Trip to Coorg

Short Trip to Coorg
Saturday afternoon decided to drive to Coorg. Though it was more of official trip, turned into a holiday / official trip with my wife. Destination was to see Porcupine Castle – A new resort on the hills of Polibetta, Coorg.
Started from Tyagaraj Nagar, Bangalore by 2 pm. Zipped on Mysore road till Srirangapattana, but road Srirangapattana to Hunsur road junction was horrible with unwanted humps. This got compensated by next stretch of road.
But again, once you take deviation towards Periaptna from Mysore – Madikeri road, road is very average with few pot (man) wholes. However, we reached Porcupine in just 5 hrs crossing Gonikoppa & Polibetta.
Warm hospitality & hot pacodas helped us to let off our tiredness. As it was already dark, we just slept off early. Cottages were nice with at most privacy.
Next day, after early bed tea, we had a enjoyable walk around the resort premises – memorable experience, on the misty mountain…
After breakfast, we enjoyed some time on the tree house too. Later left the resort towards Madikeri town.
Things I liked – Drive in my Alto, resort ambience, plantation & nature around.
Things I didn’t like – Trip was too short, hence it was hectic.

Overall good … planning for relaxing 03 days holiday again …

Cheers

Must visit destination – Edakkal Caves

Edakkal Caves
Prehistoric rock carvings located in Wayanad district of North Kerala

The name Edakkal Caves was very familiar to me, especially after watching the Kannada film, “Edakkal Guddada mele”. Oe fine Saturday, I decided to explore the place. Here is the short brief on the trip & the place –
I Drove about 270 kms from Bangalore on Calicut highway (NH 212 via Mysore & Gundlupet ) to reach place called Sulthan Battery. Further 12 kms drive towards Ambalavayal ( deviation from the highway ) is Edakkal Caves. We parked the car near Edakkal Hermitage resort, located on the foothills of Edakkal caves & trekked up to the caves. This moderate trek was for about 40 mins. Finally reached much awaited destination … Edakkal Caves. These caves are located at a height of about 3300ft above the sea level.
Wall art found in these caves that have been inhabited at various stage in history has caught the attention of archaeologists worldwide. Nature representatives on these cave walls are made by Neolithic celts. These wall writings are evidence of the prehistoric civilization that existed in the region & have the distinction of being the first specimen of abraded drawing in India.
1. Why should I visit Edakkal Caves?
Wayanad is a ideal drivable weekend destination, with Edakkal Caves being one of the main attraction there. It is an experience combined with moderate trekking for the whole family . More than that resort located on the foothills, “Edakkal Hermitage” makes me to go there again, because of the ambience, food & hospitality of the people there at the resort.

2. Where to stay?
Edakkal Resort, located on the foothills of Edakkal caves is an ideal place to dine & stay. These independent cottages, built on the slope of the hillock are moderately priced with all basic amenities. Resort is known for personalised service & mouth watering local cuisine. Stand alone tree house & cave restaurant are the USP of the resort. If you are addicted to TV serials, get ready to live without TV for a day / two.
Two nights stay would be ideal, with one night on the tree house.

3. Things to keep in mind before you start your journey – CD of your choice to play in the vehicle during the journey. Carrying any kind of liquor across Kerala border is not permitted & same is at your own risk! Sun glass & P cap to prevent from direct sunrays hitting the body. Light woolens as the area tends to get cold in the night.

4. Ideal would be to start from Bangalore by 0630 hrs in the mroning. Halt at Kamat Lokaruchi, Ramanagar for breakfast, which is an hour drive from Bangalore. Dish to order – Kotte Idli ( though the size of the Idlie has reduced, still tasty ) with chow chow bath ( combination of Kesariabth with Khara bath ). Reach Edakkal Hermitage by 1230 hrs, for lunch time.

5. How is the road from Bangalore to Edakkal Caves?
Roads are amazing. Bangalore to Mysore, one could drive at 100 / 110 kph speed.
Mysore Gundlupet road is quite good. Then comes the drive through the lovely forests of Bandipur & Muthunga till you reach Sulthan Battery. Road from Battery till Ambalavayal is narrow & winding.

6. Make sure you have enough stock of drinking water before you start the trek.
Ideal would be to do this trek is on day 2, early morning before the breakfast.

7. Not to miss – Candle lit dinner at Cave restaurant at the resort with light music.

Lonely Planet – What is missing – Bangalore?

Having worked for more than 6 years in a reputed travel agency which handles reasonably good number of inbound guests the book “Lonely Planet” was not unknown to me. As you may be aware, unlike most of us (Indians), Westerners plan their holidays well in advance. They plan their entire itinerary based on Lonely Planet. They refer this book many a times in their communication. So, I was always very curious to read this book in detail to improve my knowledge.  

To start with I selected my current living City, Bangalore for the studies.

Hats off to Lonely Planet team for their detailed survey & writing. Not an easy job!

But still I feel there is loads crucial information which is missing. 

I could list out few of those, in my first reading itself. Here I am referring 12^th edition of Lonely Planet INDIA book 

• Book shops  – (Page no. 884)

Though Lonely Planet mentions 3 major book shops in Bangalore, I felt Sapna Book Shop definitely deserves a place. Sapna has biggest collections of books in Bangalore.

• Medical services – (Page n. 884)

Except Mallya I couldn’t figure out why they have listed other two places ( i.e, Dr. Anoo Chengappa & Chetak Pharma).

If not for any other place, NIMHANS definitely deserves a place in the book. 

Interesting findings as you read more : 

• Travel agencies (Page no. 885)–

Only two agencies gain an entry – Stic and Arjun Tours

There are many reputed tour planners / holiday makers / travel agents in the City, who deserve a place in the book. Like Cox & Kings, Kuoni, etc 

Just not over,

• I was really surprised after seeing Top end hotels list (page no. 889)  How can they miss hotels like Hotel Leela Kempinski &  ITC Windsor Manor!

 

• Beautiful Resorts on the outskirts of Bangalore were completely ignored.                                        

There are luxury resorts like Mr. Sanjay Khan’s Golden palms spa & Resorts, Angsana Oasis Spa & Resorts run by Prestige Group. Golfer’s paradise Eagleton & Beautiful Country Inn angina on Kanakpura Road etc – which are not to be missed by the Travellers 

That is it for the time being … more as I dive further into this “Lonely Planet” 

Cheers!