[procrj]

Let me take you into the dreams of a little boy from the plains.
Tired of muddy streets and dreary drains
He dreamed of tall pines and grassy vales

Tea gardens on the way to emerald lake, ooty


It always began with a leaking faucet
where every drop was a step closer, to waking up and not being any wiser.
He had to hurry before the sun sets and walk through the door in the hidden closet

The gentlemen’s lounge - Fernhill Palace, Ooty


And down the passage that smells of wood-smoke
he would slowly walk to find himself in the hall.
And his head would spin like a little top, when he looked down from the top

The main hall - Fernhill Palace, Ooty


The main hall - Fernhill Palace, Ooty


“Hurry up hurry up” croaked the old fireplace
“the coalman waits not for those who are late!”
And so he ran through the fernhill, in search of the coalman who bends to no other will.

Driveway to Fernhill Palace, Ooty


Huffing and puffing he ran through dusk
hoping against hope that he will find what he must.
The colours around him begin to fade, sun & shade slowly begin to fade

Sunset overlooking Emerald & Avalanche lake, Ooty


Dwarf just outside Western valley resort, Ooty


Sunset overlooking Emerald & Avalanche lake, Ooty


At long last in the lost lane, he did find the place
where everyone waits for the coalman and his spade.
Many a face is bored and tired, while the young boy sits stills with unbridled joy
Nary a breath does he want to take, afraid he will wake up in his dreary drain.
With a shrill whistle and a quiet puff, the coalman roars “All aboard!”

Coonor Station - Waiting for the journey to begin


Old & Beautiful steam loco at Coonor


And finally it began, his journey across lands
in search of a place where dusk and dawn meet
where tall pines and tea leaves meet & greet
where green love only grows and does not retreat

Tea Gardens on the way to Gudalur


Sunset in the Hills near western valley resort, Ooty


Ninja love at Lovedale


Into the setting sun the coalman rode, racing against the wind & rain.
Wide awake the little boy sat, scanning the horizon to catch a glimpse
of rolling hills cloaked in misty silence
of green vales bathed is dew
of mended fences that healed broken men
of forgotten spaces that none called home

Sunset in the Hills near western valley resort, Ooty


Sunset in the Hills near western valley resort, Ooty


Dwarf watching the darkness

[procrj]

In the blink of an eye darkness faded
The coalman was gone along with the dreary and jaded.
And as the little boy watched the sun rise
He saw a place that he could call home

Sunrise at Western valley resort, Ooty


Sunrise at Western valley resort, Ooty


Western valley resort, Ooty


Western valley resort, Ooty


And a little bird did sing for joy
for there is nothing little about dreams of little boys.
Some old men are still little boys
Even if they don’t walk, they still know joy!

Western valley resort, Ooty


Old Jeep & a Jeep wannabe


The little boy did spend many a day, walking down paths where time held no sway.
Away from the streets and dreary drains,
he had found a little space under the clouds,
Where mist and rain danced every day.

Western valley resort, Ooty


Sunset near Western valley resort, Ooty


Western valley resort, Ooty


Rain clouds & the dwarf at Western valley resort, Ooty


Wet earth & hot tea at Western valley resort, Ooty


Like dawn and dusk define the day, light and dark always will play
A dream is but a dream from which you will awake.
but like the little boy, some journeys you cannot forget
if just for a moment in your busy day, close your eyes and dream away.

Sunset near emerald lake,Ooty


Sunset near emerald lake,Ooty

[ampere]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

The place will never lose it charm! Will it ever?

Brilliant!

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by procrj

In the blink of an eye darkness faded
The coalman was gone along with the dreary and jaded.
And as the little boy watched the sun rise
He saw a place that he could call home

Wonderful narration there procrj intertwining the prose with the poetry . Have you yourself penned down this poem?

Beautiful pictures of a wonderful place. You should have also taken some pictures of the dwarf while climbing the Nilgiri ghats. I simply love those long winding roads and it seems the tank is tailor made for such roads.

[Thebat]

Oh! That was a tantalizing read in this hot summer morning. Shuttling around in bangalore the past few days the only dream I have is to go settle down in the hills and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. Your travelogue just made that feeling stronger, wonderfully written, beautifully shot, and meticulously executed.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by ampere

The place will never lose it charm! Will it ever?
Brilliant!

Thanks Ampere. Ooty proper has become just another tourist destination but the outskirts is where the beauty is. That is why I decided to stay way out of town and did not visit any of the touristy destinations

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

Have you yourself penned down this poem?

Yep. All thanks to the beauty of the place

You should have also taken some pictures of the dwarf while climbing the Nilgiri ghats.

That is very difficult as the hairpins are almost continuous and before you know it, you have reached the top.

I simply love those long winding roads and it seems the tank is tailor made for such roads.

Agree. Winding roads with lovely tarmac is a rare beauty and driving on these is like listening to good music!

Originally Posted by Thebat

Your travelogue just made that feeling stronger, wonderfully written, beautifully shot, and meticulously executed.

Thanks a lot Thebat. Hope you quickly find your place in the clouds

[pduttaghy]

Beautiful Photography!!!! Keep it going

[Zahoor23]

That's some brilliant photography !!
How difficult it is to get tickets on the toy train? Is Prior booking required or the tickets are available on-spot? It would be great if you could throw some light on the current conditions of the road.
Happy Motoring

[abhinav.s]

Beautiful photography procrj. As you rightly said, the main Ooty area is now a very commercial touristy place. The beauty is in the outskirts of Emerald lake, Avalanche, Lovedale etc. Some great poetry going in between the posts and pics too!

[procrj]

Originally Posted by pduttaghy

Beautiful Photography!!!! Keep it going

Originally Posted by Zahoor23

That's some brilliant photography !!

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

Beautiful photography procrj

Thanks pduttaghy, Zahoor & abhinav. Photo credits go to my better half. I just do the driving

How difficult it is to get tickets on the toy train?

Very difficult. I had booked Coonor - Ooty a few days before I travelled and decided to try my luck for Ooty - Coonor tickets but it was just impossible. The crowds waiting in line to get tickets and climb aboard is insane. Hence I had to hire a cab to get to coonor and then took the train back to Ooty. Would suggest you book online in advance if you planning to visit during the summer or else don’t even waste time trying.

It would be great if you could throw some light on the current conditions of the road.

roads are good both ways masinagudi - kalhatty - ooty or ooty - gudalur. Even the road from Ooty - Coonor was very good but has a lot of traffic on it.

Some great poetry going in between the posts and pics too!

Thanks.All credits go to the muse in the hills.

[mallumowgli]

procrj is back and so is the poetry!! and now he has a vehicle that can take him beyond the beaten path. Wonderful.

[MorePower]

Originally Posted by procrj

Thanks Ampere. Ooty proper has become just another tourist destination but the outskirts is where the beauty is. That is why I decided to stay way out of town and did not visit any of the touristy destinations

Couldn't agree more! Have been planning a trip but wasn't able to find a place away from the chaos of Ooty town. Your beautiful photologue has given me the clue

[fuzail]

Originally Posted by procrj

Thanks pduttaghy, Zahoor & abhinav. Photo credits go to my better half. I just do the driving

Hence I had to hire a cab to get to coonor and then took the train back to Ooty. .

Can u tell me the Cab rate from Ooty to Coonor

[arunrajk81]

Nice Pic friend.

I had a trip in 2014 from Bangalore( Bangalore-Mudumalai-Masinagudi-Ooty) Its the shortest among two routes from Masinagudi to Ooty which is high inclination. My petrol Swift (2007) was climbing only in 1st gear with full load. Like said earlier, Ooty was super crowded, where we enjoyed was its outskirts and the resort we stayed (Kluney Manor).

[procrj]

Originally Posted by fuzail

Can u tell me the Cab rate from Ooty to Coonor

I paid 2K but this was for pickup & drop from western valley resort, which is 15 km from Ooty on the avalanche road. I did not bargain as it was last minute but you can park your car at Ooty station and take a cab/bus from there to coonor, which should be a little more economical.