Day 1    - 05/13/05 

This was the day of our 5^th wedding anniversary. We had decided to go to Kodiakannal. Lodging at Kodakannal was booked through Padki tours and travels. Debate was on from the day we decided to go to Kodai whether to go by Car or by Bus. I preferred to go by bus, thinking of distance and time. But when I was discussing this with our office collogue, one of them suggested that taking car is a good option, his brother in law had visited Kodai in car and he can give details. Spoke to him over phone he said that it will take just 8hrs – may be he said a rough timing. I decided to take car. Pooja agreed without hesitation ( as usual – since I am lucky). I took the route map from him and some of the information from Internet about the places of visit at Kodai.  

On 12^th night I did not get good sleep may be because of the next day journey or because of the thing happened previous day at work. I did not sleep till 2:00AM. We had decided to leave house at around 4:30AM. Got up at 4:30AM took bath, got Athresh ready and left house after doing basic Pooja at 5:20AM. 

Climate was quite good; it was fairly bright morning still I kept my head light on. Took NH 7 and reached Hosur around 6:00AM. It was a drive on beautiful four ways road – India shining project of National Highway. Maximum speed was sometimes at around 140Kms, more are less at 90Kms all the time. Traffic was less during early morning and increased as day progressed. 

I remembered of coffee and some snacks after leaving Hosur. I also had a feeling if we are hungry we feel tired at the earliest, hence I decided to take a coffee at the nearest hotel. We reached a hotel just after Housr, security greeted us very well, but after parking the car we found  the hotel is yet to open, but we could some how managed a cup of instant coffee from vending machine. On the way from there we had some bread Jam, mixture to fill our hungry. Athresh too was very hungry he was satisfied with the Bun jam. 

We had forgot our original RC book, Insurance, License, which we thought need to carry next time. Off course we had a copy of them for reference. Some where after Krishnagiri our tyre got flat. I and Pooja managed to change the stepny tyre. Later I searched a puncher shop and try to get the tyre fixed, it was a complete tube problem, but that shop was not having the tube required for my car. We took off from there. I was not very confident of driving fast since I was not having a spare tyre. Lot of local people were suggesting to reach Dharmapuri where shops will have required tyre. Reached Dharmapuri at around 8:00AM. Shops like MRF, JK tyre were seen but closed, - it may open after 9:30AM. I was not ready to waste 1:30 min there. So we decided to carry forward. One of the local guy – off course a tyre shop owner who was not having tube required for me – suggested that there is a good hotel by name Sri RAMA to have break fast. We went to that hotel had nice breakfast iddli, poori, pongal etc., nice food (8:45AM). I decided to give visit while coming back too. Pooja and Athresh too enjoyed the food. We left from there and kept moving towards Selam. On the way I found a local tyre shop where he had the tube for my tyre. Got the tyre fixed. My driving confidence increased. This day being the day for election results. I was curious of the result, while fixing the tyre I had a chance to watch TV ( Tamil channel)  and found that NDA is going down at central and Congress not in good position at state. Left this place at around 9:10AM. 

From there we went towards Toppur Ghat  (9:15AM)– good roads need to be careful while overtaking since turns are sharp. Omalur 9:41AM, Salem 9:55AM, Namakkal 10:45AM. Took a small rest of 10:00min on the way. After Dindugul 12:40PM need to take a right turn there is a small board need to be careful, to observe the board. Kodai. is exactly 93Kms from this high way turning. National Highway ends here and state highway starts. We reached Vattalkunda at 1:10, filled 10lts of petrol. Petrol station person suggested a hotel Sarvana bavaan for luch. Had nice lunch at Savarana bavan         ( Not as good as Madras Sarvana bavan but good food). 

Way to Kodai from there is ghat section, road is not good, lot of slippery roads, roads are not made for some distance. Bus will take around 3:00Hrs from Dindukal and Kodai it seems, but I was able to comfartablly reach Kodai by 2:00Hrs – Driving was great experience. Reached Lodge at around 3:15PM.  

Lodge name was Sivapriya, a three star restaurant, room was quite good. First I searched for news channel and got election news. We took rest till evening and left for shopping in evening. Went to a restaurant, had some snacks. People were very nice and cooperative. Purchased some home made chocolates. Dinner again at Sivapraya, restaurant at this hotel was good and food was tasty. 

Day 2  - 05/14/04 

Got up at 7:00, whether was excellent, cold with sun on. Went to lake walking took two cycles for rent and went around the lake, beautiful ride. Three of us enjoyed the ride. Athresh was shifting from my cycle and Pooja’s cycle. Had breakfast again at Sivapriya and left for sight seeing. Got information that there is only one road ( one way) if we follow that we can see around 12 places. Went to below places, some were normal and some were quite good but need to visit with out fail. At Guna cave ( Devils Kicthen) it rained very heavily so we became fully wet , - but fun increased. Came back to lodge had Lunch took a nap and evening again left for shopping and temple. When we went around the lake in at around 7:00PM a thick cloud covered entire Lake and surrounding area, it was a beautiful experience, we were not able to see even 5ft ahead with my hi beam light on. Without light it was impossible to seen a person who is setting just 2 feet next to each other. I had not seen such a fog till that day. This lasted for about ½ hour. A place called Dannis Crafts is a good place to go. We made some small purchases in that shop. Had dinner again at Sivapriya and Slept. 

Day 3 – 05/15/04 

This day we were supposed to travel back. Again went for morning cycling. Boating was pending, Athresh was very much insisting on this. So we calculated the time when we can leave Kodai. It will be around 11:30 after fininshing boating. Time we reach Bangalore will be around 10:00PM I was not willing to drive car in night. So I inquired at reception whether I can extend stay one more day, so that we can leave next day early morning. Luckily we got room so we continued the stay. We went for boating. I was nice. Then again site seeing – basically drive was good so we went again. Evening we went for shopping. Lunch at woodlands and dinner again at Sivapriya. 

Day 4 – 05/16/04 

We left kodai around 6:40AM, took same route. Had break fast at Sarvana Bavan, Vatalkunda. Pooja drove car from Valtalkunda till Karur again from Krishnagiri to Hosur end. Had lunch at Sri Rama Hotel, Dharmapuri. Reached Bangalore at 4:10 PM. 

It was a very nice trip enjoyed each and every movement of it. Away from work and house for 3 full day was very relaxing.  

Important information about Kodai. 

Route from Bangalore – NH7 – Hosur – Krishnagiri – Dharamapuri – Toppur – Selam – Nammakal – Karur – Aravakkurichchi – Dindigul – Vattalkundi – Kodaikanal 

Places to visit at Kodai. 

Take a road in front of Telephone exchange opposite to lake you can view all the listed places in order. Road is one way and circular at the end you will reach Kodai lake again.

Upper lake view – Observatory, Astrophysics museum, - pine forest – Guna cave, devils kitchen – piller rocks – fary falls – Coakers Walk – Bryant park.  

On the way back from Kodai you can view silver cascade. Other road towards right parallel to telephone exchange road leads to Kurinju Andavar temple.