A short visit to the queen of hill stations in South India
Taken a KSRTC Express Bus which goes to Coimbatore at 8 am from near by town. As usual the bus was crowded. When we crossed the (Kerala) border, the view changed in to a much awaited scenic beauty of the tea estates. Roads appeared like lines that kids draw in the walls when they start walking, but in an artistic manner. The canvas of nature is richly decorated with tall rising Oak trees and the dwarfed tea plants. Abundant rains poured in seasons converted the entire route a green cover. Clouded sky appears like a naughty child. Rains have no schedules of arrival but perhaps the calm air awaits a heavy shower any time. Among the tea plantations women moving with the tea leaves baskets.
Gudalur is the border town that welcomes visitors from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Visitors enjoy a hot cup of tea, with the full flavours of green tea and the tasty snacks like Dal Vada.
Our bus started climbing the Naduvattom Ghat road. This is part of Mudumali Wild Life Sanctuary. The sky became very clear, and the wind carried the cold breaths of Eucalyptus trees. The uphill predicted more sharp bends, but at the same time offered some brilliant scenes of the Gudallur town. One side the hill top, sky with milky white clouds, and other side tea plantations, vegetable garden and mighty slopes. Naduvattom is app. 17 KM from Ooty and a temporary stop for the visitors to see a hue rock (Frog Rock). An extended portion of the hill pushed itself out and appears like a Frog sitting on the top. The view from the rock view point is quite incredible asif you feels like you are in the lap of the nature.there are a few women and kids sitting on the roadside offers fresh farm fresh carrots to the tourists who uses this way to reach Ooty. Our journey proceeded to Pykkara a popular tourist point. Once you reach you will find the blend of different languages in the air. Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and some other Indian Languages. A line of tourist vehicles parked in the belly of foot hills, busy boating point filled with visitors, tourist on horses, vendors of smoked Maize Corn, Tea shops, restaurants, and many souvenir shops. It is of course a best place of young couples, (married/unmarried) and families or who wish to spend a nice vacation in hills. Warmth of your breath can really work if you feel cold if you are together.......!
My whispering was mainly through the near by tall trees as i haven't enough time to stop there and proceed. Another 22 KM to Ooty, I was fully expecting vibrant sites, which can make my quest for more natural scenes, fulfilled.
Reached Ooty at around 12 p.m. The city is a living example of poor planning of a beautiful hill station. Greed of people can be seen at every place where small buildings to big hotels converted this hill tops to a jungle of concrete blocks. The surrounding hills lost their pristine natural look as multi colour buildings bandwagon the way people make money through tourism and real estate. Buildings constructed in the British period remain witness the intrusion of the modern day Indians. Narrow congested roads, dirty and stinking lines in the city may dampen your holiday, but it is always better to stay away from the heart of the city. During the month of May every year, Flower show and horse race pulls huge number of visitors to this place. Nilgiri Mountain rail, Lakeside and view points pulls the hearts of lakhs of visitors to this place.by 2 p.m, I completed my work, but by this time the weather show a twist, where mist and drizzling started.
(next: return from Ooty-a miracle in journey)