Post Trip Write-up Bandhipur - Wayanad - Ooty Cycle Trip

Post Trip / Trek Write-up Mysore / Gundlupet - Bandhipur - Wayanad - Chembara Peak - Gudalur - Ooty - Mettupalayam Cycle Trip

After I did a moderate trek on January, I am waiting for another moderate trek to participate. That was mid of February and I was travelling to Rajasthan by train. CTC announced 40 treks /events for their 5^th Birthday celebrations. I was applied on my mobile for 3 treks. One was Kolli Hills Trek organized by Nachiketha and the other two was organized by Prem (Nagala west and Wayanad Cycle Trip). Unfortunately J I got selected in all 3 treks. So now I have to decide which I have to go.  I have never been to Kolli and I have an interest to go for Kolli Hills, so I decided and paid money for that immediately. On the other two treks was organized by Prem, so I tried to speak with Prem for the difficulties in Cycle trip. He said, “You can choose your own difficult level as Easy/Moderate/Difficult”. Then I decided to go for this trip/trek and cancelled the Nagala Trek as I’ve been there earlier.  I paid money for Wayanad cycle trip and waiting for the day to come. Before a week of trek, preparatory mail received from Prem and on Thursday evening I started for the Wayanad cycle trip.

Somehow I managed in that critical situation and reached the station by 9.00 pm for the 9.30 train. First I met Chandru and later everyone (35 fellow trekkers- most of them are new to me) reached there and introduced ourselves. Prem/Organizers arranged a Veg/Non Veg Biryani for everyone for the dinner. I had my dinner at home so I didn’t eat that biryani. Everybody ate the dinner and settled their seats for rest after some small confusion in the tickets/seats. Some of our team members played cards in our next coach.

Starting Point @ Gundlupet

First Day: Morning by 6.00am I heard Yazar’s voice as “Mysore station will reach in few minutes, so everyone be prepare for that”. Everybody wake up from their seat and get ready, but the train was reached Mysore at 7.30am onlyL. In between one team finished few masala dosai and vadas for pre breakfast menu. We came out from the station and waiting for our vehicle to pick up to Gundlupet where our exact starting point for cycling. In meantime we had breakfast in a roadside shop hot Idli, dosa and poori.

Bandhipur Forest

The business today for this shop was a great start, we almost emptied that shop. After our breakfast Prem found us a truck to transport till Gundlupet, (Mysore to Gundlupet – 59km) everyone hoped on it and reached Gundlupet around 11:00am where we met up with a small group from Coimbatore. Our cycles (rent and own) were reached there before us and everyone busy in selecting their cycles. At last I found a cycle for me to ride. This was my first cycle trip and I am new to this geared cycle, somehow managed and ride that cycle up to 3-4 kms. I was feeling so tired due to hot sun and feeling some sickness due to poori which I ate in the morning. I vomited that poori and taken rest in the sweeping vehicle (Volkswagen Jetta Car). (Gundlupet to Bandhipur Road– 18km)Few hours later, the road leading to Bandhipur was awesome and wants to ride a cycle at that time. So immediately picked one cycle and ride few Kms in that forest road, we saw few deer and an Elephant while crossing the forest road.

Wayanad

By 3 pm we reached near Muthanga (Bandhipur National Park to Muthanga – 24km) and searching for food and found a small hotel, in the hotel only 40 parotas are available, so we shared that parotas. But our stomach was not filled with that, so we had some lemon soda, biscuits, chips etc. to fill our stomach. After some break again we started from there and reached sultan bathery by 6.00pm. There we had tea and snacks and I was bit tired and no light so I boarded on the Mini Van. But half of our team members again started their cycling to reach Vazhiyoram (Muthanga to Vazhiyoram -29km) where our stay for the night was arranged. Everyone reached our Guest house by 8.00pm and had a quick bath. (Some of our team members are crossed that location as they are unknown of the place and Bharani and Venkat are chased their car to reach them). It was a Dormitory and accommodated us very well. We had a nice dinner in that hotel and fall asleep to get energy for the next day.

Second Day: Next day early morning everyone refreshed in our rooms and checking their cycles are in condition. We started the second day from Vazhiyoram (10km before Kalpettah) with our cycles and reached Kalpettah for breakfast. Everyone had a breakfast there and loaded back our cycles to the Loading Van and few of us boarded on the van and proceeded to Chembara peak base. We areached there by 11.00am and waiting for the other members to come. Raghu and Hari joined at Meppadi enroute to Chembra, who couldn't join us on day 1. (Kalpetta to Chembara Peak – 16km)

Everyone gathered there around 12.30 and started our half day trek to Chembara peak.  We paid Rs.50 each for forest entry fee(?) for trekking. Some of us (including me) fell little uneasy to climb up due to steep hill and hot climate. When we reached the top we saw a wonderful love pool (heart shaped pool) on the top. We took some photos there. When we began to descent, suddenly rain started to drizzle and then it poured and we are all drenched as there is no shelter on the top. Now the climate was very cool and we feel some freshness in the air, so we are easily descended from the peak. From Chembra we headed out in open mini trucks, zig -zaging through the narrow roads and cool air.

Chembara Peak

At 5.00pm, for lunch(?) we stopped at Meppadi, and had stomach full of food. I think almost we emptied the hotel! The next destination was Cherambadi across the state border, we pedal again untill we cross Kerala checkpost Cherambadi (Meppadi to Cherambadi 22km)(I pedalled few kms and boarded on van when I am unable to pedal due to darkness), from Cherambadi we got into bus till Gudalur (36km) it was past 9 when we reached Gudalur where we were stationed for the night in a home stay dormitory (arranged by Bharani)after a light dinner. We had a good time around the campfire followed by introduction session lasted up to 1.00am. In the mean while it became clear we’d left two bags behind in Meppadi hotel! Bharani and Jagadeesh came forward to retrieve the bags in the morning that was left in the hotel. 

Ooty Road

Third Day: We all refreshed by 7:00am and got into a local bus heading towards Gudalur bustand. Today our plan was to take a bus to Pykara(28km) and cycle from Pykara Lake till Mettupalayam, but from Gudalur bustand we couldn't find any bus to take in all of us. Vasanth found us a small truck in which all 25 of us squeezed in with our bags, the journey was enjoyable as few sang songs all the way till Pykara. (Pykara to Ooty -22km). Once we reached Pykara, everyone started cycling, but I don’t have cycle to ride. So I get in to the Volkswagen car. The cycle riders have to pass some ups and downs to reach Dodabetta, but rain forced a few to take shelter in the cycle truck along the way. At Dodabetta junction we had hot tea and snacks. 

By 5.30pm Cyclists are again started pedaling to reach Mettupalayam. I was waiting eagerly to ride a cycle and asking everyone for cycle but nobody willing to give. When we reached Kothagiri by Car, chandru asked me, “you want to ride cycle”. Immediately I get down from the car and taken the cycle for riding. (Kothagiri to Metupalayam- 30Km) It was awesome to ride the cycle in the downhill with the cool breeze and I really enjoyed it. After some time I passed around 10 km I found I am alone riding the cycle as my team mates are passed me and somebody are behind me. Again rain was started and getting dark. Slowly I am riding(?) my cycle using brakesJ and doesn't want to stop. There are so much of bend and the road was fully slope. In between I saw some of our team member fell down from the cycle, (later I came to know that it was Venkat sir) so I stopped there. Arun asked me, “I have light in my cycle, so can we move”, I said ok. After some time he was zapped fast in a hairpin bend and left me as he was an experienced cyclist. Again I was stranded and slowly going down on the road. In between a naughty guy passed me said, “Hey take care man, Elephants are crossing the road on the way”(May be it was to frighten me)  But I was in a mood, not to give up in any situation, but my cycle’s brake was fully failed. There is no light, rain pouring with thunder storms, No brake and left alone, but I was really enjoying that situation. I get down from the cycle and slowly walking with my cycle on the dark and deep road about 5 kms.  My hands are frozen in the chillness and my dress was fully wet. People crossed me on the road watched strangely.  After some time Sundar and vinod joined with me and we all three slowly walked with our cycles. Few minutes later Prem and Alagar reached us and they are having the tool kit. They adjusted my cycle's brakes and ensured working fine. Now Venkat sir is on his car with Bharani, they throwing light on the road for visibility to move us on track. Finally around 8 pm we reached Metupalayam and waited for our other team members to come. 

When everyone reached, immediately everyone jumped in to a Kaiyenthi bavan on the road side and finished some biryani and omelets for Dinner. I ate some Bun and cool drinks for my Dinner. From Mettupalayam we travelled to Chennai by AC Bus arranged by Prem. Cycles are loaded in the Loading Vehicle to Chennai.  Returned to Chennai with pleasant memories.

Thanks Venkat sir! and thanks to Bharani for thier help. Special Thanks to Prem for selecting me for this wonderful and memorable cycle trip and everyone who encouraged me and supported me in this trip/trek.

Note: Finally we came to know, Overall we pedalled 181 km at a maximum speed of 51km/h.

Visit my Tamil Blog: http://iniyaindiyavilravi.blogspot.in/
Visit my Hindi Blog: http://merabharatmahan-mountabu.blogspot.in/

Ooty - Post Trip Write Up

Ooty Trip with Friends’ Family:

We 16 peoples of 5 families went to Ooty in the 1^st week of September and had a nice time.

Toy Train on Bridge

We Started From Chennai Central by Blue Mountain Exp 21.00 pm Friday and Reached Mettupalayam by 6.15am Saturday. From Metupalayam we planned to travel by Toy Train for a joyful journey. The Train Started at Mettupalayam 7.10 am and Reached Ooty station by 12.00pm.(It took 4.50 hours to cross 46km - the Train run at 10km/h speed only) We Stayed near to the Railway station so we reached in 5 min time.

Toy Train engine

We refreshed at Rooms and started by 3pm for site seen in Ooty. By the time we start from Room rain started to drizzle. But it was not too heavy. We managed and went first to Ooty Boat house for a Boat Ride. It was 1 km distance from our Guest house so we went by Bus as some of our family members are old peoples.

Near Tunnel on the way to Ooty by Toy Train

Near Hillgove Station

Near Hillgove Station

Near Coonoor Station

Near Coonoor Station in between Trains

Near Hillgrove Station On Track

Footboard Travel in Toy Train

Driving Toy Train

Near a Stream on the way to Ooty

In Boat House there is an entry fee of Rs. 5 per head has to pay and then enter inside. For Boat ride separate fee has to pay depending upon the members and the boat type. We selected 2 no’s of 8 seater motor Boat. We paid 405 X 2 and had a wonderful jolly ride. The two boat drivers are friends and ride the boat very closely as we had an experience that we all are travelling in a single boat. Also the boat man offered us 2^nd round with extra money for both boats (Rs.100 per boat)

Boat Ride at Ooty Lake

 Ooty Lake handshaking with Friend in another boat

After the boat ride the rain started to drizzle again so we cannot plan for further place. So we had some evening snacks / food in the Restaurant inside the Boat house. After that some of the peoples are went back to room and we few peoples went to Charring cross area for some Shopping. We bought home made chocolates and Ooty Tea. We returned to Guest house by auto after our Dinner in some hotel.

2^nd Day We arranged a Mazda van for Sight seen around Ooty. We had breakfast and started at 9 am by van. We seen some of the Film shooting places on the way to Pykara. The places we seen are:

Pine Forest Lake

1.      Pine Forest.

2.      7^th Mile

3.      9^th Mile

4.      Pykara Lake

9th Mile near Pykara

Near Pykara Lake

Thottabetta

Thottabetta Suicide Point

On the early morning there was some rain so the Pine forest area was slippery. We young peoples moved through the area with the help of one another by holding hands. Some peoples are not come down from van due to slippery. On the down side we seen there was a lake with some water. We took some photos there and returned to van.

Next we went to 7^th Mile Film Shooting point, there was green grass area with pine forest to see.

Botonical Garden

Third we went to 9^th Mile spot where we see a small Hill with Green Grass. People are enjoying with sliding and playing there. In the road side there is some tea shops and our people had a nice tea there. Finally we travel to Pykara Dam. On the way to Dam we seen Dam Shutter area where the Roja Climax scene was taken. 

After that we went to Doddabetta the highest peak (2637 metres / 8650 feet) of Nilgiri Hills and South India. Doddabetta is located 9 km from Ooty on the Ooty-Kothagiri Road. Entry fees is Rs. 5 per person. There is an observatory at the top of Doddabetta with two telescopes available for the public to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the whole district.  From here we can see the Mettupalayam and Coimbatore areas. Here we can see the clouds passing through us and some time we can feel the Rain drizzle due to cloud. One can enjoy Ice cream in that climate is really awesome. 

By return we went to Botonical Garden in the evening. Entry fees was Rs.20 at the season. In non season Rs.10 per person. We paid 20 on 2nd season(?). It was not so beautiful as we seen before on Seasonal time. But we spent some time with fun games and taking photos.

Third Day we arranged a Mazda vehicle for coonoor Trip. We had breakfast and started at 9 am by van. The places we seen are:

1. Rose Garden in Ooty
2. Sims Park in Coonoor
3. Dolphins Nose View Point
4. Lambs Rock View Point
5. Tea Gardens

First we went to Rose Garden as we missed on the previous days.  Entry fees was Rs.20 at the season. In non season Rs.10 per person. Here also they said 2nd season and we paid Rs.20. But it was not worth as no flowers was there at that time.        ( Here the flower show will be held every year on May)

Rose Garden

Secondly we proceeded to Coonoor. In Coonoor we went first to Sim's Park. (Here the fruit and Vegetable show will be held every year on May) Entry fees was Rs.20 at the season. In non season Rs.10 per person.

Sim's Park

After lunch we went to Dolphin's Nose view point and we spent some time. This is the other end of Coonoor hill. We have to travel 20km from coonoor city. From here we can see the Catherine falls and Kodanadu at some distance.

At Dolphin's Nose

Dolphin's Nose

On the way to Dolphins Nose we can see lots of Tea Gardens. We took some pictures in these gardens. We entered into these gardens with care because we heard that leach will be there in these Tea Gardens. That's why the tea pluckers are wearing thick cloths and plastic cover over that.

Coonoor Tea Estate

Finally we went to Lambs Rock. Here we have to climb the hill 1km to see the view point. It was little steap to climb. But it was worth a view. Some of the peoples are stayed back for rest and we few peoples are climbed up to the view point. By the time it was getting dark and mist was covered. So we came back to our van and we proceeded back to Mettupalayam to Catch the Train at 19.45pm. (The van  cost we paid Rs. 3000 from Ooty and Coonoor Sight seen and upto Mettupalayam Drop)

Tea Garden at Coonoor

Lambs Rock

We all travelled back to Chennai with very pleasant and Chill memories by Nilgiri Express. 

Visit my Tamil Blog: http://iniyaindiyavilravi.blogspot.in/2012/10/blog-post.html

Visit my Hindi Blog: http://merabharatmahan-mountabu.blogspot.in/