Well so it was Pongal holidays and we decided to go for a trip but for first time it was all done indigenous. I mean, previously, where ever I go we used to take the help of others or agencies and Travels cars. But this time, it was all us. Our Decision our sedan and our Trip.
It was a 4 day trip from Chennai to Munnar comprising of 2 days travel(we usually avoid night travelling) and 2 days at munnar(2 days and 3 nights)
This is how my trip was -
Day1 -
Began the journey from my home in Chennai on my new Hyundai Elantra by around 7:30am(Driven by me). Got on GST and headed south bound on NH45. then Stopped for BF at Hotel Highway inn at Madhurantakam(30min stop). Then reached Trichy by around 12:45pm, speeds around 160kmph. Took the Viralimalai-manaparai Road(SH71) and Reached Dindigul by around 2pm. Took Lunch by 2:15pm at Batlagundu hotel named Mahalaxmi Restaurant and Reached Boninayakur at around 3:30pm(speeds between 80-100kmph from dindigul to bodi, SH36 & SH101).
Then Reached Munnar by around 6:30pm(4 stops on the hill), roads wer okey but very narrow(Driven by my bro on Hill). Checked in with Elysium Resort with already booked executive hill view room.
Total Time from Chennai to Munnar - 11hrs(9 hr 30min of travel and 1hr 30min of break)
Dinner(got parcel) at Surya soma and was not so great experience.
Day 2 -
Took Free BF at Elysium and stepped out by 9:30am & headed towards Top station(Driven by my brother).
1) First stop at Madupetty Dam - Good Dam but not able to enjoy due to fencing. heavy Traffic. Did not do boating, 30 mins.
2) Second quick stop at Eco point - A Large shopping place on Road side. No shopping done. Just stopped and took photo by the lake. 5 mins.
3) Third Stop at Kundale dam - Excellent place to take photos of dam, Shopping and hang out. Its the best at munnar. But Faced Parking problems, Halted for more than an hr, did shopping, no boating
4) Final Stop at Top Station - Nice place but little dirty, No hill view at all becoz of dense Fog, disappointed. 45 minutes.
5) Way back stopped at Elephant park - Just a quick visit to just see the elephants. 20min.
Then Reached munnar town by around 4:30pm. since we had no lunch, got some snacks and drove back to Resort and half an hour rest. Then Drove to munnar town again for some shopping and dinner. Shopped some Chocolates and took food parcel from Rapsy, which was again no so great. Drove back to resort by 9:30. Took Dinner, watched Tv and slept.
Day 3 -
Woke up with bad head ache due to bad dinner on day 2. Took BF at Elysium, took Tablets and some rest again and then stepped out by 11am & headed towards Eravikulam park(again driven by my brother).
1) First and last stop at park itself - Good place to hang out and see and enjoy munnar sheeps. Also good place for photography. To go here, u need to park the car and at lot their take the park bus and then travel in for 2kms. Saw long Q and decided to leave, 15min only.
2) Stopped on the way for personal photography, 15min.
3) Way back reached KD Tea museum - It was the best place to visit the second day. Goods and bads about Green Tea is explained here. U can also see the tea manufacturing process and also buy pure tea. Loved the place, over 1hr.
Drove back to our resort for Lunch at 3pm. Then took some rest and again drove to munnar by 6pm for shopping. Did some various shopping until 8pm and drove back to Resort for dinner at resort itself. It was nice Dinner and nice foot at resort. Loved it. 9pm to 11pm watched tv and then slept.
Day 4 -
Took BF & Checked out Resort by 9:45am and Drove to munnar town, checked tire air, filled up Gas and began journey back home by 10am(Driven by me). Took the Udumalpet road, long route, bad road, 2 stops and reached udumalpet by 2pm. Bro took over driving then on and Took Dharapuram-karur road to reach trichy(SH97 & SH21). Took Lunch at Karur at a Fake Dindigal biriyani hotel by 3:30pm. Not so good food. Then Reached Trichy(on NH67) by 6:30 and Rejoined NH45 and reached home by around 10:30 pm(i took over driving at ulundurpet).
Total Time - 12hr 30min(11hr 30min of travel and 1 hrs of break).
Dinner at Al-Reef Keelkattalai.
Technical details -
1) Car and Speeds - My car is a Brand new Hyundai Elantra and so the speeds wer around 100 to 165kmph on National highways, 80 to 120kmph on State Highways & not more than 40kmph on Hill. high speeds of Highway to compensate the time loss at breaks and Hill drive.
2) Temp at Munnar - Between 15 to 24 deg in day & 7 to 15 deg in Night(January mid).
3) Total toll gate rate - Around 800 Rupees(to & fro).
4) Road Condition - Best on national Highways(u all know that). No problems on plain State highways & worst section is from Munnar to Udumalpet.
5) Police Checking - Yes, at 2 points, one at munnar hill entry at Pooppara and another at Sandalwood forest check point on Munnar-udumalpet road. They check almost everything.
6) Best Thing at Munnar - "Hills" and "Dams", wow really gods gift. Loved that. Tea museum was special
7) Worst Thing at Munnar - "Food" and "Shopping". Roads need to improve. Most malayalis dont like tamilians.
Munnar compared with Ooty - Ooty is far better than munnar in sense of roads, food and shopping, may be because Ooty is bigger than Munnar. But munnar is better than ooty in sense of Cleanliness.
Kerala tourism needs to improve Roads & Parking at Munnar.
Overall Munnar was a Good place to visit with different mixed experience. Would visit again.