Ooty Botanical Gardens

At the hotel, we were greeted warmly by the people behind the reception desk and then in the restaurant where we ate a late supper. It actually felt rather good (or at least a change) to cuddle up in several blankets that night – something I certainly don’t do in Chennai. The next morning, we were awakened to the sun and a blue sky. Fresh chai made from Nilgiris tea was a great way to start the morning. Now that it was daylight, we finally had a chance to see what Ooty looked like. Colorful but small homes nestled up the steep slopes of hills. An emerald shade of green, many of the hills were carpeted with tea bushes or were terraced. Like most South Indian towns, Ooty had its share of tea & coffee stalls, stands selling samosas and other fast foods, barber shops, and tiny stores selling a bit of this and that. A large arch graced across the main road, along with huge photos of state politicians and the party flag.

Inside the Botanical Gardens, one of the first things that caught my eye was a small pond with calla lilies encircling it. With the drops of last night’s rains still on the white petals, they were enjoyable to photograph. Unlike some of the botanical gardens I’d seen in India, this one was quite beautiful. Everything was well-maintained and manicured. Paths crisscrossed through the green grass, past a large variety of trees, shrubs, and colorful plants. Stairs led up to a flowerbed with contrasting plant colors forming the shape of playing card symbols. A sign next to a fossilized tree trunk proudly marked the tree’s old age. The clean scent of eucalyptus and cedar filled the air. Everyone seemed to be rather relaxed, enjoying the beauty before them.

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