Catch
the Nilgiri Express to connect with the delightful
narrow gauge steam Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam
via Coonoor to Ooty, the ' Queen of the Blue
Mountains'. The queen was developed by the British
and used as a hill station to escape the humid
heat below. Today it is famous for its hilly
surroundings and plantations of eucalyptus,
pine frosts and coffee plantations. Take a stroll
around the Botanical gardens, home to over 1000
plants and trees like orchids and herbal plants,
not to mention a 20 million year old fossil
tree
Spend
the morning with a guide while he takes you
on a tour of coffee and tea plantations on the
rolling hills of Ooty. In later afternoon return
by train to Coimbatore.
Your new eyes are now a week
old! A final check-up at the eye clinic and return
to Cochin by train and night at a city hotel.
It's time to pack and buy yet another five metres
of Indian silk/cotton which you'll probably never
use. But never mind! The holiday didn't cost much
and you'll never have to buy another box of contact
lenses for the rest of your life!
10
km east of Ooty you can climb (by car!) to
over 2500 metres to reach a spectacular view
of the Mysore Plateau. There's a proper viewing
platform and by the way, a café to
help you quench your thirst. But if you fancy
a real trek, Ooty and its surrounds abound
with opportunity like a gentle climb to Snowdon
Peak (also about 2500m). Bed down in the relaxed
atmosphere of a plush hotel.
Your
exercise regime is complete after yesterday's
trek, have breakfast in bed and loll around in
your dressing gown. Room service or local traditional
restaurant for lunch? The choice is yours. No?
OK check out Mukurti Peak from which the souls
of the dead and the sacrificed buffaloes leap
to the next world. You can either climb it or
look at it from the backseat of the car!
