Two families embarked on a journey to Kodaikanal, each in their own vehicle—one from Changacherry and the other (my family) from Aluva. Checking Google Maps, the shortest route from Aluva led via Palakkad, Pollachi, and Palani Ghats, while my friend's route from Changancherry went through Kuttikanam, Kumily, and Theni. Since our destinations were the same but our routes varied, we decided to align our paths as much as possible. Thus, I opted for the longer route, with a plan to meet up at Kuttikanam for breakfast. We hit the road at 5:00 AM, guided by Google Maps, navigating through winding roads, ascending and descending hills via Vagamon, and finally reaching Kuttikanam. Despite feeling a bit weary and in need of a restroom break ***** the way, we couldn't find any facilities until we reached our breakfast spot, ‘Teyla’, almost simultaneously. After a quick freshening up, we enjoyed a standard breakfast in a cozy, sunlit ambiance. While my choice of ‘Kallappam’ felt a bit sticky, those who opted for batura or dosa had a more satisfying experience. Continuing our journey towards Kodaikanal, we traversed another winding road to Kumily and Lower Camp, where the highway stretched flawlessly straight to Bathalagundu. ***** the way, we made a pit stop at the base of the hills for tender coconut and restroom use, albeit at a cost of 10 rupees per person for the Indian-style squatting commodes. Here, we couldn't help but notice the overpricing by vendors. We fancied buying fresh fruits and vegetables grown in these mountains, but we could not find the market, only standalone shops selling almost stale fruits and vegetables at an exorbitant price. The ascent to Kodaikanal spanned about 52 kilometers from this point, with reasonably wide roads except for some perilous curves. The scenery was breathtaking, and after a two-hour drive, Google announced our arrival at our destination, ‘Holiday Home Resort’. However, it didn't quite match the pictures we'd seen, prompting us to call the resort once more for directions. Another 5 kilometers later, we finally reached our destination—a sprawling campus with small cottages evenly spread out. Since it was a weekday, check-in was swift. The rooms, though aged, were adequately modernized, with connecting doors between them. However, the bathrooms lacked showers or separate wet/dry areas, and the towels appeared worn. Despite this, the beds were comfortable, ensuring restful nights throughout our three-night stay. Breakfast and lunch were included in our package and proved to be both complimentary and tasty, with a limited spread. Opting not to dine elsewhere due to the lack of value-for-money options, we made the most of our resort's amenities. For activities, we enjoyed a short boat ride on the lake and visited Bryant Park, amidst crowded conditions. Our attempt to visit Guna Caves was thwarted by narrow roads and heavy traffic, prompting us to turn back midway. Traffic jams proved to be the most exhausting asp
自動翻訳