South India Tour

Engineering College bus took was from Trivandrum to Quilon. We got in to a meter Gauge train. Perhaps the only Meter gauge tracks in India. It took us from Quilon via Shenkotta to Madurai. When the train went through tunnels we could see only Hari and Dili(may be black body radiations).The train rumbled to an early morning stop at Madurai. We all were dumped into a nice hotel (a rare thing at that time) in Madurai.
The day was spent visiting temples and may be a Light and sound show. It was about Cherans and Cholas. Madurai Meenakshi temple is an architectural marvel. Everybody made wishes. On the way Hari started Crying. He was saying that his pocket was picked and lost all his money. The rest of the tour he was fed and entertained by others. A sudden change of plan. We decided to go to Kodikanal next day. Our Train to Chennai was only at 8 PM next day.
Two tempo vans were arranged and next day 6.AM we all left for Kodai. Because of the time limit we did a flying trip. Saw all the beautiful places. Once a while there was a race between tempos. Some also tried to steal Oranges from a farm when we stopped for sometime. The First Tempo that reaches Madurai has to collect the Luggage and go to the station. With no-mobile phones, Communications was a big problem between vans. We all were able to catch the Train to Madras.
Tired some slept in the train. We were having an argument with the TTR. Finally we had to lock him up. Early morning we were approaching Madras. From the smell we know Madras is nearby.
Madras has lot of history. It became more famous when we reached there. We were put in some hotel. Everyone rushed in to different rooms. Some were seen running out to other rooms (Oops Dili was there). Everyone finally settled in. We had a trip to various tourist attractions in Madras. We also had a day out to Mahabalipuram where we met our mechanical batch. The experience was pleasant walking round the beaches and the small hills nearby. On the way back I was having headache, so I jumped in to the first open room to lie down. I realized that I was in the wrong room when one of the Bindu's sat on me.
Next day we left for Bangalore. We were staying in a nice place opposite to Majestic. It was New Year’s Eve. We decided to celebrate it. But trouble started with one person trying to act smart and telling off the girls not to attend it. All I know is Hari was violent and was screaming at everybody. Finally Upendran sir has to intervene and things were sorted out. New Year eve was a damp affair. Next day Bangalore became famous for Jayalekshmi's shopping. Every shop keeper was hurling abuses at her because Someone told her to do hard bargaining to get things cheap. The New Year celebration incident meant more troubles ahead...
We left Bangalore to Mysore. We visited Vrindvan gardens. The beautiful Vridavan garden was magnificent in the night with lights on. We were dumped in to a hotel. Next day was spent visiting Mysore palace, Nandi hills and various other places. New Year celebration incident picking up strength from a small fire it became a bit larger fire. The actors were the same but different stories started doing rounds. I think we had a very good Script writer (Please update me with your part of the story when you read this. It will be fun to know what happened after so long) in the group.
We caught the bus to Ooty. All the luggages were put at the top. Dili was very good in doing that. But on the way to Ooty we have to climb to the roof again as bags fell down, but not much of damage was done. New Year incident fire was more visible. Instead of a fun loving group we became splinters. The Bindus were isolated, I for one was also isolated as Ajith and myself were with Bindus. The script writer was doing a very good job. There were many beautiful sights through the forest. We also stopped to take some snaps at the water falls.
By night fall we reached Ooty. It was my birthday as well. We were put in to a hotel. My mates in the room were not my best friends. Someone was seen standing in the cold lake with minimum clothes. I think it was part of some bet. New Year celebration incident was more obvious. Some were avoiding others. Do I care? I decided to give the poor group company. Well I also became a part of the untouchables. Still we decided to celebrate my birthday. I cut a cake and gave to my friends. All my birthdays were part of the tour package.
Next day we did some boating. Anand and his group had some trouble with the People in the Boat club. I intervened to solve the issue and get the money back. We wandered around Ooty collecting everlasting (the flowers). We visited Botanical garden. We did some catching practice until the ball was stuck in the trees. Amir Khan and Madhuri Dixit were also there shooting for the Film 'Dil'. The Script writer was more active now adding oil to New Year celebration incident making it a big fire.
We left Ooty to Coimbatore by bus. We missed the ride down hill on the Hill train. As the bus wound down the hair pins hill train was seen disappearing in the mist. Finally we reached Coimbatore to catch the T-garden express to Kochi and then to Trivandrum. A weighing machine was seen ill treating Beena L and Ajitha. May be because of the weights. The tour ended with all us returning to Trivandrum and few getting down at Ernakulam