Ooty and the Jolly World Bear

Our planned next stop after Thanjavur was Mysore, the historic capital of the state Karnakata, but we found out the trains there were booked for the next month! So we rerouted and took an overnight bus to the hill station Udhagamandalam (aka Ooty).  It is a quiet mountain town (Indian standards of quiet) that tries to enforce eco-friendly principles with no plastic bottles and a ban on plastic bags.

It has been a great spot to stop and unwind for a few days.  Jeff and I have been reading, hanging out, and enjoying the cool air.  It has also been a good spot for me to think about my grandfather and all he has meant to me.  This place is loosely similar to Tahoe, one of Grandpa's favorite places.

It also has this amazing children's park called Jolly World. Jeff had to laugh at the use of Disney and Warner Bros characters, I'm sure with the proper licensing.

The Jolly World Bear did not look so Jolly.  He was sitting in the middle of the go kart track with the SLOWEST go karts Jeff and I have ever seen.