows. Along the way, we made a pit stop at Nedumkandam, where we indulged in a scrumptious Kerala-style meal. While savoring our food, we deliberated on our next course of action. Considering our aim to reach Coimbatore by the following night, we collectively decided that Cochin would be a more practical choice compared to Vagamon.
Cochin offered an entirely distinct experience from the serene hill stations we had been exploring. Our journey from Nedumkandam to Cochin led us along the winding paths of the Western Ghats, guiding us past the picturesque Periyar River. However, as we descended from the hills, the twists and turns of the narrow countryside roads took a toll on our stomachs, resulting in an uncomfortable journey. Despite the long and challenging ride, we finally arrived in Cochin at 9 o'clock in the evening and checked into our accommodation in Fort Kochi.
The following day in Cochin, we explored the scenic Fort Kochi Beach and visited a Kerala-style palace, originally constructed by the Portuguese in 1555 and later renovated by the Dutch. Regrettably, due to time constraints, we missed out on visiting the Historic Jew Town, renowned for its old-world charm, and the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue.
Before bidding farewell to Cochin, we couldn't resist indulging in some mouthwatering Biryani at the popular Cochin Rahumania restaurant. The demand for their flavorful Biryani was simply astonishing. After relishing this delightful meal, we accelerated our journey towards our final destination, Coimbatore. And the trip ended with the good note of “next trip le santhipom.”
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