Being a biker, I have always craved for vacations to knock at my doorstep. Knock, knock, well it’s time to ride. This time it was The Queen of Hills. She has always been a mystery to tourists. Unexpected weather forecasts were one of her tantrums. You can never judge the weather at this place because of it’s eco-system. But, anytime of the year, she welcomes people with all her heart. And this time, it was my pleasure to ride to Kodaikanal.
Riding a motorcycle for countless miles turns into an achievement towards the stop of your destination. The biker has to be focused mentally and physically all the time. The minute you give up and tell yourself “I’m done” , surprise, “you are done”. I was trained by experienced bikers from the past to channel the energy flow in your body so that you don’t feel the aches. This helped me to step into it and cover those miles with effortless minutes counting.
Dhaba’s along the highways are rescue teams at service especially for travellers. As you feel those weird noises in your stomach, you very well know it’s time for a boost. And that’s when you come across Punjabi Dhaba’s which amazes you with the most spicy and delicious food you could expect onthose lonesome roads. So I filled up and returned back to my saddle to finally see her.
Kodai road was a teaser, you could feel adrenaline rushing and dopamine doing it’s job which is rejuvenating you. Then it’s all a flash in the matrix and I touched down. The first thing I wanted to do was, take the helmet off and breathe the most purest breath I’ve ever had through my entire life. I had multiple emotions flowing through me at that moment. I could say, my lungs were sanctified. Now the sun was fading away. Eventually it was the nightfall. So I found myself a room with a beautiful view right next to the lake. And it was time to close those restless eyes and wait for dawn to bless me.
Rise and shine, it was the blooming period and the whole town was colourful and pleasant. Riding through those humid roads and mist tickling your skin felt timely. Upon having a conversation over a tea with one of the taxi guys, he pointed out to one particular place and along with him few others said it in chorus, “Vattakanal”. They continued about the uniqueness in this place and the reason it was named “The Land above the clouds”. With no further delay, my interests fell into articles about this place on the internet. And was thrilled to see comments of people who referred this place as “ Floating above the clouds”. Finally, I had the chance to munch on the best mutton biriyani served only in Hotel Imraan biriyani which is couple of kilometers from the centre.
Time for the big reveal and I was at the most desired place by tourists who make it to Kodaikanal. Well, it was beyond expectations. Roads that take you to Vattakanal were narrow and really a challenging task for drivers. I would say, if you have future plans on going to Ladakh, take these roads, quite a practice for you. So bouncing back to Vattakanal, I realized it was my legs that was going to do the rest.
The real deal was Dolphin nose which is a pointed rock that surfaces out and reaching there is going to take you through a descending-like projection with different terrains as such like rocks, cliffs and slippery mediums. And the final touch, it was just myself and medicinal trees all around. The hills sent back a faint echo of my shout at this point and thus the name “ Echo point”. Sizzling hot coffee with some fellow German tourists was my idea of a perfect evening. Saying them goodbyes and with a truckload of memories in my mind, it was time to return back to my abode. I had just one thought going on in my mind at this moment, “At the end, it was all worth it and I’ ve never felt this weightless in my mind”.
With an aching heart rythms and understanding the fact that I must return home, I ronked off with the much needed break and a heart which stalled in Vattakanal, The Real Queen of hills!!
