Stories about Munnar
Trip Start
Oct 09, 2007
1
30
42
Trip End
Nov 16, 2007
Munnar,
India
Friday, November 2, 2007
I know I've already mentioned how much like the Blue Mts Munnar is and that we stayed at Olive Brook. Really have to tell you that we have met the nicest possible staff and guests on our stay here. The Manager, Manoj is like a big brother to all his 7 staff. And he was also like that towards all his guests. He looked after our every need. Right to the point of chasing us as our cars were about to drive off on our trip sightseeing, to give us bottles of water. Now who does that?
Then there was Joy and Thomas, both brothers with ever-ready smiles. Joy was the quiet one who brought us upteen pots of chai (sometimes without us asking - he just seemed to know when we needed a hot drink) and took us on our second tea plantation walk. Thomas was full of jokes and cheekiness. He had the longest eyelashes I've ever seen on a guy. And such a character - he cracked us up with the things he came up with. There was the old gardener whose smile was like sunshine. He would stand up straight as soon as he saw us and do a beautiful namaste with his palms together - I loved seeing him everyday. There was the chef - the most shy of everyone there but boy could he cook! OMIGOD! We loved his lessons (he never spoke - the sticky beak Thomas gave us running commentaries embellishing as he went along) I loved walking around bare feet in his kitchen. He over fed us - with the most amazing food. And so sweet. All I had to do was say "How do you make such and such." And he would either quietly tell me or he'd make it for me to eat! All the other minor players were ever obliging and jumped to assist at our slightest request - we were pampered but made to feel more like members of their family as it was done with so much love.
Now the guests ...
a. Manoj Bhaiya
where do I even begin? We were lucky enough to be the common link between 2 groups. Remember how I told you how much we had enjoyed spending the day sightseeing with the frist group? By the time they had to leave, which was the day b4 us ... we had really formed a friendship. Lots of hugs and kisses and promises to email. Then the next group moved in. 3 Austrian women, 2 Indian couples and a Peruvian couple. One of the Austrian women has been travelling for the past 4 months and so you can imagine the stories she had to share with all of us. The Peruvian couple and us just hit it off immediately. Alain and Gabrielle both live in Dubai and were newlyweds. (awwww sooo sweeet!) Alain had lived in Singapore since he was 4 and so had all his edu there. His Singlish was the height of 'waaah dam solid man'!!! We just killed ourselves in their company. He is a pilot with Emirates. Since I've been to Peru, Gabby and I had a lot to talk about. They were just so lovely. 
