Ooty - Queen of Hill stations

South of India is known for it’s cultural heritage, monuments, forests, wildlife etc. So does it is known for it’s beautiful tea and coffee estates. Out of India’s total produce 20% tea is from the southern India. For those tea enthusiasts who wish to visit where it is grown and north east of India is far off; Tamilnadu or Kerala is close by. And the bonus point is you can even see the ocean if goes down hill to the west around 100 kms. So in your tour itinerary you can see forests, tea estates, pristine beaches and heritage monuments. How? Let’s make a plan!

Everybody must have heard of Ooty. The queen of hill stations where tea estates are plenty and stretches miles across.

Also the distinct taste of Nilgiri and Munnar tea. These two place are based high on the mountain top of the Sahyadri ranges. Also there are a few places close to these two points where you can see less crowd and scenic landscapes.

Ooty is in Tamilnadu State strategically located on the border of Tamilnadu , Karnataka and Kerala border.

If you goes up from Mysore side the deep forest of Bandipur and Mudumalai offers breathtaking encounters of wildlife and superb roads upto the Ooty.

Even you can stay in those wildlife reserves for a safari. Which is indeed a bonus.

Once you started going up the hills forest turns more green and tall. As you enter Nilgiri Biosphere you will be greeted by pines. Which is indeed surprise to find them here in the southern India. It’s a British colonizer idea to plant them just like tea. From Ooty till Coonoor and Kotagiri region you will go through tea estates, pine trees and forests. It is foggy in the morning and winter round the year. Especially winters are more beautiful.

To see the beauty of Nilgiri’s and experience the charm of village nestled in the valleys one must take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

Those who loves to know more about tea; ample tea estates, museum, and gardens are all around. Don’t be surprised if you find any Indian gaur in the tea estates. They are commonly sighted due to the proximity of the forest. But also be cautious. Malabar Giant Squirrel is also a native of these forests. For forest lovers longwood shola is a nice walk into the preserved forest area.

In Ooty you can get all sorts of accommodation right from luxury to budget. Also shopping of tea , spices, home made chocolates and herbal products are plenty. Don’t miss a chance to shop here.

Ooty is 300 kms from Bangalore & 100 kms from Coimbatore. One wish to explored closeby places to it’s western side are waynad , Silent Valley National Park , Palakkad , Coimbatore  . To southern side is Tirppur , Kodaikanal & Mysore to it’s north.

As per our personal experience goes take the longer route from Gudalur if you are with family and having a car. If you are on a bike with friends shorter route is a best bet for adventure. Forest gates close around 08.00 from both sides. So getting there on time is must for safety. As a journey it is really rewarding to see how forest cover changes mile after mile.

COFFEE COUNTRY

                                              Raginee in a Waynad Coffee Estate

As soon as you are out of the city farmlands stretches their wings on the both side of the road. Wind engulfs from all sides. Relaxed flowing blue river and on distant horizon range of hills call you. Hold on tiger you are going there only! And you leave flat farmlands and villages behind to climb up on the hills . deciduous forest hovers on your road. The vehicle goes up while taking right and left turns and soon the jungle becomes evergreen on all sides. Slowly one farm around 6 to 10 feet covering a hill and tall trees canopy over them gives indication that coffee estate area have begun.

                                                 
                                                 Chikmagalur Coffee estate region

  Big leaves and red coloured beans attracts you. It tempts us to go inside and have a walk. Indeed it is very romantic for those who see these plantations for the first tie. We also had our experience. Our first sight coffee estates was  through the mist. A long night journey towards Sringeri woke us up early morning before the sunrise. And the mist was all around. A view to experience in itself. We could manage to get pictures around 09.00 a.m. But the moment was worth it.

                                                    Malenadu morning through coffee estates

                                                                    Our own moment 

a walk in the estate is yet another bonus to spend time with better half or family. When you are in the southern part of india many destinations offers you chances to visit such coffee estates like in Coorg, Waynad , Sringeri , Kudremukh even in Kerala and Tamilnadu. The best season is winter and summer. Those who cannot resist temptation of shopping and sip of coffee these places offers plenty options. Specially local flavour of coffee mixed with Chikkori , spices , bakery etc..

                                                                Bhadra Coffee Shop

    The flowering season is also must to visit plantations. Where you can book a home stay and relaxed with the home cooked food and coffee. 

                                                    Huge trees over coffee plants

These are some memories of coffee which we would like to share with you.

Field marshal Cariappa statue at Madikeri

                                                           
                                                                          Coffee Beans 

                        A beautiful mountain view of Coorg coffee land and forests.

                                                     A road from the jungle to Waynad

one of the bakery from city market of Sultan Bathery

 A walk in the rain

                                                         A coffee estate at Waynad

Nauwari

Nauwari ( Nine Yard ) Saree

A heritage well - nine yard of my grand mother & Raginee

     

Traditional jewellery Nath ( nosing ) & Thushi ( Necklace) along with mangalsutra. 

                             An unique style of drape compare to the other regions of India. 

Commonly used saree style by farmers in Maharashtra. But slowly disappearing with the old generation. 

Yet it retains it's charm in the new generation. 

With the time everything comes , grows and disappear to again surface in some other form.
Now it's a part of sacred occasions or festivities stored in the cupboard along with our memories.

Travel Photography

                                                     Light House Beach - Kovalam


While going out for a long trip every photographer encounters a question; what should I put my bag?
We want to capture beautiful portraits, vast panoramas, zoom in those rare birds etc.. But to get those all in one sensor we need at least 3 different lenses. a prime , telephoto and a wide angle lens. What if we can do this with the one lens. Here I am addressing people who have DSLR and most of the time serious about their gear. But somewhere down the line one has to give it a thought. What is your priority ? Understand your genre and chose wisely.

What I feel comfortable is a 50 mm prime with my camera. It can be kept any compartment of the bag. No one feels conscious when you have small camera . Also I can get very good portrait with it.
It's just one has to explore within the limits. But it make my bag free from the heavy weight lenses. And also save my cost. In travel minimum baggage allows us to move more freely and and capture moments faster than changing to another lens. This wonderful lens makes your pictures ultra sharp also if you want it can make your background out of focus  to give it a surreal feel.

 Here are a few pictures clicked by 50mm and EOS 300D clicked in the Kerala tour. Do let us know your feedback.

                                 A rocky hill from Kanyakumari - Nagarcoil road. 

                                                                 Tea Gardens of Munnar

                                          Looking at the distant mountain ( Anagha & Raginee)

                                                A close look at Bramhni Kite - Alleppy

                                                                  A lady at Munnar

                                                                      Best swimming pool