Blogs from Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia - page 6

"Mamu pa tata" se imenuje naslednje mestece;po moje seveda, drugace pa Mamallapuram. Majhno obmorsko mestece, ki slovi po starih templjih izklesanih iz ene ogromne skale/hriba in kamnitih slonih. Za turiste pa je tu izklesovanje kipcev, katerih cena preseze najin budget. Lahko pa si ga izdelas sam, najbrz po polovicni ceni in zgreseni izvedbi, ce bi midva probala bi najbr ostal samo majhen kamencek in prah na koncu. Plaza je res taksna kot jo opisujejo, dolga cudovita in pescena, le tezko jo je opaziti ko je na njej toliko smeti in ribicev z mrezami. Vmes se sprehajajo se obvezne krave in pa nekaj romarjev, ki se tudi edini namakajo v morju. Indijci seveda vecinoma ne znajo plavati, in tudi nimajo bazenov kot jih poznamo mi. Povsod imajo le 'tank' ki spada pod tempelj in del obreda je ... read more

This morning wasn't great as I've been stuffy/itchy/sniffly and it seemed to be at it's worst and I'm fed up with it. Got the toy train to a place (I forget the stop name) where we visited a tea factory to learn 'what is tea?' Wasn't in best of moods but did enjoy it an take few snaps on my phone as we had to pay for camera use but not phone cameras. The guy taking us round started by demanding we answer 'what is tea?' then continued to ask. He was a bit scary, demanding that people get in pictures and that we touch and feel everything - even grabbing Sarah's wrist at one point and making her feel air that was blowing on the tea when she didn't go to do it herself. Was ... read more

Nilgiris - Blue Mountains in India (bordering three states - Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) We had a brief but wonderful talk with a teacher at a Advasi project -- advasi being word for indigenous people. A plan is hatching, they are in the Nilgiris (means Blue Mountains!!)- it is beautiful territory, tea farming, tigers in the forest and elephants wandering about. A recent fund raising project was a cycle trip from Bangalore to Gudalor. Given that I am now writing this from Japan, the thought of riding a bike in India horrifies me but … who knows, perhaps! The project was started about 30 years ago by Indian couple who acted on their social conscience, and taught in this area. There are government schools but poorly funded. The project leaders were trying to make sure ... read more

Hi This is Jaydip. I am a software pro placed @ Bangalore. My father works in Eastern railways so since my childhood days I have been travelling... Initially it was a fun,nw I am addicted towards travelling. This is my first travel blog. In Sept 2007. I was in chennai workin thr and livin wid 4 roomies. We got 4 days f leaves at a stretch.So we started for Ooty. Members: Me(Jaydip),Indra,Subho,Ashwani,Alamgir,Tela, Rajivda & family. vehicle: We have booked a Travera(Non Ac charge: 6.5 per K.m driver 150 Pday). Journey starts Hurrahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Country roads take me home......... We have started @ 7 p.m in the evening from Chennai Thiruvanmayur.The car took airport road, we have crossed the airport thn we hit a 6 lane road which is really awsum. In september the weather in Chennai is ... read more

Tea glorious tea! Finally made it to the tea museum and tea factory today where I was delighted to see how the tea-making process works. From 'withering' the leaves, to extracting juice through to pounding and sifting until magically lovely tea powder is produced! This morning was all bright sunshine and tweeting birds and the gardens of the place I'm staying at looked just like an English garden. Awww how lovely! It looked even more like England in the afternoon when it chucked it down with rain while I explored the Botanical gardens. I've discovered another of Ooty's highlights - whilst exploring the Tibeten market I finally decided to sample some of the chocolate (there are chocolate stands EVERYWHERE!) and yes it turns out it is pretty damn tasty. I better make sure I leave tomorrow... ... read more