Day 2, Coimbatore - Ooty : 19 June 2010

“Wakey, wakey….” I bet everyone struggled to open their sleepy eyes. The beds were not exactly the most comfortable and there were several distractions - the television and the company of our friends. After breakfast, we made our way to the nearby museum named after G.D Naidu, one of India’s famous inventor. The museum is similar to our Science Centre with its numerous mathematical and science exhibits. Of particular interest were the exhibits spanning a timeline. For example, we were captivated by how much the television had improved over the years from the black and white variety to the present ones.

Also, the different types of mirrors instantly intrigued us with their different distortions of our bodies. If only we could bring our cameras along (cameras were not allowed!), we would have taken a picture of ourselves with a freaking long body and short legs. Cool! Most of the girls flocked to the first mirror as it made them appear very skinny, making them look slimmer and better!?? Girls!!



We then moved to a stationery shop to get some gifts. A few of us bought some items but the walk from the bus to the shop was the main highlight. We were bemused by the hectic lifestyles of the Indians. We were not accustomed to jostling with other pedestrians and at the same time keeping an eye for stray vehicles. The traffic lights were few and pedestrian crossings rare. We wondered whether these prompted many to jay walk.









Then, we continued to venture on to Ooty braving the hair pin bends up the mountain. There was also a change in weather with many of us donning our jackets in response to the chilly atmosphere. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called “Quality” which was an irony. The food wasn’t really of “quality”. But then, we were exhausted and ate anyway. Those who felt rather ill on our way up the mountain felt rejuvenated and were able to participate in the tea factory tour. The aroma of the tea leaves reminded us of ‘teh halia’ back home. It was just what we needed. It is amazing that tea provides immense pleasure to the millions of tea drinkers worldwide and yet, the process of harvesting and processing the tea leaves is simple. We are reminded that there are indeed simple pleasures in life.







We were told by the tour guide to “Expect the Unexpected” but most of us were unbelievers until we were caught in the heavy rain on our way into the Botanic Gardens. The boys were hoping to sneak a game of soccer and hence brought a ball along. However, their hopes were dashed when the gloomy sky and booming thunder signalled the start of a heavy downpour and a frenzied rush for shelter. Everyone was cramped into a small shelter. We were all desperately trying to prevent our branded clothes from being soaked in the rain and shoes from being stained by the murky water intent on drowning our feet. We were such a sorry sight to the locals :)

Thankfully, we were saved by a plan B (Plan A was a stroll in the Botanic Gardens) which gave us the opportunity to sit in a Tuk-tuk, India’s form of a taxi. It was pretty fun but at the same time chilly. Everyone came back shivering in cold. Soon (thankfully) we reached our hotel and prepared ourselves for the following day. Today was a tiring day, but who knows what tomorrow will bring us.