AMAZING TOY TRAIN JOURNEY:OOTY

When i reached Mettupalyam bus station i was little worried.I was not worried about my stay,food or managing my money.I was worried bcoz i was not sure if i can get a ticket to toy train .Yes the amazing toy train from mettupalyam to ooty.

engine of toy train steaming in 

engine of toy train steaming in 

                                                                As expected first class tickets r full and should be booked at around 2-3mnths in advance.But i was said that i can buy a ticket and wait at the station and get into a queue  by 5am.First 30 persons in the queue will b allowed into the third compartment.So i was more than happy.Here are some facts about toy train

                               *First and the most exciting fact is that unlike most of the trains,this train has its engine in the end.Engine pushes the three compartments up the hill rather than pulling it from the front.And its a steam engine which makes it even more crazier.

                              *It covers a distance of 48kms from mettupalyam to ooty starting at mettupalyam at 7am.It takes around 5hrs to cover 48kms which is pretty cool cuz one can actually cycle twice the distance in the given time.

                              *It travels through 16 tunnels and 250 bridges.Stops at some of the most scenic and beautiful spots of the blue nilgiri mountains.

                              *It has the steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%.

              I am not gonna say anymore and bore u....................check out the pics

toy train,ooty.

one of the scenic spots on the way up

toy train,ooty

curving beauty.....toy train,ooty

stop at a waterfall right before the tunnel

toy train,ooty

one of the scenic spots on the way up

one of the scenic spots way up

toy train,ooty

toy train steaming nd curving throught the beautiful tea gardens of ooty

me in the toy train

                                              The best feeling in the whole journey is when the engine stops and the train starts to slip backwards and again some more energy from the engine and few jerks and it starts up again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!................funniest,craziest and happiest train journey 

MUNNAR : PARADISE OF SOUTH

I reached munnar by 11pm.My plan is to spend the night in bus station till 7am and then roam around the beautiful place.But the first shock came when i was dropped on the main street of munnar.Yes munnar doesnt have a proper bus station.They just drop you on road.It was so cold and i haven't got my sleepig bag.I found a small pan shop open.I went there and requested him to charge my mobile.He asked me about my travel and offered me to come inside.He said he will be closing at 12 and will open again at 7am.At 12 i was all alone on the road in bitter cold.I sat in a corner and tried to sleep.After 1 hr cops came and asked me to go away and find a hotel.Instead i found a narrow and dark shopping lane which gave the impression that it will be soo busy in the morning.Its impossible for cops to find me in that dark lane.I found myself a cozy spot and rested my eyes.

                                                                 At 7 in the morning i woke up to find a wendon watching me with a surprise.I left that place,found a small public tap,brushed and started to roam around.As it was so cold and my next destintion is ooty which will be cold as well i brought a pair of gloves and a beanie cap for 50rs which isn't bad at all.I found the shopkeeper who helped me to charge my mobile last night.He was happy to see me.He helped me with the places to see and how to reach stuff and also agreed to keep my backpack safe till i return in the evening.

                                                    On the way to top station i found a solo traveler from sweden.We became friends and traveled the whole day together.I hiked a cargo auto and he was excited at that experience.We also trekked deep in the forest spotted some wild monkey,deers and a lion squirrel.He offered me to stay with him for the night as he was alone.so trip in munnar isn't bad at all.

here are some pics

me deep inside the forest,munnar.

martin deep excited in the forest

tired and happy

top station,munnar

amazing munnar.

strolling in the country's highest tea gardens,munnar.

deep inside the forest munnar.

example of how trvel makes u forget ur age :P

tea gardens

tea gardens

me at the top station,munnar.

martin chilling in munnar

top station,munnar

top station,munnar.

                                                After travelling,rolling and trekking for 2 days in munnar now its time to visit the queen of hill stations OOTY.When i got onto the bus to OOTY the only thing i hoped for is getting a ticket to toy train.

KODAIKANAL : princess of hillstations

After leaving Pondicherry my next destination was KODAIKANAL.I thought it would be wise to take rest for a couple of days in my friend's room in NIT,trichy.Trichy is on the way to Kodaikanal so there is no real worry .I went to Trichy stayed with my friend CHAND BASHA for a couple of days.I did a short visit to Tanjavore as well.After 2 days i started to Kodaikanal at midnight.

                                                         I reached Kodaikanal by bus.Trichy to Vathlagundu and from there to kodiakanal.I met a female backpacker on the bus.She is from Denmark and has been travelling in India for 5mnths.we reached kodaikanal bus station by 4:30am.we waited at the bus station till 9am(thats when day in kodaikanal starts).We shared our travel stories.She was shocked to know that i am travelling so cheap.Then while leaving she asked if i could share room with her.And when i said i couldn't afford she said she will try to share room with someone and if she wont find a patner and then i could stay with her for free.She took my mobile number and said she will call before 4pm.After that i am alone as usual.

                                                                    Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station with a number of places to visit.Best ones are

                                    *COAKERS WALK
                                    *KODAI LAKE
                                    *FOUR PILLARS
                                    *KODAI PINE FOREST
                                 

Here are some pics

this is the best place to read a book.read jhon grisham's testament for about an hour here

view from coackers walk

me at coakers walk

view from coackers walk

kodai lake upper view

me at coakers walk

                                                                At around 2:30pm i got a call from maiken.She said she rented a house in vadakanal which is 5kms away from kodaikanal.I found the way to vadakanal from some locals and  started walking 5kms.After i walked one km i found a ride and reached vadakanal without much difficulty.

                                                                 whole night we spent sharing our stories,asking about each others life,details of our countries and lotsa stuff.Went to bed late that night and woke at around 8am.Had breakfast for which she paid even though i rejected.Then i thanked her and went on my way.I went to pine forest and pillar rocks that day and got on a bus to MUNNAR at 5pm.

some pics from day two..............

kodaikanal

me in pine forest

me in pine forest

me near pillar rocks,kodaikanal.

me in pine forest

me in pine forest ,kodaikanal.

pine forest ,kodaikanal.

pillar rocks,kodaikanal.

maiken,backpacker from denmark.

                                                    finally got onto the bus to munnar at 5pm.

PONDICHERRY - A DAY AT BEACHES

On my second day at pondicherry i decided to checkout the beaches.I started from college at 8'o clock and as expected thumbing worked again.Mark my words PONDICHERRY IS A HITCHHIKER'S PARADISE.

                                                  I found from the locals that i need to reach chunnambar boat house in order to get to paradise beach.I hiked to chunambar boat house with some difficulty cuz it is outside the city and very few locals go that way.But finally i got there with out spending a penny.

                    UP TO THIS POINT IN MY TOUR I LITERALLY HAVEN'T SPENT A RUPEE

Once i got into chunnambar boat house i bought my ticket and was waiting eagerly to reach paradise beach.I  was too early and the boat wont leave unless it is full.after waiting for one hour i got fully loaded and we started to paradise beach.

paradise beach at a distance

me on the way to paradise beach

on the way to paradise beach.

getting closer to paradise beach

reached paradise beach :-)

Once i got on to the beach i was sure that it is and will be my fav beach in India.Actually its a small island of around 1500mts long and may be 100-200mts wide.One side of it are backwaters which we just came through and the other side is BAY OF BENGAL.Its just amazing .It cant be described atleast by me.So i am leaving the description.Juts take a look at the pictures u will know.

welcome to paradise beach

amazing paradise beach

amazing paradise beach

amazing paradise beach

amazing paradise beach

                                                       The best part about paradise beach is that its so deserted unlike other Indian tourist spots.One can just sit there in the beach and enjoy solitude for hours together.There is a canteen where you can get beverages,soft drinks and food items.I slept under those trees listening to some old telugu songs and then i knew why they called this PARADISE BEACH.

                                                     I can just sit there and enjoy solitude for hours together but too bad i got other beach to see as well.So with an unsatisfied heart i took the return boat cuz i know i can never b fully satisfied of a PARADISE

                    Boat house authorities charge 100rs for a trip to paradise island which includes entry for the island and to and fro boat charges.

                                 I started for Pondicherry's main beach,THE ROCK BEACH. First i started asking locals about how to reach rock beach and then i thumbed my way.On my way i also crossed a french colony  and took some pictures.Finally after 1 hour of hiking and walking i reached ROCK BEACH.

FRENCH WAR MEMORIAL AT ROCK BEACH

ROCK BEACH AND HOTEL LE' CAFE RIGHT ON THE SHORE

GANDHI STATUE AT  ROCK BEACH

GANDHI STATUE AT  ROCK BEACH

ROCK BEACH

FRENCH WAR MEMORIAL AT ROCK BEACH 

After clicking those picture i directly went into hotel le cafe cuz i was told that having coffee latte at le cafe is a must thing to do and i was hungry as well :p

                                                         BUT SERIOUSLY CAFFE LATTE AT LE CAFE IS A MUST CUZ IT IS RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME

THIS IS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT

MY TABLE AT LE CAFE RIGHT ON THE EDGE

                                                                                   I stayed at the beach till 6pm and left to the hostel to pack my bag and go on..................

                                That was end to my stay in pondicherry and it was a very memorable one.