After nearly three and a half years of "gap," or my first long vacation post-COVID, happened suddenly last week. We went to our customary destination, which, if you have guessed, is none other than Kodaikanal. We stayed at our uncle's woodhouse, Smokey Haven, in half of the hills of Kodaikanal named Thandikudi.
My brother had a few days off and wanted to go on a trip. I was not in the mood to travel and had no intentions of traveling during this bitterly cold winter in the highlands. He convinced or was coerced into convicting us of causing ourselves damage with cold. In real life, we suffered, but we managed to breathe through sunny, cold, rainy, and foggy days.
.jpg)
We left home at 7.30 a.m. and arrived at our destination only at 9 p.m., covering a distance of approximately 500 kilometers. It was January 26, Republic Day in India, with only one day off for the weekend; many seemed to take a day off to extend the holiday, hit the road either for tourism or a hometown drive, which contributed to delaying our trip, aside from a few stops to rest for the brother who drove the entire trip.
.jpg) |
| The restaurant where we bought lunch |
We usually have lunch in Trichy or would have crossed the same by the time, but this time we had our evening tea in Trichy and bought dinner in Dindugul to eat at the woodhouse because it would be demanding to make our own, and there cook was also out of town. It was quite dark when we started climbing the hills, and we are left blind if there is no car light and the guiding angel, the moon. 
Driving on a highway with a twilight sky
Thandikudi (the location of the uncle's wood house) has a separate route from going to Bathalagundu and following the main road to Kodaikanal; it has the slightest traffic. I usually have my mobile in hand when riding on this road to take photos, but this time I couldn't take shots beyond the scene above. The one below is a sunny day photo from the next morning with a refreshing sight of orange vines across the gateway of the woodhouse.
...I see those orange vine in Maui too, but I don't know the name.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to go on a trip, hope you had a great time
ReplyDeleteThe orange vines are amazing, Jeevan. What kind are they?
ReplyDeleteSo nice to finally get out. Sounds like a good trip!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are happy that you made the trip, even if it did take a long time to get to your destination. A change of scenery is often good for te soul.
ReplyDeleteOh my that hanging arch of flowers on a vine is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am sure it felt nice to go on a great trip.
The flowers at the end at beautiful.
Hello Jeevan :=)
ReplyDeleteGoing on an unexpected trip is usually more fun than a planned excursion. I love the impressive orange flowers.They look a bit like the flowers of the Trumpet Vine. Have an enjoyable stay Jeevan, and share your photos with us in your next post.
All the best.
Orange vines are beautiful and glad you got out for a brief trip and the moon guided you ~ namaste,
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Glad your brother managed to convinced you to go on the trip. The orange vine is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to go on a nice vacation.
ReplyDeleteHope u had a good time in kodai
ReplyDelete