Today is January 2nd. We started the day watching the sunrise and practicing again on Ronni and Pinchas’ porch. After breakfast, Suresh (there are two, one at Aqua Bliss, the other is our driver), Anthony and Pradeep all came across the river with us. We said our goodbyes to our hosts and reconnected with our driver, Suresh. Leaving Alleppey we drove through small towns, stopping for tea in one, and to buy an Indian spice box in another. Suresh knew exactly where to stop for all our needs, be it food or cooking equipment. Soon we were gaining altitude and started seeing rubber plantations, pineapple groves and eventually acres and acres of tea leaf plants. We went through an area lined with beautiful mansions. The air began to cool down and we stopped for a quick and very good lunch (naturally).
The drive took most of the day and we made one last stop at a spice plantation. Simon was our guide and explained the Ayurvedic (medicinal) properties of each plant, spice and herb. There was something for everything that ails you, from hair loss to kidney stones. Then he took us into the shop where we could purchase the cures. I did buy peppercorns, black and white, saffron and some oils to make me young again…
Back in the car we headed up the mountain to Munnar. The road got narrower and the potholes bigger. Finally we stopped at the turnoff for the Kaivalyam Retreat. We transferred our luggage to a jeep and headed down a very steep and narrow road. We were met by Haresh, the owner and resident yoga instructor. (Class is at 7A tomorrow. Our rooms are huge, immaculate and the mattresses are stellar. For the first time on our trip, I can’t wait to crawl into bed. We have hot water, soap, shampoo and a view. Dinner was perfect, they make a dessert that is basically a sweet Cream-of-Wheat with cardamom. At 9p they built a bonfire on the patio, played music and served more desserts and hot chocolate. We passed on that—could not eat one more thing. It’s cooler up here at night, the sky is clear and the stars bright.
