Coonoor via Ooty

We went on a short holiday with Raji and Lakshmi. Raji's sister Sandhya and Dr. Raman also joined. Our aim was to visit a place to walk and relax. Breathing fresh air was also a requirement. Lakshmi found us the ideal location. Coonoor is surely the best place to go in April! (I like the number of o's!)

We had a very relaxed holiday! Walked to and in the exotic Sim's park in the morning. On return had a very sumptuous breakfast, consisting of idli, vada and dosa, all very good! If I had to choose I would say idlies were amazing! (It is my way of defining a trip; with food!)

Ventured out for a drive to ooty after our brunch and promptly returned to play a game of cards! Ooty was crowded beyond belief!

Weather was just perfect for cards. The game was abondoned after a while as we noticed many cars parked on the hill ahead and above the house. The staff of the house we were staying at suggested we go up and see. A cheetah (or a tiger?) was sighted a couple of days ago!

The cheetah was sighted sunning itself on the rock above. It must have been an amazing sight for the lucky few!

As we waited; Tara looking worried, probably hoping that we were at a safe distance, Raman adjusting his specs to get a clearer view. I don't know why Lakshmi was standing back! Raji not in the picture, was probably standing ahead of us. (I am sure she was not hiding in the car!) Sandhya as the Principal of a school had the body language which says 'Better come out fast or you are in trouble!' Unfortunately for us, the cheetah had a reason for not appearing! Earlier it was sighted sunning itself on the rock. The day we were there was clouded and there was also a slight drizzle!

As we waited I sighted this beautiful flower! Some compensation as we gave up after a while and returned!

Our gracious hosts, Dr. Ravi and Sabeena Prakash have a beautiful home! While they were not home at the time of our visit, they kept calling Lakshmi and Raji on the phone to make sure that we were well taken care of and were comfortable! The pleasant and devoted staff were perfect! Raji remarked that the house was in really a beautiful location as can be seen from the pictures below:

I had forgotten my camera and this picture of the driveway is courtsey Raman. My pictures are from my cell phone!

This view was from our bedroom! The girls were busy plucking tea leaves but the music which accompanies such a scene was missing!

We retired after dinner to play a game of scrabbles and word building. Tara cannot sleep unless she plays a game of scrabbles! (Picture: Raman)

Sim's park which was started in 1874 is worth many visits. It is mostly natural and has many exoctic trees from many places of the world.

Hope you notice the people feeding fish from the bridge.

The Tamilnadu brochure recommends a leisurely walk in the park. But Lakshmi thinks differently and that is his style. Raji is not far behind!

Tara is seen taking a walk and I guess she is also practicing her singing!

The trees are tall and beautiful.

This is an unusual tree. Called 'Elephant Leg tree' by the locals! It has also an unpronounceable botanical name as well!

I can call this only in India. The dustbin can be reached easily from the seat! I saw a bird sitting on top and it flew away before I could get a picture!

This again is typical. No one follows notices and the management has an ugly fence around it!

There was a land slide a few months ago and many trees fell!

While it looks dramatic, there is a lesson for us! More than hundred years of work was destroyed in one day!