We got done with our exams and its holiday time. Being in a city like Coimbatore, visiting malls and multiplexes can offer only so much of leisure and entertainment. It’s time we got out on a stride towards freedom! And what best way to feel real freedom, than being amidst Nature! My friends and I from college decided to drive from Coimbatore to Valparai on a day trip!
Mirage is what welcomed us to Pollachi, as we entered the town on a hot summer day, at twelve in the noon. The summer heat waves took away the pleasant, cool climate, the rains have been providing, in the past days. The air conditioning in the car was our only solace. Seeking directions from the local friendly, we travelled deeper into the town and towards the Valparai road.
Suddenly, there is a beautiful change in the scenario. The lush evergreen trees on either sides of the road as green tents, compelled us to roll down the windows and take in as much clean oxygen as possible. We stopped by, under one of the many huge trees, to take a break and have a gulp of the-ever-cool energy drink, elaneer (tender coconut). As we greedily gulped down the drink, a friendly thatha offered to break the coconut and offer the flesh- the sweet white coconut jelly just slipped right through my throat. Refreshed by the drink, we continued to go down the road, eagerly anticipating what lies in store for us within the mountain that stood majestic in front of us, in all its glory!
The car that was once vibrating with the loud music is all tuned down once we started to drive up the 40 hairpin-bended hill of green trees, birds and wildlife. Our ears were inclined to listen to the melodious chirping of the birds, invisible to our eyes. Birding required some skill, I thought to myself!
As we crossed one of those many curves of the road to apparent heaven, we came across a family of Nilgiri Tahrs that were happily grazing, blissfully ignorant to all the tourist vehicles, that stopped-by to take pictures.
As we further ascended the hills, near Puthuthottam, we were lucky enough to see the Lion-tailed Macaques. We got down from the car, tip-toed silently trying to capture those lovely creatures in our cameras, but in vain.
As we continued to drive through those lovely roads, I leaned out of the window, arms wide open, felt the cold air hit my face – a smile of bliss broke out on its own. That is when I had one of those cliché ‘Wish-I-could-die-right-now’ moments.
As the drive progressed, the spiralling road that was once covered by dense trees on either side is now replaced by picturesque tea estates that were so neatly pruned.
We reached Valparai town and the locals there were so helpful in guiding us through their hometown with a warm welcoming smile on their faces. Hungry and excited, we were lucky enough to be served hot rice and chapathis at 4pm late in the afternoon, with amused smiles and warm greetings in a small-yet-nice Lakshmi Mess, in the town of Valparai. The waiter there was sweet enough, taking time to tell about the places to visit and the directions. The hot, yet late lunch satisfied our once rumbling stomach and we proceeded to just drive for a few kilometres amongst the estates. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I told that every single cell of mine was fully refreshed and was bursting with life.
We decided to stop at the Koolangal Aruvi before we proceeded back. We spent a few minutes there, playing in that freezing water. The first step inside the water had me shrieking and laughing.
The water was so pristine that we were able to see the small fish and crabs moving about under the water. After few bouts of shrieking and photo sessions, we decided to proceed back towards Coimbatore!
With happy yet heavy hearts, we got in the car to drive down the hill. As we were driving down, I couldn’t stop myself but rest my head on the window and muse about the day. A sigh of utter bliss and contentment left my lips and my eyelids drooped slowly, shutting out the world with the beautiful trees and the mild song of Nature, still running in my mind.
It was a beautiful day indeed!
