KODAI – REDUX

Authored by D-Dany with inputs from Djinn

After much deliberation on D Ravi’s health condition it was finally decided, that we will go for relaxing and rejuvenating trip to Kodai. After much difficulty I could postpone my visa appointment and confirm my participation. Usual high flying level boy Nagi and his Mrs. had to satisfy with a second class sleeper ticket as against usual 3 AC preferred by D-Men.

The participants – DD (Dany), Lower Body (Ravi), QQ (Santhosh), Mrs. QQ (Madhu), DNagi, Sandhu (Nagi’s wife), Djinn (Raghu)

The D Day arrived; traditionally it has been a hectic d-day for all D-Men activities, the day started with a somber note from Raghu, a sad story of Shhhh falling ill of 11^th hour. It was decided that Kiran from Mysore is the replacement to travel as 23 year old girl -J-.

With some confusion over departure time of train we just managed to reach station in time for departure only to find the train was delayed.

We boarded the train (Tuthkudi express) at 9.50. It was an eventful train journey because of Ravi's adventures of straying far from the coach in search of juice/snacks and joining us late. Ravi had also kept our tickets with him during that time and then we somehow managed to ask the TT to hold on for sometime till he came back.

<30/07/2005>

Come Saturday morning; some of us completed our ritualistic poos and had cuppas. The train ambled into the sleepy little station - Kodai Road around 6:30 am. We found that Kumar had deputed some one else to come and pick us up in his jeep. We crammed ourselves in and the wagon whizzed past green fields and nice hamlets in the lovely morning. We saw the Rat tail falls as our vehicle wound across the hills. In a couple of hours we found ourselves at Kodaikanal.

Selvaraj and family greeted us at the ITC guesthouse and Bhiraa growled and barked at us with rage. Morning ablutions complete; we were treated to a sumptuous breakfast of idli, vadas, chutney and saambar.

Off we go in Kumar's Maruti Omni Van for the first day's adventures. Saturday was a day of leisure. The weather was perfect...the View from the Guest house offered some splendid panaromic views of lush green mist topped hills. We could spot the dew drops on the leaves and flowers of the small shrubs.

We had great fun visiting...

i. Guna caves, where the area tapering off into a dangerous ravine is fenced out.
ii. Silent valley with the eerie looking large shola trees and soft ground to tread on.
iii. We trekked our way covered with moss, ferns, vines, and flowers of many kinds alongside the beautiful Pambar falls.

We soaked in the verdant beauty of the surroundings. One group comprising Madhu, Ravi, Nagi and hendthi walked in the cold stream. The other group of Santhosh, Raghu, Dany and Kumar walked along the nice grassy terrain just skirting the falls. The calls of the birds (Malabar schoolboy thrush, Information courtesy Madhu) were music to our ears. The slushy grasslands, very cold water gushing down from the edge to a small steep fall, rain coming down in drizzles were fabulous views, postcards like.

We saw the majestic Pillar rocks in full glory as the sun cleared the mist for a while.
boating (one group opting for the oars and the other paddle boat). Madhu managed to oar quite adroitly while Santhosh and Ravi did ok. Madhu cried out in alarm as soon as Djinn was at the helm.

Then it was time for a nice walk in Coakers Walk park with the guys trying their skills on sharp shooting. Evening time snacks comprised of Egg pakodas, Mensinkai bajjis and piping hot masala tea.

All this culminated in the evening with Teachers and local brandy and wine and watching "Raat" in the night. The team of Dany/Raghu beat the duo comprising of Kiran/Ravi comprehensively in the game of carrom.

<31/07/2005>

Come Sunday and we were off for a nice trek to Perumal Peak in the morning. The first 50 meters of the trail is full of kakkoos (turd in English). Thanks to Mr. LowerBody's josh (really unwanted because of the delicate condition of his DVT legs!) we took a shortcut and lost our way up but finally found it. Kumar, Kiran and Ravi went along one particular way. The rest meandered through in another way. Raghu initially led the way through the thorny bushes and fallen logs as Santhosh and Dany covered the flanks.

Nagi and his sweetheart were also seen screaming about leeches and running, on our way back to the base.

Got to know from Kumar that there are no theaters in Kodai because people preferred the reclusive mode of life and would rather movies on TV/DVD. Football and volleyball are the popular sports that are enjoyed by the local populace.

Return back to Kodai Road was with a heavy heart as we basked in the beauty of the mighty mountains and the odd sneaky falls here and there. The men also talked of how the Rat tail falls, from one particular view looks like a split V. Madhu gave us a informative lecture about the birds in that place - robins, bulbuls, mynas, doves. She eventually got confused about Swifts and swallows.

We told Kumar that we'd like to be back for a big trek this December sans Santhosh and his wifey. This sojourn was memorable also owing to the fact that this was Madhu's last trip from ITC. We had dinner packed thanks to Selva comprising of bread and omlette.

Morning...Back in Bangalore to face just another Manic Monday...Wish it was Sunday…
:-))