Now, the next task is Lodging, as we spend much time in Pollachi and Kovai blogs, we find some decent lodgings details. Thanks for those blogging their trips. My wife and my brother helped booking for lodging in Pollachi. Luckily, we booked two double bed rooms in the Hotel Vinakaya. Room cost is Rs. 550 for double room. Soon, kids are preparing and heading for dream start.
Day 1, 07.05.2011
Our journey begins, early in the morning 3.30; power cut awake up us from sleep [thanks to EB] start prepared idly and tomato chutney and packed 10 packets and water bottles. Luckily, we got auto near by our home itself to reach Villivakkam railway station. We reach Chennai central at 5.30am and our coach is S13, kids are happy with window seats [we got 3]. Train starts without any delay, even though we are in reservation coach, the compartment is jammed packed with all kinds of people and sellers [that is Indian railway]. We had our morning break fast in that amid situation. After Salem Junction only, all are relaxed and kids have some fun and play games until train reaches Kovai at 2.15pm.
Since we are not familiar with Kovai, we don't know any good hotel for lunch, just had our lunch at the hotel near by the railway station. [Any one knows please comment]. After reaching Ukkadam, we ahead for Pollachi. The journey to Pollachi is very pleasant and cool with natural scenery with Blue Mountains and coconut trees. We reached Pollachi around 5.30 pm, from there we took auto [cost is rs.30] to Vinakaya Lodge. What a surprise, Vinakaya lodge is very cozy and neat with amply atmosphere. Recommended for family stay. After little nap and refreshment, we had coffee adjoined with lodge itself, we went to Pollachi round tana park. The auto fare is rs. 50. Kids have the happiest moment in park while my dad and mum went for evening walk. I and my brother engaged in taking photos.
We had our dinner at Hotel Abrami near Pollachi bus stand, which is tasty and good to finish of the day.
Day 2, 08.05.2011
After having the bed coffee, kids geared to get ready and we had our breakfast at Vinakaya hotel itself, soon van is ready to pick up us[van rent per day is rs.2000]. First, We ahead towards historic Masaniamman temple, it took 30 minutes from Pollachi. As, per driver suggestion we parcel our lunch in moderate hotel soon travel towards Top slip, after 20 minutes of travel Annaimalai check post halted us, they collect rs 15 per person to pass through, the road is not good condition for the mountain journey, government has to take care to maintain the roads. After, traveling in the pathetic road condition for 30 minutes, we reached Top slip at 1.30 pm, Top slip, which brilliant scenery and cool atmosphere, the well maintained place for the travelers added its beauty. We enjoyed the warm weather and cool atmosphere with forest view. Unfortunate, the elephant ride to deep in to the forest was over for the day, so we miss that. Any way, we had our lunch and little nap on the green grass. Since, we miss the elephant ride, we had much time left for the day, and we decide to go Aliyar Dam Park.
The road side view filled with coconut trees and greens garden which is feast to the eyes, the traveling time is 45 minutes from top slip to Aliyar dam. We reached the spot at 5.30 pm the dam is view is very beautiful and exotic. The kids engage and have nice time in little artificial stream inside the park. Kids enjoyed stream water, until the gate closed at 7. Pm. After took the hot tea near the Dam site, we reached the Hotel at 8. Pm and finish off the day with long last happy memories.
Day 3, 09.05.2011
The van driver came early at 8.am to pick up us, so we had break fast at the small hotel on the way to Trimurti dam. On the way to driver halt us One Hunuman temple, is built in the middle of the river, even though the concert path was laid to reach, as we informed that, in winter seasons, the temple was filled with water and not accessible for 3 to 4 months, soon head to Trimurti Hills.
We reached Trimurti hills at 11 pm, on foot of the Trimurti hills; the famous Trimurti temple was laid. From there you can find way to falls, which is 2 km high. Since we had lot of little kids, we unfortunately miss the falls view and bath. However, near the temple, boat house or lake view to enjoy. The water in lake or dam is enjoyable with 2 to three feet depth only [even safe for kids too]. Kids including us really had a nice and long lasting pleasure in water.
At 1.30 we ahead towards Amaravathy dam and crocodile park, sad thing is the Amaravathy dam is waste of time [no water]. On way to hotel we had our lunch at Udumalaipet and reached our Hotel at 3.30 pm. After short refreshment, we vacate the lodge and reach the Pollachi bus stand and alight the bus to Kovai. While traveling, my wife get confirm the ticket status with one of her, luckily the waiting list ticket is confirmed, lucky again. Clock shows 7.30pm when we reached Kovai railway station. While waiting for the Niligiri express I and my brother had enough time to remember and rewind the happiest moments in Pollachi, soon the train starts at 8.50 pm towards Chennai to finish off the Pollachi trip. Has the name "Pozhil Vaichi" 'பொழில் வாய்ச்சி' which means "The land of natural wealth and prosperity" is true and will in our memories for last.
