Our Kerala trip

Reached Hyderabad on the 15th of May. Met a few (Ajay, Varmamoo, Vanka, Harinath, Bombo, Moddhu, Ooru Pradeep to be precise) of our classmates before we (Me with family) left for Kerala. Was nice to see them after such a long time.

Kochi was the first place on our list. Reached there by air and stayed there for a night. Kochi is a nice place with a nice climate (somewhat hot, humid. I like such a climate unlike most). Kerala is a nice place in a lot of different ways. A lot of greenery spread through out the state, very hospitable people, no beggars (not even in front of temples!), etc. Visited a few places there like the Cochin shipyard etc.

The next morning we started for Munnar and reached there by afternoon. The journey was awesome with some breathtaking views enroute. The next 2 days we stayed at Munnar and visited places in and around Munnar. I did a great job of forgetting to charge the batteries in the digicam one day. So we couldnt take any pics the day when we visited the best place near Munnar - The Eravikulam National Park, the home of the extremely rare Nilgiri tahr, a type of goat. Its a terrific place. Must visit I would say. You get a view of the highest peak in South India - Anai Mudi, from this place. Theres a 3D, 2N trekking programme to the top of that peak. Would be a great one to do with friends I am sure.

After Munnar, we went to Thekkady, another supposedly good place to visit in Kerala. It has the Periyar Tiger Reserve and a few other places to visit. Theres a 2 hour boat ride in the Periyar lake which is in the middle of the jungle. You get to see some animals - elephants, tigers, deer, etc in the wild. We, unfortunately didnt see too much. Got to see some elephants from very far and nothing much worth noting.

We then went to Kumarakom where we took a house boat to Aleppuzha. Was a really cool experience sailing in the backwaters of Kerala for a full day including a stay on the boat for the night.

Overall, Kerala rox. Munnar super rox. Everything is very expensive at all these places though - food, water, you name it. Heavily commercialized, sadly.

Back at home now. Uploaded some pics too.

http://picasaweb.google.com/abhirama/MunnarTripSelectedPics

Met the super busy Josh boy yesterday. Had a really nice time.

Others, please post more frequently!