In October, the northeast monsoon had already reached Chennai. News reports warned of heavy rain in parts of Tamil Nadu, including the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Dindigul. We nevertheless set off to spend our close friend's final bachelor days in the blue mountains.
I have always felt that travel begins with the desire to go, rather than with a superbike or a credit card. But enthusiasm does not make bad weather safe. This is a memory of our journey, not a suggestion to ignore weather alerts or travel restrictions.
From Chennai to Coimbatore
We left Chennai and reached Coimbatore early in the morning. I have always associated Kovai with respectful conversation and its position as a starting point for so many journeys.
In my trip notes, the distances from Coimbatore were approximately 84 km to Ooty, 156 km to Munnar and 44 km to Pollachi. Wayanad, Valparai, Mysore, Palakkad and Thekkady were other possibilities. The list seemed to grow the more we thought about exploring.
Taking the Kotagiri Road to Ooty
For this trip, we chose the Kotagiri road instead of the route through Coonoor. The climb brought changing weather, green tea plantations and the familiar pleasure of travelling towards Ooty: cool air, hot tea, eucalyptus and wooded hills.
The route felt quieter during our visit. We stopped for tea, and the landscape held our attention. Water struck rocks somewhere nearby, birds called, and a single roof stood among the green slopes.
We sat on a stone bench beside the road, listening to songs close to our hearts. The aroma of tea leaves, the view and the warmth of the cup made this one of the most peaceful moments of the journey. I still struggle to put that feeling into words.
The Walk to Catherine Falls
After our tea stop, we drove towards Catherine Falls. We followed a narrow trail through tea estates, passing plantation workers' homes on the slope before descending towards the water.
The path was slippery and required careful footing. It would have been difficult for anyone who was uncomfortable with an uneven, steep walk. After about 15 minutes, the trail took us into denser vegetation, with the sound of falling water drawing us onwards.
The current was strong, so we did not bathe. Instead, we enjoyed the sight and sound of the falls, surrounded by trees, shrubs and birdsong. At nature's feet, everyone seems to become a poet; we were no exception.
Fresh Biscuits on the Way to Kotagiri
On the drive from Catherine Falls towards Kotagiri, we came across a small biscuit factory after the Darmona Tea Factory on Monana Road. The smell of baking persuaded us to stop.
The biscuits were fresh and warm. Even now, I find it difficult to describe how good they tasted. It was a reminder that a small, unexpected food stop can become as memorable as the destination itself.
A Detour to Kodanadu Viewpoint
At Kotagiri, we reached a junction where the left turn would take us towards Ooty. We chose the right turn instead, towards Kodanadu viewpoint.
There was little traffic during our visit. The road, weather and surrounding hills seemed to fit together perfectly. As we drove, the view opened onto valleys, mountain ranges, forest, waterfalls and drifting mist.
We found many places where we wanted to pause and take photographs. Kodanadu gave us a different experience of the Nilgiris, and the journey along the Kotagiri road became one of the highlights of our trip.
What Stayed With Me
Ooty may have been the destination, but the tea stall, the walk to the falls, the fresh biscuits and the detour were what gave the journey its character.
We travel to discover other places, other lives and other souls. Sometimes the quiet moments along the road stay with us longest.
Photographs From Our Journey
