Cities
In Kerala
( Ponmudi )
A
mere one and a half hour’s road journey separates the beaches
of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) from the invigorating climate
of Ponmudi Hills. The name Ponmudi, a hill station so close to
the sea, in Malayalam means golden crown.
On
the way to Ponmudi, the thick tropical forest greets one at the
foot of the Ponmudi hill range. The road passes under a canopy
of thickly matted foliage. The forest recedes gradually giving
way to neatly clipped tea bushes.
As
one leaves the city behind, one enters the region of plantations
– rubber, pepper, cardamom and tea. The change is abrupt.
The tappers can be seen going about briskly gathering the milky
fluid from rubber trees collected in coconut shells. Coconut thatch
mats cover almost one half of the road, over which women spread
black pepper for drying. One may come across a lone elephant ambling
along carrying his mahout atop and his breakfast of coconut thatch
in his trunk.
Tea
estates at Ponmudi are not as big as those in the Munnar hills.
Large water sprays shower the gardens. The ‘mate’, a
septuagenarian shading himself with an umbrella, can be seen reading
aloud the day’s news to the pickers. The pickers, in response,
either grunt indicating disapproval of the news item or remain
silent in agreement.
Trekking
to the north of Ponmudi Crest, one passes along a mini zoo, primarily
of barasinghas, on the edge of the forest. Entering the forest,
the verdant shades of green numb the senses. As does the avian
orchestra. The brilliant red southern trongon dot the trees like
flowers. The air is full with the loud raucous chuckling of heavy
billed Malabar hornbills. The shrill notes of the blue-black Malabar
whistling thrush add to the cacophony. Even the rare long-tailed
paradise flycatchers flit gracefully from tree to tree. It is
like an open aviary.
Transportation
Ponmudi is 61 km from Thiruvananthapuram. It is within easy driving
distance from Kovalam.
Where
to Stay
Nilambur is well connected by buses. One can reach Nilambur either
by going via Calicut, which is 70 km away or through Ooty, which
is 100 km away.
