Coonoor-Ooty-Kotagiri

enidhi

I agree about the road- experienced it first hand

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I blog at enidhi.net (Check out the all new template)

enidhi

Thanks everyone for your inputs. 5 of us had a great trip to Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor during May 1st week. Sorry for responding late.

If you wish to read more, refer to travelogue at my blog http://www.enidhi.net/2009/05/3days-...rip-part1.html
(links to part 2 and 3 at the end of the post)

Day 1 we spent the night in the car itself, failing to find a camping place...
Thanks again everyone.

Dacoit Chief

I read your Blog enidhi. Very interesting! Sounds like you guys had a very long first day! What a shame you couldn't find a better place than Coonoor Bus Stand to camp on the first night! As you know Coonoor is surrounded by lovely scenery, and bus stand/market area is possibly the worst part of town! ;-) I can understand though how tough it is trying to find a place in the dark.

I couldn't find parts 2 and 3 of your Blog though. Am I missing something? However I found your friends Blog at: http://www.raveeshkumar.com

Next time you plan on going, drop me a PM and I might be able to give you some better pointers on place to camp etc.

enidhi

Chief,
Here're part 2
http://www.enidhi.net/2009/05/coonoo...s-kodanad.html

and part 3
http://www.enidhi.net/2009/06/ooty-h...dda-betta.html

Yes, we should have managed to find a better place-but lot of things-traffic, darkness, not knowing the city/terrain, poor planning all contributed in not being able to find a place.

Thanks

Dacoit Chief

That's great! I have now read those 2 as well. Your story of the policeman asking you what gear you were going to drive in made me laugh loud. I remember a few years ago I was driving a Tempo Traveller, and I was stopped by the police at the top of the Kalhatti Ghat. They refused to let me go on stating that too many tempo travellers have accidents on that road! It was such a ridiculous situation that I just started laughing. I told the cops: "Saar... nan first class hills driver"! They too started laughing and just let me go!

However seriously, the Kalhatti ghat has a few too many cases of 'plains drivers' shooting off the road due to them not really knowing how to drive properly on such roads (such as efficient gear-braking, and minimising brake useage). Anyhow, the police are trying to cut down on the accidents, especially after some VIP got killed there! As such the road is nothing too bad. There are many steeper roads I have travelled on here in Europe.

Nattusbs

I am planning on going to Ooty-Coonor-Wellington from Sept 19th for 4-5 days.

What will the weather be like?
Any recommendations for clean, nice place to stay - with meals?
How's Blackberry or wireless internet service?

Cheers

Nattusbs

Moti

Hi Nattusbs,

I just came back from Ooty - Coonoor - Kotagiri area. We had fantastic time! the weather was great - a bit chilly at night but it was very good! One rainy night - but sunshine in the morning after! No idea what the weather is going to be in september.

We booked 2 nights at Silver Oak Hotel in Ooty and it was great! Much better then many other hotels during our trip! It was cosy, clean and well organised. The furnishings were clean and looked new. And they have a very nice restaurant serving veeery nice food at very good prices! We had breakfasts and one lunch and one dinner there none more then Rs 350 for the 2 of us. Silver Oak is almost next door to the Rose garden on the Ettines Road. Contact number: 091-0423-2451747. Can be booked through website of 'make my trip'.

No idea about the wireless - I make a point of NOT using internet or even watching TV on holidays! It sets me free!!!

Coonoor is behind the corner - and Wellington too. Short drive from Ooty. The roads were OK - but some hairpin bends on Coonoor -Ooty road were slow due to the tracks and lorries. There is a tee stall/bakery on the corner in Coonoor selling great cakes! I forgot the name of it.... The Toy Train from Coonoor to Ooty is fun - usually crowded but you will be accommodated...

Enjoy your trip!

Nattusbs

Hi Moti

Thanks for the info. I have to see if I can train tickets or else fly to Coimbatore.

Cheers

Nattusbs

Nattusbs

Hi all

I got RAC 2 (2 AC -hope it gets confirmed on Gurudev Express, departure KGP on Sept 17th Thursday) at 01:45 am - strange that the train stops in KGP for 50 minutes. Arrival in Coimbatore Junction is scheduled for 11:30 am on Sept 18th (Friday).

I will be in the Niligiri's from Sept 18th till Sept 22 when I take the Sabari Exp from Coimbatore to Secunderabad.

I will have 4 nights stay in the Niligiri area, and I am thinking of spending the first 2 nights in Ooty (say Silver Oak Hotel), the 3rd night in Wellington and the last night in Coonoor. What do you all think? Any recommendations for places to stay in Coonoor & Wellington?

Yes, I know the standard question comes here - what do you like doing? One of the main reasons for the visit is to see how the place has changed since I was last there some 30 years ago. I also intend to look around for some Real Estate - either land where I can construct a 3 broom/2bath cottage or preferably, buy a "house" - there are pros and cons for both options. I think that exploring first hand is useful so that I can make a plan.

I shall be in Hyderabad from Sept 23rd till the 30th as I have a confirmed reservation on Falaknuma to return back to KGP. However, I might extend my stay and fly back to Calcutta on Oct 3rd (Saturday) so that I have a few more days to play with my dearest Nattu (licks, licks and more licks!). I bought the Falaknuma ticket for 2AC just to have something in hand as getting confirmed reservation on this train is very tough.

Cheers

Nattusbs

Nattusbs

Since I have to go to Seoul, South Korea on Sept 18th, I have cancelled the Ooty trip for now. I will have to find another time for this.

I will however be in Hyderabad from Sept 26-Oct 3rd - so we should have a meetup there. Will post in the relevant thread.

Cheers

Nattusbs