Die with regrets? Never... Go to Kodai ;)

July 11, 2014

Die with regrets? Never... Go to Kodai ;)

You can die either with a contended heart and a smiling face or with regrets. The choice is yours. As we all know, it is always the things that we didn't do that haunts us more than the things we did in our lives. None of us can deny the fact that we all have stood clueless at some point of time, looking back at the path through which we came, thinking about the things we didn't do and flooding our mind with regrets. Most of the times, we were denying ourselves the minute pleasures with the motive of satisfying people around us( so called loved ones ). Even I have done way too many sacrifices like that and it took me some time to realize that the people who loves you truly would not want you to sacrifice anything that you love, for them. I am not trying to get philosophical here but the recent trip to Kodaikanal has got immense significance in my life.

This might be one of those trips where I have made compromises for the love of my friendship but it eventually turned out as of the best decisions I have made in my life. When I created this blog, I had the thought of dedicating it solely to bike rides but I can't help but to write about the Kodai trip we made on two cars recently. I had bunked a full day class just to get my bike serviced for riding to Kodai the next day ( I would be left out as the lone rider with everyone else coming in car) only to change my mind and find myself a room in one of the cars next day. The change of decision happened overnight and it was definitely an outcome of various thoughts and considerations. I just wanted to enjoy every single seconds of the trip with these idiots even though I knew I would miss my bike so badly.

Normally people would have thought about the losing hours and declining attendance percentages ( especially when you are a Christite ) and about the huge sum of money that you have to spend when you are already broke before thinking about a sudden trip plan. One might call us stupid but that was a unanimous yes to the trip from everyone and all other thoughts came only afterwards. That was one trip where I was totally myself once more and the trip gave me back the things and fun I thought i had lost for ever. This trip proved to me that life is simpler than it looks like. Maybe it is because of the perspective through which we look at life. Maybe there will be a smoother and swifter path waiting for our attention only if we change our angle of view.

All I got to tell you after the trip is that, do everything that you are passionate about in your life. Never give room for regrets. Become what you wished to become in your life. Chase your dreams. Just make sure that you have got your own reasons behind the things you do because once you have chosen a road, you will definitely reach a point where there is no turning back. You should be obliged only to those people who deserve it. Your life is yours.

To speak about Kodai, this is one among the coolest hill stations in South India and the meaning of 'Kodai' in my mother tongue means fog and yes the name suits the charming hills perfectly. One must go to Kodai for its cool climate and that is something you won't get to enjoy anywhere else. There are not many remarkable places that are worth to be added in a travelogue but the places to chill out are way too many. We were on a quick drive that included two days and one night and that time window was obviously too small for sight seeing. So we just had maximum fun in and around Kodai town and the lake.

The lake is indeed a magnificent one with a circumference of around 9kms and very spic and span environment. You won't find any trace of thrash in the Kodai municipality and all the places are well maintained ( except for congestion). You can go for bicycle, tonga or horse rides around the lake at pretty reasonable rates and try some great falls like Anshu did :p ( you should learn to ride bicycles moti :p ). There are numerous shops around the lake that sell everything from handicrafts to home made chocolates. The Kodai home made chocolates are a must try and they are very cheap too unlike the Ooty ones. The Tibetan bazaar run by Tibetan refugees sell items like blankets and sweaters and you can find a good deal here also.

The streets of Kodai echoes the chants 'Mushroom.. mushroom' and it is totally up to you to decide on what to do with the tempting calls. By the time we finished roaming around the lake, it was late night and we had to settle a few things about the rooms and shrooms :p, so we had to head back. To be frank, fooding in Kodai is not so cheap unless you find some good places at moderate prices. The Royal Tibet restaurant at the end of the vegetable market is one good option for great food at reasonable prices. Astoria Veg is a good breakfast place but bit pricey.

We had breakfast from Astoria Veg and headed to the park and played stupid games and clicked pictures till afternoon. All you can say when 20 year olds run around, falling and getting mud on their clothes, in the middle of a crowded park that is meant for kids, there is this freaking inner happiness that nothing else can buy you. We concluded the trip with a visit to he Bear falls where we couldn't find water but homo sapean feces :p.

To remember

- 90 percentage of the road to Kodai is express way ( only around 80Kms two lane and curves), and therefore you should think twice about taking your bike there. You will get bored unless riding is there in your blood.

- Climbing up to Kodai is through narrow curved roads and you have to be very careful about oncoming vehicles.

- Plan your trip for a few days at least so that you can enjoy Kodaikanal to the fullest, peacefully.

- Carry enough clothes that can keep you warm ( it is really very cold :p ).

Places to see in Koda