Sep 11 - Started my journey from Kalyan by 1013 Coimbatore express @ 11.30 pm . Early morning, we realized that Mumbai-bound Duronto Express derailed near Kalburgi in Karnataka at around 2.30 am. Due to this , our train got delayed by around 8 hours . However, the train covered couple of hours delay and I reached Tirupur @ 12.30pm on Sunday.
Sep 13 - Had nalla sapda at my friend's house ( groom) and then we ( I and Kaams ) started our journey towards Ooty ( Udagamandalam).
There are 2 options to go to Ooty-
1. We get direct buses from Tirupur new bus stand every hour .
2. We can board bus for Mettupalayam which is more frequent(every 15 mins ) and from there, board bus for Ooty which is more frequent.
So, we chose second option and boarded bus for Mettupalayam which took around 2 hours and we reached around 6pm. From Mettupalayam, we boarded another bus around 6.30 pm. On the way , there are many hairpin bends and steep cuts ( route followed was Coonoor ghat ).Normal journey time is around 2.5 hours . However, our bus driver was Schumacher and we reached in 2.25 hrs. He was an expert in driving , no doubt about it, but we were about to collide 3 times - a bus, a truck and a car coming from the opposite side. It was full roller coaster ride and the driver was not interested in waiting at any of the turns. So, for obvious reasons, if the opposite side vehicle didn't wait, we would run into situation where we are face to face . In case, you were in the vehicle on opposite side , you would be terrified .Finally, after a nerve-cracking journey, we reached Ooty @ 8.45 pm. We checked into the hotel which was near Ooty bus stand and came out for dinner. Had veg fried rice and Uttapam both of which were really good ( not sure if it was because we were really hungry ). It was a pure veg restaurant on second floor (don't recollect the name ) near bus stand.
Sep 14 - We came out for morning walk cum jog @ 6.30 am . We went to Rose garden which has around 4000 varieties of roses. Ideally, it opens at 9am but if you have good social skills, you can visit it early morning which is really good time.
After that we had hot milk (brand Aavin ) and boarded bus for Doddabetta. It is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills and must visit for anyone going to Ooty, Bus drops you at the bottom of the hill and another 3-4 kms of upward journey has to be done by jeep/auto. It is preferable to book auto from Ooty itself. We were fortunate enough to get one at the bottom of the hill and reached Doddabetta around 10am. Had hot chhole and savored home made chocolates at the top of the hill.
We get fresh carrots and colored raddish ( looks really good but teekha bahut hai ) over there.
After that did miscellanous shopping. Famous takeaway from Ooty is sweet warki and home made chocolates. We returned to the hotel , got ready and went to Ooty lake .
At the lake, there is boat house where there are 3 options of boating.The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, Row boats, and Motor boats.We did paddle boating for half an hour and enjoyed the cool soothing atmosphere of the lake.
After that , we had food, checked out of hotel and boarded toy train from Ooty to Mettupalayam @ 2pm which is known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway. We had done tatkal booking one day earlier which starts @ 11am on irctc. This train is one of the must visits when going to Ooty. The train was almost empty till Coonoor railway station and after that , group of college students ( around 30) accompanied us till Mettuapalayam. It was mix of antakshari ,dance and other activities done by these college students in the train and the journey became even more interesting for us.
Beware of the monkeys at Hillgrove railway station.
Finally, we reached Mettupalayam railway station @ 5.30pm and went to bus stand which is at 10 mins walking distance. We boarded the bus for Tirupur and went to Poppys hotel. Had good dinner and after that, there was sangeet ceremony at night . The hotel has marriage hall as well. Rooms are quite good with private swimming pool where we stayed.
Sep 15 - Rituals started with ladies putting garlands of fruits/vegetables on the groom. After that, we had engagement ceremony. In the evening , the groom was taken to temple for worshipping and from there, he came on chariott to the marriage hall.
Food was awesome for the complete stay ( from breakfast to lunch to dinner ) with lots of varieties available each time.
Sep 16 - D-day aka Marriage day for my dear friend . Got opportunity to try south indian attire for wedding and meet old friends.
Afternoon, we left for Coimbatore ( got bus from Avinashi ) since I had early morning flight next day. Checked into Skylite hotel near airport.
We had some personal work and so roamed around in Coimbatore . Note that Siruvani water which is the worlds second tastiest water is available in Coimbatore and I enjoyed drinking this water every bit of it while we were in Coimbatore.
Famous takeaways are Shri Krishna sweets ( for Mysore paa ) and A-1 chips.
Sep 17 - Boarded flight from coimbatore and bid adieu to this sweet trip with lots of good memories.
Sep 13 - Had nalla sapda at my friend's house ( groom) and then we ( I and Kaams ) started our journey towards Ooty ( Udagamandalam).
There are 2 options to go to Ooty-
1. We get direct buses from Tirupur new bus stand every hour .
2. We can board bus for Mettupalayam which is more frequent(every 15 mins ) and from there, board bus for Ooty which is more frequent.
So, we chose second option and boarded bus for Mettupalayam which took around 2 hours and we reached around 6pm. From Mettupalayam, we boarded another bus around 6.30 pm. On the way , there are many hairpin bends and steep cuts ( route followed was Coonoor ghat ).Normal journey time is around 2.5 hours . However, our bus driver was Schumacher and we reached in 2.25 hrs. He was an expert in driving , no doubt about it, but we were about to collide 3 times - a bus, a truck and a car coming from the opposite side. It was full roller coaster ride and the driver was not interested in waiting at any of the turns. So, for obvious reasons, if the opposite side vehicle didn't wait, we would run into situation where we are face to face . In case, you were in the vehicle on opposite side , you would be terrified .Finally, after a nerve-cracking journey, we reached Ooty @ 8.45 pm. We checked into the hotel which was near Ooty bus stand and came out for dinner. Had veg fried rice and Uttapam both of which were really good ( not sure if it was because we were really hungry ). It was a pure veg restaurant on second floor (don't recollect the name ) near bus stand.
Sep 14 - We came out for morning walk cum jog @ 6.30 am . We went to Rose garden which has around 4000 varieties of roses. Ideally, it opens at 9am but if you have good social skills, you can visit it early morning which is really good time.
After that we had hot milk (brand Aavin ) and boarded bus for Doddabetta. It is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Hills and must visit for anyone going to Ooty, Bus drops you at the bottom of the hill and another 3-4 kms of upward journey has to be done by jeep/auto. It is preferable to book auto from Ooty itself. We were fortunate enough to get one at the bottom of the hill and reached Doddabetta around 10am. Had hot chhole and savored home made chocolates at the top of the hill.
We get fresh carrots and colored raddish ( looks really good but teekha bahut hai ) over there.
After that did miscellanous shopping. Famous takeaway from Ooty is sweet warki and home made chocolates. We returned to the hotel , got ready and went to Ooty lake .
At the lake, there is boat house where there are 3 options of boating.The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, Row boats, and Motor boats.We did paddle boating for half an hour and enjoyed the cool soothing atmosphere of the lake.
After that , we had food, checked out of hotel and boarded toy train from Ooty to Mettupalayam @ 2pm which is known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway. We had done tatkal booking one day earlier which starts @ 11am on irctc. This train is one of the must visits when going to Ooty. The train was almost empty till Coonoor railway station and after that , group of college students ( around 30) accompanied us till Mettuapalayam. It was mix of antakshari ,dance and other activities done by these college students in the train and the journey became even more interesting for us.
Beware of the monkeys at Hillgrove railway station.
Finally, we reached Mettupalayam railway station @ 5.30pm and went to bus stand which is at 10 mins walking distance. We boarded the bus for Tirupur and went to Poppys hotel. Had good dinner and after that, there was sangeet ceremony at night . The hotel has marriage hall as well. Rooms are quite good with private swimming pool where we stayed.
Sep 15 - Rituals started with ladies putting garlands of fruits/vegetables on the groom. After that, we had engagement ceremony. In the evening , the groom was taken to temple for worshipping and from there, he came on chariott to the marriage hall.
Food was awesome for the complete stay ( from breakfast to lunch to dinner ) with lots of varieties available each time.
Sep 16 - D-day aka Marriage day for my dear friend . Got opportunity to try south indian attire for wedding and meet old friends.
Afternoon, we left for Coimbatore ( got bus from Avinashi ) since I had early morning flight next day. Checked into Skylite hotel near airport.
We had some personal work and so roamed around in Coimbatore . Note that Siruvani water which is the worlds second tastiest water is available in Coimbatore and I enjoyed drinking this water every bit of it while we were in Coimbatore.
Famous takeaways are Shri Krishna sweets ( for Mysore paa ) and A-1 chips.
Sep 17 - Boarded flight from coimbatore and bid adieu to this sweet trip with lots of good memories.
