Jungle Journey to Gavi

Looking forward for the Gavi trip during the Christmas holidays a lively team of seven members, including my mother, sister and husband with their five-year-old kid and my two  brothers, entered our uncles eight-seat vehicle on Dec 26^th morning. As our main driver (brother in law) slightly burned his hand while firing crackers during the Christmas day, we sought the help of our neighbour to drive the vehicle till Vandiperiyar (the nearest town to Gavi).

After clearing the formalities at the forest check-post at Vandiperiyar, we took charge of the vehicle and wishing the sight of wild animals en route, we continued the drive. After driving for nearly half an hour we were delighted to see the sprawling Gavi dam and alongside it the Green Mansion Lodges, which we had already booked for a night stay.

On reaching there after the 65 KM drive, we checked in the room and unloaded our entire luggage and took some rest. Later all of us, fitting the latest adventurous outfits, went to the restaurant which overlooks the dam. While taking the vegetarian lunch, we could see various tourists, who were enjoying a forest drive to Gavi during their stay at Thekkady, the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve forest in Kerala.

After the lunch we sat on the wide stretch of green lawn under the shady trees there, enjoying the beauty of the dam and the massive trees in the forest across the dam. Later, accompanied by a guide, we set out on a journey through the dense forest in our jeep, again hoping to see any wild animal roaming inside the jungle. Adding to our anxiety and agony, the guide told that the guests on the previous day were fortunate enough to see a tiger crossing the road, during their jungle safari. We drove further to the interiors of the forest and though frightening stopped at some peculiar spots to take snaps.

Though disappointed for not seeing any animals, except a few deer and monkeys roaming in the forest, we came back and excitedly got ready for the boating. Our guide started rowing the boat and across the dam we got down to have a close view of a water fall. We had a dip in the ice cold water coming from the forest and posed for the camera flashes.

Later we returned when it started turning dark and went to bed after taking the dinner, which included some non-vegetarian dishes.

Next day we got up early in the morning at 5 AM and clad in jackets and woollen attires to get rid of the chilling icy climate, entered a top open jeep for the jungle safari. Accompanied by the driver and the guide, we started again eagerly looking to see any wild beast. After a while, our guide spotted a group of deer on the top of a cliff and we had a close view with the help of binoculars. Further inside the forest, we saw a bison. Later we had a small time trekking inside the forest and the guide took us to the view point atop a mountain. Looking down we were excited to see not only the beautiful view but also a group of bison and wild elephants having their morning brunch. While returning back we had the most interesting view of the tour – a group of wild dogs surrounding a Samba Deer to attack it and also a group of elephants which were making eerie noises.

Later in the day, we walked atop another cliff, an interesting view point. From there we could ‘Sannidhanam’ at Sabarimala, the famous Hindu pilgrimage place.

Gear up to Ooty

FOUR of us set out on a journey to Ooty from Bangalore on a fine after noon in May. After halted for a late lunch at Maddur (a small town en route) we passed Mysore, Begur and Gundulpet (State Highway 17) and reached Bandipur by 6 PM.

The sight of sky-touching wide stretch of green mountains and the groups of deer wandering around supplemented our excitement. As it turned dark we got quite scared seeing the board ‘Welcome to Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary’ on the way to the hill station.

Later, after having a cup of coffee and some snacks from a road side small tea shop at Massinagudi, we proceeded further and started climbing the ghat road, consisting of 37 hair pin curves. The drive enthralled our spirit and as we reached the hilltop, which is located at a height of 7,500 ft above sea level, we took all the woolen clothes from the baggage and made ourselves warm.

We drove straight to Hillock View Resort, where we had booked an apartment for one night stay. After taking dinner from the hotel we all went to bed.

Next day morning the fascinating view of the neighbouring tea mountains, from the bedroom window, was the first thing which caught our attention. Later we went for a walk around the resort and realized that all the apartments provided a delightful view of nearby tea gardens, forests and other mountains. The panoramic view of the nearby hills from the roof-top restaurant at Hillock was another beautiful attraction. 

Hillock View had different categories of apartments. It consisted of standard one bedroom suite with one bed room and a spacious living room and also luxury villas with two bed rooms and a living room. The two bed room suite here has an independent kitchen where the guests can cook their dishes. All the rooms provided the fantastic view of surrounding snow capped mountains.

Ooty, the district headquarters of Nilgiris district, is also called The Queen of Hill Stations. Among the various attractions of Ooty the boat house, Doddabetta peak, Pykara dam, deer park etc… are the very few to name besides the famous Botanical garden.

Later we advanced to the top of a cliff, nearby the Race Course road, and found a charming resort, The British Cliff Club, a 150-year-old British Bungalow. During the colonial rule, the British came to Ooty to spend their holidays and built bungalows. When India became independent, British left these exquisite bungalows, which were built in European architectural style. The Cliff Club, which is preserved as a tribute to our history, is now owned by Tranquil Castle group.

A major portion of the Udhagamandalam town could be seen from the front of the Cliff Club while on the opposite side we can have a stunning view of Tea Mountains. On the sprawling lawn on one side of the resort camp fire was arranged on most of the nights.

It has two suit rooms, which reflected the British architectural style and their aristocratic life style. Viceroy Chambers and Club room are the other two room categories here. Opening a Viceroy Chamber you will have a splendid view of the neighbouring misty mountain ranges. Though the road to the top of the cliff was quite upsetting, the alluring beauty of the resort electrified us and made us cheerful.

In the evening while returning, we went to see another interesting hotel, Hotel Vascoda Sunshine Inn, which is located almost at the centre of the Ooty city. The rooms in the hotel offer an outstanding view from the balcony. 

We realized that it is not easy to explore the entire beauty of this hill station in just two days. Mesmerizing the sweet memories of this destination and guaranteeing ourselves to make a comeback trip to the chilly area soon we left the city before its started turning dark. For booking an holiday at Ooty contact thomas@4seasonsholidays.in

Expedition ECR

An excited team of 16 boys - seven from Chennai, another seven from Kochi and one from Bangalore - set off to East Coast Road (ECR) on the outskirts of Chennai to enjoy a rocking and blasting weekend. With a relaxed and sporty frame of mind we stepped into the hired van for the nearly an hour’s drive to ‘Sea Cliff Avenue’ a corporate guest house, which have been booked in advance.
Albeit being sure that the stock of cocktail would be adequate, we took a pit stop at Tiruvanmiyur (a nearby town) to count up our reserve stockpile and to buy provisions. Due to the heavy traffic jam en route, we were really tired when we reached the destination, hence to enliven the mood we started with a game of soccer on the sprawling lawn, on one side of the house.
Immediately after the ‘game-over’ call, we decided to take a leap in the beach. In another five minutes, we set off to the charming and scenic beach, which is just 100 metres away from the house. Camera flashes all around, we all ‘STRIPPERS’ tried to pose as if models for the next year’s calendars.
After the bath, came the call for next main event of the day (and the days to come), the cocktail session. A sudden approval came in the form of a round of applause.
As the session continued, came the appeal for music. On one corner of the lawn, a music system with a set of CDs which included trance, techno, home, DJ mixes and the popular Tamil, Malayalam, English and Hindi film songs started playing. All the guys hit the dance floor with the latest hip quaking moves.
Day two looked more energetic. All gathered on the lawn, and having the bed coffee, evaluated, rather appreciated the previous day’s performances. Together we prepared breakfast, bread toast with fresh omelets and started the course of the day. After that few among us tackled the football while some others involved in a game of ‘one-bounce’ cricket, with loud music in the background.

Hill top garden: Rose Garden

AMONG the various offbeat picnicking spots mushroomed up in Kerala in the last couple of decades, Kuttikanam in Idukki district deserves incomparable significance. Along with the rush of picnicking crowd into  Kuttikkanam increased, various hotels and resorts also boomed up in and around this hill station. Rose Garden Residency, started in 1994, is one among the first one to come up at nearby Peerumedu. Kuttikanam, located over 3,500 ft above sea level and with the delightful view of wide stretch of tea mountains, has become one of the favourite holiday destinations of tourists - both domestic and international. A trip to the Gods Own Country would be incomplete without visiting this hill station.
Rose Garden wins the attraction of each passerby with its unique location. All the rooms here would provide a picturesque view of neighbouring snowy tea mountains. “This view, especially in the mornings, rejuvenates our guests,” says Boby Mathew, Managing Director of Rose Garden. On the verandah in front of all our rooms, the guests spend hours, enjoying the gentle breeze carrying the scent of tea plants, he added.
Those who have stayed in this budget hotel at least once would make it a point to visit it during their next trip to this side of the country. “Hence majority of our guests are regular customers. They make advance bookings while planning their Kerala tour,” Boby said and added "as per the guests’ request, we arrange trekking trips to the nearby mountains." For bookings please contact thomas@4seasonsholidays.in