You are entering Ghat Section You are entering Ghat Section: Please drive with care
That title was the sign that reminded that we are driving through the ghats. Actually I felt that it was similar to most roads that are in Kerala of which I have driven. After the initial outburst I ask her are you sure, she says yes that the camera was not taken, I said I checked and packed it earlier. She, unaware that I had charged the batteries had taken them for being recharged. So I asked her where the camera was? Are you sure that it is left back! Yes! She was really upset that she had spoiled my idea of taking pictures. Well I think there was no time to remorse over things already happened and will have to enjoy the rest of the trip. I told her no problem, we still have the mobile, but hope it would do some justice. She cheered up.
As soon as we start our ascent to the ghat roads, I inform my wife that to get the mobile ready so that we can take pictures, when all of a sudden it starts drizzling. Now that is what I call bad luck , first forgetting the camera and second the rain. I told my wife that may be we are not destined to take pictures after all. Well now all we could do was to enjoy the amazing beauty of the place through the car. Well to keep me cheered up, my wife started taking pictures using the mobile phone. But since it was drizzling most of the pictures were taken from the comfort of the car. Every view that we had was really very beautiful that words cannot describe it and neither could any photos that are taken. One Masala Tea!
Nearing Vandiperiyar, my uncle informs that he needs to take a tea. I just smiled , I was sure this was coming , after passing through all those tea estates and not savoring it is like going all the way to China and not tasting any Chinese dishes. I asked him if a roadside tea shop would suffice, he affirmed the same. So just after Vandiperiyar we stop at a road side tea shop. I get out after taking order of how many cups, 4, ok. I approach the shop, thinking I am in Tamil Nadu, I ask for 4 cups in Tamil. The tea maker, seeing many of my likes, put the next question, masala or normal. I asked what’s the difference, Sir, only Rs.4/-. Ok he got the picture wrong I asked him in Malayalam , what is Masala tea? Having not had one till date I was more interested in checking it out, though I have taken ginger tea, thanks to my wife who takes in a lot of tips from the TV and can’t stop experimenting them on me.
He informs me, nothing special except that there are spices added and it would give a better flavour to the tea. Suddenly he strikes a bargain; I will give you one as sample if you like it you order for the rest. I agree (anything free is always welcome). One sip and I just say 4 more, I am definitely taking another helping. One sip and my wife is out of the car says one more for the kid, we had not introduced tea to him and I wasn’t sure whether he would drink. She starts out saying something this good we have to share it with him, and when we fed him I was really surprised that he drank it. In the mean time I give tea to my wife’s Uncle and Aunt and return by when my wife has already struck a conversation with the tea maker to know the recipe. She succeeds in getting it, for sure I am going to get Masala teas quite more. Anyone dropping to this part please do stop for this. The place is on right side after the Connermara Tea Sales Depot.
Will be posting the snaps from the next post onwards
Last edited by Majic : 25th November 2009 at 13:38.
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