Tea Plantation

After breakfast of rice noodles with banana mashed in with a little milk, topped with a spicy curry and boiled egg, washed down with sweet black tea, (yep, it tastes as good as it sounds). Yvonne didn't fancy the egg and curry, so Mike had double portions. Off we matched to the bus depot. 

Today's delight is a visit to a commercial tea plantation, 12 km from Thekkady. Two choices, a taxi at stupid money, or a local bus where they almost pay us. It's one road out, and all the buses pass this tea estate. They will drop you right outside the gate. 17 rupees each.

Now we know what you are thinking, ' dirty, grubby, overcrowded, stinky bus', eh! Wrong, buses are very clean, airy, and comfortable.

Remember, this is spice land; spice farms everywhere. The fragrance is in the air, all around. Okay, some of the small towns have issues with sewerage and waste disposal... But out on the open road a different story.

As english is the common language we have no problems with communication, apart from strong accents. A bit like understanding Glaswegian, once your ear is in, 'nay problem Jimmy'.

Mike and Yvonne even have the Indian head wobble almost off pat.

The tea plantation is called Connemara, walked around, had a cup of tea. Took some photos and left. 

Well, we did look at the processing as well. Takes a day from picking to packaging. Picking is all done by women, the more they pick the more they earn. The men do the planting, and sit in the shade.

As we walked into the small town, there was a demonstration, all women; seeking equal rights and pay.

On the way to the plantation Yvonne noticed an organic spice garden, so on the bus back, we decided to hop off and pay a visit. Very delightful and knowledgeable elderly lady took us round, lots of tastes.
Brought some organic whole black pepper, and tumeric.

There are no bus stops as such, you just put your arm out and the bus stops.
Time for a cool drink, and a nap.

Our last day here. Weather good again, roads dry. Tomorrow off to Munnar. 100 km, about 4 hours on the bus.

Leave you with some photos: on the bus; Yvonne's new job; Mike after a hard day in the shade; women pickers after a hard morning; marching for equal rights; a giant lemon; oh, and the construction next to our homestead.