Kerala Trip - A travelogue - Part 2

We finalized our journey plan a day ( Part 1 of Travelogue ) before our actual travel. On the day of travel we started around 7:30 AM from Chennai, for travelling about 80 kms to reach Kanchipuram took close to 2 hours due to traffic, once we crossed Kanchipuram the drive was much easy on the toll road. 

Reached Coimbatore around 3:30 PM, a distance of about 530 kms. Took a bye pass at Coimbatore and traveled towards Palghat. The road from about 30 kms to Coimbatore and another 50 kms towards Palghat was not good and there was heavy truck traffic as well. Just about 8 kms before Palghat there is a diversion to Mallapuzha, once we got into that road and after a km drive, the road was good and we could see lush green sense the fresh air around, reached Mallapuzha around 5:30 PM. 

Evening time view from top of the dam was nice. 

As it was getting dark called out to Tripenta and checked availability. This is one of two possible accommodations at Mallapuzha, checked in the hotel around 7.00 PM. I must say, the hotel was in middle of lush green with mountain around.

Next day morning, we started our drive from Malapuzha around 8:30 AM, the plan was to reach Athirappilly Water Falls (127 Kms from Malapuzha). I was aware till Thirusur, it would be normal road (though called as National highway), however to our surprise the roads were really bad with poth holes, hence 70 Kms journey took more than 2 hours. However the road from Thrissur to Athirappilli falls of about 70 Kms was good, and reached Athirapalli falls around 1.00 PM. 

 More than words, photos could speak much better about Athirampalli and Vachhal falls. After spending few hours started our drive towards Ernakulam and reached pjprincess a resort, which was quite away from busy city centre. Had a pleasant overnight stay at this resort. 

The following morning picked up my daughter from their school vacation tour ( which was their last day, before their return to Chennai) and drove towards, Munnar. The road and drive towards Munnar was much better, in fact the Ghat road was pretty less in Cochin - Munnar direction. Reached Munnar in the afternoon, checked out few resorts, based on my already shortlisted research on tripadvisor and finally chose Elysium resort Elysium resort is not far away from Munnar town, yet you would not miss the view of greenery and the mountains.

Following day went around Munnar and witnessed some of the mesmerizing beauty of nature, the next day left Munnar and drove towards Madurai. This was a ghat road and even captured some picture while driving on the ghat road. Reached Madurai in noon and spent about a day there and proceeded to Chennai the following day.  

In all, would have driven around 1700 KM in about 5 days. 

Finally ending with my own quote

    " It was a treat to watch the vastness and bounty of nature which was so soothing to mind, for one who is, confined to city life most part of the year, where almost every inch is man-made and short lived with arrogance of 'me' associated with it."