1989 DECEMBER: This was the trip we made to Ooty(Ootacamandalam).Ooty
is about 290 kms south-west of Bangalore.Before going to Ooty we
went to Palani & Karur(Both pilgrimage centres).We had a red Maruthi
van.We were all together four(my father,mother,brother & myself).we
stayed in Ooty for 3 days in one of the forest guest houses which was perfect
place for staying, more homely environment.It had two rooms and a hall
,all the three provided with room heaters and a king size cot.It ahd its
own kitchen and we could make our own food but we didn't since we had taken
food from our house.
It wa evening when we reached here from Palani.We went directly to the
guest house, unpacked our luggage and we went to the lake where we went
for a boat ride.It was nearing dusk when we came back.We ahd our dinner
and slept.The next thing I remember is that I was woken up by the cold
chill breeze blowing through the window which my brother had opened for
viewing the nature outside.That day we went to Doddabetta, a hill
near Ooty.This is when our car began giving trouble.It started to give
jerks.First we thought it was some blockage in the fuel pipe.The matter
got was when it started to stop on the uphill steep roads. Once it stopped
and started rolling backwards.This time we had to place some stones to
the rear wheel and had to push the car forward.After few efforts it started
and went all the way uphill without any trouble.
On the top is a telescope through which you can see the whole of Oozy and
a part of Coonor which is a small town situated near Ooty.From Doddabetta
we went to Dolphin's nose which is a rock formation in the form of
a Dolphin.It looks pretty good. Then we went to Lamb's rock which is a
view point .This is a rock and has a small grill (about4-5ft high) enclosing
it.It is very dangerous for small children as the it is a sheer drop at
the end. As you climb up the rock you feel as though you have been enclosed
by the clouds.The scenery is pretty cool.
Then we saw the botanical garden which is a very big park. It has one of
these world maps designed in the flower beds(cool!!). After the botanical
gardens we went to Coonor,A town about 15kms downhill where the LOUIS PASTEUR
INSTITUTE is situated.Here a beautifuil park called Simm's park is situated
where you can find most of the world's trees.There around a 1000 and more
trees here with all there general and botanical names.
The next day we left for Mysore which is just like a sister town of Bangalore.We
had to travel through the Bandipur National Park which is famous for its
tigers.This route takes us through a steep incline near Theppakadu.After
getting down the incline,our car started giving jerks again.We then somehow
managed to come halfway through the park.At that point of time we saw two
people coming on motorcycle signalling us to stop.We stopped and they told
us that there were some elephants a corner ahead and asked whether they
could come by the side of us so that they would have enough protection.We
told them to come in the left side of our van.We then drove slowly toward
the corner.We saw four elephants standing at the edge of the road.We stopped
our car and waited till the elephants started to go inside the forest.At
that instant the motorcyclist accelerated making a huge noise as his silencer
was not there.This frightened one of the elephants which turned back and
started chasing us.My father accelerated but the car didn't respond quickly
and stated moving slowly.By god's grace then it went very fast .The elephant
chased us for about a distance of 200-300mts and turned back.By this
time we had already gone far enough from near tramplation of the elephant.
After we came out of the forest we started siphoning petrol from a can
to the fuel pump.But this didn't improve the situation.Somehow we reached
Mysore.While returning back to Bangalore my father who is a expert in Mauthi
van got a doubt and replaced the new condenser with the old one.And voila'
, the problem was over and the car did not give any more trouble and we
reached home safely.
I think it was god's grace at that point of time that the car responded
when the elephant attacked else I would not be able to tell you about this
adventurous trip.
[MAIN PAGE] [CARS]
[NEWS] [ABOUT ME]
[NEXT TRIP]