Kodaikanal to Udagamandalam (Otty)

Monday, June 9, 08
Leaving Kodai at 9:00, we head down the winding, hair pin curves. To go to Otty, we must first re-enter the plains. But, these plains are on the western side of the continent, west side of the Ghats. Palani, where we stop for gas, I see, for the first time, "Elephant Crossing." On a bridge the right lane is closed because a woman is drying some seeds on the cement. All simply move around her as she sweeps the strays which have been blown away by the passing cars. Again a first, just outside of Palani, large windmills generating electrical power.
On to Tirupur, hosiery capital of India. Oh, the pollution being generated. The streams are smelly, discolored from the dyes and strong chemicals. Sweat shops are being used, but not visibly.
We begin the climb back into the Ghats, this part known as the Nilgiris, re known for its teas. These hair-pins make the descent out of Kodai look tame. Driving through Coonoor, I take notice, knowing I will return here tomorrow on the train. The distance now is only around 19 km and that part goes quickly. But, just before entering Otty, we stop for some tea. This tea is orange, rather than milky, and has a unique taste. The chai maker can't speak much English and is just pleased to see us there at his road side shop.
Otty is more of a hill town than Kodai which felt like a hill resort. Otty is in a bowl so the town opens up whereas Kodai is steeper hills which hides the town from itself. An amusement park is at the edge of the lake. The bus station and train station are near each other which is handy. A racecourse is at the bottom of the bowl, near the lake, across from the bus station. Horses, donkeys and cows share the road with the rest of us. The lake is further across than in Kodai, but there aren't the fingers. This is Otty, the Queen of the Hill Resorts, as the sign reads.