KOLUKKUMALAI - AT WORLD'S HIGHEST TEA FACTORY
And we are again on the road, this time again to Munnar, a place called Kolakkumalai – we have heard that one of the world’s highest tea plantations are here, and also the world’s highest B.O.P tea factory – hardly thirty kilometers drive from Munnar through Suryanelli. We start early from Muvattupuzha, a sleepy little town ninety kilometers west of Munnar. We have a Bajaj Avenger and a Honda Dazzler. Four young men starting on an exciting journey, as care free as it gets, not even checking whether the motorbikes are filled up, rucksack containing the Bermudas and the beach shirts to welcome the rain – the most welcome and anticipated guest that sure should give us frequent visits through out our journey.
On the way we have our breakfast from a restaurant, hardly big enough to seat 10 people, and oddly but ironically named The Taj. We indulge ourselves in the selfless and homely affectations and delicacies of the proprietor. After gulping down the scalding and strong tea, we kick start on the remaining leg of our trip. The bikes eat up the tarmac effortlessly. Suddenly the rain starts falling down in thick and opaque sheets, we stop our bikes, change into our rain gear and gets thoroughly wet. The cold sweeps through the thin attire and we are left shivering and uncomfortably wet on our bikes. The front rider takes the full brunt of the rain lashing around and threatening to turn into full gale force. But to our disappointment the rain is at best, sporadic.
The road ahead is steep and is originally meant for tractors and four wheel drive jeeps. Paved road is a luxury. Here road means large stones firmly rolled into the ground. We jump the bike from one stone to another for most of our journey. The pillion rider has to get down and walk when the road becomes so unnervingly dangerous and bumpy. After an hours sweating we reach the pinnacle where a small crucifix separates the state of Kerala from Tamil Nadu. We were 2750 meters above the medium sea
level. There was a peak rising up to our right at a distance. The decision was to check it out. A small and winding path through chest high grass, with a section of the peak on to one side and a deep abyss to the other led us to the top of the peak. The wind was very strong and it threatened to blow us of into the abyss. We moved forward with our entire body held side ways so as to offer the least résistance to wind. Once we reached the top, it was a sight to behold; you could see the lush greenery to one side and the rolling plains of Tamil Nadu to other. Hundreds of wind mills stretched over to the horizon on the plain below. After capturing the beauty on our digital cams we started a slight descent to the tea factory. The world’s highest B.O.P tea factory was a relatively small affair, with one single block of a factory and few workers stationed at a hut near by. We had hot piping tea made with the factory produce and bought a couple of packets to take back as souvenirs. Another hour of posing for the photos, enjoying the scenery and breathing in the cool fragrant and fresh air, we started our descent. Then it was a one way and non stop affair back to the hotel. Every one was in high spirits by the time we reached back. This freshness induced in us, the want and acute sense of longing for the liquid spirit that comes in fancy packaging, wide variety of names and prices. We bought three such bottles with a fancy name and price and settled down. By midnight we were literally and otherwise filled with spirit, so that the necessity of the hour made us to go out and make some brouhaha. The time flashed by in a whisker and the morning greeted us with its omnipresent and chilly rain. With a sense of slight despair and the promise to come back we bid adieu to Munnar.
level. There was a peak rising up to our right at a distance. The decision was to check it out. A small and winding path through chest high grass, with a section of the peak on to one side and a deep abyss to the other led us to the top of the peak. The wind was very strong and it threatened to blow us of into the abyss. We moved forward with our entire body held side ways so as to offer the least résistance to wind. Once we reached the top, it was a sight to behold; you could see the lush greenery to one side and the rolling plains of Tamil Nadu to other. Hundreds of wind mills stretched over to the horizon on the plain below. After capturing the beauty on our digital cams we started a slight descent to the tea factory. The world’s highest B.O.P tea factory was a relatively small affair, with one single block of a factory and few workers stationed at a hut near by. We had hot piping tea made with the factory produce and bought a couple of packets to take back as souvenirs. Another hour of posing for the photos, enjoying the scenery and breathing in the cool fragrant and fresh air, we started our descent. Then it was a one way and non stop affair back to the hotel. Every one was in high spirits by the time we reached back. This freshness induced in us, the want and acute sense of longing for the liquid spirit that comes in fancy packaging, wide variety of names and prices. We bought three such bottles with a fancy name and price and settled down. By midnight we were literally and otherwise filled with spirit, so that the necessity of the hour made us to go out and make some brouhaha. The time flashed by in a whisker and the morning greeted us with its omnipresent and chilly rain. With a sense of slight despair and the promise to come back we bid adieu to Munnar.
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