Heaven on Earth

Heaven on Earth
By V Ramasamy

I firmly believe that travel enhance one’s horizon. I always look for the opportunity to undertake travel to visit new places. Two years back when I decided to go to my hometown in Tamil Nadu I decided to visit ooty as I realized that though I was in Tamil Nadu for so many years, I did not get an opportunity to visit Ooty.

I immediately booked my accommodation before I booked train tickets for the journey. I came to know that they were two mode of travel to reach Ooty. One from Coimbatore by road and it will take me to Ooty in one hour. The other is from Mettupalayam by train. It will take me to Ooty by four and half hours. I decided to take train journey despite its long running hours. After getting down at Mettupalayam I boarded the Ooty train.

The very appearance of the mini train enthralled me. When the train started, the speed was just better than our walking speed. But after one hour travel, I realized that it must be the best way to reach Ooty. Yes if you want to explore the Nilgiri Hills, you must travel by this train. It crossed through 16 tunnels and 250 bridges. View from the train was really breathtaking.

A British couple, who are also travelling with me in the same compartment and were enjoying every moment and often got exited, I engaged a conversation with them. They told me that though they have visited some of the best places, it is really a unique experience for us and it will be etched in our memory for a long. They also told me that it is really a technological marvel and you have to thank British for this. After hearing this comment I was shocked as I felt that they had hurt my national pride, but after few seconds I realized that the truth in their statement. Yes, we have to be thankful to the British for the entire railway network in India.

The train stopped for a while at Coonnoor. I just alighted from the train to enjoy its coolness. The ambience, climate and its greenery refreshed our soul and mind. When I got down from the train at Ooty, I immediately felt the purity of the air. It was invigorating. I was completely enchanted by the scenic beauty. Spending my time in botanical garden was the best way to commune with the nature. A stroll on the roads of Ooty while drizzling will stimulate you. The view of tea gardens is a real feast to your eyes. You would never want to come back if you visit the Rose Garden. Doddabeta will certainly give you a chance to touch the clouds. After spending three days in Ooty, I realized that I got a much needed reprieve from dust and pollution. Though I visited few hill stations, undoubtedly Ooty is the best I have ever seen. Unfortunately I can not quit my job; otherwise I would prefer to spend rest of my life by exploring this blue mountain.

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