Coonoor - Moment of Ukiyo

 It's time for the continuation of my previous blog about my trip to Ooty. I'm writing this on a Sunday after receiving an ultimatum from a reader. Although, that was a motivational push for me. Also, today's topic happens to be indescribable because whatever I happened to feel in the moment is too huge to be put into words. Has it ever happened to you? A moment in your life that took your breath away, where your eyes remained fixated, where it felt futile to do something, where words lost it's meaning. A moment of blissfulness which led you to close your eyes, pause your breath and absorb all of it in you. Or rather, let yourself immerse into the moment. That's it. That was the feeling that kept going with me the entire day. 

The day started with a rush as it was the last day of the trip. We still had a lot left, to witness. Dressing up, breakfast, everything was on schedule. Somehow we managed to get out of the cozy blanket which filled us with warmth amid the shaking cold weather. The morning in Ooty with a cup of tea on the terrace was what I needed. The breeze felt like a kiss on my forehead, everything around me felt dramatic. It was me romanticizing each moment there. 

Anyway, the feelings turned tiresome as we spent hours waiting for the car to arrive. Ooty was overbooked. Vehicles and people struggled to move around. However, we managed to kill our time by capturing ourselves : photos, reels, bloopers and hundred of them. 

It was quarter to noon when the car finally made it's way. The journey began with saying "dugga dugga" as we enroute for Coonoor. 

Coonoor is a town that floats amongst the Nilgiri Hills. The car ride was definitely fascinating to everyone but to me, it was witnessing the fleeting and transient beauty out my window that captured my heart and soul. 

We made our first stop at Valley Viewpoint, It was situated somewhere in between Ooty and Coonoor. A point from where you could watch the entire Ketti valley set beneath you. The sunshine played hide and seek between the clouds. A cup of hot chocolate and steamed sweet corn was the icing on the cake. 

After a short halt, we proceeded down the valley to enter Coonoor. As we passed the Madras Regiment and Wellington to Sim's Park, the sight captivated me. The British Colonial Architecture, stilt houses built on slopes and some impeccable bungalows, all co-existed within the natural artistry. We witnessed the Fruit Show held in Sim's Park which had many structures made up of fruits. It was not something that caught my attention and honestly, walking in that steeeep park was no less than hiking a mountain. 

We proceeded towards the Dolphin Nose View Point, which took us far from the town, somewhere in the laps of Nilgiris. The scenery filled me with the feeling of joy for being connected to the beauty of nature. The car took several turns around the edges of the narrow road. Both the sides of the road had several tea gardens. The mist gently caressed the rolling hills as we moved along the tea gardens. I felt a sense of harmony and serenity, as if I entered a living painting. The vibrant colors of the flowers and lush greenery painted a picture. The fragrance of freshness lingered in the air, making me feel at peace. 

On the way, we met with a long traffic. As I sat in my car, trapped in the slow-moving traffic on a narrow road at the edge of the Nilgiri Mountains, frustration and impatience began to build. But as I glanced out of the window, my irritation melted away, replaced by sheer awe and wonder. The peaks seemed to touch the sky, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the picturesque landscape. A gentle breeze wafted through the open window, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of wildflowers and the refreshing scent of pine trees. The air felt crisp, making me forget the congestion and embrace the moment of tranquility and the sweetness in my mom and dad's commentary over the traffic situation and their constant efforts to translate the Tamil spoken by others to have a better understanding of the situation.

In the distance, a waterfall cascaded down the mountainside, its silver-white ribbon contrasting against the rich green foliage. It made the traffic seem like a distant memory.

I rolled down the windows completely and let the cool mountain air fill the car. The sight and sounds of nature were a balm to my soul, reminding me of the beauty that surrounded me even in the most unexpected moments. As the traffic eventually cleared, I found myself reluctant to leave this paradise. But I knew that the memory of witnessing the beauty of nature amidst the Nilgiri Mountains would stay with me forever, serving as a reminder that even in the midst of congestion and chaos, nature's grace could transport me to a world of serenity and wonder.

At the Dolphin Nose View Point, I stood at the cliff, reaching the peak of the beauty. I just wanted to be engulfed by nature at that point. Time flew by faster than I had anticipated as the traffic took most of it, and before I knew it, I realized I had spent more time mesmerized by the mountains than planned. Our stomachs growled, reminding us that we needed to get going if we wanted to experience more of the day. But not before buying some of the famous tea Coonoor was renowned for. The aroma of freshly brewed tea greeted us.. We quickly purchased few packs of the finest tea leaves, knowing it would be a wonderful souvenir to cherish the memories of this trip.

Now, with a limited window for lunch, we hurriedly made our way to the cafe - La Belle Vie @180 Mciver. As I walked through the doors of the cafe, my heart skipped a beat with excitement. It was the very place that had graced my all-time favorite film, "Kapoor & Sons." The dreamy feeling of stepping into a world where reel life met reality was overwhelming.

The familiar ambiance of the cafe instantly transported me back to the heartwarming scenes of the movie. I couldn't help but reminisce about the heartfelt scenes that had taken place right where I stood. Every nook and corner seemed to hold a piece of the film's magic, and I was living my dream of being a part of it. Standing there, I took a moment to absorb the surroundings. The walls adorned with vintage frames and quirky decor pieces resonated with the charm and nostalgia that had captured my heart in the movie. I felt like a character in the story, relishing the feeling of being a part of something so special. 

Unfortunately, the cafe didn't start serving food till 7 in the evening and we did not have any more time to spare. We couldn't stop ourselves from clicking pictures as it was a 'once in a lifetime' moment. My sister and I were running around the place like crazy to capture all the corners in time. Our parents were rushing us to come back but it was too difficult to let go. We had a bus to catch and we were almost running out of time. So, we decided to rush back to Ooty and get some food there. My heart was heavy while leaving the place. It was a moment of dream come true for my sister and me.

As the night covered the hillside, we found ourselves on a narrow and curvy road at the edge of the hill, racing against time to catch the bus from Ooty. The darkness outside only intensified the urgency of our situation, and the road seemed to wind endlessly before us. The car's headlights cut through the darkness. With each twist and turn, our hearts raced as we felt the thrill of the unknown, the adrenaline rush through our veins. The speed of the car was both exhilarating and scary, but we knew we had to push forward if we were to make it in time.

The clock was ticking, and as the minutes slipped away, we felt the pressure mounting. 

Finally, as the road straightened out, we reached our destination on time. A sigh of relief washed over us, but there was no time to waste. We rushed out of the car, grabbed our luggage, and ran towards the bus, just in the nick of time. 

However, we had very little time to buy dinner before the bus departed for its destination. We ran towards a nearby restaurant, making a swift decision on what to eat.

As we savored our meal, there was a sense of satisfaction that only comes after a thrilling adventure. The taste of the food seemed to be even more satisfying, knowing that we had overcome the odds and embraced the rush of the moment.

In the midst of the experience, we had found excitement, determination, and camaraderie. It was an adventure we would remember and cherish, a tale to be retold with laughter and fondness in the years to come. And as the bus rolled on towards Bangalore, we couldn't help but feel grateful for the adventurous trip we experienced.