One last trip
Steph and I spent an absolutely wonderful weekend in Kodaikanal – it was both of our favorite places yet. The first thing that we noticed about this mountain town at 7500ft was the cooler temperature. It was downright cold at night! But compared to the 100’s of Madurai – it was a welcome relief. The scenery was so different from the other parts of India that we’ve seen, and at times, we had to remind ourselves that we were in India.
They had incredible shopping for jewelry, pottery, and scarves at unbelievable bargain prices – and you all know what a bargain shopper I am! We had a couple of delicious meals of Tibetan noodle soups and momos (kind of like dumplings) that took Steph back to her Tibetan travels. I’ll admittedly appreciate anything but Indian at this point. I never thought I’d say it, but I’m really sick of Indian food. We visited the markets – they grow incredible fruits and vegetables up here. We took in the breathtaking views of the valley from Coaker’s Walk and walked around the lake, giggling at all of the Indian men out in the paddleboats – they were all laughing and waving – it doesn’t take much to bring a smile to their faces.
At our inn, during breakfast in the English garden, we chatted with a couple from Paris that we had also run into Madurai – he was Indian, and she was Caucasian, and they had two absolutely beautiful boys. Before coming here, I would have thought it crazy to bring kids here, but if you’ve got the time and you can afford the plane fare, I now think it’s a great place. Europe is just so completely lost on pre-teens and India could be such an adventure for them, the zoo like atmosphere with animals everywhere, and the colors and sounds. She told us that although she and her husband had been sick, the kids had been fine, and were just having a great time, and loving the trip.
The bus ride home was rather miserable, I have to admit. Steph and I had to stand for the first hour. I really don’t mind standing that much, but it was the view that killed me. From that perspective, it was so much easier to see down the steep ravines on the side of the road, the close calls with oncoming traffic, as well as the swaying of the bus towards the cliff’s edge as it took hairpin turns at horrifying speeds. At one point on the ride the left, back corner of the bus did actually hit a passing truck, but apparently not enough that either driver felt like stopping. It gave those of us in the back quite a scare, though. It was only after we had safely arrived in Madurai that Steph filled me in about the bus accident that she had experienced in Nepal. Although no one was hurt, the two buses had become entangled, and they been stranded for hours.
Just a couple more days and then we head home.
They had incredible shopping for jewelry, pottery, and scarves at unbelievable bargain prices – and you all know what a bargain shopper I am! We had a couple of delicious meals of Tibetan noodle soups and momos (kind of like dumplings) that took Steph back to her Tibetan travels. I’ll admittedly appreciate anything but Indian at this point. I never thought I’d say it, but I’m really sick of Indian food. We visited the markets – they grow incredible fruits and vegetables up here. We took in the breathtaking views of the valley from Coaker’s Walk and walked around the lake, giggling at all of the Indian men out in the paddleboats – they were all laughing and waving – it doesn’t take much to bring a smile to their faces.
At our inn, during breakfast in the English garden, we chatted with a couple from Paris that we had also run into Madurai – he was Indian, and she was Caucasian, and they had two absolutely beautiful boys. Before coming here, I would have thought it crazy to bring kids here, but if you’ve got the time and you can afford the plane fare, I now think it’s a great place. Europe is just so completely lost on pre-teens and India could be such an adventure for them, the zoo like atmosphere with animals everywhere, and the colors and sounds. She told us that although she and her husband had been sick, the kids had been fine, and were just having a great time, and loving the trip.
The bus ride home was rather miserable, I have to admit. Steph and I had to stand for the first hour. I really don’t mind standing that much, but it was the view that killed me. From that perspective, it was so much easier to see down the steep ravines on the side of the road, the close calls with oncoming traffic, as well as the swaying of the bus towards the cliff’s edge as it took hairpin turns at horrifying speeds. At one point on the ride the left, back corner of the bus did actually hit a passing truck, but apparently not enough that either driver felt like stopping. It gave those of us in the back quite a scare, though. It was only after we had safely arrived in Madurai that Steph filled me in about the bus accident that she had experienced in Nepal. Although no one was hurt, the two buses had become entangled, and they been stranded for hours.
Just a couple more days and then we head home.
posted by An Indian Summer - Katherine Scott @ 9:19 PM
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