OOohh - we're in OOTTY!

Not quite living up to its description of wide boulevards, nor looking like a cross between Australia and Dorset (Lonely Planet), nevertheless, Ootty has given us two great days of getting out into the greenery of tea plantations, spectacular views and some bonding with horses. Today we took a three-hour guided ride on two spunky horses (had to book 3 horses, or the guide, Aujun, would have had to walk -novel concept!) and managed to get right away from the town and the roads and hit some pretty small trails through mountain villages, tea plantatations. At each village a cluster of small children appeared waving and shouting, following us till we left the village boundaries. Max progressed from walk through trot to canter without any problems (although we might have sore backsides tomorrow as we sit on the bus and train for 10 hours!!) and loved "becoming one with his steed" Surya! Luckily the horses were completely oblivious to the honking, swerving trucks, rickshaws and motorbikes that just grazed past their rumps. We even stopped for a glass of chai in a small village, which caused even more interest.
The previous day Anthony, trekking guide, took us on a full day's hike across hills, through a 100-yr old tea plantation started by the Brits, including a 45Rupee lunch at a tiny workers' kitchen where we were served a very tasty Thali (tray of rice, dal, veg curry and papadoms). A perky dog accompanied us all day - looked like a small Simba! Weird company included an Israeli currently working with plants in Kenya, who found the most oddball things to do all day (like trying to ride on TOP of the bus...) No shortage of quirky travelers - have met S Africans, Brits, Aussies, Germans, Polish, Viennese, Swedish and plenty of honeymooning Indians. (Seems Ootty is considered a romantic spot, with its waterfalls. Lots have their picture taken two up on a horse, then promptly get off again!) Oh well, off to sample some more local chocolate - hand made! along with some spicy Chai. Tough job, but we've taken it on.