Growing up in Coimbatore, the words school trip meant only one thing, a journey to Ooty. Nestled in the Nilgiris, Ooty has always been the most cherished weekend getaway for people in and around Coimbatore.

I loved those trips, but my body did not. The winding mountain roads brought on motion sickness, and the sudden change in weather combined with the high altitude often left me feeling unwell. To make matters worse, I would return home with a sore throat and an infection after almost every visit.

And yet, my love for Ooty never faded. I often wonder why. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a hilly area and certain corners of Ooty reminded me of home. Maybe because most of my school trips were to Ooty, and the place still carries the innocence of childhood days when life felt lighter. Or perhaps it was because I grew up watching Priyadarshan’s feel-good movies filmed in Ooty. Those lush green tea estates, misty mornings, and charming old bungalows on screen always gave me a happy and comforting feeling. Whatever the reason, I always associated Ooty with joy, laughter, and warmth, even if my body protested every single time.

Even now, I still have motion sickness, but the magic of Ooty has never worn off. The sight of eucalyptus trees swaying in the cool breeze, the scent of fresh tea leaves, and the rolling mist over the hills still make my heart light up.

Recently, my friend Peter, who is a Club Mahindra member, suggested a road trip to Goa. In my mind, I had already decided not to go because I dislike long car journeys. I suggested Ooty instead, but the idea was met with strong opposition. Goa soon became Cherai, and then every other possible Club Mahindra property. Nobody supported Ooty except Peter’s son.

Finally, the universe seemed to side with me and the location was confirmed as Ooty. My brother, who usually drives me during such trips and whose driving somehow prevents my motion sickness, could not join because he was busy. I was hesitant to travel in someone else’s car, knowing it would make the journey tough for me and possibly for them too. Then I remembered my cousin once taking the train to Ooty and decided to give it a try.

I booked Tatkal tickets, arranged for a driver to drop me at Mettupalayam station, and took the morning toy train to Ooty. It was my first time traveling alone on the toy train and I completely enjoyed it. The five and a half hour journey was nothing short of magical. The steam train stopped at every little station to refill water, giving about twenty minutes at each stop. I clicked pictures, enjoyed piping hot vada and bajji from small stalls, and watched the hills slowly reveal their beauty.

The occasional sound of crying children was the only disturbance, but even that could not spoil the charm. The experience was so enchanting that I even took the train back to Mettupalayam.

During my four day stay, I made new friends, Nikki and Dhvinay and shared conversations that made the trip even better. I realised that making friends at any age is easy when one is open to it. Late night chats and storytelling sessions by Peter added warmth to the cold nights.

This trip reminded me that some places never lose their magic, no matter how many times they are visited. For me, Ooty will always be more than a hill station. It is the scent of eucalyptus in the morning air, the freezing nights, and the sight of mist curling over the tea estates. It is a piece of my childhood, my school days, and my favourite movie scenes come to life.

And maybe that is the real beauty of travel, when a place makes you forget the discomfort and simply fills your heart with a feeling that you cannot quite put into words. That is what Ooty does to me, every single time.

What about you?

• Have you ever loved a place so much that you would visit it despite discomfort?
• Have you taken the toy train to Ooty?
• Which hill station holds your most cherished travel memories?
• Have you ever wished a train ride never ended?
• Do you still keep a photograph from a trip that meant the world to you?