Salim and his car
Ahhh Gems!
Eventually we hit the road an headed in-land in the
direction of Munnar. We enjoyed the view and scenery en-route, although the
roads were quite windy and nauseating in places and we had to stop a few times
to let the boys breathe and walk around as they felt quite ill in the back. The
stops turned out to be interesting and we investigated road-side stalls and
fruits trees and what not which is all part of the adventure! It is HOT in
India though so it was always a welcome reprieve to get back in the car and the
relief of the cool air-con again. Salim was always very good about ensuring
that the car stayed nice and cool for us. He also pointed out attractions along
the way and gave us insight to local life, culture, customs and living in
India.
The road from Kochi to Munnar
Road travel in India is not fast. the roads are narrow, and
winding and pretty busy (in Kerala anyway) and so there is constant passing and
hooting and winding in and out of traffic. The Indians hoot pretty incessantly
as they drive. It's just how it is done there. It means I am here, I want to
pass, I am passing, get out the way, please pass me, hey you, hello, sod off,
don't hit me, I'm bored... pretty much anything from what i can tell. People
are not offended by the hooting at all and it is generally not at all aggressive
or antagonistic. in fact a lot of vehicles have stickers on the back saying
'please use horn'. It really is how they communicate their presence to each
other. It can be very handy when rounding bends on narrow winding roads and at
least you know in advance that someone is approaching from the other direction.
So driving is not a quiet affair there because the hooting is constant.
On the way to Munnar
By late afternoon we got to Munnar and the hills covered with beautiful tea plantations.
They are really gorgeous. We still had a ways to go though so didn't actually
stop in Munnar, although the town itself didn't look all the interesting really.
We carried on beyond Munnar to Camp Anaerangal - further up in the mountains.
It took a while to get there and the road was quite steep and none of us really
knew where we were going, but eventually we got there at dusk.
Fruit in a market in Kochi
After being stuck in the car all day, A and I decided to go
for a walk before dark to stretch our legs and see the landscape. The boys
opted to stay in camp (and make an arsenal of weapons - spears, swords etc out
of sticks and stones). We walked down the hill and past some rural village
folk, who were all very friendly waving and smiling. Until we found the strangest
thing. We found an artificial cave which on closer inspection contained Jesus -
on the cross. It was actually good Friday. But it just seemed so strange to be
out literally in the sticks in the middle of no-where in India and to find
Jesus!
