It was at the first light of dawn that we arrived in a quiet town surrounded by the “blue mountains”, 2000m above sea level, Coonoor.

Amidst the touch of winter in the wind, we checked into <a href="http://mgm-hotels.com/mgm-hotels-and-resorts/mgm-hill-worth-resorts" target="_blank">MGM Hill Worth Resorts</a> – a gem of a find, set on a cliff overlooking the pale peaks of the Nilgiri in the farness. What we got was a grandeur room, a sit out verandah, and a private bonfire.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> Our first halt, following a stealthy road-climb, was Lamb’s Rock. Here, the frequent wisps of mist uncovered, every now and then, a view of the panoramic tea estates below.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> Nature, a magician in all honesty!

“That's the thing about magic; you've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you.”

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<br style="clear: both;" /> Next, we drove up to Dolphin’s Nose. In the sun illuminating the woods, we hiked to the summit through Shola Forest, only, yet again, to be stifled by beauty.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> The sight of the endless undulating hills in the sky stir up a sense of <i>eudaimonia</i> in us, a happiness.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> On our way down, we sniffed the scents of eucalyptus and winter green and could'nt resist purchasing their oils.

We also paid a visit to the lush, entrancing Highland Tea Garden. Acres of evergreen shrubbery glistening in the calm afternoon sun.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> Dinner (read classic daiquiris!) was at the iconic <a href="http://www.thegatewayhotels.com/church-road-coonoor/overview.html" target="_blank">Gateway Hotel</a>, a charming colonial establishment tucked away in the hilly landscape.

As the morning dawned bright, we booked first class tickets on the Heritage Train from Coonoor to Ooty, and were off on what was a quixotic quest of sorts.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> The train chugged through little stations between the endless arrays of trees whistling a lilting tune. The splashes of sunshine, the birds racing back and forth, the hued blossoms, the plentiful vistas, and just the tranquility of it all was an experience to cherish.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> As we set foot in Ooty (locally known as Ootacamund), there was just enough time to do lunch at Earl’s Secret in <a href="http://www.littlearth.in/kingscliff/" target="_blank">King’s Cliff</a>. Where its history fascinated us, their signature chocolate brownies almost held us hostage.

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<br style="clear: both;" /> Our ride back to Coonoor and then home was sadly imminent but this was one of those that, incomprehensibly, left a lasting impact on us.

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Andamans

Port Blair As the flight from Chennai landed in the island’s archipelago, immediately, a pleasant radiance emanated. We checked into a cozy B&B, Andaman Galley, a few minutes from the airport. Our only agenda was beach food at Corbyn’s Cove, a curvy coastline with palms in the background, jet skiers and paragliders galore.

The setting sun quickly melted into shades of orange and we rode off towards the iconic Cellular Jail for an evening tour.

In what was a brilliant show of light and sound, we learned of India’s struggle for freedom and the strength of her heroic fighters in these parts. A fathomless realm. We then ensconced ourselves in the exotic Fortune Resort Bay Island, swaying to the tunes of the 90s, and retiring to bed early. Havelock Island In the soporific breeze of dawn, the Green Ocean ferry awaited us as we climbed aboard its royal class.

The mellifluous waves of the Bay of Bengal, the extensive sweep of the sky with a hint of sunshine and the gentle wafts of air reduced us to liquid slow, in mind and body. Except when we spotted flying fish!

Three hours later, we arrived at the Havelock jetty and hailed an autorickshaw (more easily available than cabs) that led us to Island Vinnie’s Tropical Beach Resort. Located on Beach no. 3 and the hub of Dive India, we had truly descended upon paradise!

The tented cabana was an eco-friendly, luxurious, clean, comfortable accommodation, adjacent to the beach, and oh, a private hammock for happiness.

A massive breakfast at the Full Moon Cafe was followed by biking all the way to Kaala Pathar, yet another piece of gorgeous façade interrupted by bits of private beachland.

Sunset on the island decorated the pristine beaches of Radhanagar, voted among Asia’s best, and we momentarily forgot about the notoriously rough roads that got us here. The place felt alive with the warmth and sound of the languid seawater.

At the rise of the misty sun, the next morning, we dressed in our scuba gear ready for a session of diving in ‘Nemo Reef’ of the South Andaman Sea.

We careened underwater while the popular clownfish peeked in and out of his sea anemone, the inquisitive parrotfish displayed herself where a squid or two wandered, a shy manta ray zoomed off the ocean floor in contrast to the sluggish sea cucumber.

A kaleidoscope of colour, a whole different world. We swam back to the shores, and again got lost in the rhythm of the unspeakably blue waters and the dazzling white sands; strolling, and then pausing to take it all in. Ah, life on an island!

Ross Island A night was spent in Port Blair’s Shelter on the Sea, a value-for-money homestay, almost touching the sea. We were awash on to our destination - terra firma, thankfully - after a 15 minute bumpy motor boat ride. On the flipside, oh so azure!

The islet, now abandoned, was quaint wilderness. Lavish with forest area, we explored the ruins of an erstwhile church, still an elaborate structure, army barracks, remnants of commissioner bungalows undimmed by the advance of time.

The beauty of Ross Island also lies in its flamboyant peacock and a species of red deer that traipsed in our midst as we lost ourselves in tranquility.

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” Our two cents on the Andamans: an incontestably magical wonderland.

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