It had been some time since we had taken a break from my regular outsourcing tasks to rejuvenate our minds. So me and my wife decided to take trip to Kodai which was nearby and a good place to see and be from the place we live Trivandrum. As this was my first by road trip to a different state I had to do a little bit of research on which road to take and the place to stay. After a resonable research I decided to take the road via Nagercoil to Kodai for which www.team-bhp.com site helped me to decide. A rating on some of the hotels and reviews closed down the search to "Valley View" hotel as a place to stay. So hotel rooms booked,everything was set and ready to go !!!
High in spirits we started early morning at 4:30, bags all packed with enough and more of drinking water for our 500km trip ahead. We drove off my shiny new "Honda City" to a nearby Gas station and filled a full tank for Rs 2000. Checked the tyres and off we started by 5:00 AM. Our route was Trivandrum - Nagercoil - Dindigul - Kodaikanal.
The roads from Trivandrum to Nagercoil is relatively narrow but well maintained. As we neared towards nagercoil we could see the twilight coming in between the small mountains, banana farms on either sides of the roads which was very beautiful and eye soothing. Keeping an average speed of 70Kms I was able to cover the narrow roads till Nagercoil in less that one and a half hour. We stopped for a small break at Nagercoil refreshing ourselves and getting some snaps to remember
We resumed our journey without much delay cruising past the barren land with windmills on either side. It was something new to a malayalee and was astonished to see the sheer size of the mill.
I was now on the roads from Nagercoil to Madurai and the roads gradually grew more wide and better. As soon as I entered the NH-7 I was pleased I had taken this road as they were clean, clearly marked and could easily cruise at a 110KM/hr speed. I had no words for these roads as it was way beyond my expectations.
Enjoying the roads and the scenic beauty we continued our journey. It was now nearing 9:00AM and nearing Madurai. My plan was to have breakfast at Madurai which was on the way. Enquiring with the locals, I came to know that the I have to take around 15Km off the highway to get there which we were more than happy to do so. So we had our breakfast from Madurai and started from there to Kodai around 10:30AM.
We started our uphill journey to kodai and could see some monkeys and ponies on the way.
We also stopped at the rat tail water fall which was actually a waterfall but only the size of a rat tail from the point we see it.
By around 2:00 PM we reached kodaikanal and had a typical vegetarian lunch to our fill. We then moved to our Hotel which was within the city itself. The reception was warm and friendly, with the staff showing us the room. A tip in return gave them a big smile on their face and was more than happy to serve us.
We slept for some time and where back to our shoes by 4:30 PM. The weather was nice and cold, so had to hop on to our warm clothes. We then walked to the River side which was filled with tourists. We got two cycles and decided to take a round around the lake. On the way we munched some home made chocolates which was different in its own way. One good thing is that we get a small sample of the chocolate to try in every shop we went, which was more than enough to keep our fill.
By night 8 we were back to our hotel and had a good buffet dinner. The Hotel was named "Valley View" which they say a particular room had a good view of the valley. Anyway the room was nice and clean with hot water only from 6-10 am. The service was good and so was the food.
We woke up early next morning to see and feel the cold :-)
The next day I came to know that the Hotel itself has some tours conducted daily and for Rs 300 for a couple they would take us to some of the places around which was not open to the public. So we opted for that trip. We went in a mini bus with around 20 people. One good thing was that the driver was a malayalee and could get more details from him. They took us to the interiors of Kodai as they got the pass from the forest officials over there.
That was a trip worth going as they places they take us was different from what we see at Kodai.
I lost the trip slip which contained the details on the places we went on the tour and so cannot post the details here; but posting the photos below.
By 5:00 PM we were back at the hotel. We had a quick coffee and munched some snacks to our fill and hopped on to Coakers Walk which was only walkable distance from the Hotel. It is a narrow pedestrian path, constructed by Lt. Coaker in 1872, a one kilometer mountain road which runs along the edge of steep slopes.We had a good time enjoying the view from the point. Munched on to some freshly baked corn which obviously is a specialty over there.There's an observatory with telescope about halfway along. By night we were back at the hotel for the buffet and done for the day.
Next day we got ready and checked out from the Hotel to start our journey back to Trivandrum. Filled in petrol for another 1500 Rs which I was sure to take me to Trivandrum.
On the way back we planned of visiting the Madurai Meenakshi temple which is a must see one.The drive back to madurai was a quick one maybe I drove a bit to fast not sure though. We reached Madurai round 10:30 AM.The difference in temperature was quite a lot as Madurai was burning hot.
It was way difficult to get your cars parked in Madurai as it is kind of a small Mumbai with shops and narrow roads, but not a place to park.
At last we were at the temple doorsteps to view the beautiful temple firsthand.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi ). The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted.
It was in this Pottramarai Kulam (the Golden Lotus Pond) that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex.
Near to the exit of the temple was an elephant that gave blessings to the devotees, unlike the gods who bless us for our prayers, we had to give Rs 10 to get blessed by the elephant.
We finished our tour round the temple by 2:00 PM and had a good lunch at a nearby arya bhavan vegetarian hotel. We then started our journey back to Trivandrum by 3:30 PM. On the way back I was happy to cruize on the high speed lanes which were there only till Nagercoil.
We were once again back to the narrow roads from Nagercoil to Trivandrum which took as more than 2 hours to travel a distance of 80Km. We had dinner on the way as to avoid some traffic during the rush hours and by late night we were back at Trivandrum all set to resume the Outsourcing tasks which I had left behind !!!
We started our uphill journey to kodai and could see some monkeys and ponies on the way.
We also stopped at the rat tail water fall which was actually a waterfall but only the size of a rat tail from the point we see it.
By around 2:00 PM we reached kodaikanal and had a typical vegetarian lunch to our fill. We then moved to our Hotel which was within the city itself. The reception was warm and friendly, with the staff showing us the room. A tip in return gave them a big smile on their face and was more than happy to serve us.
We slept for some time and where back to our shoes by 4:30 PM. The weather was nice and cold, so had to hop on to our warm clothes. We then walked to the River side which was filled with tourists. We got two cycles and decided to take a round around the lake. On the way we munched some home made chocolates which was different in its own way. One good thing is that we get a small sample of the chocolate to try in every shop we went, which was more than enough to keep our fill.
By night 8 we were back to our hotel and had a good buffet dinner. The Hotel was named "Valley View" which they say a particular room had a good view of the valley. Anyway the room was nice and clean with hot water only from 6-10 am. The service was good and so was the food.
We woke up early next morning to see and feel the cold :-)
The next day I came to know that the Hotel itself has some tours conducted daily and for Rs 300 for a couple they would take us to some of the places around which was not open to the public. So we opted for that trip. We went in a mini bus with around 20 people. One good thing was that the driver was a malayalee and could get more details from him. They took us to the interiors of Kodai as they got the pass from the forest officials over there.
That was a trip worth going as they places they take us was different from what we see at Kodai.
I lost the trip slip which contained the details on the places we went on the tour and so cannot post the details here; but posting the photos below.
On the way back we planned of visiting the Madurai Meenakshi temple which is a must see one.The drive back to madurai was a quick one maybe I drove a bit to fast not sure though. We reached Madurai round 10:30 AM.The difference in temperature was quite a lot as Madurai was burning hot.
It was way difficult to get your cars parked in Madurai as it is kind of a small Mumbai with shops and narrow roads, but not a place to park.
At last we were at the temple doorsteps to view the beautiful temple firsthand.The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi ). The complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams or towers including two golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted.
It was in this Pottramarai Kulam (the Golden Lotus Pond) that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex.
Near to the exit of the temple was an elephant that gave blessings to the devotees, unlike the gods who bless us for our prayers, we had to give Rs 10 to get blessed by the elephant.
We finished our tour round the temple by 2:00 PM and had a good lunch at a nearby arya bhavan vegetarian hotel. We then started our journey back to Trivandrum by 3:30 PM. On the way back I was happy to cruize on the high speed lanes which were there only till Nagercoil.
We were once again back to the narrow roads from Nagercoil to Trivandrum which took as more than 2 hours to travel a distance of 80Km. We had dinner on the way as to avoid some traffic during the rush hours and by late night we were back at Trivandrum all set to resume the Outsourcing tasks which I had left behind !!!