Coimbatore

Coimbatore - Ooty - Chennai

3/14/2018

There was a reoccurring theme over the course of the next few days. How often my two travel companions fell asleep. You would think with them being so "young" they wouldn't be so tired all the time. That was not the case. It was almost a race to see who was going to clonk out first. I, of course, did not hesitate to capture this in photos. It amused and fascinated me on how quick they were out, how they could sleep sitting up, and how fast they woke back up and were alert. It was like a marathon of power naps. I was jealous. They looked so peaceful and rested.

LEAVE // 03.10.2018 | 09:25 AM IST| HYDERABAD, INDIA
ARRIVE // 03.10.2018 | 10:45 AM IST | COIMBATORE, INDIA
TRANSPORTATION // INDIGO AIRLINES
ACCOMMODATIONS // HOTEL NAVEEN

Unlike the last couple weekends, two of my coworkers were coming with this weekend to explore Coimbatore and Ooty along with me. They met me at my hotel Saturday morning for a quick cab ride to the airport and we were on our way. The first stop in, what will be, one of the most memorable weekends in recent years.... Coimbatore! Arriving, no hotel booked, we booked an auto from the airport and headed into town. Having me to stay around the corner out of sight (so my appearance didn't triple the price of a room) as they went from hotel to hotel looking for the best price, they finally settled on two rooms at Hotel Naveen. It was centrally located, easy walking distance to the train station, and perfect for a one night stay. Quickly dropping off our backpacks, we headed out.

Unfortunately we could not bring our phones into Isha Yoga Center, where we spent a good portion of our day, just to capture its grandness and beauty. But then, maybe it was a good thing as I'm sure if we did we wouldn't have embraced all that the center had to offer. Isha is a large complex made up of various structures dedicated to inner transformation and wellbeing, which include the Teerthakunds and Dhyanalinga, among many others. I found these two particular structures of most interest. Teerthakunds was a large pool where men wearing nothing but a cloth wrapped around their waste walked down 30 some steps to the sacred water to take a holy dip, so they could be clean before entering the main energy space [Dhyanalinga]. It was mesmerizing to watch. On the same note and unable to resist the temptation, one of my friends took the dip while we sat on the ground, watched, and waited. After which, we made our way to Dhyanalinga. Now this one caught my attention more. A large dome, no lights, and silence is strictly maintained in and around the temple. A meditative space that does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system. All are welcome. Entering you first gaze upon the 13-ft high granite lingam positioned in the center of the room, but then your eyes will quickly wander and you look up and around the large 76-ft diameter and 33-ft high dome. Along the interior wall are inlets every few feet with people in each in meditation pose. With even more people sitting along the floor all facing the center. We chose a spot off to the side, sat with our legs crossed, hands on our knees, eyes closed, in silence. It was peaceful, quiet, cool, and strangely very relaxing. I could have stayed in there for hours, but they dinged the bell only after 15 minutes.

" Just sitting silently for a few minutes within the sphere of Dhyanalinga is enough to make even those unaware of meditation experience a state of deep meditativeness"
~ Sadhguru

Collecting our shoes, phones, and anything else we had to leave behind before entering, we made our way to the Adiyogi Shiva Statue. Was a short 10 minute walk from the Isha Yoga Center. Its amazing how many photos can be taken within this time. Only going a few feet before the guys would start taking a photo shoot of each other. I started to wonder what they would do with all of them, but I was at least thankful they weren't taking another power nap. Reaching the statue, spending a couple hours laughing, sitting, taking numerous photos with the statue, each other, the scenery, it was sadly time to head out.

Our last stop of the day was Subramaniyaswami Temple, Marudamalai. We quickly climbed the steps, barefoot, to stand in line before they closed in order to pay respect to the Hindu god Murugan. The guys explaining what Murugan offered (me thinking this might be the same god at the Batu Caves I visited last year in Malaysia). I watched as they went through the motions, I stood aside, and they marked their foreheads, ears, nose, throat, and chin with the white ash. Then like you do at any temple, we sat down after exiting. (read my first trip to India to understand why you sit after exiting a temple). This temple had a view overlooking the lights of the city. It was really pretty and reminded me of a scene in the Shahrukh Khan movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Photo Credits: Kat, Girish, and Santhosh

Video Credit: Girish

Next morning started early with waking up at 4am, making sure everything was crammed back into my backpack, then heading to the train station. With little time to spare, once purchasing the tickets we raced to platform 4 and quickly boarded a general class car. Each of us finding a spot to sit, the train departed. With it only being an hour ride, I decided to take advantage of the short journey, crossed my arms, slouched back, and fell to sleep.

Tightly packed into two bench seats, each seating 5 persons, the Toy Train was inbound for Ooty. Stopping at multiple stations along the way, being reminded of Chaiyya Chaiyya (song from Dil Se, which was filmed on this train) the entire journey, and again watching as the guys randomly took turns falling asleep. Making for great photos and laughs, but still not quite sure how they can sleep like that. I tried and wasn't successful. Not to mention, the continuous photo shoot they took of each other at each station stop. So many photos...

The toy train was very entertaining. Besides the many stops and scenery, it was also fascinating to listen to people sing and interact. Out of the entire 4.5 hour journey, I think one of the most memorable moments was walking out on the railroad bridge with no safety below, broken boards, and no hesitation. Standing there in awe that I went out on it at all, I turned and asked the guys to join me. One immediately refused but the other blindly trusting me enough to go for it. As fearful as I was inside, I walked back and helped guide him out where we stood long enough for a photo. What was I thinking?!?! This did not pass my safety checklist! So glad nobody got hurt, and so worth it.

Photo Credits: Kat, Girish, and Santhosh

Video Credits: Girish

Ooty

ACCOMMODATIONS // HOTEL VINAYAGA INN

Arriving in Ooty a little after noon, it was another adventure of finding a hotel that either allowed us to all share a room or needing to book two rooms, but at a low cost. Again taking an auto, who took us "around" to rooms for rent and hotels. Me staying out of sight, as much as possible, but when I was spotted the price suddenly doubled. Then finally an option of a queen bed and rollaway for all three to stay in a single room. I was okay with it, as long as they were. I wasn't the one who would be sharing a bed. Hahaha

We wasted no time settling in. Leaving the hotel I again slowed my roll and let the guys go to work at pricing out a cab. Keeping enough distance to not draw attention to who I was waiting for, but still staying within sight for quick wave over. First stop, Doddabetta Peak. Such an amazing view. After walking around the viewpoint, sitting on the rocks, and watching the guys take endless photos of each other, we were back in the auto visiting the wax museum and tea estate. Both interesting, but left a little to be desired. Our day ended with a stop at Ooty Lake. Arriving only an hour before the boat house closed, we quickly hurried to get tickets and into our fun filled pedal boat. I honestly didn't expect to laugh so much than I did then. Watching the guys fear we would tip over each time I stood up to trade one of them spots, the number of photos and videos that were taken, watching the sun go down, and quickly pedaling back in time to get our deposit back. All was well worth it. Walking along the pier, taking even more photos, and showing them how a jumping photo was done, many laughs and good conversation later.... Ooty Lake quickly became a favorite.

Waking up next morning. Feeling like I had just slept on the floor but turns out it was the rock hard rollaway bed I was on, we had an early start. Botanical Gardens was first on the list for the day. From the start, my sides already ached from laughter. It was like an endless marathon of photos, jokes, and jumping photos. There was definitely not a lack of entertainment. The botanical garden was very beautiful. Green, flowers, amazing root system at the base of the trees. We spent a good 2-hours walking around there. Even talked the guys into sliding down a railing after my failed attempt... or two... and hitting the ground. Some reason they still decided to try it out.

Pykara Falls was a little bit of distance, and even though the water levels were low it was worth a see. I'm a huge fan of nature. Listening to the guys call home and show their wives the view over video, without WiFi on my phone I decided to take this time to lay in the grass, close my eyes, and relax. It was nice. As soon as they both hung up I couldn't help but notice how perfectly sloped the hill was we were sitting and how great it would be for a slow motion video.

Next stop on the list was School Mund. A location where many dance sequences were filmed for Bollywood/Tollywood movies. Its a perfect location with just enough wind to catch the ends of a saree and create that dramatic affect without an elaborate wind machine. After arriving to the top we immediately attempted our own over dramatic gestures and letting the wind catch our [short] hair. Let the photo's begin! And finally, stopping at the forest on our way back to town and taking a hike down to the lake. Spending over an hour walking, sitting, jumping on a fallen tree. This was a great end to an amazing day.

Unfortunately the day ended a little earlier than I would have liked. I could see my young travel companions were tired and it was only 5pm and still daylight. After spending every evening during the work week in a hotel for the past few weeks, I wasn't going to spend our last night in Ooty doing the same. I went for a walk, which of course they would not let me go alone and one of them accompanied me against my wishes. Walking around, no particular destination in mind, we came up on Sacred Heart Cathedral. I could see it from a distance as we ventured around the town. Its architecture had a similarity to Notre Dame in Paris. It was pretty and extremely peaceful. A nice sit before heading back to the hotel.

Morning came early. Taking a cab back to Coimbatore and arriving with more than enough time to catch our flight to Chennai. I was bummed the weekend was over and soon, with only a few days left, my trip was coming to an end.

[Personal note: There is no harm in helping a neighbor hotel guest who repeatedly keeps slamming their door because they couldn't figure out how to lock it. Which I had no issue going into the hall and showing him how it worked. But a few hours later when you see the door knob wiggle then hear a knock on our door.... I tell my travel mates I was not going to answer as I knew what it meant. They still opened the door only to have the man that I helped and his friend enter our room uninvited. I don't think they realized I was not alone and they were coming for a "visit". Disgusted. Felt like I was in Goa all over again]

Photo Credits: Kat, Girish, and Santhosh

Video Credits: Girish

LEAVE // 03.13.2018 | 10:00 AM IST| COIMBATORE, INDIA
ARRIVE // 03.13.2018 | 11:00 AM IST | CHENNAI, INDIA
TRANSPORTATION // INDIGO AIRLINES

Chennai

What do you do when you only have a 2-hour layover and you've never visited that city before? You leave the airport, find the nearest metro station, and go as far as you can before you need to come back in time for your next flight. With enough time to have lunch, of course.