It was Oct 2008. Finally we decided to take a long break from the office and go for a good and chilling trip. Various speculation, tight schedule and different strategies made us bit mad. So we decided to plan it well in advance. We went through various forums and articles and tried to search each alternative of them. Gradually we had planned a nice itinerary. Ok...let me start now!!! Finally the day arrived when we started our journey from Bhubneswar. After a hectic journey we reached Cochin station at  5 PM next day. I had booked a taxi through inspiremunnar.com which was waiting for us. The tour manager Murugesan of inspiremunnar.com is very helpful. We loaded our luggage and started for Munnar. It was 5.30 in evening. We were bit tensed about the unpredicted cold, but the driver relaxed us. Our vehicle started climbing its favorite hilly route. I suggest one should start journey in day time to enjoy the beauty which we missed ..hmm. Finally we reached Munnar at 10 PM. I had called up my cottage in advance. I tell you, if you want to really enjoy the amiable feelings of this place, look for a home stay arrangement. We stayed in JJ Cottage in Old Munnar which is 3 km frm main city and out of kiosk. The owner Mr Jain is very helpful and friendly. We felt as if we were at our own place. The room rent was also cheap, Just 500 per room. We took rest that night and the very next day a homely driver ‘Thomas’ came to pick us for sightseeing. he was honest and careful. Best part was: he was fluent in English and a man of knowledge. We started our local sightseeing at 9 am. All the tour operators cover the same places. But we were fortunate that Thomas was covering more than that in the list. It was great to see the small town full of tea gardens&waterfalls.. Gradually we covered madupetty dam,Eravikulum national park, Devikulum, Anaimudi peak, tea gardens,top station and Echo points. We enjoyed a lot that evening……and came back to cottage to take rest. Next morning we wanted not to avail any vehicle. So we tried with the local transport and wanted to walk down the streets. It was really fun. A new and good experience. U will miss a lot if roam all d time in a vehicle. That’s true. And don’t miss the tea museum.(75 rs per head..but worth-seeing). Then  we thought of exploring the spice garden which is nearly 20 kms from Munnar (on the way to Madurai) . You will be surprised to see the type of spices in the garden. Cardamom, vanilla,olive,clove,peper, coffee and many others. They were really nice. Then came back to cottage in evening and took rest. Next morning we left for Madurai after breakfast. Thomas was at our cottage at exactly 9 am. We reached Madurai (Famous for Meenakshi Temple) at 3 pm. Thomas arranged a good hotel for us. We took rest for an hour and started for the Deity Darshan. We were lucky to witness it in time. At night I discussed with hotel staff about the nearest place. He suggested me for  Rameshwaram (one of the 4 Dhaams). We were delighted and finalized it. It was a one day tour. Next morning we started for Rameswaram in a tourist bus and again were lucky enough to witness the Darshan. Came back to Madurai that night as we had our connecting bus to Kanyakuamri. We took the tourist bus (check the govt registrations of the operators not to get cheated) and started at sharp 11 PM. Reached Kanyakumari at 5 am and rushed to the beach to see the sunrise. It was so nice …..wow we could not resist ourselves from clicking all d ways. I had booked Govt of Tamilnadu hotel in advance (1 month). It was sea facing and a lavish AC room rate was 1000 rs per day. Location perfect and view was ultimate. Whole day we visited all the surrounding of Kanyakumari ( wax museum, suchitram temple etc) and sunset . lucky enough to see both in one day…next morning to Vivekananda memorial. Traveling in jetty with 200  people was a new experience. Finally after a good vacation we came back to Chennai by train. Don’t miss to take a glance of the station. It’s the last station of India…I wont tell anything, U just see it..hehe   Ok Imp parts now: all the numbers of those who are really the heros of the trip: 1.      Taxi driver- Thomas- 9446800353  call him directly but 2 days in advance as he is very busy. 2.      Mr Jain, JJ Cottage – 9446130593  call him any time. He is simply nice. 3.      Murigesan-tour manager  inspiremunnar.com- 9447877023 . a gentleman. 4.      Try variety of foods in Guru restaurant. U wont believe how it tastes. 5.      Madurai- U will get good options for hotels so not giving anything. 6.      Rameshwaram- one day trip 7.      Kanyakumari – Hotel tamilnadu. Book through  ttdconline.com  govt site.   That’s it from my side friends. Please wait for my next travelogue for other route experience. Take care.