After one year in Bangalore, it was time for a celebration (which for me is travelling). After a lot of discussion on if this is the right time to go anywhere in south India, we settled for Ooty.
Situated in the beautiful Nilgiri range, Ooty is also know as the 'Queen of hill stations'.I have studied for 2 years in Shillong and am not willing to under-settle when it comes to hill stations. But Ooty truly lived upto its fame.
We had planned a weekend trip to Ooty. After a week full of work, we left at 11pm from Bangalore in a non AC sleeper. That was a bad decision as the humidity levels on the way was high and left me tossing and turning the entire night. The wee hours brought some relief. I woke up when the bus reached Coonoor and enjoyed the roads from Coonoor to Ooty via Wellington. Bright colorful houses and greenery welcomed us. We reached Ooty at 6.30 in the morning.
We had decided to have a very spontaneous weekend and tried looking for options when we reached there. We met a conductor at the bus stop who told us about the circuit buses which cover the 6 famous attractions in Ooty. The very reasonable Rs.90 pass helped us enjoy the best of Ooty for the entire day. We went to Dodabetta peak first. The clarity was good and the scenery reminded me of Shillong peak. Sent me Shillonging (Shillonging is a termed coined which means "to miss Shillong"). Reaching the telescope house was an impossible dream that day. Sigh! Disadvantages of visiting in the peak season.
Next we went to the Botanical Gardens. Again a pleasure to the eyes. The variety of trees and the landscape are really soothing for the eyes. Next on target list was rose garden where the beautiful background freshened up with a shower of rain. We then went to the thread garden where I didnt really understand what I was looking at till I reached the last counter where they showed us what the entire thing was made of!
We then went to the Ooty lake. Looking at the rush we decided not to go boating but enjoy the beautiful sunset near the lake. It was getting pretty cold and we decided to call it a day. We ate hot yum bhindi and roti and went to sleep.
The next day, we woke up late and decided to go on a "Filmi Chakkar". It was really hot in the morning and noon. However as soon as we reached 9th Mile (where a lot of films have been shot apparently), there was a sudden cloud in sky and everything changed. It was dark and started pouring cats and dogs. We still decided to go ahead and see around the place. It was worth every effort. We saw one of the most beautiful scenery with bright sun smiling at us. The rainbow was surely missed.
During these two days we walked around Ooty like crazy people. I could remember all the times we spent in Shillong. Walking helps you experience the place in a way that is impossible in a cab.
Sometime I feel travelling is not about seeing new places. It helps you better connect with yourself. It gives you time to introspect. It helps you regain control over your own life and decide for yourselves. We left Ooty that evening with refreshed minds and souls and a promise to go somewhere new very soon!!
Situated in the beautiful Nilgiri range, Ooty is also know as the 'Queen of hill stations'.I have studied for 2 years in Shillong and am not willing to under-settle when it comes to hill stations. But Ooty truly lived upto its fame.
We had planned a weekend trip to Ooty. After a week full of work, we left at 11pm from Bangalore in a non AC sleeper. That was a bad decision as the humidity levels on the way was high and left me tossing and turning the entire night. The wee hours brought some relief. I woke up when the bus reached Coonoor and enjoyed the roads from Coonoor to Ooty via Wellington. Bright colorful houses and greenery welcomed us. We reached Ooty at 6.30 in the morning.
We had decided to have a very spontaneous weekend and tried looking for options when we reached there. We met a conductor at the bus stop who told us about the circuit buses which cover the 6 famous attractions in Ooty. The very reasonable Rs.90 pass helped us enjoy the best of Ooty for the entire day. We went to Dodabetta peak first. The clarity was good and the scenery reminded me of Shillong peak. Sent me Shillonging (Shillonging is a termed coined which means "to miss Shillong"). Reaching the telescope house was an impossible dream that day. Sigh! Disadvantages of visiting in the peak season.
Next we went to the Botanical Gardens. Again a pleasure to the eyes. The variety of trees and the landscape are really soothing for the eyes. Next on target list was rose garden where the beautiful background freshened up with a shower of rain. We then went to the thread garden where I didnt really understand what I was looking at till I reached the last counter where they showed us what the entire thing was made of!
We then went to the Ooty lake. Looking at the rush we decided not to go boating but enjoy the beautiful sunset near the lake. It was getting pretty cold and we decided to call it a day. We ate hot yum bhindi and roti and went to sleep.
The next day, we woke up late and decided to go on a "Filmi Chakkar". It was really hot in the morning and noon. However as soon as we reached 9th Mile (where a lot of films have been shot apparently), there was a sudden cloud in sky and everything changed. It was dark and started pouring cats and dogs. We still decided to go ahead and see around the place. It was worth every effort. We saw one of the most beautiful scenery with bright sun smiling at us. The rainbow was surely missed.
During these two days we walked around Ooty like crazy people. I could remember all the times we spent in Shillong. Walking helps you experience the place in a way that is impossible in a cab.
Sometime I feel travelling is not about seeing new places. It helps you better connect with yourself. It gives you time to introspect. It helps you regain control over your own life and decide for yourselves. We left Ooty that evening with refreshed minds and souls and a promise to go somewhere new very soon!!
