Destination Munnar

View of the city from the bridge

After what seemed like forever, we made it to Munnar all in one piece - despite dodging other crazy drivers up the mountainous roads.  As soon as we got checked into the hotel, our driver was ready to take us sightseeing, but we were begging to stay away from the car and walk somewhere.  Never mind the fact that we were all starving; we just wanted out of the car.  We picked a restaurant from the huge India lonely planet book and started walking to see some of the city.  Thanks to Jason, we took a wrong turn and walked a bit farther than needed.  Actually, it was Lonely Planets fault.. but we'll blame Jason.  Anyway, we got to walk through the small, but bustling city center. 

After our $4 lunch buffet, we stopped for homemade chocolate at yet another spice shop......

John trying to tell the lady he wants a sample...not the whole piece.

An old European church by our hotel

Lots and lots of tea plants

More tea plantations

..and even more.

After our late lunch, we walked around for a bit to explore some of the tea plants.  Most are owned by TATA Tea Company and employ over 12,000 workers.  The plants are usually kept to 4 to 5 feet tall by regular pruning and have a lifespan of 40 years.  Mostly female workers pluck the leaves every 5-10 days.



Later that night, we booked a midnight safari at the Wildlife and Tiger Sanctuary about 2 hours away.  The hotel guy made it sound awesome riding in an open jeep for a few hours looking for wild animals.  That was not the case.  We saw a total of 3 animals.  Yes, you read that right...  three.  One boar and two bulls.  No tigers, no wild elephants, no leopards, no deer.  Nada.  We don't think the tour guide spoke English because he never said a word the entire trip.  Lesson learned...don't take a midnight safari.  It can't turn out good riding on bumpy, Indian roads in the middle of the night.