Located not far from the center of Kodaikanal is Coaker’s Walk. A simple attraction, this paved pathway rests on the side of a tall hill, affording anyone who cares to pay the ten rupees entrance fee a startling view of the valley below. Unfortunately, the day I went most of the view was obscured by mist, but the few glances I got of the land below was enchanting.
 
Rolling forests, whitewashed resorts nestled among the greenery, grand houses and vegetation for days. Even with the November mist, it was worth every single rupee.
 
Testifying to the beauty of the valley are two telescope viewpoints. For another five rupees, visitors can step inside and take a closer peak at the scene below. There is not just one but two places where you can check things out, at either end of the walk. If it’s clear when you visit, I highly doubt you’ll be able to resist the temptation to see what’s going on down below in greater detail.


The tourist presence can be felt keenly along the walk. Stalls selling handmade silk string earrings, knockoff sunglasses and umbrellas (but, oddly, no chai) nestle against the inner side of the walk. One can even find, bizarrely, small statuettes of Native American styling. I’m not sure how or why this is a thing here, but I’ll let you make of that what you will.

​The walk itself is not terribly long, but affords plenty to look at along the way. In addition to the valley views, I found the Van Allen Maternity hospital, snuggled up next to a café serving hot drinks and delicious lunches. The hospital itself is a sweet little number made of rough stone, with touches of old English masonry.
 
Coaker’s Walk is the perfect place to take your sweetheart on a morning stroll, after getting breakfast at one of the nearby eateries on the lower end. Or, if you’re traveling with family, kids will surely get a kick out of the telescopes, andthe bright trinkets for sale. A must see for any visitors of Kodaikanal.

​Even in November, with the mists shrouding the hills and afternoon rains coming in like clockwork, the pops of color in Kodaikanal will take your breath away. As I wandered the streets this morning my attention was caught, over and over again. Bright flowers bloom every few steps, making me feel like I was in a tropical paradise at times. Most shocking to me were the poinsettias.
 
Poinsettias, to me, are a quintessential Christmas staple. Pots of these white and red blooms grace every entryway, holiday festival and church gathering. In my mind, they conjure up images of snow, tinkling bells and evergreens decked out with ornaments and tinsel. Here, they tower overhead, no longer resigned to tiny, cellophane-wrapped bowls.
 
Side by side with the poinsettias other, less familiar flowers blossomed, decorating the roads. Delicate pink trumpet shaped flowers hung from rich, green ivy. Tiny magenta and yellow clusters brightened my walk home.

But the flowers are not the only vibrant stars in Kodaikanal. I would be remiss not to mention the Shri Bathirakalliamman Temple near Convent Road. Located on the same street as a slew of auto repair shops that clog the road with motorcycles, this small temple packs a big impression. Like a wild birthday cake, statues of deities top the temple, each meticulously painted. Baby blue and cotton candy pink, spring green and splashes of red invite the eye to explore, while the sound of honking scooters and the hubbub of day-to-day life float around.

​You’ll also find some of the wildest paint jobs on houses and hotels. In particular, the M. Maruthu Relax Home guest house, with its egg-yolk walls and ocean blue accents is a sight to behold. Whether the rooms inside are as fun as the outside, I Couldn’t tell you, but the innovative decorating makes the place look warm and inviting nonetheless.