We had got up early as we were determined to catch the train from Ooty to Coonoor. But Babu was a bit late. So we started off from hotel at around 830. When we reached Ooty station (its ~10 mins aways from Charring Cross), there was a pretty long queue for the train tickets. And there was little chance that we would make it.
Suparna was in the queue and I started "looking out" for some other means. We got lucky as Babu found one "Anna" in the queue and signalled him to get 2 tickets for us. First class ticket was already over - and to our utter surprise, that same Anna got the last few tickets for second class. Rarely you get this lucky to get the last ticket.
However these were "Standing tickets". That was not something very amusing. So I had to pull out my camera and the long 70-300mm lens. With that bulky lens, I approached the TT and pretended to be a journo coming from faaaaaaaaar. He was quick to get the hint - he informed us that we can safely board the Seating Second class bogey and have a better journey. Only the difference in fare needs to be paid off.
It was worth the effort. The valleys and the mountains, the blues and the greens (you have to sit on the right hand side btw) was breathtaking. The train stops at 4/5 small stations - Lovedale, Ketti, Welington etc. The lazy motion of the train through the forests, mountains and greens was awesome.
The famous Dil Se song Chaiyya Chaiyya was shoot on this track only making it even more famous.
The train took around 1 hour to reach Coonoor from Ooty. However the car took 45 minutes. :-) Babu was waiting outside the station. Our next destination was Dolphin's Nose view point. I always find the journey to be more interesting than the destination - and this journey was really breathtaking. The road is too bad, too narrow, too risky. However the beauty of that dangerous path was something you will remember for the life. Sometimes the road was taking us through tea gardens. Sometimes the car was creeping through forest. However once we reached Dolphin's nose view point, it was not that interesting.
Next on agenda was Tea Garden:
He explained the tea processing techniques...
Sprinklers were almost chasing us..
Its the spot for the camera lovers..juz click it..
However one friendly advice: Please think twice before buying tea from these gardens.
We went to the SIM park also, but it was not that impressive. Also we were feeling hungry. So we decided to go back to hotel room..
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