The Southern Odyssey

Its been a week since I got back and with my joining Accenture still a distant month away, there is plenty of time to put my feet up and keep it that way:). Reason enough to resume blogging. Like I mentioned in the previous post, was out with friends Nadeem,Gopal,Sridhar and Sandeep on a southern tour encompassing Tamil Nadu and Kerela. Did these places

Ooty-Most of Ooty was already familiar as I had visited it on numerous occasions as a child, with Dad being posted at Wellington. But it was still nice to be there with friends. Some of the views atop the hills were really good.For those who read the previous post, yes we did go through Wellington and it felt as if the clock was turned back to the summer of 1990 . It felt surreal to be at a place where you had once grown up almost two decades ago.There was a lump in my throat after we left the place behind. Ok enough of namby pamby stuff. Next up was Kodaikanal. We did a lot of solid viewing there too , of not just the beautiful landscape[wink] . Needless to say, we werent disappointed :) But the icing on the cake was the three hour trekking. Some of the views overlooking the hills were exhilarating.Moving clouds shrouding the valley was a sight to behold. After Kodaikanal it was down south to Kerela, this place called Tekkdi on the Tamil Nadu-Kerela border. Famous for its Periyar lake and Periyar Forest Reserve, we spent half a day at the lake.The lake, meandering its way through the forest was truly magnificent, and the boating was even better. There was a gentle breeze blowing, which was so rejuvenating. Kerela is indeed rightly called God's own country. There is a languid elegance about the place which is unique to this state. Boating in the Alleppi backwaters was an experience to savour- coconut trees on either side, blue sky above and and the glassy still waters below,it was the true definition of tranquility.

Next stop was Kanyakumari-famous for its sunrise and sunset . Come the sunrise,the waters would go golden almost as if the sun were rising from beneath the ocean. We have some great shots of the sunrise. We also visited Swami Vivekanada's Rock Memorial. It is said that the Swami meditated on that rock for three consecutive days- Dec 25,26,27 in 1892 I think it was.

The last leg of our tour concluded at Trivandrum, where we spent an evening at Kovlam beach. The next day,early morning we boarded the train to take us back to Hyderabad. As they say "All good things must come to an end".

P.S: Couldnt figure out how to get the shots arranged. You will have to put up with the garbled medley.

Lady Sridhar, isnt she lovely ;)















Rose gardens