Upper Bhavani Trip - July 7, 2013

After nearly a year off blogging, it seems strange here, but then this trip was so exciting that I felt I should blog this, though I feel so rusty.

This past year and 3 months were interesting - son getting into school, got to a new job, made lots of new friends, a new state, a new city, learnt 2% of a new language, improved my broken Hindi, got to see US again, saw Hampi again, visited Taj Mahal, saw Ajanta & Ellora, and the list goes on.

And finally, in Coimbatore for a little while.  And what better way to celebrate than visiting Upper Bhavani again.  This was my first proper trip in Bolero and what a trip it was.  Veteran trekker and nature enthusiast Thenmurugakani and multifaceted Dr. Arul Kumar joined me for this trip.

July turned out to be a beautiful period to visit Ooty.  The summer vacations are over and so do the first rains, and hence it's all green, breezy, cool, a feast to the eyes, and above all hardly any crowd.

We took the Velliankaadu route which is the shortest, and what a route it was!!!  I could see all shades of green, gorgeous landscapes, the pleasantest of breezes, and most amazing of views.  Every time I visit Upper Bhavani, it is a different experience and this time it was at its enchanting best.  Well I leave it for the pictures to talk, which will do more justice than my words.

All through the trip, Thenmurugakani kept us engaged with his knowledge of The Nilgiris and Arul Kumar kept us entertained with his wit.

Route = Coimbatore - Karamadai - Velliankaadu - Mulli - Manjoor - Thiashola Estate - Upper Bhavani.

Expenses = Rs.1250/- per head including food, fuel, and stay for a night in Manjoor.

Kolaribetta-Upper Bhavani Trek - Sep 26-27, 2009

This trek was on the same line as Kolaritetta-Avalada Trek except that we did not cross Avalada. On the way back from Kolaribetta, about half way through, we took a detour to reach Upper Bhavani. Again, September proved to be the right month for a trek in this region. The place was so green and we were treated with a light drizzle throughout. And, after a long time, we had good sighting of animals.

This was a 2-day trek. Day 1 was in Avalanchi. There is a forest guest house at Avalanchi where one can stay, but permission is needed from the Forest Department at Nilgiris, which also provides a guide.

Route: Coimbatore=Karamadai=Mulli=Avalanchi=Kolaribetta=Upper Bhavani.

Kolaribetta-Upper Bhavani Trek - Sep 26-27, 2009

Kolaribetta-Avalada Trek - Sep 13, 2009

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR SHARA....


How is it possible for you Shara, to leave like this. A polite person always, you shouldn’t have left like this, leaving us in shock and despair. Do you remember all the talks we used to have, the books we debated, the movies we enjoyed, the beer we had, the cigarettes we shared. My dear Shara, you shouldn’t have done this to me. And only between us, when we used to go for fishing, with a smiling face when you used to call “Vaanga Vijay, meen pudika polam.” Shara, is it possible for a person to be smiling always, to be happy always, to be helping always, to never get angry, to never speak bad of others, to never have any enemies – Yes Shara, it is possible, and you are a shining example for it.

- What a cruel thing fate is.
- What a coincidence you should be with us in your last trek.
- What a coincidence that the last book you read was "Into Thin Air."
- What an irony that you have always debated the existence of God with me, and now you know the answer before me.

You have left us only physically. And till we meet next, my dear Shara, good bye.

Kolaribetta-Avalada Trek - Sep 13, 2009

Upper Bhavani Trek - May 4, 2009