Down the memory lane to Ooty!! --Hairpin bend-1

I remember it was during the Annual holidays of v std............

Woooooh!!!! as a 'gift' for doing well in my exams,my father had planned to take all of us to Ooty: 'The Queen of Hill Stations'.
Well! it was time to take out the sweaters and mufflers from the attic.... 



When we reached Mettupalayam, it was almost time for the Orangish rays of the Sun to take a 'kit-kat' break!! and for us too, to stop at the 'Vana Bhadrakaliyamman Temple',there.

Each time we travel to Ooty, this ritual was no exception!!  Actually my granny used to tell that the hilly regions are like 'play-grounds for spirits'! So  she would always advise my grand pa to take that 'divine stopping'.After the 'Darshan' at the "Vana Bhadhrakaliamman" temple, we had left for Ooty, via 'Kallar','Burliar' and Conoor'.

Each of these places and it's beauty are a perfect trailer to the main picture; (here, Ooty is our main picture) and this is one journey, where all your five senses are in their 'splendid interaction!!


The smell of wild  flowers, tea plantations and orange orchids would be strongly contending for the 'election of  your nostrils'!!!


While, you might find it tough to roll your eyeballs..glued to the crystal -clear brooks...the deep ravines and the tall Eucalyptus trees..all 'going on a date' with the cool breeze;

For the connoisseur in food stuff,  what more than a freshly plucked carrot, the home-made chocolate crispies, or even the 'katta chai'-coupled with some rusks!!!

You need not be a 'Banupriya / Karthik..singing "Keeravani" with a mike in tow, but can simply take in, the 'Kuckoo' of  a host of winged beings!!!!


THE GRAND-FINALE ACTUALLY LIES IN YOU BECOMING ONE WITH NATURE!!!!!


We had stayed at the "Woodlands" hotel, located at the heart of Ooty!Before going to bed, my father and my grand pa were discussing about the itinerary the next day.

Grand pa wanted to try out something new;-remember I've already told you that he was a 'perfect combo' of both the worlds-he could give company to a kid, a youngster, a contemporary, a staunch devotee alike him, or even an atheist!

It was his 'Exploring-Spree' that got us the exciting chance of visiting 'Mudumalai Forests'....or, otherwise my father  would have confined this trip to the 'Botanical', and a boat-ride in the lake'!!!


The next morning, we were all set to leave for the Mudumalai forests, ....we had a shock awaiting us!!

Vana Bhadrakaliamman temple

                              


  Ooty town-road

 


Sky-soaring Eucalyptus....

 

                             

                                         

Cottage chocolates of Ooty

                                                            


famous for orange orchards!




The lake in Ooty

Botanical garden



hand-picked fresh carrots


In the morning, we had the shock of our life seeing the window-panes of our room  being broken!?
The hotel manager, Mr.Bhujanga Rao, who  was my grand pa's good friend rushed out to the lobby ..where the culprits were standing in silence!!!
Alas! we could give out only a hearty laughter on seeing them...and even gave them some food.
What to do when those 'culprits' were three 'cute monkeys'!!!

Anyways, we started our much-awaited journey in Mr.Bhujanga Rao's jeep, leaving behind our car at the hotel; as for such a ride, o'er steep ups and downs, the jeep was more suited!

Our very first destination  itself  was an unforgettable,  mind-blowing one. Located around 13 kms. from Ooty..on the steep slopes of the "Kalhatti", the "Kalhatty waterfalls" is a must-see spot : What with it's sparkling, silvery waters, the roaring sound when the water falls from a great height....all these would surely form  a 'rejuvenating-therapy' of it's own!! 

After a long time spent there and capturing some incredible shots, (my brother is a good photographer) all of  us were gone terribly hungry; the driver, a local man, suggested we move to the nearby village, Bokkapuram. 

Though it took us a while to go there..it was a wait worth! 
It was fan-fare and celebration with 'Naathaswaram' & thoranam' , right from the entrance itself..and before we could come to terms of what was going on..
....the natives received us with their 'innocent  love and hospitality'. We were being escorted to a thatched hut, by the side of a small brook with crystal-clear water.There we had had the best of traditional cuisine.... almost 20 items were happily winking at us,from it's 'home'-freshly - plucked banana leaves!!!!
It was the yearly 'Thiruvizha' in their deity's temple. Before taking leave..we too joined in their festive-fervour and rituals of the 'Amman' temple!

 Around evening, we left Bokkapuram for 'Thorapalli'.
Thorapalli is like a 'passport' to 'Mudhumalai' or better still, the "Elephant Corridor", Masinagudi, which also features in our itinerary!!

It was planned to lodge ourselves at the "Sylvinn's",a nice jaunt;
we had to go to bed early...as exciting programmes were in our kitty, for the morning..in the form of a visit to the elephant camp and then into the "most virgin- jungles' of all times!!!! 

The Kalhatty falls.