Lonely_Planet_India_-_October_2019

Whilethemountainsupnorth

presentacertainsortofterrain,

thehillsdownsoutharequite

different.Andoneofthebestplacesto

catchthiscontrastisinKerala.Munnaris

ahillstationnestledintheWesternGhats,

about130kmfromKochi.There’splentytosee

alongtheway;ifit’shistoryyou’reafter,just

about30kmoutfromKochiistheHillPalace

Museum(9am–12.30pm&2pm–4.30pmTues–Sun;

` 30 adult,` 10 child;00-91-0484 278 1113;www.

keralatourism.org/destination/hill-palace-museum/182;

HillPalaceRd,Irumpanam,Thrippunithura,Ernakulam,

Kerala 682301 ).Aone-timeresidenceoftheerstwhilerulers

ofKochi,thisisnowaheritagemuseumwithasmanyas 49

buildingsinsidethecomplex.Afteradoseofhistory,makeyour

waythroughthelushKeralacountryside,passingpicturesque

littlevillagesandtowns.Thingsgetinterestingoncetheroadstarts

toclimb.Therearespicegardensalongtherouteatwhichyoucould

stopanddosomeshopping,andnotjustforspices.You’llhaveAyurveda

specialistsonhandwhowillpresentyouwithavarietyofointments,oils

andothersundryforallkindsofailments,fromjointpainstomigraines.

Furtherdowntheroad,theCheeyapparaWaterfallsmakeforalovelyspotat

whichtosnapsomeInstagram-worthyshots.Soon,you’llbeinthemidstoftea

estatesasfarastheeyecansee.Inwinter,there’salsoquiteabitofmistinthearea,

sobecarefulwhiledriving.Thereareacouplemorewaterfallsonthewaybutwe’d

suggestcarryingontowardsthemaintownasmostofthesewouldbeonyouritinerary

whileinMunnar.

GOA TO

MANGALORE

KOCHI TO

MUNNAR

354

km

TAKE 2 DAYS

PHOTOGRAPHS: MAYANK SONI (GANPATIPULE), DINODIA/123RF (FISH, STRAWBERRIES), RAFAL CICHAMA/123RF (GOKARNA), SHAILENDRA SOOD/123RF (KERALA)

The Konkan coast has

breath-taking scenes for those

taking the road less travelled

The state of Goa might have tonnes to offer travellers, both domestic and foreign, but with the

popularity come the crowds. Instead, take the route less travelled — southwards. Mangalore in

Karnataka is known for its unique cuisine along with beautiful temple architecture and rich

culture. Take National Highway 66 from Panjim, hugging the coast all the way down to the

port city. It’s an almost 400km drive, and a break in the middle would make for a more

relaxed journey. As you make your way south in Goa, you’ll notice the difference in the

architectural influences, with the Portuguese style blending in with Konkan forms.

At Karwar, stop off at the INS Chapal Warship Museum, which is actually inside

a warship. There are exhibits and videos on the Indian Navy to educate the public.

While the road plays hide and seek with the open sea on one side, you could get close

to the coast in Gokarna. This is a destination much like Goa, only with far fewer

visitors. Relax in one of the shacks on the beach for a little down time. Carry on

down south towards Maravanthe for an incredible stretch with the sea on one

side and a river on the other – making it the ideal place to watch the sun dip

down into the Arabian Sea while nursing a tender coconut. Make a stop for

the night at Udupi. Importantly, when you start out the next morning, the

breakfast at any of the local eateries is to die for. From then on, it’s easy

going over multiple waterways, past little beaches popping up now and

then for small breaks. When the road turns inland, you know you’re

drawing close to your destination – Mangalore.

130

km

Lush Kerala

countryside,

mystic spice

gardens and tea

estates; what’s

not to like?

October 2019 117