[nnandi]

Originally Posted by pulsar56

I hope your dad was the one who enjoyed this trip more that anyone!

What is your feedback about the place you stayed? tried reading the posts again but could not find anything!

Yes, Dad loved it the most and kept telling us about what he saw when he visited Ooty back in '73.

About the resort, you said it all, I could not find anything which can be mentioned about the place. We planned just 2 days before the start of journey, whole ooty was booked by then. So only those non-existent places were available. They gave a fancy name to the place- "Julia Resort". Unfortunately, it was just a ramshakled lodge, which did not have proper rooms, nor proper beds, nor good toilets. The rooms were smelly and the linen had holes! The toilets did not even have a geyser! It did not have a restuarant. Inspite of this, they had the nerve to charge Rs. 1500 per night per room! (Hotels like Khems/Glanton Manor/Preethi Classic/Ooty Gate start at Rs.1200 for B&B). Entire night, there are dogs barking outside and the only hotel attendent keeps yelling from gound floor at the top of his voice, waking even the kids from sleep! When I complained to the Manager (Sagayaraj), he was defiant enough to say "this is the peak season, you don't like, then vacate as I have people waiting outside"! Completely atrocious and a rip-off, they never have heard the word "Hospitality" in their life, I am guessing! I never had such a shoddy exp with any of my stays in any place ever in life! Goes to show, planning everything in advance pays off!
My advise, please do proper research on the hotel before taking family!
And if ever Julia resort gets re-furbished into a 5 star, I would still aviod it, remembering this exp!

[gkrishn]

Originally Posted by nnandi

Ooty is one of the best hill stations of the India and world with the best scenic views, great roads and lovely climate. That’s why, people long to go there again and again, some even after 35 years!

What ever you say dude. I feel that "best in world" is bit too much of a compliment. I lived in near by kothagiri for 2 years. Never really liked ooty. I feel, just like any thing else in this country, it is over exploited and too comercialised. I would prefer kodai over this. One reason why lots of people go to ooty and not that much to kodai, is because of the roads.

I had also been to darjeeling. Did a trek to sandakpu in singalila range. My view about hill station has changed for ever. I am sounding like a off-beat guy. But i guess that is where the nature's beauty remains.

At some point they banned all construction activity in ooty and i was so happy. I guess that ban is no more there...

Sorry for ranting off.

[Rotorhead]

Originally Posted by gkrishn

What ever you say dude. I feel that "best in world" is bit too much of a compliment. I lived in near by kothagiri for 2 years. Never really liked ooty. I feel, just like any thing else in this country, it is over exploited and too comercialised. I would prefer kodai over this. One reason why lots of people go to ooty and not that much to kodai, is because of the roads.

I had also been to darjeeling. Did a trek to sandakpu in singalila range. My view about hill station has changed for ever. I am sounding like a off-beat guy. But i guess that is where the nature's beauty remains.

At some point they banned all construction activity in ooty and i was so happy. I guess that ban is no more there...

Sorry for ranting off.

I agree on this. Having been in ooty for almost 25 years, I still feel the kodai is much more cleaner compared to ooty, but there are certain places in ooty that are not that much affected by extensive commercialization and tourism and those are really worth it.

[akroy]

Wonderful travelogue and pics nnandi, I will surely PM you whenever there is a next meet around.

Abhi

[jango]

+1. Even i would prefer Kodaikanal over Ooty. Over the past few years Ooty has been commercialized a lot and there are very few places untouched by crowd. Kodaikanal on the other hand is a much bigger place and has more scenic places to visit and enjoy.

[Rocky_Balboa]

I would vote for Parambikulam and Valpaarai, in that order over Kodai/Ooty/Munnar.
Its a pity, these two would also be commercialized in the coming years.

[nnandi]

Originally Posted by jango

+1. Even i would prefer Kodaikanal over Ooty. Over the past few years Ooty has been commercialized a lot and there are very few places untouched by crowd. Kodaikanal on the other hand is a much bigger place and has more scenic places to visit and enjoy.

Originally Posted by Rotorhead

I agree on this. Having been in ooty for almost 25 years, I still feel the kodai is much more cleaner compared to ooty, but there are certain places in ooty that are not that much affected by extensive commercialization and tourism and those are really worth it.

Originally Posted by gkrishn

What ever you say dude. I feel that "best in world" is bit too much of a compliment. I lived in near by kothagiri for 2 years. Never really liked ooty. I feel, just like any thing else in this country, it is over exploited and too comercialised. I would prefer kodai over this. One reason why lots of people go to ooty and not that much to kodai, is because of the roads.

Thanks guys, for your comments. I agree with you all about Kodai. I myself did 2 Kodai trips (Nov 1996- from college and Dec 2002-that was my honeymoon) and I loved Kodai! Kodai no doubt has wonderful scenic beauty with great places to go within Kodai, definitely with lesser crowd than Ooty. My comment was that Ooty is also "one of the Best" in India/world. If I got a little carried away in my statements, then kindly regard that as hang-over from the previous nights!

[ashwinsid]

A good travelogue well written. Really useful.
(I have sent a PM. Pls check and repy with suggestions)

[SkyWalker]

nnandi : excellent travelogue and great pictures.
Helps me a lot as I am planning a trip (me-n-my wife) from Bangalore in the next long weekend. May 1-3.

Few questions:
1) You have mentioned you took and Indicab in Coonoor. Do you mind sharing how you booked and the cost? Also did you travel back by train or did you drive back in the same cab?
2) i have booked at Sinclairs: any good food joints you recommend in the City?

[nnandi]

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

nnandi : excellent travelogue and great pictures.
Helps me a lot as I am planning a trip (me-n-my wife) from Bangalore in the next long weekend. May 1-3.

Thanks SkyWalker. Better confirm all booking (toy train rides) right now as there would be huge rush that time!

Few questions:
1) You have mentioned you took and Indicab in Coonoor. Do you mind sharing how you booked and the cost? Also did you travel back by train or did you drive back in the same cab?

Coonoor ghat roads are very narrow (though in good condition) and huge traffic jams happen there throughout the day. So, I did not want to drive. I booked a cab there only, not thru' any agency. On the first day at Doddabetta peak, I befriended a indicab driver in the parking lot and asked him to take me around Coonoor sightseeing the next day, he agreed. I wanted him to pick me up from Coonoor railway station at 10:15am and drop me after half day sightseeing to Ooty railway station (that's where I parked my car). He did that for Rs. 700. Standard rate (Ooty-Coonoor-Ooty) half day sightseeing is for Rs. 800. I travelled back by cab. In case you want the same driver, let me know I would PM you the number of the driver. Otherwise, all hotels would have a travel agency attached with them and you just need to book a cab at the hotel reception.

2) i have booked at Sinclairs: any good food joints you recommend in the City?

Sinclair is just after tea factory and museum, enroute to Doddabetta peak. Sinclair is a good place in itself. Holiday Inn Gem's Park has a good buffet for Rs. 200/head. Otherwise, standard recommendation is Hotel Nahar for your meals and next to hotel nahar, there is Blue hills hotel which is good for NV.

[SkyWalker]

thanks for the quick response!

Originally Posted by nnandi

Thanks SkyWalker. Better confirm all booking (toy train rides) right now as there would be huge rush that time!

Hotel is already booked. After reading your thread i came to know i could book the toy train ride over internet too. Thanks - will do that.

Originally Posted by nnandi

Coonoor ghat roads are very narrow (though in good condition) and huge traffic jams happen there throughout the day. So, I did not want to drive. I booked a cab there only, not thru' any agency. On the first day at Doddabetta peak, I befriended a indicab driver in the parking lot and asked him to take me around Coonoor sightseeing the next day, he agreed. .....In case you want the same driver, let me know I would PM you the number of the driver.

i will send you a PM. Since you liked him i guess i will give him the first preference.

[kannan666]

Also check out Shinkows for authentic chinese grub !

[SkyWalker]

Originally Posted by kannan666

Also check out Shinkows for authentic chinese grub !

cool! my wife's a Chinese food junkie, so i guess i will be headed that way

[gadadhar]

How is the road condition of NH 67 through Gudallur? Last year it was in terrible state with craters only an SUV can tackle. Since there is no mention in your naration, guess it is good now, but wanted to confirm..Keep writing, excellent work

Bobby

[kannan666]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

How is the road condition of NH 67 through Gudallur? Last year it was in terrible state with craters only an SUV can tackle. Since there is no mention in your naration, guess it is good now, but wanted to confirm..Keep writing, excellent work

Bobby

Road condition is excellent, the roads have been done up recently. However, last time I was there during the first week of March, there was some trench work going on along the highway for around 12kms from Gudalur towards Ooty and that had reduced the road width as the debris was lying by the roadside. This should have been completed by now I guess, other Tbhpians who have used this road lately, please confirm.