We read about this place “Wildernest” in the July edition of Lonely Planet Magazine and immediately booked it. And this weekend we experienced it. Our journey started by bus from Bangalore to Belgaum, on which we could hardly sleep due to a crying and screaming baby right behind us. Morning from Belgaum we were picked up by the resort’s cab, which took 2 and a half hours to cover just 60 kms. The road, oh sorry, calling it a road is blasphemy, was one of the worst possible roads we have experienced. Hats off to Mr. Bramha, the driver, who maneuvered skillfully across this ill-trodden path to our destination, a slice from heaven.

Road to Wildernest

We were welcomed aboard by Sushma, who guided us through the next 3 days of our stay. She’s from a nearby village called Chorla, she is very agile and has good knowledge of forests and mountains. And she spoke perfect English.

The place is strategically located, have the best of 3 states – the entry is from Goa, the cottages are in Maharashtra and the jungle trails are in Karnataka. You need to keep asking always which state you are standing in right now. But the place is a bliss, one of the wettest region of North-Western India, it gets around 300 inches of of rains in the monsoon. And thus, it is the best place to enjoy monsoon. We, the city dwellers, often forget what monsoon is like and we need breaks like this to sit back and enjoy the nature’s beautiful work.

We stayed at the forest view cottage. The cottages are beautifully made of wood, with 3 walls as clear glass French windows, to enjoy the rains pouring from all sides. Due to very high humidity, the floors are always wet. There are variety of insects that you can see – from the earthworm, to snails, to millipedes, to huge spiders, to slugs, to cicada, to really jumbo forest mosquitoes, which are always eager to enter your room. This place is a plastic free zone and you can see that they have taken utmost care to eliminate the use of plastic to maximum level. The place is well maintained, clean despite of this weather, with 24 hours facilities of hot water and electricity.

The Room View

The View from a French Window!!!

The food served is of local cuisine, very healthy and yet very tasty. With the rains pouring perpetually, and clean fresh air you tend to eat more than your diet.

The Valley View from Dining Area

The first trek was to the highest point of the property. It was a short and sweet trek of about 20 minutes each way. Luckily, when we reached the highest point, the valley was cleared of mist and we witnessed the most breathtaking and magnificent view of the valley, mountains and loads of waterfalls. It seems on a clear day we can see the Arabian Sea from this point. Sorry, no pictures of this trek as were very scared for the camera to take out in pouring rains.

The second trek was a 3 kms one way trek to the river. We are falling short of words to describe this trek. We can clearly say that this was the best trek we have done till date. It was pouring all the time, without fail even for a second. The path goes through dense rain-forest and innumerable mountain streams. At a point we were trekking right in the middle of a stream, as if we were tracing it to its source. We even crossed 2 waterfalls on the way. We were always surrounded by lush greenery, be it the green algae on the trees and rocks or the brightly colored leaves of the trees. We met a lot of creatures of this rich ecosystem in their abodes, quiet mentionable out of them were crabs and leeches. Thankfully we were carrying salt so as to leave the leeches behind. The river was at it’s full glory. Climbing back to the resort was equally enjoyable.

The Waterfall We Crossed

The River at Full Glory

After the trek we ventured into the swimming pool. The pool had the advantage of the best view of the valley in the entire resort.

Pool View

We took a third trek, back to the highest point. And this time we were loaded with camera . But unfortunately, the valley was completely covered in dense mist and we could not see anything (better luck next time!). Anyways, the trek was amazing, as it was pouring heavily and wind was really strong.

The Scene at the Highest Point

Path Layed Green

Our Verdict:

• The place is perfect for a relaxing monsoon vacation for couples, friends and families
• Its worth every penny that you spend

Vital Facts:

• Distance from Bangalore – ~560 Kms
• Resort gives pick-up and drop from nearby places if you stay with them for atleast 2 nights
• Website – http://www.wildernest-goa.com/

Extra Shots (some tips from the box) –

• You don’t need a vehicle once in the resort, so try to travel by air, bus, or train.
• Avoid going to Belgaum, roads are really bad from there. Instead try to go some place in Goa.
• Carry some umbrellas and raincoats or ponchos. Though they give you ponchos, but they are little dirty.
• Carry a mosquito repellent, if you detest being bitten by them (who doesn’t )
• Carry clothes that dry easily, cause of the dampness its really hard to dry clothes here.
• If possible, carry a hair dryer and a travel iron, comes in handy.
• Avoid wearing shoes, floaters are the best for this climate.
• And last but not the least, carry an attitude to enjoy and relax amidst pouring rains

Bhadra River Camp is a camping site on the banks of Bhadra River near Chikmagalur, Karnataka. This place was opened around four months back and we had been planning to visit since then. But our trip got materialized now!

Starry-eyed and lots of dreams, we started early morning on Saturday. The route was good, except for a small patch between Kadur and Chikmagalur. And after Chikmagalur, the route turned beautiful. Long winding roads, going in and out of coffee estates. It reminded us of Coorg so much. Our hopes soared up with each passing scenic view. The path leading to the camp site from the camp’s main gate was like epitome of our hopes, which were shattered brutally when we saw the camp site. It was a piece of barren land with three hut-like structures. There were people everywhere, shouting around and clothes drying all over the place. And for the camp, we had never expected that the tents will have a cemented floor and a tiled roof. The view from the camps was cluttered with transmission lines and fencing.

The Camp:

The View from the Camp:

Our check-in time was 11 am and we had reached the camp site sharp at 11, but there was absolutely nobody to greet us or even tell us what the hell is going on. We asked a lady, who was obviously a guest, about Peter, he was the guy we were supposed to meet, and came to know that he is on a trek with other guests. With nothing else to do and nowehere else to go, we sat in the dining area and waited for Peter. Alas, he came! And said, please wait for some time. With all our patience gathered up, we headed out towards the river for a place of solitude and spent time sitting under a tree (sunlight was just too torturous), till we get our acco vacated. All our enthusiasm about this place had died out.

Around the Camp Site:

The previous guests, who were supposed to check-out by 11 am, checked-out by 1:45 pm, wasting half our day. Post-lunch we just slept off to kill time. Later, Peter was supposed to take us out for a trek at 4 pm. We were ready by 3:45, but no sign of Mr. Peter till around 4:10. Ahhh, we just hate people who do not respect time. Anyways, we started the trek. It was a dull monotonous walk along a jeep road. The jungle was also not so interesting. After reaching a point, we were just too bored and asked Peter to take us back. And this time, we insisted that we don’t want to take the road but find way along the river. Now came, the only-best time of this trip. The trek back was interesting, with jumping around, squatting under bushes and walking over bamboo bridges. This is what we wanted and we were happy when we got back . This is pretty much about the trip, with nothing much to add.

Bhadra River captured in its glory on the trek back:

The bridge we crossed while our trek back:

P.S.: There was this guy, Ram, who took really good care of us. The team at Bhadra River Camp, has only three people – Peter, who is perpetually over phone, Deepak, did not get to interact a lot, and Ram, the guy who does all the work.

Our Verdict:

• The place is for amateur nature dwellers, who have hardly been in the wild.
• Too hot during summers.
• Needs more professional attitude.
• We felt that the place is a tad smaller for two or more groups and will infringe on your privacy.
• Not value for money.

Vital Facts:

• Distance from Bangalore – ~ 290 Kms
• Route – Bangalore -> Tumkur -> Chikmagalur -> Aldur -> Kadabgere -> Bhadra River Camp
• Website – www.bhadrarivercamp.com

We are back on the highways, our favorite place . We are on our way to Bhadra River Camp. More on it as we reach there. But right now we are just enjoying being on the road

Highways are so awesome, there is so much to look out for. Every few kms you have something new to experience. Also you feel so free on a highway, like a bird in the sky. One more thing to notice is the strange and tacit relationship between vehicles. How nice to see an understanding harmony among vehicles, as if partners in crime. , which is seldom seen in city traffic. Hats off to these truck drivers who have a far better sense of traffic than most educated lots in the a/c cars. So good to be back among them

We had spotted this place – Shambala Log Cabin, while searching for a place in Masinagudi last year. The pictures and the description was so very tempting that we ball-parked this place for our anniversary trip. And this thursday, we made this trip. The place was much more than what we had expected. It had seemed expensive to us, but after spending a whole day there, the price is well justified. Its like you own the house of your dreams for a day. Everything about this place is so wonderful. Every small detail has been taken care of, and the care taker, Mr. Shijith and the watchman, were always on their toes to fulfill all our demands.

We reached the place at around 9:30 am, and were greeted by spotted deer and a peacock fanning its feathers. It was a lovely sight. And the house seemed like just out of the travel & living features on vacation homes. Well designed. Classy. Perfect. Rest of the morning was spent just looking around and beaming with happiness. Food was half ordered from outside and half pre-cooked food which was provided in the refrigerator. We sat at the table on the front deck and had our lunch looking at deer and peacocks roaming around, birds chirping and flying from one tree to another. It was one of the best ambiance we ever had a meal in. No restaurant can beat it. After relaxing in the afternoon, we went out for a walk to the village and the start of the national park in the evening. We spotted an elephant with huge tusks drinking water at a stream, just outside the park entrance. Due to reports of attacks by a rogue elephant, entry into the forest was completely closed. Disappointed we returned back to our cozy little abode and spent rest of the evening eying birds through binoculars.

Dinner was prepared by me (master chef ). Soup and Pasta. I found almost all the ingredients in the kitchen closet, so it actually felt like home. For the dinner, we asked Shijith to prepare a fire in the beautiful fireplace on the front deck. It was just the perfect dinner and ambiance for our anniversary And with stars twinkling in the sky and lovely breeze swaying the trees slightly, we cozied up in the comfortable bed and went into the dreamland. Morning, we got up and thought of taking a walk outside. The watchman accompanied us, for our safety. Though it was not a thick forest, but it was really nice to walk around and see a bit of wildlife.

It was really hard to bid adieu to that place. It was a dream come true for a day and we will always remember this anniversary of ours for our lives.

Details of Shambala Log Cabin – http://www.hammockholidays.com/shambala_masinagudi_mudumalai.htm

Outlook traveller’s article – http://www.traveller.outlookindia.com/issuecontent1.aspx?id=1540&flag=issuehome

Kodai Kanal has always been my favorite destination, ever since I visited it as a kid. The beautiful mountains, the lush green jungles, the placid lake, the lovely mist, and the beautiful waterfalls always had remained etched in my memory. I had a chance to visit Kodai a few years back with my friends. A log of that trip is here. But it seems, I never had enough of Kodai, and my craving to visit that place is still the same

Kodai has always been a part of my family favorites. And guess, Ritesh had got so bored of listening to the dinner-time-kodai-stories, that he decided to visit it and become a part of the memoirs recitation . So when his parents were coming to stay with us for few days, we planned for this much awaited trip to Kodai Kanal.