4th March Settled in Munnar

We went to the Tea Museum yesterday, and learnt a lot more about the origins of the tea plantations in this area, and how it is processed. A cup of Chai was provided, and I found it delicious, despite it being so sweet and milky. I'd tried Samuel's chai at breakfast in the local restaurant that morning and thought it disgusting. We spoke to a local honeymoon couple (Munnar is a very popular honeymoon destination), who said that this was how it tasted when they made it at home, so I shall have to give it a try somewhere it is made properly.
Tea plantations:

Both yesterday and today we have roamed through tea plantations on our own, marvelling at the constantly changing view of hills and mountains all around. And desperately seeking out shade. Global warming has raised the temperature in recent years, and the tea is less happy in hotter climates, so there has been a programme of tree planting within the plantations to provide shade, and conserve water apparently.

We both had slightly upset tums today, after eating at a local restaurant, patronised by locals, rather than the rather sedate anglicised on recommended at our hotel, so we haven't done the expedition we planned to the hills on the Tamil Nadu border. I did some more birdwatching while Samuel lay down and saw birds with the wonderful names of Drongos and Needletails, and later an Oriental white eye.

Tomorrow we go to a nature reserve 60 k from here, called Chennar where we will stay overnight in a tree house, and trek round looking at birds, and possibly some wild animals. We return here on Saturday for 2 nights before going for 2 nights to a bird reserve.