Mar 30 – Tea Plantations and a Nature Walk

A few more photos of the hotel grounds.

And the gorgeous views of the hills and plains beyond with the morning mists.

Today is mainly driving.  At one point we stopped for a bathroom break and snacks.  Lots of Lays potato chips.  In flavors you won’t see in the US.  And even Pringles got into the act. 

And there was this large statue of Lord Ganesh, the elephant god.

We spent most of the day climbing in the Western Ghats.  This is mainly tea country, with tea plantations as far as the eye can see.  The tea terraces give a wonderful mosaic of green.

Close up of the tea leaves

We stopped at this reservoir for a few photos.  It is lovely country. 

A large part of the area is also covered with cardamom.  The cardamom thrives in light shade so they are planted under trees.

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More Plantations 
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Interesting elephant crossing sign.  But we didn’t see any elephants during the drive.

This section of the Ghats is called the Cardamon Mountains.  And the mountains are lovely.

Kerala (the Indian state we are now in) is about 18 percent Christian and we have seen more churches here than in anywhere in India.

Our hotel is high up in the mountains and we have a great view over the swimming pool. 

Late afternoon Paul and Tara took a walking tour.  Mary opted out as the path was reported to be pretty rugged.

Saw what we think is a jungle babbler on the walk…

and irrigation hoses strung among the trees. 

The walk included a stop at some dolmens.  These stone structures date from the iron age.  They are basically four stone walls with a stone top (when they are intact).  Archaeologist believe they were tombs although some feel they might have been used for habitation. 

They had a very good sunset up on the hilltops.  A nice nature walk with history thrown in.