It was a luxury sleeping in until 7:30 this morning and also having strong cell connection and free wifi every where in the hotel.
The hotel had every modern amenity but seemed like the staff lacked warmth and training. Our driver told us that they have too many turnovers because of not paying their staff well.
Today is a big festival day in South India, the hotel and its staff were dressed in tradition.
The drive from Coimbatore to Munnar was somewhat boring and crowded for the first couple of hours but pretty soon we were in the Nilgiri mountains and the scenery changed.
Since there wasn't any good place to stop on the way we drove straight to Munnar through some gorgeous mountainous roads whose sides were covered with tea plantations. Somehow the tea plants looked different than those in Assam, perhaps the color or the way they were trimmed. Not quite sure.
Most of the way was through reserve forest with no cell connection but it came back after we reached the town of Munnar.
Stopped and ate a light lunch at a good local restaurant and proceeded on to Windermere Estate where we will be staying for the next three nights. While we were eating lunch we heard thunder, if it does rain it will be the first rain on this trip.
The place is up the hill from the town and with scant cell reception although I was assured that there is wifi in the restaurant, lobby, and in the reading room above the restaurant.
The cottage we are in is quite large and sparsely but definitely adequately furnished. We have to go down two flights of rather steep steps and I am not looking forward to doing this at night. It is also drizzling and the wet stones are slippery.
The view out of the windows and the balcony of cottage is absolutely gorgeous and makes up for all other shortcomings, not there is any other than the steps.
There is a bit of a mixup about our trip to Thekaddy a bird sanctuary a couple hours away but our tour operator is diligently working on it. I wouldn't mind just staying here and relaxing for the next two days.
The mixup got sorted out. We will be going to the bird sanctuary day after tomorrow and sight seeing around town. Apparently there is much to see including plantations, lakes etc.
Went in for dinner at around 7:30. It is nice walk from our cottage to the restaurant. I wish it was light outside, I am sure the scenery is beautiful along the walk, I am looking forward to seeing it in the morning.
The dinner is a fixed menu served at the table. The staff is very pleasant and helpful, truly service with a smile and as a bonus there is strong wifi available at the restaurant as promised at check in.
We started with Chinese sweet corn soup then a honey tomato salad followed by a duck dish, a beef dish, a paneer (home made cheese), and a mixed vegetable dish. All served with cashew rice and bread. I never had cashew rice before and it was so delicious. This is more like a banquet, I don't think we can do justice to it.
Everything tasted delicious. They said they cooked with most of their own spices from the plantation which probably is a major factor in how tasty the meal is.
For dessert, a bread pudding yet another delicious preparation.
No 5 star restaurant can match true home cooking with the freshest of ingredients.
Between the scenery, the ambiance, the personable ever helpful staff, and of course the great food, I could just stay here for the rest of the vacation.
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