“The trip of the students, by the students, for the students” from the 24th to the 29th of June of 2nd 1 and 2nd 2, accompanied by Mr. Le Bitter, Ms. Leuzzi and Mr. Raguraman.
Day 1:
Today we left at 7:30 in the morning, and we traveled 14 hours due to a technical problem with the bus. We took several breaks and Thillai had to give up his water to a monkey but nothing serious. During the journey there was a good atmosphere in the bus and superb landscapes. The climate cooled to become very pleasant. Then, once we had got to the hotel we were able to settle down and eat some rice and a dessert.
Day 2:
This morning we had our first breakfast at Kodaikanal. Around 10 a.m. we left to visit Poombarai (an old traditional village 20km from the accommodation). There we visited a temple, more than 2000 years old). Then we criss-crossed the alleys of the village before having lunch. Then we went to do some eco-tourism in a natural park where there was a big lake. Finally, we returned to the hotel.
Day 3:
This morning at 9:30, after breakfast, we visited the Kodaikanal solar observatory in which a guide and a professor-researcher explained to us the functioning of the sun and the studies related to it. We were also briefly explained the operation of the different telescopes used for studies of the sun.
After having lunch we went shopping in a chocolate shop. The boss of the chocolate factory gave us a little demonstration of how they make their chocolates as well as all preparation processes. In the late afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit downtown Kodaikanal for an hour and a half. To end our day we returned to our accommodation and ordered pizzas for dinner.
Day 4:
After leaving from the hotel at 9:30, we went to Tamara Kodai from where we hiked to reach Vattakanal Falls, where some students climbed the waterfall and then we had some hot tea to recharge our energy. From there, we went downhill to a viewpoint (Mountain View Kodaikanal) near the Dolphin’s Nose where we were supposed to get a good view, except the mist didn’t let us get it. Luckily, we still got a few looks at the mountains, before the mist took over. We had picnic with the sandwiches prepared by the students the evening before and a few brave students hiked until the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint. And at the end we all climbed back up the hill to go to the famous La Saleth Kodaikanal Church.
Today’s experience was very thrilling and everyone really enjoyed hiking in the hills.
Finally, we returned to our residence, BoHo Kodai, for dinner and rest.
The students really enjoyed today’s adventure, because the long walk in this low oxygen environment helped us a lot to develop our lung capacity!
Day 5:
This morning at 10am, after breakfast, we walked from Boho Kodai Hotel to Bryant Park (Botanical Garden). There, we had the chance to explore and admire nature. After an hour, we decided on the dinner menu for the night. Then, we had lunch in town. Then we dispersed in groups to do the necessary shopping for dinner. Then, in turn, we started cooking and then we settled around the fire, placed our potatoes in it to cook them. Then, we had dinner (potatoes, grilled marshmallow, salad, tuna, pasta and dessert.) And that was it for the day.
