Day 2
My eyes opened to what seemed like a thunder storm, maddening heavy rain with trees banging against each other. Saw my mobile and the time was 6:45am. I opened the door and came out. The frame was a completely different one, cool morning breeze, fog covering the distant mountains and flowing freely through the trees and mild drizzle (the heavy sound of rains must have been due to the roofing style of the villas). By now even Atul woke up and came out to join me to see this marvelous view. He was utterly surprised that I woke up so soon and enjoying the nature. This is when we realized that the resort is situated right at the top, in the middle of a tea estate, which ever direction you see all that was visible was green budding fresh tea plantation. While we were awestricken by the view, Arun and Amruthesh joined us too.
By 8:30am all of us got freshened up and walked towards the restaurant for breakfast, breakfast was complimentary. Puttu, horse gram curry, bread butter, cereals, milk, idly vada and fresh pineapple juice was served, we ate and decided to head towards the swimming pool in the hotel. I have no clue about swimming and so does Arun, hence Atul and Amruthesh were the only ones who went down the pool and enjoyed a lot in the water. The scene around the swimming pool was fantastic, fog flowing in and out, mild rain, dense green high rising trees and a running stream nearby. Arun and I spent time clicking pictures and making videos while Atul and Amruthesh showed off some swimming tricks. Around 10:30am we came out from the pool side as other people started coming in. For some time, we spent time around the play area – it had a huge trampoline, I enjoyed it thoroughly, jumping, hopping, falling and enjoying the surroundings.
With the whole day ahead of us, we decided to explore some local site seeing areas of Vagamon. Walked down towards the reception area to check what is the best possible way to roam in and around Vagamon. They told us some parts require a bit of off-roading, hence taking own private vehicles wouldn’t be advisable so we agreed upon a 4X4 Jeep to take us through some of the selected spots. Fare was decided at Rs 2000. All got ready, took cameras (though I was a bit apprehensive to take them along was it would rain anytime), jeep was already waiting and headed out around 11:45am.
The first place to visit was the Kurisumala Ashram which was some 3 kms from our resort. The church is a small chapel in the Sahya Mountains, a major tourist for Christian devotees. In the vicinity couple of statues of Jesus oversees the place. When we reached here the fog became too dense and rain started to pour in. clicked some pictures quickly and got inside the jeep. Couldn’t climb up the stairs of the small hill top from where one can see a magnificent view of the valley down. From here we went to Thangalpara, some 4 kms away.
Thangalpara is a pilgrimage destination for Muslims because of resting place of a Sufi saint. The location can be reached only by footsteps and one needs to cross many smaller rocky hills. To our continued dismay, the place was completely covered with thick and dense fog, yet we decided to walk ahead and get a glimpse of the famous huge rock and also of the ancient cave located in the vicinity. There came a point where we couldn’t see anything in front of us. We were literally acting like blinds not able to figure out where the damn rock is – is it in front of us? Behind us? It is in the right; we are seeing left? It is in the left; we are seeing right? Damn! This was highly frustrating, finally, we all gave up and decided to walk back down. The walk was however so soothing, refreshing and relaxing. On our way all of a sudden, out of nowhere all hell broke down and it started raining cats and dogs. The only umbrella we four had just came to our rescue but not for a long, became a martyr as it couldn’t withstand the strong blast of winds. All we were left out from the umbrella was the torn cloth and the lose strings attached to the main handle. So much for a 100 Rs umbrella I brought three years ago in Ooty. It just breathed its last breath. With nothing much to do and no shed to take shelter on, we all came closer to one another, shielding each other from the rain hits, wind and cold. By now, we were drenched to our bones leave aside the clothes. After some 15 mins the rain subsided and we descended towards the jeep.
It was already 1:30pm and all of us were famished. Asked the driver to stop by at a local restaurant for some food. Had hot mutton biriyani, beef fry, veg meals and some tea to warm us up. It started becoming uncomfortable for all of us because of the wet clothes and stickiness. From here we went to the pine forest. The road leading to the pine forest was a narrow shopping lane, hardly any room for pedestrians, not sure how the jeep guy drove through it. Then came the real power deal of 4X4 wheel drive – man, never saw a vehicle crossing through muddy, slushy and rocky roads, rather no roads so smoothly. The other time I experienced this was in Kodachadri, when took a Thar drive to come down the hills. The driver was maneuvering the jeep so smoothly as if he was diving on a butter spread road. Finally, reached the entrance of the pine forest.
I personally feel that the pine forest one sees in Kodaikanal is far better than any other places. In Vagamon, the pine forest is spread across a very small area but the view was definitely worth watching for. A small river was flowing down the foothills of the forest. Tall high rising pine tree and the sky above, all so mesmerizing. Spent some half an hour here, clicked pictures and decided to head towards the famous Vagamon meadows. The driver did warn us that since the fog was too thick we might not be able to see the green meadows properly.
A drive of 3 kms we reached Vagamon meadows by 3:30pm. As told earlier, the entire place was engulfed with thick dense blanket of fog. Entry fee was Rs 10 per person and Rs 50 per camera. Decided to give it a pass, we told the driver to take us back to the resort as we won’t be able to see anything through this whiteness. Before leaving we had some piping hot tea and fresh made bhajjis.
By 4:30pm we were back in our resort. Thanked the driver (definitely need to re-negotiate on the price later with the reception as we couldn’t see anything major), we headed to the rooms to get fresh. I took a quick bath and came out to sit on the balcony and enjoy the beautiful view in front of me. Atul joined me as well after a while. Later even Arun and Amruthesh joined us. We spoke in length about our old trip memories, the fun we all have in these rides/drives and all other life’s situations. In between we did order for some tea, french fries and onion pakodas. No one knew how time flew and it was already 8:30pm. It was dinner time.
Today’s buffet menu was chilli chicken, tawa fried veggies, fish curry, rice, dal, chapatti and fresh cut-fruits. Ended the dinner with a cup of tea. After food, we again took a quick stroll within the resort campus. The feeling was so refreshing and relaxing that none of us wanted to go back to the room and sleep. Yet it was getting colder and fog started to flow in. It was 11pm and finally, decided to head to our rooms. Finally, another day got over.