The hills of North India are burning with commercialization. The incessant increase in traffic has created a Catch 22 situation for the hill stations of the northern parts of the country. There is so much traffic that it is literally choking the hills. Compared to that, the lush green hills of Western Ghats still remain a paradise. The low sloping hills of Munnar are lined with tea gardens that truly makes Kerala “God’s own country.”

Dream like old British charm of the Windermere Estate

So while the Sun was scorching Delhi, we decided to tap into the ethereal coolness of Munnar’s tea plantations. As most of the estates are from the British times, we experienced a 100-year-old plantation, the Windermere Estate. The old colonial setting shrouded amongst the misty mountains is a sight to behold. A narrow pathway winds up against the lush green of the tea garden as we approach the first stone structure of Windermere. It is straight out of one of Stephen King novels.

The Windermere Estate, Munnar

We descend down a few moss-covered stone steps to our cottage. The wooden ceilings are archetypal of construction in the hills as are the stone walls. I crack open one of your windows and the view before makes me fall in love with the hills once again. The greens of the Western Ghats combines with the misty atmosphere in a dream like setting. The beauty has already washed the tiredness of the journey away.

Walk through the plantations of Windermere

The Windermere Estate, Munnar

Evenings are reserved for a majestic walk through the plantations as the guide from the Kestral Adventures, Ansal joins us. He meticulously takes us through the plethora of flora that grows in our estate before taking us through a small road at the back. Here, we descend into the dense cover of the trees as the Malabari whistling Thrush shoots a few notes at us. Huffing and puffing through the high humidity of the tropical climate of Kerala, we discover the cardamom trees that dot the area. “This cover is very important for the cardamom trees, ” John tells us as he expertly guides us around the winding roots. John’s father Dr. Simon John had bought this estate nearly 35 years ago and this is where he spent most of his childhood summers. We head back from our heady experience for a session of Chai with the doctor, an ophthalmic surgeon by profession.

The Barn and Tea Shop

Chai is served at the ubiquitous Tea Shop, a rustic looking covered restaurant set out right by the pool. Coffee from the estate and tea from the neighboring gardens flows freely as we discuss our love of tying the perfect knot and hemostasis over a plate of piping hot Chana Vadas. Although most of the plantation is covered with Cardamom plants, but some of the areas are under coffee and vanilla cultivation. The dining space, The Barn is just a few steps away from the Tea Shop and it is reminiscent of the old colonial style.

The Windermere Estate, Munnar

The menu consists of some authentic Malayali food along with a splattering of North Indian dishes and continental add-ons. A pork curry that rustled the best of our taste buds was one of the top, draws our first night. But more than that, it is the fresh breakfast that I truly fall in love with. With sausages that created a crisp explosion on our palate to the freshly squeezed juice from the local tree tomatoes, the picture perfect location takes our sensibilities to another level altogether. The library on top of it adds an old world charm to the place. Although most of the guests might rush down to get the best WiFi connection here, there is nothing more peaceful than having a book in your hand while the insects increase their noisy pitch outside.

Mornings and Nights

The Windermere Estate, Munnar

Nights at The Windermere are straight out of a horror movie. The mist descending from the mountains, the cobbled steps churning with a few dry leaves while the stone buildings look ominous in the dark. But fetter not, there are guards at each and every corner guiding you to your room with flashlights in their hands. The cozy rooms are welcoming as the air takes a chill around it. The mornings are one of the most romantic that you can ever have. There are a plethora of flowers growing all around the estate as a few birds take to their morning flights.

The Windermere Estate, Munnar

The Windermere Resorts also offers a plethora of activities along with the old world charm. Although the hike through the estate is part of the package, but you can book yourself on a visit to a tea garden or even enjoy some birding on the way as about 300 species of birds frequent the area. There is even a tea tasting if you truly want to get lost in the essence of Munnar. The Windermere Estate is a place you should be if you’re planning a visit to the hills.

Image Credits: Snigdha (Salt and Sandals) 

Pin It


 

Pin It


Pin It on Pinterest

Salt & Sandals
A slice of British charm: The Windermere Estate, Munnar
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
The Windermere Estate, Munnar
◦•●◉✿ 🅢🅐🅛🅣 🅐🅝🅓 🅢🅐🅝🅓🅐🅛🅢 ✿◉●•◦
Wishing on a beach vacay. 
.
#saltandsandals #snsxthailand #travelwriter
I am never a fan of getting myself clicked but a tryst with history had a fan girl moment in me.
🏵️
During my graduation in history from Delhi University, I was a big fan of Roman history. So when I was actually in a historical place right out of my books, I couldn't stop myself from getting?
.
.
Are you a big fan of getting yourself clicked? Tell us in the comments below
.
.
#saltandsandals #çeşme
#castles
#SnSXTurkey
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself #athomeintheworld #intrepidtravel 
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
Often listed amongst the best beaches in the world, Anse Lazio in Praslin, Seychelles truly open gates to altogether new world. And let me tell you, reaching here was quite a journey. One has to reach the bottom of the hill to Zimbabwe either by car or bus, then one has to trek over a large forested jungle clad hill and along some way before you reach the beach. But the journey is well worth the effort with views that take your breath away perfect with fine white sands and gorgeous turquoise waters that are so clear you can watch the fish swim around you, it's no surprise Anse Lazio is frequently called 'the best beach in the world'.
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles #praslin #seychelles #travelbug #traveladdict #beachlover
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
#travelwithme 
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#travelstagram
#beaches
Sniffing is one of the essential steps to enjoying the flavour of any new drink. Sniffing opens up a new array of flavours that you can experience on your palate.
.
When traveling, definitely discover a Beverage destination. We headed to the @Takamaka Rum Seychelles distillery with @Creole Travel Services where we fell in love with the slow pace, exquisite beach and two barrel aged rums. The Extra Dark is aged twice, first in French Oak and then in reused Bourbon casks for three years and the St. Andre which has been aged for eight years in American Bourbon casks. Which one should we get back for tasting?
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#saltandsandals
#christmas
#rum
#darkrum
#eatingfortheinsta
#foodofinstagram
#nikonphotography
#googlepixel2
#pixeldiaries
#iphonexs
#livetrue
#beerstagram
#traveltales 
#travelig 
#rumrunner
#rumcocktails
#bourbongram
#rumlovers
#rumstagram
#rumporn
#takamaka
The magical golden hour. Grand Anse in Seychelles is the best witnessed at Sundown.
.
.
.
#SnSXSeychelles #beauvallonbeach #praslin #seychelles #travelbug #traveladdict
#travelblogger
#travelwriter
#travelphotographer
#indiantravelblogger
#wanderout
#travellove 
#travelrock
#wanderlust
#seeforyourself
#travelcouples
#globetrotter
#travelwithme 
#travelawesome 
#travelworld 
#wanderlust108 
#wanderess 
#solotravelgirl 
#travelholic 
#travelstagram
#beaches
Embark on a culinary journey at Edesia Crowne with Around the globe food festival. Let your taste buds experience  some of the finest cuisines from across the globe. Each dish will take you on a food ride from Japan, Thailand, Greece, Mexico and many more.  Date: 22nd - 3Oth Nov 2024
Time: 7- 11 PM  #instadaily #foodfestival #aroundtheworld #aroundtheglobe #delhifood #delhifoodblogger #foodblogger #foodphotography #saltandsandals #photooftheday
Whatever is happening in and around Delhi, the country and the world, the winter brunch has always retained its charm. We headed to @theclaridgesnewdelhi to welcome the Delhi winter season over a scrumptious Sunday brunch.  Priced at: Prosecco Brunch (INR 6495++), Premium Brunch (INR 4995++), Kids Brunch (INR 2495++)  #saltandsandals #foodphotography
#foodfestival #theclaridgesnewdelhi 
#sundaybrunch 
#claridgesgardern
#purposeforluxury #foodblogger #instadaily
The Dakshin Yatra, Flavours from the South at crowneplazaokhla features a plethora of authentic flavours from the region.  For Starters: The scrumptious Paniyarams, both Savory and sweet ,medu Vada, Idiyappam with chicken curry and Idli with a plethora of chutneys to choose from coconut, raw mango, coriander and beetroot. Savour the curd rice with a wide range of non-vegetarian and vegetarian achaars (pickle's) including mutton, chicken , tuna, raw mango and karela.  In the mains, there is Pineapple and tomato rasam, Meen manga curry(fish), Kari krassi ( chicken), and variety of other vegetarian and non-vegetarian curry dishes from Kerala, Tamilnadu and Andhrapradesh accompanied with papadam and a choice of steam rice or mutton biryani and some regional breads like Kothu parantha.  In the desserts, along with Mysore halwa there was gur ka payasam  The festival is on till 30th June 2024 at Edesia. It is only available for dinner 7:00- 11:00 pm and priced at INR 2799 ++.
The Indori food festival at @crowneplazaokhla features a plethora of authentic flavours from the region.  For Starters: The very famous Johnny hot dog( Anda bun), Poha, kachori, Jalebi, bhute ki khees, Indori style Dal Bati churma , Neemach Street tawa which has Kidney, Liver and Goat brain ( bheja fry) marinated and cooked on the Tawa, along with vegetarian option like stuffed capsicum, green chilli and potatoes. A range of  Pakoras featuring Dal Pakora, samosa which taste amazing with the Garlic Tomato chutney. Savour the golgappas with a wide range of flavoured water including hing, lehsun, pudina and mitha pani.  In the mains, there is Paya soup, Khassi ka meat, khada chicken, paneer, dal ,aloo ki sabji accompanied with papad and a choice of steam rice or chicken biryani and some regional breads.  In the desserts, along with Malpua Rabri there was laung lata, Gulab jamun and moong dal ka halwa  The festival is on till 19th May 2024 at Edesia. It is only available for dinner 7:00- 11:00 pm and priced at INR 2799 ++.  #food #foodblogger #foodfest #festival #foodfestival #uttrakhand #kamoni #pahadi #indianfood #foodphotography #instagood #instadaily