Kodaikanal, 'Switzerland of the East', Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

You will soon discover that most of the entertainment for tourists is Kodaikanal goes on around the lake. Don?t be put off by the hordes of people. There are ways of circumventing this problem. If you happen to be here over a weekend, get away from town on hikes and picnics in the hills, and try again on Monday morning. Get to the lake on weekdays, as early as possible, to beat the rush. A walk around the lake takes about 45 minutes at a brisk pace.

But you may well want to take it slower, and wait and admire the view from this spot and that. It is truly delightful sight and you may find yourself on one of the cement benches (or on the grass), watching the wonderful colors and textures of the landscape.

One get a totally different perspective from a boat ad from the middle of the lake you will get a rich view of the spacious, wooded compounds on its periphery. You can hire a rowing boat, with or without a boatman, at very reasonable rates from the Boat Club.

The Kodaikanal lake is a haven for those who love boating and sailing. This makes the lake the center of attraction for most tourists around which the other scenic spots are structured. While the view is magnificent from any point around the lake, it is truly spellbinding from the middle of the lake when you are in a boat. You will get a 360 degree view of the woods around.