The
first change was fields of rubber trees that were being tapped. These were
very noticeable because of the plastic wrapped around the trees to protect the
sap coming from the tree.Home Indian Trips << Previous Kerala Next >>
Our next venue was the Periyar Wildlife Park and the village of Thekkady. To get there was a five hour car drive, during which we gradually travelled into the hills as we went inland. The change in altitude altered the type of plants that were growing and the agriculture that was present.
The
first change was fields of rubber trees that were being tapped. These were
very noticeable because of the plastic wrapped around the trees to protect the
sap coming from the tree.
Along the way we stopped for coffee and sampled local red bananas.
The
bunch in the middle are the red bananas. Not total red just have a tinge
on the skin and in the fruit, shorter and fatter than your usual banana.
Apparently in Kerala, about 24 different varieties are grown, some are just ornamental. Another variety we tried was very short and quite firm even when ripe.
The local shops all seemed to sell them like this, just off the stalk.
The next area we came across as we drove on were tea plantations.
The tea shrubs are the small round ones, apparently they can grow quite high but are kept trimmed down for easy of harvesting. Some pickers are working in the distance.
After the epic journey we arrived at the village of Thekkady. We stayed in a state tourist lodge within the ground of the park, so we could see the monkeys outside whilst we had our breakfast.
Our
hotel.
