To travel is to live. We travel not to escape life, but for life to not escape us. Dream, do, discover. The umpteen travel quotes or rather to travel quotes have been flooding my mailbox and making their way into my head since time immemorial. More recently flooded with Mommy-hormones, I took several journeys of a lifetime right from my living quarters! However what we say, what we do sometimes pale in comparison to what we go see, cause ten times to one the world is mightier than the home! And so when road trips beckoned to near-by locales of Coorg and Bandipur I was elated. Though not much a fan of road-trips (unless ofcourse we walk the entire way, ;)), I braved the journeys to see and experience some beautiful properties, monsoon greens that are greener than green and ofcourse some exotic wildlife. Here’s are two postcards that spell the sheer gorgeousness of monsoon in Karnataka.
Coorg
Karnataka with its red soil and ideal precipitation is home to a beautiful landscape of forests, greenery that comes alive especially in the monsoon. Kodagu, a district in the state is known for its spices, white pepper as such, brave men, beautiful women and a clime that brought to it the title, Scotland of India. The beauty of experiencing Coorg is amplified or rather largely hinged on the property that one stays in, its like almost a disclaimer. The local joints, sightseeing is nothing much, but if one lands up in a property that is itself a piece of art, then the charm is something else altogether. While family retreats are many, here’s one that is truly spectacular. Tamara, designed by Trivandram based Iyer and Mahesh architects uses wood in a warm and stylish way. The resort is spread over a vast number of acres boasting of terrific flora and fauna ideal for quiet walks and is a treat for nature lovers including a waterfall. The architects have cantilevered the main restaurant and bar over the waterfall, aptly calling it the fall all with glass flooring to look down at the gushing water. The finish is immaculate and the food lovely. A beautiful luxury resort to experience Coorg in all its natural glory!
Bandipur
Spotting a tiger has got to be the highlight of any trip if that happens, however, the Windflower in Bandipur is so natural and eco-friendly that it steals one’s heart with the heavily wooded central space. Extremely nimble-footed, the architecture is inward looking, luxurious in proportion and unassuming in its build. The tusker trails that the resort provides ensures activities like nature walk, wild safaris, mountain-biking, ayurvedic treatments and a host of others to supplement one’s experience of nature. The lovely Nilgiris and the Mudumalai National Park are in close proximity. Innumerable deer, pea-cocks, birds and the mighty tiger are some of the animals we were able to sight in the luxurious monsoon greens. The Windflower is located within the Bandipur National Park and allows animals to pass through the resort, so watching out and being aware is crucial and the feels exciting!
Vedasri Siddamsetty 