Uuuh tea?

Actually I want to just talk about the woodfire pizza but then just talking about that won't make sense and I will have to talk about Ooty. So here is the blog dedicated to Ootacamund or just simply Ooty. For the Ugadi break 2008 a gang of girls ventured to the honeymooners paradise and tea drinkers delight Ooty. Packed into an innova we started late at night from Bangalore and a six hour drive and many elephants sightings later we reached Ooty in the wee hours of the morning. Ooty was most certainly on the agenda but the drive through national parks allowed us glimpses of uninhibited animals relaxing in their terrain while vehicles zipped past them.
The sun was yet to come out and the temperatures made us giggly and happy even when we were coming from the erstwhile a/c city of India.
   

Our lovely cottages

Darkness did not allow us to fully appreciate the beauty of the place we were in for the next two days. But we promptly made up for the the moment the sun shone through.

Tea gardens

Lush greenery till wherever your eyes lead you. Step cut mountains that give a layered view of the world packing as much punch as possible. No wonder it has been such a huge attraction for so long. Day one we set out to see as much as we could and covered all touristy places possible. Dolphin's nose, Sleeping lady, the chai bagans, botanical gardens, lamb's view, the train ride from ooty to conoor and the dodabetta peaks. The weather was so so nice and the roads going up and down and up and down with greenery around us forced us into breaking into an impromptu sing song session. All romantic numbers tumbled out to our drivers discomfort as we blared loud enough to get arrested. Many songs were sung in a chorus but I distinctly remember singing pehle nasha with my hands stretched outside the window to the maximum and waving in true blue bollywood ishtyle. If songs are meant to remind you of special people and special places. My pehla nasha connection will always be Ooty.

  Dolphins nose did live up to its name but the sleeping lady was almost a enigma to all five of us ladies coz we  just didn't get the angle at which she was sleeping. Botanical gardens were good for people who wanted to run around and play or get clicked with the many blossoms in full colourfull bloom.  Dodabetta, meaning big mountain in the local language was a great find and gave a breathtaking panoramic view.

The only let down was the Toy train from ooty to Cunnur and back again. Tickets need to be taken right from the window and only when the counter opens and not at any time you fancy. The coaches are too few and tourists too many. Jostling for space and seats will remind you of the city life you have tried to escape briefly and amidst all this if you do manage a seat providing a view outside, believe me it would be nothing to die for.
I even relish the sights and sounds outside the bus I take everyday in Delhi so when I fell asleep, yes snoozed off on the train, I can vouch that it ain't worth the brouhaha. What did I see if I was snoozing, you would complain, well I saw the pictures my friends clicked and even they failed to make me happy. A drive by your car to just reach Ooty or commute within it is good enough.

The day dedicated to sight seeing hence came to an end with a trip to the main Ooty marketplace where one can buy woollens, touristy knick knacks, chocolates, tea  and handicrafts among other things. We promptly shopped and settled into Nahar's sidewalk, a brightly neon lit joint that looked warm and inviting and a perfect amalgamation of big city treats and small city charms. We entered and never wanted to leave. Here is where I had the best pizzaz I have had till date and only place we returned to haunt thrice in our two day visit.

The woodfire pizza

  I don't know if this picture gets you tempted but being a foodie who almost is alive for the love of food and the existence of it I can tell you it is one of a kind and the very best. Well with gastronomical delights the day came to an end and we huddled in our warm fire lit cottage beneath thick weigh you down quilts discussing the pleasures of life both big and small. Make sure you stay a place that boats of a fireplace, it will instantly double your satisfaction level from Ooty.

Ooty lake

Home made chocolates galore

For day two it was only Ooty lake on our itinerary and in spite of a short breakfast and long boat ride we managed to finish it in a few hours. If you not a honeymoon couple either in love or trying to fall in love you have potent chances of getting bored post one and a half days in Ooty once the sight seeing is done with. If you are the patient type soaking in the general feel of the place, good for you else you will need to start discovering things to do. And thank God we did, because while driving up and down Ooty and driving our driver crazy we found lo and behold the bee museum!

Bee museum

 It felt almost like a school science trip where we were told of ways to honey extraction, precautions, and uses. Given a tour of the stages and travails and involved and also shown a whole array of organic bee products at throwaway prices. The soaps, creams, balms, honey, handicrafts all were of the best quality and have stood the test of time.

It is obviously a great place for honeymooners but not bad for others as well if you want to soak up the greenery and give the lungs and eyes something they will relish for a long time to come. Being at a distance of just about 5 hours from Bangalore it most certainly one of the best weekend getaways down south!