We started from Munnar
early in the morning. The private bus took us through winding roads, tea
plantations and sholas. You get a view of a typical shola forest as you
pass through the Pambadumpara National Park. Hills and Valleys roll
by. You stop for a moment at Mattupetty dam. Mattupetty is a 15 kms journey from Munnar. It is at an elevation of 1700 metres. The Indo-Swiss project, devoted to the improvement of the cattle breed, functions here. The Mattupetty dam of the State Electricity Board is also here. Boating facility for tourists is available at the reservoir. It is another two hours journey to Koviloor.
As we walked up the untidy road from the bus stop, a mule almost knocked me down. Stray animals can be seen here and there in this small crowded town. We also got a glimpse of kurinji on the slopes above. After a quick lunch, it was along jeep journey and trekking to Kadavari. On the way we could see clusters of Kurinji plants here and there. The jeep was getting stuck, and at times, we had to push it out of the mud. The jeep also slipped on the climbs and finally it came to a stop on a muddy climb.We could not even push it up. So, we abandoned the jeep and trekked to the forest station, carrying the food bags.
It was nearing night fall and our tents had not arrived. The jeep carrying the tents and equipment had a break down on the way. So, we had to spend the night in the crowded forest station,surrounded by the kurinji which we had not yet seen. In the morning, some of us trekked to the Heavens Point, over looking a cliff and a deep valley below. Kurinji's were in bloom on the slopes. After the break fast we started on a longer trek guided by the forest guards. The trek path meandeared through woods, shrubs and steep climbs. Finally we found ourselves amidst lots of blooming Kurinji's on the slopes of amountain peak. The blue and white Kurinji's swayed in winds and it was a marvellous sight to watch. Mist and rain came and went. Another five hours trek was ahead of us on our way back to Koviloor.
