December 30 Karumba Village Resort to Tea Nest Guest House

I was up this morning at 8AM to go with the guide and his helper for an early morning walk. Another couple came too. It was the same walk as I had done the first day. Afterwards I took a shower, packed, checked out of the hotel, and waited till lunch time. After lunch, I had my last favourite view from the open air restaurant ( which has such a gorgeous view of the Blue Mountain ) and left with the taxi driver to Tea Nest, which is about 30 minutes away, higher up in the mountains. Lots more hairpin bends, and we reached Coonoor, a small mountain town in Niligiris ( Blue Mountain in Tamil) I drew money, and we went another 6 km to the Tea Nest, which is a small guest home stay place. I was shown my room, the Chamomile room, and unpacked. The Tea nest is of course located right in the Tea Estates....tea bushes everywhere you can see against the mountain. Gorgeous view of course, and much higher up in the mountains. I wondered around, and walked down to the Annexe of the Tea Nest, where a few more guests stay. Lovely and most peaceful place. Right in front of the Tea Nest is Rathina Pinisetti's home. She is a friend of mine from Edmonton, and I am here because she told me about this lovely part of India. I am glad I believed her. I met some friendly Indians on the way towards the Annexe, and noticed the Buffalos in the tea plantation below. Rathi says they are eating the weeds, and not the tea leaves!! We noticed three enormous bulls, as well as the females. They didn't seem to mind us, and continued eating. We edged closer and took more pics. They are still wild animals, so you don't venture too close!! Then we walked back to the Tea Nest. The manager said Rathi was home, so I walked over to her home. Wow! The home was originally built by the British, and then was occupied by a Frenchman who imported teak!! Lots of gorgeous teak around. Her home is a work of art, truly magnificent. Exotic, beautifully lit with Eastern lamps here and there. I had a chai with her. He dining room furniture was stunning....well it all is, the kitchen looking over the mountain view. She has her own maid, and she took me around the gorgeous lawns and the back of the property with a super courtyard. I hope to see it again in the daylight. As you enter her home you see this lovely bronze Buddha. I hope to take a pic of it. Then I came back, chatted to the Indians staying at the Tea Nest, and had dinner at 8. ( Ginger chicken, ginger tea, and numeric/tamarind rice with other veggies thrown in. Spicy but great. I will only eat two meals a day from now on. Sadly I have put on weight being on the 33 day Indian tour. Now it is time to tighten the belt literally. The manager called Vinod, the yoga teacher, and I take my first class tomorrow at 4. The Tea Nest is peace in the mountains.....a great change from the manic touring for 33 days Kolkata to Kochi. Time to meditate, walk, lose weight, do yoga, and process the myriad experiences I have had so far. Up till now there has been no time to do this. I now have phone service here and internet. It is quite cool at night, and you need a warm hoodie. I even have a heater in my room if it gets too chilly. No AC or fan is needed here in the mountains. I look forward to the stay until January 12!!