Today is claimed to be the best riding on the entire trip and everyone said would knock the breath out of our lungs with its intense beauty. We spend 2 hours descending the beautiful and high mountain from Kodai, then hit stunning wildlife sanctuary of Indira Ghandi and Chinnur, with their awesome switchbacks and great tarmac. We are apparently never far away from big cats, bears and hyenas. After this stunning stage, we hit the tea country and highest tea plantation in the world onto Munnar national park… quite literally heaven on earth… 

After sleeping like the dead, we were happily awakened to breakfast – more curry! Our hotel was superb and I hit the road feeling energized and looking forward to the day’s riding. It was hyped to be the best riding ever!

We descended the mountain the same way we came up yesterday. I rode without Adele and Frazer and I screamed down that mountain like bats out of hell, scraping our footpegs around almost every corner, making our trusty Royal Enfield Bullets look like superbikes. It’s hard to believe that I could have so much fun on a 18 horsepower 350cc motorcycle designed in the 1930′s, but we did.

By the time we reached the bottom, adrenaline was pumping like blood in our veins and Frazer and I squeeled with pure joy.

Further down the road, we passed through a wildlife sanctuary before entering into the most scenic tea plantations. This vista must be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Photos are coming. I promise.

On the side of the road, I saw the funniest shop i have ever seen. It is an egg shop. The lady who runs it has a cage filled with hens and she collects their eggs daily and sells them to the locals. Talk about a niche market!

I entered the tea plantations and my jaw hit the floor. It is so beautiful. Green everywhere splattered with violets and reds in a beautiful valley with a river bursting through it. The pictures will speak for themselves.

I was so moved by this scene, I drove for 90 minutes in 2nd gear, just soaking it up never wanting it to end. We climbed high up the mountain at the end of the valley and took in the view. We were all silent with awe. The closest I can come to comparing it with something is the Swiss Alps.

After another breathtaking descent down the other side of the mountain, we arrived at our destination, Munnar, 188km later. We are staying in the Tea County resort, a luxurious place with marble floors and a view to die for. I can’t explain how nice it feels arriving at a great resort after a hard day’s riding.

I jumped into the shower and Frazer and I headed into town to get some suits made for our Indian Fancy Dress party in a few nights time. I got an orange/gold Indian 3/4 length suit tailored for 400 rupees. That’s just 5 quid or $10! And the tailor is going to deliver it to the hotel. What a steal…

I’m cramped in a tiny cubicle in a local market as I type this. Adele’s side of the story will come when she arrives in Munaar. She is probably somewhere in the tea plantations as we speak.

Adele interjects in Bruce’s blog: Ahoy! today was MINDBLOWING. I can honestly say that I was shocked into silence today. Rachel, Joe, Vicky and I rode together (Charlie and the Angels) and there was nothing to say. Vicks fell off earlier today and Rachel had another near-death experience but I was just cruising ensuring I stayed hidrated and cool. I absolutely loved today and arrived in Munnar tired, sore but just tingling from being so alive. I have never spent so many consecutive days FULLY present to what I am doing whilst I am doing it. I have no concept of life back home and haven’t thought about work or anything else for what feels like weeks… The tea plantations near Munnar feel like what an artist would paint if he was tasked to paint heaven. Jacaranda trees contrasted with red flowers, lakes, waterfalls and rivers all woven together in green lace. AHH JUST MAGIC.

Till tomorrow… I wish this never ends…

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