A 2007 family travel story by Sobha Kalyani
Years rolled by, still some journeys remain forever in our memories. Our short two-day trip to Ooty in September 2007 was an unforgettable experience. The memories of peaceful hills, cool mountain air, rich vegetation all around with colorful flowers, tea gardens and moments of togetherness - are cherished forever.
A travel in 2007 was very much different from what it is today. It was a time before smartphones and social media, when travels were meant for real enjoyment with togetherness and bonding. But things have changed with smartphones and social media. People are more engaged on smartphones with selfies and reels and instantly uploading them on the social media. Now tourists are more concerned about the likes of their uploads than living with nature.
In those enjoyable days, there were no endless selfies or reels and instant uploads, no GPS navigation — there was togetherness and only conversations, handwritten notes, printed tickets and memories were safely stored in the heart than the smartphone gallaries.
We started our journey from Begumpet Airport Hyderabad by flight to Bengaluru. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad was commissioned in 2008. From Bengaluru we traveled to Ooty by Tamil Nadu Road Transport Bus. Overnight bus journeys always have a unique excitement and we started feeling colder as the bus moved up on the ghat roads. And as dawn slowly arrived, we finally entered the mist-covered hills of Ooty early in the morning. The beauty of the serene and chill weather early in the morning are still fresh in my memories.
After the Sept warmth of Hyderabad, we instantly felt the magical misty weather. We felt as if the cool breeze of Ooty welcome us like a refreshing embrace. Wrapped in light sweaters and surrounded by cloudy hills, we checked into a comfortable hotel and began our memorable exploration of this beautiful hill station.
Ooty is located at an altitude of about 2,240 meters above sea level and enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. During September, the hills look especially fresh and green after the monsoon rains, making the landscapes even more breathtaking.
Ooty is not just a tourist destination but is a place where life feels slower, calmer and deeply connected to nature. Moreover it is one of the most popular honeymoon destination and is a lover's paradise.
After strolling for a while enjoying the cool breeze and tranquil beauty, we went for a motor boat ride on the lake which is one of the most popular activities in Ooty. As the boat moved across the calm waters, the cool breeze and scenic surroundings created a truly relaxing experience.
The jeep driver took us to a local outlet of the tea estates where they offered us tasty chai. We also bought fresh green tea from the estate and eucalyptus oil (known as Nilgiri tailam) which became one of our favorite souvenirs from the trip.
As we were strolling, we saw one Tamil woman, a local vendor, selling locally grown small carrots. We took a bunch from her and enjoyed eating the fresh hill-grown naturally sweet, crispy and juicy carrots. These are unmatched by the carrots we usually get in the supermarkets. Sometimes, the smallest local experiences become the most unforgettable memories of a journey - yes, the Ooty carrots.
The neatly arranged terraces, green surroundings, and mountain views still made the visit worthwhile. Travel often teaches us that beauty is not always about perfection — sometimes it is simply about enjoying the atmosphere and being present in the moment.
Perhaps that is why the memories of Ooty still feel so vivid and meaningful even after so many years.
Though the trip was short, the memories remain timeless — the cool weather, the peaceful atmosphere, the fragrance of tea gardens, the sweet carrots, and the happiness of traveling together in closeness.
Also Read: A Memorable Family Trip to Mysuru and Bengaluru
Years rolled by, still some journeys remain forever in our memories. Our short two-day trip to Ooty in September 2007 was an unforgettable experience. The memories of peaceful hills, cool mountain air, rich vegetation all around with colorful flowers, tea gardens and moments of togetherness - are cherished forever.
A travel in 2007 was very much different from what it is today. It was a time before smartphones and social media, when travels were meant for real enjoyment with togetherness and bonding. But things have changed with smartphones and social media. People are more engaged on smartphones with selfies and reels and instantly uploading them on the social media. Now tourists are more concerned about the likes of their uploads than living with nature.
In those enjoyable days, there were no endless selfies or reels and instant uploads, no GPS navigation — there was togetherness and only conversations, handwritten notes, printed tickets and memories were safely stored in the heart than the smartphone gallaries.
We started our journey from Begumpet Airport Hyderabad by flight to Bengaluru. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad was commissioned in 2008. From Bengaluru we traveled to Ooty by Tamil Nadu Road Transport Bus. Overnight bus journeys always have a unique excitement and we started feeling colder as the bus moved up on the ghat roads. And as dawn slowly arrived, we finally entered the mist-covered hills of Ooty early in the morning. The beauty of the serene and chill weather early in the morning are still fresh in my memories.
After the Sept warmth of Hyderabad, we instantly felt the magical misty weather. We felt as if the cool breeze of Ooty welcome us like a refreshing embrace. Wrapped in light sweaters and surrounded by cloudy hills, we checked into a comfortable hotel and began our memorable exploration of this beautiful hill station.
About Ooty — The Queen of the Nilgiris
The official name of Ooty is Udagamandalam. It is nestled in the scenic Nilgiri Hills and is one of the most beautiful and most visited hill stations in India. It is popularly called the “Queen of the Nilgiris,” and is famous for its terrace cultivation of tea estates, eucalyptus trees, pristine lakes, colorful gardens and a colonial-era charm.Ooty is located at an altitude of about 2,240 meters above sea level and enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. During September, the hills look especially fresh and green after the monsoon rains, making the landscapes even more breathtaking.
Ooty is not just a tourist destination but is a place where life feels slower, calmer and deeply connected to nature. Moreover it is one of the most popular honeymoon destination and is a lover's paradise.
Day 1 — Ooty Lake and Tea Estate Adventure
Boating at Ooty Lake
After a tiresome yet enjoyable night bus journey through the twists and turns of Nilgiri Hills, we refreshed with a hot cup of filter coffee and then had a small nap in the hotel room. So far to my remembrance, no complimentary breakfast during those days. We had idli sambar for breakfast and started for our first sightseeing destination - the famous Ooty Lake. Surrounded by vegetation, the lake looked calm and beautiful in the cool morning weather. Fortunately, there were no many tourists which made the place more peaceful.After strolling for a while enjoying the cool breeze and tranquil beauty, we went for a motor boat ride on the lake which is one of the most popular activities in Ooty. As the boat moved across the calm waters, the cool breeze and scenic surroundings created a truly relaxing experience.
Importance of Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is one of the oldest and most iconic attractions in the town. It was built by John Sullivan in 1824. This artificial lake was originally created for fishing activity which later became a major tourist attraction. Today, it became one of the most loved places in Ooty and beautifully reflects the peaceful charm of the hill station.
A Jeep Ride Through the Tea Estates
From Ooty Lake, we traveled to a nearby tea estate in a local jeep. As we rode, the vast stretch of tea plantantions looked lke green carpets spread across the mountain slopes. Rows of neatly trimmed tea bushes stretched across the slopes, creating a breathtaking view. The fresh aroma of tea leaves filled the cool air, making the entire experience even more refreshing. In fact, the jeep ride itself was memorable moment as we moved through winding roads covered in mist and endless greenery.The jeep driver took us to a local outlet of the tea estates where they offered us tasty chai. We also bought fresh green tea from the estate and eucalyptus oil (known as Nilgiri tailam) which became one of our favorite souvenirs from the trip.
Importance of Tea Estates in Ooty
Tea plantations are deeply connected to Ooty’s culture and economy. The cool climate and fertile hill slopes of the Nilgiris are ideal for tea cultivation. Nilgiri tea is famous worldwide for its fragrance and smooth flavor. Visiting a tea estate offers travelers a glimpse into the traditional tea-growing lifestyle of the region.Day 2 — Flowers, Gardens, and Beautiful Memories
Beautiful Moments at the Botanical Garden
We visited the famous Govt Botanical Garden on day 2 of our trip. It is one of the most beautiful attractions in Ooty. The garden was filled with colorful flowers, exotic plants, perfectly maintained lawns, and tall trees. Every corner looked vibrant and refreshing. As we walked through the peaceful pathways surrounded by flowers we felt incredibly calm and lost in a colourful world. Here we bought some flowering seeds from the garden to take home as memories of Ooty’s beauty.Importance of the Botanical Garden
The garden was established in 1848 and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in India. It plays an important role in preserving rare plant species and showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Nilgiri region. The garden is also famous for its beautifully arranged flower beds and annual flower shows.Pedal Boat Ride and Sweet and Small Local Carrots
One of the simplest yet happiest moments of the trip was enjoying a pedal boat ride nearby. The cool breeze, calm atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings made the experience truly memorable. Initially, I was bit scared to go for pedal boating without a boat rider. But my husband boosted my confidence and we both went on a pedal boat ride.As we were strolling, we saw one Tamil woman, a local vendor, selling locally grown small carrots. We took a bunch from her and enjoyed eating the fresh hill-grown naturally sweet, crispy and juicy carrots. These are unmatched by the carrots we usually get in the supermarkets. Sometimes, the smallest local experiences become the most unforgettable memories of a journey - yes, the Ooty carrots.
Importance of Local Produce in Ooty
Ooty’s cool climate supports the cultivation of fresh vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and beets. The sweet carrots grown in the Nilgiris are especially popular among tourists for their freshness and natural flavor as they are pesticide / fertiliser - free of fertilizers and are grown organically.Visiting the Rose Garden
After having south Indian veg lunch in a nearby local hotel, we visited the beautiful Government Rose Garden. Although there were not many roses blooming during our visit, the place itself was peaceful and beautifully maintained.The neatly arranged terraces, green surroundings, and mountain views still made the visit worthwhile. Travel often teaches us that beauty is not always about perfection — sometimes it is simply about enjoying the atmosphere and being present in the moment.
Importance of the Rose Garden
The Government Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in India and is home to thousands of varieties of roses. It is an important attraction for horticulture lovers and adds to Ooty’s reputation as a city of flowers and gardens.A Journey Before Smartphones and Social Media
As I look back today, the simplicity of travel during those years when there were no smartphones and social media, has what made this trip even more special to me. There was closeness without smartphones and social media and there was no self-centeredness and no continuous checking of social media updates. In fact, beautiful and memorable days / journeys without smartphones.We simply lived the journey
We watched the hills without distractions, enjoyed conversations during bus rides, admired the flowers without rushing for photographs and carried memories back home in our hearts rather than phone galleries.
Continuing Our Journey to Mysuru
After spending two wonderful days amidst the misty hills, tea gardens, lakes, and flowers of Ooty, we continued our journey to Mysuru the following day.Though the trip was short, the memories remain timeless — the cool weather, the peaceful atmosphere, the fragrance of tea gardens, the sweet carrots, and the happiness of traveling together in closeness.
Also Read: A Memorable Family Trip to Mysuru and Bengaluru
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