From the traffic-clogged suffocating roads of Bangalore to the cool breezy roads of Courtrallam... I was entralled by the Western Ghats even before reaching the destination.
After crossing the Tamil Nadu border and a few kilometres into 'God's own Country', we take a deviation at Kalthuritty.
Climbing up the hilly road, we are welcomed by several acres of rubber plantations on either sides of the path. The woods may be mesmerising, but we try to focus on the journey at hand and locate Amballa Estate.
After registering our details, we travel deeper into the woods for a few more kilometres and finally sight our guest house which is a few yards away from The Travancore Rubber and Tea Factory, the establishment which owns this magnificent property spread over 3,500 acres.
We are greeted by R Yesiah, both the caretaker of the guest house and the supervisor of the tea estate. Our gastronomic treat included an authentic Kerala meal.
The state's signature dish, avial, somewhat akin to vegetable stew, left us asking for more. As we exchange our pleasant experiences of tasting avial at the residences of other Keralite friends, Yesiah promptly urges us to get ready for a small visit to the tea factory and simultaneously calls the jeep driver to take us to the waterfalls.
Bumpy roads that stretch for about 11 km lead us to the waterfalls. At the entrance is an electric fence dividing the path to the falls from the thick forest. The electric fence, we are told, has been installed to keep a check on elephants that trample rubber and tea plantations.
The waterfalls is not as breathtaking as the other falls in Kerala and Courtrallam, but the splashing waters create a steady pattern of endless rhythm that is truly relaxing and proves to be a perfect place to enjoy a pleasant dip, irrespective of which month of the year it is. We then visit Thailamparai viewpoint to get a bird's eye view of the factory and the surrounding picturesque beauty.
The next morning, we watch little boys fish at a nearby pond. The ambience and the locale make it perfect for travel-themed reading. Alas, I am not carrying any books with me, but now have a perfect excuse to come back.
Travel Tips:
Ambanaad is located at Kalthuritty PO, Kollam district. Ph: 0475-2344536. The nearest railway station is Thenmala, and the nearest airport is Trivandrum.
After crossing the Tamil Nadu border and a few kilometres into 'God's own Country', we take a deviation at Kalthuritty.
Climbing up the hilly road, we are welcomed by several acres of rubber plantations on either sides of the path. The woods may be mesmerising, but we try to focus on the journey at hand and locate Amballa Estate.
After registering our details, we travel deeper into the woods for a few more kilometres and finally sight our guest house which is a few yards away from The Travancore Rubber and Tea Factory, the establishment which owns this magnificent property spread over 3,500 acres.
We are greeted by R Yesiah, both the caretaker of the guest house and the supervisor of the tea estate. Our gastronomic treat included an authentic Kerala meal.
The state's signature dish, avial, somewhat akin to vegetable stew, left us asking for more. As we exchange our pleasant experiences of tasting avial at the residences of other Keralite friends, Yesiah promptly urges us to get ready for a small visit to the tea factory and simultaneously calls the jeep driver to take us to the waterfalls.
Bumpy roads that stretch for about 11 km lead us to the waterfalls. At the entrance is an electric fence dividing the path to the falls from the thick forest. The electric fence, we are told, has been installed to keep a check on elephants that trample rubber and tea plantations.
The waterfalls is not as breathtaking as the other falls in Kerala and Courtrallam, but the splashing waters create a steady pattern of endless rhythm that is truly relaxing and proves to be a perfect place to enjoy a pleasant dip, irrespective of which month of the year it is. We then visit Thailamparai viewpoint to get a bird's eye view of the factory and the surrounding picturesque beauty.
The next morning, we watch little boys fish at a nearby pond. The ambience and the locale make it perfect for travel-themed reading. Alas, I am not carrying any books with me, but now have a perfect excuse to come back.
Travel Tips:
Ambanaad is located at Kalthuritty PO, Kollam district. Ph: 0475-2344536. The nearest railway station is Thenmala, and the nearest airport is Trivandrum.