Kodai Trip

Author: Nagi

Hi,

Some how i'm able to write this. Jst add something is missed. Don't have a time. Meeting ko jana Hai.

Madhu .. If spelling mistake/Grammer mistake idre jst adjust madi. namge English nimastu Barodhilva. OK

Tell me one more time how to pronounce "Love"... We can't .. becoz we born and bought up in India. Wat Say Guys..

Enjoy Madi.






Day 0 -> 22-Aug-2003
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After a long and dreary set of discussions [or the lack of it :) ], the coterie of itinerants decided to take on the

KodaiKKanal (Sanjay & Madhu, Check out the spelling, I did't miss splet it, isn't?) head on regardless of the heavy rains in

the region. Notwithstanding the usual trait that has come to be associated with the gang, we decided to move along and have

a nice time. It was decided that we will meet at the rendezvous in Jayanagar. It did't happend. This time culprit was Nagaraj

. We boarded at around 9:45 p.m. [ no "sharp" here :)) thanks to Raghu for the tickets) The tuticoron was to take us to

KodaiRoad, from that to Kodaikanal which was to be our base over the next 2 days. after all the initial hiccups, we finally

set off towards Kodaikanal and its pristine offerings.

Day 1 -> 23-Aug-2003
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The sole chatterbox in the group [ ???? ] woke us all with a rude jolt at the unearthly hours of 4:00 a.m. when we

were only expected to wake up at 06:30. (Guess Who else!! Sanjay's Mobile) With the bantam of tamil knowledge finally we were

able to hire a taxi to Kodai. A slight drizzle greeted us on the way to Kodai. This immediately set us worrying as to our

agenda for the next 2 days.Thankfully, the rain was only in trickles.

We managed to find out the location of the "ITC Guest house" with more than a little help from Madhu's Memory. Selvaraj of

ITC guest house gave us a warm welcome in the late morning. Thanks again to Madhu reminding us about the ferocious Bhira

(Dog). We met the Selvaraj manager and Madhu spoke to him, It was decided that we will take some brunch and will leave by 12

Noon. we then met software engineer Kumar as our guide/driver/Companion for the next 2 days.

The gang was up and raring to go at exactly 12 Noon We had a good breakfast. The chutnee was delicious. I could smell some

Mysore taste in that chutnee. Thanks Selvaraj for making that. Then we are all set for our endeavour for the day.

Our first stop was to be "Silent Valley". We had a good view of the nature and we took some snaps there. Then next

spot was Shanti Valley, ( Kannda Version of Silent Valley - joking). The view was even wonderful than Silent valley. Then we

moved towards Guna caves. On the way we saw one more place where full of eucalyptus trees( This is called shola * - donno the

exact name). Madhu showed her strengh again by climbing the tree. (Wonderful Madhu, I could remember the Adimanava days).

Then we stopped at Guna caves. This suppose to be the best spot in Kodai. but unfortunately we did't have luck. The Guna

caves was closed since 2 yrs. We had a vague view of the Guna Caves and proceed further. Me did not wasted no time in

reminding Raghu/Sanjay about the BSNL's Superior reach to Airtel's. This was to become a routine affair until the time the

twosome could get back vengefully which was when we reached Kodairaod. More on that later.

Then we had a nice lunch @ HILVIEW Restaurant and some snacks in the near by bakery. Then journey headed towards Twin rock

view. Again we did't have enough luck to see those rocks. Then we went to see the suicide point near the golf field. This

golf field is the second biggest in asia in terms of natural. In Bangi/Chennai we have much more big fields but these are

artifical. Then Kumar took us to Uppper lake view, we had good view of the Kodai lake then we went to 150 yrs old church.

Santu showed his genius by recalling some facts abt the chirstianity.

Then finally we went to Vishnu temple. We can see the Palani view from the temple. Kumar showed us the direction and we could

see some sign of the palani temple. It was drizzling and we saw 2 rainbows @ a time. I havn't seen 2 rainbows at a time in my

life. We also had some photo sessions in this place. One googly we faced Guess what !!. Liril falls. It was Shane's Google

only. Finally we have signed off the day and went to guest house. Had nice dinner and as expected we started the party.

During the party we enjoyed a lot by watch ZEEMGM. Then Ravi D beat me in the carrom board :((- then .......slept...


Day 2 -> 24-Aug-2003
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Ravi woke at 06:15 did some jogging, exercise and we were ready to leave by 8:45 after some of us had a cold shower. Our

agenda for the day was treking and boating. We first headed for Treking which is about 6 km away from Kodai.The route to

this place is studded with lush green forests on either side of the road which was almost an illusion to me. This did not

deter the enthusiasm of the group and we had no plans of giving up.This place, supposedly the abode of a hermit, is around 2

km of trek away from the parking lot. Initially we were faced with the disappointment when all we could see was a small

cavern atop the Hill. This taught me not to jump to early conclusions as we were to see some spectacular sights enroute our

way to the spot. We we reached the pinnacle that was the heaven for me. we were immediately awe-struck by its splendour and

misty mountain backdrops Nothing else we had a good time there and spent quite sometime to refresh our memory.

We returned wearily to our bastion at around 1:00 p.m. and promised to meet Kumar to again after an hour. We finally

vacated the Hotel at around 3:00 after the lunch. The plan for the rest of the day was boating and boarding the Bangi Exp @

kodaikkannal.

We had a bombat time at the boating. First we took 7 seaters boat self row boat, Madhu was our Driver/Ambiga for all of us.

Thank God finally we were able to escape from all the misfortunes. Then we 4 decided that we will have pedal boat. Ravi and

Madhu are eagar to get another 2 seater self row boat. This time when we were acutally in the middle of the lake, the rain

started. We 4 came back and later madhu and ravi joined us in the rest room.

Then we are all set to go back to kodai road. We started at around 3:45 pm. On the way we saw cascade falls and rat tail

falls. Finally we reached the kodaikkanal road @ 6:30 PM. We could spent some time in Kodaikanal road and finally our Bangi

Exp. Came @ 8:15. We bought some food packets for dinner that night and almost devoured the entire stuff within 1 hour of

boarding the train.The group went to sleep at around 10:30 dreading the day that was to follow after all the excitement of

the last 2 days.

Day 3 -> 25-Aug-2003
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The train was literally toying with us for 1 hours before we were dropped at Majestic.

A special thanks to Raghu & Ravi for being the wonderful co-operation .

Thanks again to one and all for making the KODAI trip memorable for more reasons than mentioned above.So long till we meet

the next time.