Wander in Coorg – A place with an identity of its own

Not very far from Bangalore, Coorg; is a 6 hour drive away from the hectic city life of Bangalore. A getaway to rebuild our senses and rejuvenate our souls amidst nature. Surrounded by abundance of Mother Nature and coffee estates, this place has a charm of its own.

What is more important is the welcoming nature of the locals, who strive to provide an experience to their guests or visitors which connects them to the earth and brings out the realization and importance of nature in our lives.

The best place to stay are the “Homestays” which familiarize the concept of trust in humanity. Opening up their homes to unknown people not only speaks about trust but also the respect for one another. This takes hospitality to a highest level. It celebrates that knowledge of faith, confidence, love for mankind and respect for nature.

I take this time to introduce you to one such homestay nestled within a 400 acre coffee estate. The Rustic House. The owner believes in free flow of thought, freedom from anxieties and builds an atmosphere to just be yourself. No questions asked. The only expectation is to respect what surrounds us and what provides for us. NATURE.

As we enter the gate, we are welcomed by a long path of coffee plants and pure mud. At the end of the drive down, it opens up to this space which is a surprise by itself.

The sound of any vehicle brings out the most important hosts of the house – The Dogs. Jack, Quicky, Bug, Rascal and Don. The cats are a little more aloof and throw an attitude that could either give you the goosebumps or just make you drool over them.

The cottages are as rustic as they could get. Hand painted walls by guests themselves. The lounge takes you on a journey of peace and serenity. The welcome drink is a homemade buttermilk. Pure curd, home grown chilies, mustards and the works. The pond behind the house is a 5 minute walk away and gives you the freedom to just breathe and absorb the silence that it surrounds.

The cuisine is to die for. Especially if you are the adventurous kind and a pure foodie without any constraints.

This is just a tip of the iceberg. There is more to explore and more stories to tell.

Until then.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

BEING A TOURIST IN MY HOME TOWN - GOA

As you all know by now that I grew up in beautiful Goa. This was long awaited where I planned a trip by myself and deserved a much needed break. Spoke to my friend and just booked the ticket to Goa. We didn't know where we were going to stay let alone chill. All I knew was that I was invited by a friend who gracefully allowed us to stay at his abode. But knowing that we needed a break and did not want to be confined in someone's house, we decided overnight to explore places to stay. At 2 am. Found it. Booked it. OYO at its best. Woke up in the morning, packed our bags and walked down the road in Candolim. We found an auto who "gracefully" demanded Rs.300  to drop us to our closest destination. Coco village and resort.

A village within a village. Stone’s throw away from the famous Baga beach. We got a room which had a beautiful view from the top floor. 3 days of just chilling in the beautiful shack called Zanzibar, enjoying my favorite Goan food and just breathing the freshness of the ocean. No work talks and definitely no work. It took us away from our hectic work schedule and we literally recuperated so to speak.

All I can say from this experience is that when we have the right company or the right company could just be our own mind, life's a sail and travelling is bliss.

Until I write again :-)

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Travelling. This is not just a word to me. It has been a part of my soul since my childhood. I grew up in Goa in the 1980's amidst lush greenery. I would finish school, come home, sneak out small aluminum utensils and vegetables from my garden, gather my friends and jump the wall and disappear into the forest area. We would light up some fire in between stones, cut the veggies and try and cook it. The fact that I still remember this so crystal clear till date, speaks volumes of how this experience is still embedded within me. Today, being a mother and a working woman, I still am always ready to travel by any means of transport and explore places and learn about cuisines. I was born in Zanzibar, an island in East Africa.

And grew up in Goa.

Travelling is not just my passion but it is my soul. Travelling helps me breathe my life to a level of unexpected peace. It makes me forget my worries and my responsibilities. It makes me realize my true self and creates a vacuum within me which is filled only through the places I visit. Travelling is not just a hobby to me. It is an experience that teaches me about life, about survival and above all, teaches me respect. I have learned one thing through my years of travel, be random or planned. It is to create my space and realize who I really am. Would you like to share your reason why you love travel? Let your heart speak.