There are several places that one can go for a holiday. But, there are some places that remain in your memory for the rest of your life. So, it is important that we share such experiences with others. If we do so, then it can also motivate others to go to such places and gain some life experience. It can even help others build some good memories. So, today, I will share with you my experience of my trip to the Queen of Hill station – Ooty.
Ooty is often called the Queen of Hill station. It has been one of the most widely acclaimed and applauded hill stations of India, due to its natural beauty. With every passing moment, I was starting to realize the beauty that awaited me in the state of Tamil Nadu.
So, my journey started in the “City of Joy” – Kolkata. As the train chugged from the Howrah station, the astonishing lights and the deafening noise of the city were slowly fading away from me. Steadily, the scene was taken over by the lush green fields and some villages in some distant corners.
The train journey was from Kolkata to Coimbatore, the nearest railway station to Ooty. The train journey was not only about the scenic beauty. But, it was also about the iconic railway food, that we are used to getting in our Indian railways. The general light snacks also changed from state to state. The vendors started with the famous Jhal Murhi in Kolkata and changed to idly, vada, dosa, and several other savories by the end of the train journey.
The next morning, a new environment awaited me at the station of Coimbatore. From there, I started my dream journey towards the hill station of Ooty. The mesmerizing twists and turns of the roads made me even more excited for my upcoming destination. The green surroundings along with the fresh air of the Nilgiri Hills create an awe-inspiring experience. The experience will make you think twice before exploring any area, as every place near you will have something unique to explore.
Then, came the chance to have a look at my cottage, which I had booked for my stay at Ooty. The cottage was a small, simple place with the basic and modern necessities that one would need on a daily basis. The place had a great ambiance, and the aesthetic appeal created a homely feeling for all.
Another memorable moment was the journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the perfect blend of human craftsmanship along with the beauty of nature. The journey in the toy train was mesmerizing, as the vintage locomotive chugged along the lush green forest and beautiful scenic villages. The places had a sense of aura that can only be experienced when you actually see it.
The local tea gardens gave a sense of freshness to the environment and begged us to have a taste of the local tea. Then, came the opportunity to have a look at the Government Botanical Garden. The garden had several varieties of flowers and species of plants that were several years old. The place gave us a glimpse of the real identity of nature and its beauty in plain sight.
Then, it was time for some quenching of thirst and fulfilling our hunger. For that, we headed towards one of the tea places that serves one of the best tea in the entire Ooty. So, culinary delights are one of the best memories of Ooty. The taste of the delicious and stunning pastries and cakes gave me goosebumps regarding the hidden qualities of the place. It was also depicted by the several bakeries, which give us an idea of the past of the place and the best outcomes of the era that made it famous.
The most delightful thing to taste in Ooty is the Ooty Varkey. It is made up of cardamom, butter, sugar, and wheat flour. It is a great companion as a snack while exploring the beauty of Ooty with your naked eyes. It can even be replaced with the delight of a piping hot soup. So, those who love something hot can have a taste of the wonderful soup that you can get in Ooty. It is absolutely delicious and can soothe your soul with satisfaction.
Other than the above, the food culture in Ooty also includes some South-Indian delicacies. Some of them can be idly, dosa, sambhar, and even coconut chutney. All of these dishes are made up of locally sourced items. Also, these dishes present to you the variety that Ooty offers in its food.
Apart from all of this, there are also several types of chocolates that one can taste in Ooty. The chocolates are famous for their soft texture along with their exceptional taste. The chocolates are made from locally sourced cocoa and are great even for health to some extent. There are a variety of chocolates that one can have, like white chocolate, dark chocolate, and milk chocolate.
Along with all of these, people who love street food can also have a taste of some delicious street food in Ooty. You can get chaat, deep-fried items like pakoras, and other delicacies here also.
After the entire day of roaming around, it was time for the sun to set. With the evening light on my face, it was time for me to get back to my cottage and get some rest. The trip was for two days, which showed me the different faces of Ooty. A place like Ooty is an example of how a hill station can be mesmerizing and soothing at the same time. It can be due to the various factors discussed above, along with the values that people have for such places.
The sheer fact that such places exist is an example of the valuable gifts that Mother Nature has for us. But, it is also our social responsibility to keep such places clean. These places can often transport you to a different world, and that can only happen if we try and keep such places intact for future generations.
By: Raunak Jha
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