South India Tour - Ooty

29 May – Ooty

Arrived Coimbatore at 2 am. Stored our luggage the cloak room and went to find a shower. The waiting room showers were a little stinky, but I had to take a shower – there was no choice, I was feeling yucky. These kind of places always make me wonder how Indians can be so pious yet not have good hygienic places for showering and bodily functions. Just shows how contradictory they are.

Took the Chennai express to Mettupalyam to catch the toy train to Ooty.  We got there in good time, but there was still a mad rush to get into the train. There was no designated seating.  Indians are like that – no decency for women or old people…just mad rush to do things. As much as I love India, these things really tick me off. The train did leave on time. Bhaiya got the window seat, as expected.

It was all an uphill ride. I feel for the poor engine that has to drag us all up to the top. The strange thing was that the engine was at the back – pushing the train instead of pulling. We were almost in the front. It was a wonderful ride, great view and just beautiful experience (the ride and the view!).  The hills were all lush with tea gardens, there were many flowers on the way.  The coconut trees and palms, just gorgeous, gave way to pine trees as the altitude increased. The first stop was Conoor where many people got off. At this place the steam engine was switched to a diesel one since the altitude will be increasing a lot more now (Ooty is about 7000 ft. high).

The ride up was again beautiful, the train especially looks gorgeous at curves when you can look back and see the rest of the train behind. We reached Ooty around lunch time. It was raining there. First we had lunch – typical Tamilian meal on a banana leaf – two veggies, sambhar, rice, pickle, and paapad. And of course we ate with our hands! (It was all for about Rs 50 for all three of us – darn cheap!) Initial plan was to stay over in Ooty, but finding a place was a little hard and then Papa was having some back issues, so decided to go back to Coimbatore the same day. 

So for the time being, Bhaiya and I went to the Botanical gardens. It was laid out beautifully in a meticulous way. Only problem was that it was raining. But despite that it was crowded! Ooty Lake was not that great – big pond of dirty water. People were boating and all but I was not in the mood at all.  There were rides and a lot of shopping to do.  Bought some Nilgiri eucalyptus oil.

Took the bus down to Coimbatore from Ooty. The driver was amazing, I commend him for driving on such narrow roads. The drive was beautiful.. Reached Coimbatore at 6:30 pm (4 hrs. later). After looking at a few hotels near the station, we checked into Karinji Lodge. It was okay. After a little rest went for dinner – dosas – yum! Went to bed early – it has been a long day.

30 May - Coimbatore/ISHA

After morning breakfast of idli and coffee we went to ISHA meditation center, headquartered outside Coimbatore. It took about hour and half to get out there. The main part of the ISHA center is a huge dome with a shivling in the center. It is a very quiet and peaceful place. We meditated for a while and then came out. ISHA does not promote religion – only self-realization. Had some orange juice and then walked back to catch the bus again. Had some time, so ended up eating imli (tamarind) from the trees around us. The ride back was different as the city was awake. It is a huge city. Had dosas for lunch and then looked for an internet café. Came back to the hotel for a siesta and went to walk around the market – good stuff to buy! Had dinner and went to sleep early as we have to get up early tomorrow also!