Time for some R & R

Kris has been working non-stop since we arrived in Bangalore, so we decided to go on a little trip for Christmas.  Jude and Roopa and their family took us to a little hillstation outside of the city called Ooty for some much needed rest and recuperation.  The trip was about an 8hr drive (supposed to be 5hrs, but the traffic was terrible) through winding hills and hair pin turns.  The roads were quite rough, but all was worth while when we reached the beautiful town up in the hills.  It was also quite refreshing to take a breath of fresh mountain air, instead of the usual dust and pollution that we experience daily in Bangalore.  The temperature was also much cooler, which was a nice change too.  I posted a few of the many, many pictures that we took while there.  I'll post the rest on facebook for those that are interested in seeing them all.

DAY 1

This is a picture of one of the views while we were driving on the way to Ooty

We stayed at an old English Bungalow in Ooty that was over 100 years old.  Once we arrived the kids simply enjoyed playing in the grass and being outside!

The first night we ate supper at another old hotel that had a fire going in every room and even some live Christmas music.

DAY 2

We took a train ride from Ooty to another hillstation named Coonoor.  It was about an hour long train ride that rode through more tea hills providing lots of scenic views.  This was probably my favorite part of the whole trip.  The 6 of us shown here rode this train for $.50 total.  I thought that was incredibly cheap!!

This is an overlook of the city of Ooty

DAY 3

On day 3 of the trip we took a little boat ride around one of the lakes in the city.  Don't mind our ugly orange life vests (they were a 1 size fits all kind of vest).  

Kris and Molly riding the bumper cars (or dashing cars as they called it at this particular place)

One more fun ride for the kids.

Later that day we went to the botanical gardens.  It had all sorts of crazy trees and plants we had never seen before.  We were also requested to take photos with complete strangers on multiple occasions.  Kris even had to hold a stranger's baby and stand with their whole family while they snapped a picture. 

Roopa bought Molly a bouquet of flowers outside the botanical garden.  So many pretty flowers!

DAY 4

We went to a lookout point to see all of the beautiful rolling hills.  There were so many amazing views it was hard to capture on camera!

We traveled to a tea factory to find out how tea is made.  This was not a factory that usually provides tours, but there was a friendly worker that was more that willing to tell us all about how his factory works.  

These are some of the women that go out in the fields to pluck the tea.  They work for very very little money.  

Endless views of rolling tea hills.  It was so nice to see green everywhere!

We ended the trip by going to a chocolate museum.  All of you that know me well, know that this was a highlight for me!  I can never get enough chocolate!!

On the way home we rode through a national forrest/game reserve.  We were fortunate enough to see some wild elephants that were grazing along side of the road.  It's pretty rare that you site them from the road unless you actually go into the forrest on safari.  We were all pretty excited!!

Overall it was so nice to go on a small trip and see life outside of the busy city of Bangalore.  It was also fun to see such a beautiful side of India that I didn't know even existed.  We are so thankful to Jude and Roopa for planning and taking us on this trip.  It will definitely be one to remember for a lifetime!