Coonoor and back

Last Saturday was the Jazz Café organized by the new Student Council Executive. The Sports Hall had been converted into an Arabian Tent. We arrived and walked down a vine strewn pathway into a tent-like structure. Huge banners had been affixed to the ceiling and then drooped to the sides to form the roof of the tent. Subdued lighting and a carpeted floor added to the ambiance. (Dorm carpets were used) Small benches and tables with lit candles were set up. Waiters and waitresses came around with mock tails and other beverages. While this was happening another set of wait staff was circulating with cakes and ice cream! It was a veritable feast - both for the eyes and for the palate!

We, the audience, were treated to some outstanding vocal and instrumental items by both students and staff. It was an enjoyable evening at the conclusion of which movies were shown. One movie was shown in the Sports Hall and the other movie was shown in the Staff Room. The students were able to choose between staying and watching a film or going to their dorms and studying! A difficult choice!!!
Sunday night was the Leaver's Service. This was a service organized by the Standard 13's and was held in the GSMH. There were some excellent testimonies by the students and there was great singing by all.

On Monday Gigi and I along with the Stones, our new IG friends, hired a driver for the day. We started out by going to Doddabetta Peak. This is the highest peak in the Nilgiris at over 2,600 m. The view was quite hazy even at 10: 30 A.M. We did enjoy many views as we drove up through the valley and then on towards Kotagiri. Many photographs were taken of the various views and the tea estates along the way. We went in to the lookout at Catherine's Falls before arriving in Coonoor. Once in Coonoor we went for lunch at La Belle Vie, a french restaurant owned by the father of one of our students. We ate outside on the covered balcony and enjoyed a sumptuous meal! We had no room for dessert after the appetizer and main course.

Following our lunch we went on to Dolphin's Nose for another view of Catherine's Falls. Once again the views were partially obstructed by the haze of the day. We were able to see down to Mettapalyam.
No trip to Coonoor would be complete without some retail therapy. We went to Fabindia and to a shop selling upholstery fabric. We now have some new fabric to cover the dining-room chairs at home! Just think - we had to come all the way to India to find the right fabric!

On our way home we drove through Wellington, a military base, and then up the road to Ooty. We had one stop on the way to take photos of the valley and were back at school in time for supper. It was a great day and we really enjoyed the company of the Stones.