Kodaikanal

Its was one of the most memorable trip I ever had, with my colleagues in Severn Trend Water a project in which I worked in RR Donnelley. It was a night in December 2008. After completion of our shift we took our baggage and waited at the entrance of Thejaswini building in Technopark for the tourist bus. After some 20 minutes the bus came. We all made ourselves comfortable. Our client managers Bejoy and Santhosh along with the SME Suman Prince accompanied us. The journey began to Kodaikanal a popular hill station and tourist destination in Dindigul district in Tamilnadu, also referred to as the "Princess of Hill Stations".

The journey was through NH47 via Kaliyakkavilai, Nagercoil, Thirunelveli and Dindigul. It took nearly 1.30 hours at the Amaravila check post for Motor vehicle procedures. After that the journey was smooth. When we reached Nagercoil everyone were fast asleep, only few persons including myself was awake. The bus stopped near a point in Thirunelveli and driver along with us went out to have tea from a near by tea stall. After that even though the driver got refreshed we felt that he was going slow through the high speed lanes. Soon we all felt asleep.

I was woke up by my friend Hamrash by about 6.30am in the morning and we were still going through the express highway. By about 8.30am we stopped at a Petrol bunk where there was a restaurant. After refreshing we had our breakfast. Then we set our journey by about 10am. The journey through the Ghat road was mind blowing with beautiful sceneries.

             

Before some 10kms to Kodaikanal at a wide bend in the long and winding Ghat road, we stopped at a waterfall. Its called the Silver Cascade formed from the out flow of Kodaikanal lake. This is an impressive waterfall and a popular spot for all visitors. There are a few souvenir and fruit vendors and many monkeys there.

We reached Kodaikanal by about 2.00pm. We went to our hotel where Lunch as prepared for us. We had our Lunch before going to the rooms. Then we a check in. Sunil chettan, Murali, Vinu (Sijith), Hamrash, Anzad and me were in a room. After resting for some time and refreshing we went to sight seeing in the evening in a tempo arranged by the Hotel authorities. We went to the lake which is the centre of attraction in Kodaikanal. Some of our friends hired boats and went for boating. We hired bicycles to go around the lake which is nearly about 5kms.

After seeing the lake we went to the town for purchasing. Before getting dark we returned to the Hotel. There they have arranged dinner and a camp fire. I haven't been in a camp fire before and so I enjoyed it the most. Then we all went to our rooms for sleep.

The morning was very cold. I didn't had a sound sleep because of my two friends Murali and Vinu who were sleeping on my left and right respectively. After having breakfast we all went out to see other tourist spots - Suicide point, Guna caves, Pine forest etc

The Upper lake view was spectacular. One can see almost the entire lake from there.

The Guna caves named after the famous Tamil movie Guna, are caves between three gigantic boulders called Pillar rocks. The caves were closed for the public due to the tragic death of some tourists there.

From right Vinu, Murali, Me, Sandeep, Sajeer & Ajith

                                     

The Pillar rocks as said above are three giant rock pillars. There is a beautiful garden adjust to the viewpoint in Pillar rock.

        

The view from Suicide point was stunning.

With Vinu and Jijo at Suicide Point

                                               
         The Pine forest was eye-catching with pine trees densely. There were many monkeys there, they surrounded us for the groundnut in our hands. We gave them the ground nut but they are reluctant to leave us. After giving all the ground nut they left us and caught a new group.

           After sight seeing we went back to the hotel had lunch and packed out luggage as it was time to leave. By evening we board the bus and started our return journey.

                                                        

With Sunil Chettan

             

        By about 5.00am the bus reached Karamana - My destination. It was an unforgettable journey in my life which I enjoyed very much.

Birmingham - United Kingdom

03/09/2008: My dream come true, my first flight. We (Binu sir, Suman & myself) were deputed for a training program in Birmingham for an ongoing project. Our flight was on 03/09/2018 early morning from Trivandrum International Airport. We had our connection flight from Dubai after having our breakfast. We landed Birmingham airport by around 2.00am. We waited sometime for the cab and reached Crown Plaza where our stay was arranged. 

After a short nap we got ready to go to our client's office. The office atmosphere was very nice with friendly people around. I was little tensed, my first day in the office but later it was like home.

With Antony & Binu

We left office by 5.00pm and walked back to the hotel with is hardly 20 minutes from the office. The view on the way back was beautiful.

The next day we had an office lunch arranged in a nearby Indian Restaurant with all the officials from the Company.

After few days we visited Derby office another county in England to see and learn the operations there. We had a good time there.

Lisa & Suman

Lisa & Binu

Water Tankers

 

Even though it was long ride back to Birmingham from Derby for an hour through the motor way, it was a nice and new experience.

One day Aman and Emily took us to a restaurant nearby. We had a great time there.








On one Saturday, Paul and his girlfriend took us to Warwickshire, to the Warwick castle. Its as huge stone made structure rebuilt in the mid 12th century, situated near to River Avon.

Paul with his Girlfriend

We all spend the time till evening in the castle. There is a wax museum inside the castle with lots of wax statues of famous personalities. It was a superb experience. 

I didn't know how fast 26 days has run out. That was our last day in Birmingham, we had our flight in the evening. We packed our luggage and departed to Airport. Next day morning we arrived Dubai. As there was 18 hours for our connection flight they arranged a transit for us. We had a small shopping in a supermarket in Dubai and late in Dubai duty free also. All are tired and slept soon after boarding the flight. We landed Trivandrum early morning. All said goodbye and left for our home. I thank my office for giving me such an opportunity, a dream come true.