13th April 2003 - So after somewhat good sleep we reached Kodai-Road at about 6.15am. [By the usual train timings you reach by 5.30am]. Now we were ready to start our upward tour. After bargaining and a known office colleague joining in the upward journey, we succeeded in hiring a van [Mahindra type big one with a 12 seater facility at the same rate of Tata Sumo - Rs.1200/- + 50/- Road tax]. Well, before the travel uphill we had a nice breakfast at a self-service restaurant. The travel uphill was good slowly with the climate changing to a bit of coolness from Vathalagundu. Of course the drive was a bit scary at some junctures when the opposite side drivers did not give a horn. Otherwise it was good, on the way we had a view of a so-called waterfall [one could see water dripping, may be if the rains had been good or after the showers the view would be fine] and on reaching the ever-filled with water Silver Cascade Falls, one knows you have reached your destination, so about an hours drive from here [cause of the traffic jam as its tourist peak time] we reached our Kodai resorts at 11am with the exterior look and the flowers around giving the commendable look.

By the time we checked-in it was 12pm, and after we took a nice cold shower [the resort mentions 24-hr hot water availability but....] had a nice lunch [the service was very good with the items ordered served faster]. So by the time we started off to the lake was 3pm with a walk along the long route on the way enquiring at the travels for arrangements for the next day, we took the tickets for a boat ride at the TTDC counter [Rs.40/- for 4 on a pedal boat for half an hour]. The boat ride was tiresome, obviously for the one's who pedaled as the boats were very badly maintained, with our colleagues family returning back within half an hour instead of the earlier planned one hour ride, the other cause being the slight sunshine. We suggest a boat ride would be enjoyable more towards the end of the day may be some time during 5-5.30pm and can also checkout taking the boat from the boat club, at the other end of the lake [certainly cannot comment on the condition of the boats, may be one can enquire about the same]

After the wearisome boat ride, we had nice juicy chilly pineapples, masala puffed rice with raw mango, groundnut, etc., and refreshing ice cream/tea after the spicy bite. Hot fresh made chips were sold which we bought and went to Byrant Park, which is just opposite the lake with an entrance fee [Rs.5/- for each, Rs.25/- for camera, Rs.100/- for cam cord]. The park was not maintained that glowing as expected to the fee paid, with the surroundings speckled with papers and other eatables at few places, and not that worthwhile for the payment collected for camera [we had not bought tickets though].

We found a clean and cool place and rested off for a while munching the chips, with the others taking a small nap. This time we had checked out the shortest route back to resorts thru the park so climbed some steps and rested off in the sun waiting for others to join us. It was by then 5.30pm, and planned to go to Coaker's walk just next to the resorts, but cause of the long tiring walk our legs lead us to our rooms for some rest. I had the enthusiasm to go to view the sunset, but as there were no volunteers to give me company had a short nap to wake up at 7.30pm.

It was cold outside, so the few warm clothes packed along was very useful. We watched few programs on the various channels to pass away the time. There was a bon-fire at 8.30, but when we reached it had not yet started within that thought of finish our dinner [with only about 25% of the items mentioned in the menu available that we had almost memorized all the available items]. After that we joined the bon fire which was going with all silent seater's enjoying the hot fire and hindi songs [Taal] and went to bed by 10pm to start a refreshing day next.

14th April 2003 , started of with a hot cup of coffee at the balcony, and a hot bath we relaxed some time in the gardens of the resorts while waiting of others to join and had a nice heavy breakfast. By the time, the vehicle [Tata Sumo/Qualis - Rs.1000/-] arrived we decided to go for a short visit to the church near by. The small church was very peaceful and was a nice way to start the day.

At 10am we started to the Green Valley View, the pathway with full of shops loaded with home made chocolates, fancy ornaments, evergreen flowers leading to a view bound by fence and a bunch of monkeys awaiting your arrival. If it were not for the crowd, you can enjoy the deep valley view but you have no way of having a souvenir of the view along with your picture cause of the barricade. The Golf ground is just opposite to this view entrance, and one can have a glance of the lush green area with permission restricted to only members.

After a 15minutes struggle in the traffic jam [think it will be peaceful other than the peak vacations] thanks to the dreadful parking arrangements we started off towards the Pillar Rocks. The parking facility was good here, but the crowd was here too convincing on the point that the world has become too small.

After a quick view we requested to driver to take us to some place less crowded, so that we can enjoy the nature in peace. We set towards the pine forest, famous for cine shooting. The way through out is full of pine trees. We walked down a bit, was slippery if your footwear did not support in the middle of the trees. It was very nice, with cold and warm air with sunlight peeping in between the trees. After spending some time and taking few snaps of each of us in different poses, started off towards another viewpoint. After a walk of about 10 minutes, we came across a valley view and one can descend down the steep rocks to the end, but a slip would make it a pathway to heaven so we sat down besides some bushes to enjoy the scenery.

Then we were taken to Moir Point, where walking into the rocky path stopped for some hot tea and fresh latest snacks packets [Dip-dip tea and all kinds of peppy's, biscuits -the only 2 shops put up here]. On checking out with some people who had gone further into, decided that the path was tedious and never-ending so after watching the feeding to some monkeys we decided to go for lunch. On the way downtown to the main city, we stopped to see the upper lake view, which was very beautiful.

We reached downtown to one of the busy restaurants finding it very difficult to get tables to have a short quick lunch having each a plate of variety rice. It was 3pm, and we set of to Kurinji Andavar Temple, which gives you a view of the Palani hills too. After a lot of temptation, each of us had our favorite bite of ice cream and set off to Chettiar Park. This was a private park, very well maintained and was open until 5pm. We had about half an hour, so we had a leisurely walk and had some rest before we were dropped off at the lake.

So we requested the driver to take us for a ride round the lake, the houses round the lake were beautiful, so we decided to go for a cycle ride and may be at least a pose on the pony's. We were thrust with the bi-cycle, and started off with a struggle in starting [starting problem, its been years having last rode a cycle so after 2 tries were successful]. At the start, we were doubtful if we could finish the 31/2 km ride, in between paused for some quick mango bite, snaps, and for a short rest. Enjoying again the beauty of the gorgeous houses, hoping to buy one of them in our lifetime, we completed in about an hour without any thoughts of exhaustion [and the cost we had been imagining was surprising to be Rs.10/- for an hour for each cycle]. This was the best part of our day.

After a quick energy bite of plain pineapple and masala puffed rice, decided to take the long walk doing some shopping at the Tibetans bazaar for some bags and wooden articles and check out with the travel agents for the next days arrangements. After some refreshing rest, the day ended with somewhat nice dinner, song-less bonfire and a good sleep.

Published by Dibbi, August 2003