My friend David Appasamy, who has a house there (that lucky man!), is visiting Kodaikanal, from where he posts several quaint, charming, and visually-attractive pictures on Facebook. They take me back to this old British-Madrasi hill station with its thickly wooded slopes where I have danced amid wildflowers, and between Eucalyptus and Pine trees, lost myself in the limpid pools of tumultuous waterfalls, and peered over the steep rock outcrop at the town below shrouded by a curtain of mist, from where smoke rose out of home chimneys, and where the air was so dry, clean and bracing, my Mumbai lungs almost could not take it.
I went in July. When the southwest and north-east monsoons crossed over Kodaikanal. Rain clouds stole into the tiny township 2,133 meters above the sea, bringing chilly dampness. Kodaikanal shivered. The locals dressed in tweed and flannels during the day—woolens at night. People got indoors by 7.30 pm. They had log and coal fires at home. I had one too at the Carlton where I was staying, the Rahejas’ colonial rock-and-wood hotel. Now, following Appasamy’s photo blogs (today’s is of an ancient English chapel in the Kodaikanal International School), I wish to explore this hill station that’s out of the pages of Enid Blyton once again.
Visit its parks, clubs, churches, hospital, hotels, shops, and schools, and walk over its cobbled streets, all left over by the Raj. Shop at Spencer’s, and search for the Kodai Dairy famous for its Cheddar, Garlic, Pepper, and Chilli cheeses. Meet the gentle nuns of the Belgian Convent selling exquisite hand-embroidered linen. Look for the Jewish hermit baking Apple Pie in a cottage among the wild trails. Visit Kodai Lake, the water shimmering amidst the emerald green wooded slopes, inviting you to walk on the rose-scented paths. Go boating. Or fishing. Then have South Indian Hoppers made with Toddy and Vegetables stewed in Coconut Milk for lunch. Anglo-Indian Mutton Pepper Fry and Mulligatawny for dinner. High tea and Cinnamon Cake.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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