Ooty Trip

We went to Ooty in April 2010 just prior to my joining IBM. Since once I would join office, I wont get much time or have enthusiasm to go on a trip during the weekend, this trip was planned in order to enjoy some last few days of my freedom from the monotonous routine awaiting me.

Ooty to Bangalore distance is 280 kms and it takes about 6 hours to reach there. We hired a cab and although, the journey to Ooti could have been much more pleasant in the absence of an unruly arrogant driver, we had no other option but to bear with his temper. As I have least patience with people trying to take me for a ride, couple of times I lashed at the driver who in retaliation involved in a fiery squabble with me. Debu being a man of huge patience and mild disposition didnt know how to stop us from wringing each other's neck and so remained silent and sometimes uttered one or two words in my defence. Later, I also fought with Debu over his indifference to the incivility of the driver. I wanted to get rid of the driver but since we already agreed to pay for the return journey, the loss would have been ours if we dismissed him midway because he would take his due whether or not we preferred him for driving us back to Bangalore. Now looking back in reminiscence I understand why Debu paid no heed at all to the driver but at that time I was offended with Debu showing so much patience.

Located in Tamilnadu, Ooty is a beautiful hill station atop Niligiri hills. Situated at an altitude of about 2500 meters, Ooty with its lush green scenic beauty, lofty mountains, vast expanse of tea estates is a favoured tourist spot. Endowed with a wholesome climate, Ooty is an ideal destination for people seeking to while away some time close to nature.

We set off for Ooty in the morning of Saturday and reached our destination by evening (around 4p.m). After freshening up, we went out for sightseeing. The first place we paid a visit to was the Botanical Garden. Spread over 55 acres of land, Botanical Garden is one of the most popular attractions of Ooty. The garden displays some rare species of trees including cork tree, monkey puzzle tree and paper bark tree. The prized possession of the garden is a 20 million year old fossilized tree. Besides, the garden compartmentalised into 6 different sections including New Garden, Lower Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace and Nurseries boast of myriad of ferns, bushes, orchids and flowerbeds. We spent some wonderful moments exploring the garden and I recall my running across a corpulent cat curled up in the middle of a grassland, infront of a food section selling snacks and drinks for the weary travellers. There was a mini gathering formed surrounding the cat in curious amusement for the cat refused to budge from its position even when poked and looked totally heedless to its surrounding. Though my love for dogs overrides my feeling for other animals esp cats, somehow I could not help developing a fondness for the cute obese cat oblivious to the world around it. Photos below:

 

 

 

 

After Botanical Garden, we went around the town of Ooty in search of a shopping centre and did spot a store wherefrom I picked some nice tops for myself. Ooty being a small town doesnot have shopping options galore though I did buy some lovely Kashmiri stitched dresses.

Next morning we went to Sim's Park located in Coonoor. Coonoor is another hill station of Niligiri hills. Ooty to Coonoor distance is only 35 kms. So either you can stay in Ooty or in Coonoor and tour both the places.Sim's Park is mainly a park with a small garden displaying varieties of shrubs, herbs and ferns. It is useful for morning walk or jogging and relaxing with friends under the shade of trees.

Next we went to Wellington. At less than 5 kms away from Coonoor is a beautiful military cantonment called Wellington which has earned the epithet "No Garbage Town" because of its cleanliness.A good chunk of the movie 'Roja' was shot in and around Wellington. The Wellington Golf Course is a sought after place for stopping by and enjoying breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscape. Sadly, it remains closed on Sunday, the day we visited the place and hence we were not allowed inside.

Around 10 kms away from Coonoor, Dolphin's Nose is a beautiful vantage point that provides breathtaking view of the luscious green valley spread below. As the name suggests, a huge protruding rock formation resembling the nose of Dolphin is used as a view point which gives enticing panoramic view of the Catherine Falls, Kotagiri Hills, and Mettupalayam plains.The way to Dolphin's Nose is a bit perilous as the road is narrow and yet to be cemented. However, the side slopes covered with verdant tea vegetation looks mesmerizing as your car makes its way through the narrow road between. Photos below:

 

 

 

Extending to an area of 65 acres, Ooty Lake is another popular attraction of Niligiri Hills. This lake is basically an artificial lake built by a British collector of erstwhile Ooty in 1824.Set amidst groves of Eucalyptus trees, the lake has houseboats parked along the bank where you may reside for the night. Further, a train line running along the embankment is an added attraction. You may take pleasure trip across the lake via speed boats or paddle boats.

Ooty and Coonoor both are famous for tea production. There are numbers of tea factories in Ooty and we visited one of them. It was a learning experience to see through the processing of tea manufacturing.First of all fine leaves are collected by tea workers and then they are put through a machine to make into smooth paste. Thereafter, the moist paste of tea leaves are dried and reduced to raw tea powder. Then they are processed through different graders which would determine the quality of the tea leaves. After that they are packaged and made ready for sale. Different flavours of tea are sold in the factory itself like honey tea, lemon tea and so on. Also, Ooty is known for homemade chocolates which are really yummy in taste. 



Tea Museum was the final destination of our trip in Ooty and then we halted in Mysore for a while for lunch and came back to Bangalore.