GOASIAPLUS August 2018
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
Our August issue shines in Merdeka spirit with Kenny Loh's stories of Malaysians across the country. Inside, this issue explores a Malaysian favourite; durian and the turtle hotspot in Redang. We also featured the story behind a successful Malaysian start-up of Hometown Hainan Coffee
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TRAVEL<br />
Road Less Traveled is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo.<br />
Check out airasiago.com.my for flight & hotel deals!<br />
ROAD LESS TRAVELED<br />
MUNNAR, INDIA<br />
HIGH ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL, THE FORMER RETREAT FOR BRITISH<br />
ELITES IS LOVED FOR ITS COOLING WEATHER AND REMAINS AS A TOP<br />
HONEYMOON DESTINATION IN INDIA<br />
Text CHRISTINE CHEAH<br />
Photos CHRISTINE CHEAH & SPICETREE MUNNAR<br />
HOW TO GET<br />
THERE<br />
There are two direct<br />
flights to Cochin daily<br />
from Kuala Lumpur.<br />
From Cochin, hire a<br />
driver to bring you<br />
to Munnar hills. It is<br />
located about four hours<br />
away from Fort Cochin.<br />
Though you can try<br />
the local buses, it is not<br />
recommended for tourists<br />
due to safety issues.<br />
WHAT TO DO<br />
Explore the famous<br />
Matupetty dam around<br />
the hills. This is where<br />
many Bollywood movies<br />
are filmed and you might<br />
just catch them on set!<br />
The Eravikulam National<br />
Park is known for the<br />
endangered mountain<br />
goat species - nilgiri tahr.<br />
This is one place to go<br />
during the rainy season<br />
because the blue kurunji<br />
flowers here bloom<br />
once in every 12 years.<br />
Apparently, this year is the<br />
12th year and the flowers<br />
are expected to bloom in<br />
July or <strong>August</strong>.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
23km from Munnar<br />
plantation town is the<br />
mountainside hotel–<br />
SpiceTree–with sprawling<br />
rooms with breath-taking<br />
views. The SpiceTree spa<br />
suite is a premium suite<br />
for romantic getaways.<br />
There is also a private<br />
deck outside the room<br />
that opens out to a valley<br />
view making the resort<br />
a perfect location for the<br />
practice of Yoga and<br />
meditation with nature.<br />
WHERE TO EAT<br />
Tea is Munnar’s pride<br />
because they produce<br />
tonnes of tea leaves<br />
annually. Every tea shop<br />
serves various kinds<br />
of boiling hot tea with<br />
freshly deep fried Indian<br />
snacks such as Vadai.<br />
Keralan specialty such as<br />
rice-based iddyappam and<br />
vegetable stew are staple<br />
breakfast foods, while fish<br />
curry cooked in patented<br />
Kerala curry is a must-eat<br />
for lunch or dinner.<br />
GOOD<br />
to<br />
KNOW<br />
Electricity is<br />
precious in<br />
Munnar. Though<br />
some hotel and<br />
resort offer hot<br />
shower, do not<br />
expect heaters as<br />
it will get pretty<br />
chilly at night.<br />
Bring warm<br />
clothing if you’re<br />
going during<br />
November to<br />
March.<br />
26 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
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