Things That Bang

People tend to have their favorite haunts. They may roam around the world but find themselves frequently returning to certain places to rejuvenate. For me, Ootacamund or Ooty in Tamil Nadu is the place to be in. There are other places that are more beautiful, less crowded and perhaps even closer to Bangalore but the gentle beauty of the Nilgiris mountains and the amicable nature of the Ooty people made me wish I could make Ooty my second home.

There is more to Ooty than indulging in tourist activities like boating, pony rides or walking around the main city center. Ooty has a gorgeous Golf course and the Gymkhana club is the place to stay at. The service is spectacular at the club and the food is light and scrumptious.

It is best to go off-season. Ooty nowadays is cold without being damp. Warm clothes are a must but one can buy extra woolens at Mohan's. Mohan's is a versatile store which has things ranging from antique furniture, marble statues, rugs, paintings, clothes, toys etc. People who visit Ooty must visit Mohan's to check their furniture as most of their stuff costs far less than whats available in Bangalore. Make sure you ask to see their well-stocked warehouse.

For good food there are a couple of good places which serve awesome food. There are two Coffee Day Cafes, the hotels have good restaurants but my favorite restaurant happens to be a Chinese restaurant called Shinkow which was started in the 1940s and comes highly recommended by the locals as well. King's Cliff is a small and well-situated hotel worth staying at or at least having lunch.

Apart from Ooty, one can do some sightseeing at Coonoor which has tea estates and is well known for its scenic beauty. The central parts of both towns - Ooty and Coonoor - have sufferred the usual overcrowding, yet one gets some great stuff in the shops, and particularly at the Tibetan market.

While driving up to Ooty, one must remember to honk at the 36 hairpin bends and drive either on the first or second gear. The drive through the forest reserves of Bandipur and Mudhumalai refresh the soul and one may even spot some deer, bison or elephants en route to Ooty.

For a weekend getaway Ooty is a good option.