Mar 27, 2008 02:12 PM
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You have heard about ‘Queen of hill station’ from me [https://mouthshut.com/review/Ooty-140279-1.html]… This time it is ‘Princess of hill station’, serene & mesmerizing beauty of Nilgiris. Any guesses! Ah don’t look up to check the product category. Well, it is Kodaikanal, popularly known as Kodai - trekker's glee and nature lover's ecstasy. I must say Kodai is one of very less places I have visited where one can enjoy trekking with friends as well spending some cozy moments with love ones!
The princess is also special as it is the only hill station setup by Americans in India.People do have the choice of opting for train while going to Kodai. Get down at Kodai Road & hire a cab. Also reachable by road from Bangalore & Madurai.
Not much commercialized, less crowded with lush all around – the princess is still virgin. I find the lake & Coaker's Walk are the two best gems on her crown. Thanks to collector of Madurai for creating this splendor. Upper lake view clearly indicated its star silhouette. Cycling round the lake is my favorite act there. Nah! I don’t carry the cycle with me, its available on rent next to the lake side. Riding tandem bicycle [with double pedaling option] is fun, only if you are confident enough on the balancing & coordination part. Of-course row boat & paddle boats are available to explore the lake.
Coaker's Walk, very near to bus stop is a place where from one can have an aerial view of Kodai. But most of the time it’s covered with clouds giving the feeling of being in some dreamland. I have uploaded couple of snaps of Kodai in my album, visit https://mouthshut.com/Gallery/myphoto.php?user=Kweldebs.
Half-a-day packages are available to explore the places around, few not to be missed are:
Coaker's Walk: One of my favorites. The telescope house attracts but the huge queue outside makes one to think twice. As most of the time the place is covered with clouds, having a walk in the pavement is better option as we get glimpses of Kodai when sun rays says hi. Having masala pea-nut while walking makes all my bhai banhuds attracted towards the packet and you really need to be careful [dont even dare to ask now who are my bhai banhus]. Having hot bonda bhajis is must after coming out of Coaker’s Walk from other side. The small stall is just next to the gate and the guy is busy continuously to serve the row of demanding tourists.
Natural and beautiful Berijam Lake, with big trees around - a perfect flora-fauna establishment. I wondered to see the litter there as could not find any shop or hawker and it was like a wake-up call to socially responsible me. I immediately took out a carry bag from my rucksack [which I carry during outing] and started putting the litter inside. Ofcourse I saw people turning & giving a ‘phew’ look. Also, some stopped eating the chips. I carried the cover till I reached my hotel back, as did not find a place in between to dispose it. Pausing for a while at the pine forest is a good option for photo session.
Devil’s kitchen aka Guna cave positioned between the pillar rocks. The cave is famous after one of Kamal Hassan’s Tamil movie named Guna. Once 12 member team went there for trekking & never returned hence the area is been marked as'No entry area' for trekkers & tourists now. It’s better to avoid picking up the warm clothes or the show pieces from this place. They are not just over charged, also any defect difficult to comeback for exchange.
Bryant Park: has a large verity of flowers and the best part is we get to see flower.
Kurinji Temple: Kurinji Andavar Temple, on a hilltop provides a great view of surroundings. The small shrine inside attracts number of tourists to offer puja etc. Otherwise also the temple is very quiet and helps the tourist to relax. But during a sunny day the scorching stony floor is something one needs to be careful about. I must not miss to mention about the kurinji flowers which blossoms very after 12 year and last seen during 2006 end.
Various ATMs are available across the town. Most of the eating outlet and shops provide card payment option.
Shopping places: Small silver ornaments are available at reasonable price. Shops near bus stop & near lake are good one to pick things from, but one really needs to be skillful on bargain. Small wooden handicrafts are good as gift for near ones.
Eating outlets: Almost all places are okay to visit. The Punjabi hotel near bus stop is a good place to pay visit for various parathas, but reaching on time is a challenge, as parathas get over very fast there and they don’t go for a remake. But a good place for nonveg food in the market area is little difficult. There is a bakery & buskin robins near Woodland hotel, which is a crowded place and have collection of all fresh bakery items. Tomato soup at Woodlands for dinner is must. I know people would prefer to have dinner in hotel restaurants in a cozy atmosphere mostly when mercury dips outside drastically. But my experiences suggest walk back to hotel after diner, enjoying the chill and hilly darkness is a must. May be a café coffee-day outlet will make the option to hang around wide.
Driving from Bangalore could be avoided as the distance is more than 500 KM and will make one tired.
