The day wakeup
for us about 3 in the morning and driving out of home by 5AM in two cars, it
was surprise to see still the signals at GST (Grand Southern Trunk) road works
out on behalf a smooth traffic flow was on the road, since the international
airport is on way. It was a pretty
wonderful dawn as we passed the suburb traffic, it was only on such occasions I
get to see the sunrise which was vibrant this time with colorful hues and while
passing the Kolavai Lake of Chengalpattu it glitter so beautiful on water which
I couldn’t capture by poor chance.
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| Mist spread on mountains |
We had our
breakfast somewhere before and near Tiruchi and lunch on the hills half way to
Kodaikanal, which we usual have at Tiruchi and only this time we were earlier
on hills. The sun beating heavily at the foothills went gradually rising down
as our msl level rose… the mist and clouds began to cool us under its white
blankets and shower later. We had no
idea about rain as we come across the day with heavy sunshine; the bags tie to
the roof rails were supposed to drench escaped with mild wet cloths.
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| Cousin sis Deepika collects Yellow Mimosa (see the flower at last pic) |
As we reached the
CSI Retreat Center House beside the Kodaikanal Lake by the late afternoon
enthralled me in its pleasing cold and pleasant stay environment among the
woods and lawn. It was just like a home stay where breakfast and dinner were
provided by the retreat center and the Yorke House allotted for us has a spacious
hall and a dormitory to accommodate 20 plus people, and it was like a dream
come true of staying together with dear ones under single tiled roof.
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| Jungle Myna |
The house came entirely
under our control and there are round tables for chatting and playing cards and
having dinner together… even there’s a TV in the hall we aren’t interested to
watch and more than it wasn’t playing gladly. Being nearby lake, dad and uncle
went on their way walking after a small refresh and tea, we kept chatting and I
was flashing around and found a couple of jungle mynas retreat at the lawn and there
was a dog lookalike a husky in spiky
hairstyle! Lol
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| Spiky hair dog! |
My uncle’s
family is a regular visitor to the CSI Retreat Center and my cousin used to say
Bison or Indian gaurs are regular visitor to the retreat center for grazing
and two days before our arrive too there were bison’s around the house, says
the manager. But till we left the place staying there for 3 days, there wasn’t
a bison but we saw a herd of them next to the Bryant Park’s forest area which extends
beyond the CSI Retreat Center.
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| Indian guar captured near Bryant Park |
It was a newly experience
for me to sleep in a dormitory with cots one above another and it was indeed
fun being together with cousins and even after lights turn off, we kept
chatting and teasing like nothing. The younger once are all sent to sleep at upper
berth and elders remained at the lower along with me and it was somehow warm at
the lower berth since the contact with cold roof is prevented. It was quite
wonderful being together and sharing our space and lean hands which I wish continues
not only on this occasion alone.
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| Yellow Mimosa |
More on the
vacation is yet to continue…
