also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of Hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of the most popular resorts in India.Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains".Used to be popular with the British during colonial days. Situated at 2240masl, an added attraction is the mountain steam engined train which starts from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and makes its way thru hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines filled with vegetation, streams and tea gardens.
The vegetation consists of pines, eucalptus, blue gum and cypress trees as one drives from Ooty to Mettupalayam.
Weather : Min 5C - Max25C
Oh No ! ..No pictures please !
looking for padlocks and vespa sticker
"Needlecraft" is disappointing. After almost 40mins of driving all over with inadequate or improper directions, finally we found the house. Although I must say the "English" setting of a cottage is very attractive and beautiful, but the handmade embroidered linen products are quite limited in variety. The cottage actually is a private residence, of which the identity of the owner is kept a big secret.
And here's our friend PEEPING INTO THE COTTAGE, hoping to get a glimpse of the Queen or something ! ha ha
"peeping tom"
center of town
COONOR in Tamilnadu state is perched on the lush green hills of Nilgiri at a distance of only 19km from Ooty. This Hill station is located at a height of 1856m above sealevel. Fantastic panoramic view of its tea farm and hillslopes covered with colorful houses. Coonor has some interesting tourist spots ie Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose, St Catherine's Falls, Sim's Park etc and of course Tea and coffee plantations.
If you miss the train at Ooty, you can ride this "Darjeeling Toy Train" supposedly to be steam engine here for cheap as INR3 one-way (normal class) and INR15 (2nd class).The train ride takes you thru a breathaking views of the Nilgiri Hills from Coonor. At the start of ride, dont miss the tunnel crossing!
And in Coonor we discovered a beautiful colonial mansion turned into a romantic boutique hotel call Mciver Boutique Hotel. Highly recomend to stay if you pass by here. (look at Bed n Breakfast for details)
Best time to visit : September - May
Weather: chilly to cold at nights. (bring a fleece jacket)
tennis anyone?
at the Coonor Railway station
Steam engine train btn Ooty - Coonor
View of Coonor coming from Ooty road
paparazzi at Coonor in front of "UPPER CLASS WAITING ROOM"
View of Coonor coming from Ooty road
paparazzi at Coonor in front of "UPPER CLASS WAITING ROOM"