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.