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The romance and majestic grandeur of India’s architectural heritage are today complemented by the strikingly modern new cities and their new-found wealth. Industry and commerce thrive in the major centres while herds of sacred cows still wander freely. In rural settings, hillsides sprawl, striped like green corduroy with terraces of cultivation, the air fragrant with the scents of cardamom and jasmine. Local traditions spring to life in the form of colourful music and dance that re-enact the history and culture of this very diverse nation.
Situated on the tropical and luxuriantly verdant Malabar Coast, Kerala is a wondrous place. Long sweeps of beach where local fishermen haul in the daily catch alternate with a chain of rivers, lakes and canals that meander through backwater villages and towns where Time seems to have come to a halt. Munnar, over 6000 feet above sea-level in eastern Kerala, is the location of our selected Tea Bungalow, Kaniamally. The undulating hills of this region are carpeted with plantations of tea, coffee and cardamom. This is a marvellous area for hiking, with its fresh air, its waterfalls that burst out of the green hillsides, and its tranquility.
With faces quick to smile and an abundance of charm, India’s sons and daughters are incredibly warm-hearted and welcoming. Throughout this huge country, visitors are treated to the most attentive service and courtesy, and made to feel, for a little while, like a Maharajah.
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