Fortunately it did not rain in the morning and the night before, so we were able to settle the bills and start from the resort to Kolli hills, the final leg of our journey by 6.30 pm. It was quite dark and the fog was still hanging in the air. It was Oct. 2nd, my birthday. Before leaving the Ooty town filled up the petrol tank. Half way through the down hill journey there was lot of on coming traffic because of the rush to spend the long week end in Ooty.
By 8.15 am we reached the outskirts of Mettupalayam town and stopped at the first hotel for the breakfast of idli and coffee. Then for the next four hours it was a journey through various towns like Avinashi, Perundurai, Erode, Thiruchengode and Namakkal. In this Erode and Namakkal are big towns, both are respective district head quarters. After Namakkal taking a right turn in the village of Kalappanaickan patti and travelling around 25 km we reached the village of Karavalli. Karavalli is at the starting point of the climb to Kolli hills. We filled up petrol and took a break of 15 mts before the climb. If you miss this petrol bunk don't worry, there is one more petrol bunk in Kolli Hills at Solakkadu. Solakkadu is before Semmedu. There is entry charge for cars at this road. The road has 70 hairpin bends. If you are climbing up or down during the weekend just be cautious because some of the youth mostly riding their motor bikes could be reckless.
I had booked the room in the Nallathambi resort and we reached this place by 1.30 pm. The rooms are cottage type and one can park the car in front of the cottage. We freshened up and had our south Indian Thali after nearly two weeks of either biryani or roti.
By 8.15 am we reached the outskirts of Mettupalayam town and stopped at the first hotel for the breakfast of idli and coffee. Then for the next four hours it was a journey through various towns like Avinashi, Perundurai, Erode, Thiruchengode and Namakkal. In this Erode and Namakkal are big towns, both are respective district head quarters. After Namakkal taking a right turn in the village of Kalappanaickan patti and travelling around 25 km we reached the village of Karavalli. Karavalli is at the starting point of the climb to Kolli hills. We filled up petrol and took a break of 15 mts before the climb. If you miss this petrol bunk don't worry, there is one more petrol bunk in Kolli Hills at Solakkadu. Solakkadu is before Semmedu. There is entry charge for cars at this road. The road has 70 hairpin bends. If you are climbing up or down during the weekend just be cautious because some of the youth mostly riding their motor bikes could be reckless.
I had booked the room in the Nallathambi resort and we reached this place by 1.30 pm. The rooms are cottage type and one can park the car in front of the cottage. We freshened up and had our south Indian Thali after nearly two weeks of either biryani or roti.
After an hours rest our first visit was to Seeku Parai, i.e "The Sick Rock", if you literally translate into English. The face of the rock which you see from this point has nodule like projections which looks line someone having a skin disease. Though the name is sickening, this is one of the beautiful scenic view points you could see. One can have the view of the whole valley below.
We spent more than half hour by the side of the boat house watching people pedaling the rickety boats in the small lake. A good place to sit and watch but not worth hiring the pedal boats. We were back to the resort early in the evening. The dinner was at 8 pm and the taste was good. With the tv not working we went to bed early.
We spent more than half hour by the side of the boat house watching people pedaling the rickety boats in the small lake. A good place to sit and watch but not worth hiring the pedal boats. We were back to the resort early in the evening. The dinner was at 8 pm and the taste was good. With the tv not working we went to bed early.
After the morning break fast of dosa and we went to the Ettukai Amman temple which was around 9 km from the resort. The temple which is for mother Kali is small, little away from the nearest forest and must have been a dense forest long time ago.
Driving another three km we reached the Maasila falls. One of the beautiful falls one can see. Though not big, the falls comes down in two levels, the upper falls a thing of beauty. Another four kilometers of drive and a tiring trek on the hill for almost three kilometers we reached the Maasi Periasamy temple. The temple is small but the locals and people from the nearby towns believe that this god is a very powerful god and fulfills one's wishes. We were totally exhausted on the trek up & down. Carry water and if required some eatables because nothing is available on the way or up the hill.
Arapaleeswarar temple was the next stop but by the time reached the temple was closed for lunch. The Aagaya Gangai falls is at this location but once again it is a climb down of 1005 steps. We did not venture that after the tough trek to Maasi Periasamy temple. I have visited the temple & the falls in the earlier visit.
It was back to resort, lunch and rest for the remainder of the day. Father went for a short walk.
Next day we started at 8.30 am to Chennai, travelling via Attur, Ulundurpet ad Tindivanam. After lunch at Ulundurpet, reached Chennai at around 2.30 pm. A good two weeks of journey through some of the beautiful spots of south India.
Driving another three km we reached the Maasila falls. One of the beautiful falls one can see. Though not big, the falls comes down in two levels, the upper falls a thing of beauty. Another four kilometers of drive and a tiring trek on the hill for almost three kilometers we reached the Maasi Periasamy temple. The temple is small but the locals and people from the nearby towns believe that this god is a very powerful god and fulfills one's wishes. We were totally exhausted on the trek up & down. Carry water and if required some eatables because nothing is available on the way or up the hill.
Arapaleeswarar temple was the next stop but by the time reached the temple was closed for lunch. The Aagaya Gangai falls is at this location but once again it is a climb down of 1005 steps. We did not venture that after the tough trek to Maasi Periasamy temple. I have visited the temple & the falls in the earlier visit.
It was back to resort, lunch and rest for the remainder of the day. Father went for a short walk.
Next day we started at 8.30 am to Chennai, travelling via Attur, Ulundurpet ad Tindivanam. After lunch at Ulundurpet, reached Chennai at around 2.30 pm. A good two weeks of journey through some of the beautiful spots of south India.