Kerala - Cochin and Munnar Hills

November 28 (Monday):

Up at 8:00am.  Had breakfast.  Unfortunately there was a strike so we couldn't do our scheduled itinerary - going to the highest point and to Munnar City.   Instead, went for a drive through the tea plantations, and walked up and down the hills observing the lovely views of the valleys, plantations, scattered houses, women cutting the tea leaves etc.  Back to the hotel for some rest.

At 4:30pm (when the strike was over for the day) drove along the narrow roads to Munnar City.  Visited a tea outlet and walked around the town.  Back to the hotel - rested and had dinner - butter masala chicken and roti.

Tomorrow morning, we are scheduled to leave the hotel at 3:30am, so we can get out, and reach our destination before the strike begins at 6:00am .............. going to be an early night tonight.

Spent the night at Bracknell Forest Resort.

November 27 (Sunday):

Up at 7:30am.  Had a good Kerala breakfast.  Met a Malayan actress who was staying at the hotel for a movie shooting (unfortunately they didn't need any extras).  Drove to the palace and toured inside.

Drove towards Munnar, en route stopped to view elephant rides; waterfalls - had fresh coconut; pineapple and mangoes.  The roads were small, narrow and steep as we were going up the mountains.  It was a beautiful, scenic drive with a good view of the valleys and tea plantations.  Arrived and checked in at our hotel at 3:30pm.  Freshened up and had an excellent lunch,

Left at 4:30 to watch a local Kathakali folklore and then a local martial arts show.  Went back to the hotel and had dinner.

Spent the night at Bracknell Forest Resort - the view was beautiful as we were looking down into the valleys.

November 26 (Saturday):

Got up at 5:50am, got ready and had breakfast delivered to our room.  Took taxi at 6:30 to the airport.  Traffic jam due to a major accident.  Arrived at the airport at 7:30am and checked in.  Departed New Delhi at 9:15am.  Arrived Hydrabad at 11:30am, and departed at 12:15pm.  Arrived Cochin at 1:40pm.

Were greeted and met by our Tour Guide and Driver - Gijo. Were taken to the tourist office, where we were given a debrief and settled our account   Did a tour of Cochin - Took a local ferry to Fort Cochin; Museum; Jewish Synagogue; Chinese Fishing Nets etc.  Had dinner at a sea front restaurant - we were shown all the day's catch and were asked to take our pick and they would cook it to our liking.  Went for the tiger prawns.

Spent the night at Wyte Fort.