world through the eyes of a dreamer

Reach Bangalore by a flight from Mumbai and then to Coorg by road. One can reach the tranquil town by train, getting down at Mysore or Hassan railway station, or by plane at Mangalore and taking the local buses to Madikeri, the capital of Coorg. the best route is by road from Bangalore along the Mysore highway to Madikeri. Private tourism companies will provide you with a vehicle, driver and itinerary at reasonable cost. Pass the famous ‘Ramgarh’ village of iconic Bollywood film ‘Sholay’. Coorg or ‘Kodagu’ means ‘a dense forest in steep hills’.weather is pleasant all round the year. Rains are unpredictable making it evergreen. Coorg is away from reckless tourism and its natives live very close to the laws of nature. Witness the ‘Kailpodhu festival’, in September signifying completion of rice crop transplantation. Kail means weapon and Podhu means festival. Thus consists of sports requiring men to exhibit physical strength. The Coorgis or Kodavas are said to be the descendants of Alexander the Great, that explains Greek features such as Miss World ‘Aishwarya Rai’. Locals speak in Kanada or Kodava, yet official language is English. the ‘Namdroling’ Buddhist monastery houses 5000 descendents of Tibetian exiles of 1963, is the largest teaching centre in the world of ‘Nyingmapa’, ‘Golden Temple’ is a huge hall with 60 ft golden statue of Lord Buddha. Inhabitants earn livelihood by selling several antiques and in the organized shopping alley. The 70ft tall ‘Abbi Falls’ is known for biodiversity, bird watching. ‘Talacauveri’ a temple at the origin of the southern Ganges the temples serve vegetarian south Indian lunch. At Dubbare Elephant Camp watch the giants take an evening bath and enjoy themselves. Nagarhole National Park houses major Asian spices of animals and birds, a must visit for kids. Coorg is known as a retirement or honeymoon destination. tea, coffee, orange and spice plantations offer to your shopping list. Enjoy white water rafting in Barapole River, fishing in Valnoor camp and trekking in the mountains of Madikeri, cuisine has influence of British and Portuguese. Non-vegetarian food is easier to find. Sweet water fish, pork and chicken are main delicacies, End this blissfull journey at Raja Seat; a huge landscaped garden, famous for Sunset and musical fountains. it use to be a hang out place for royalties. Experience the magic with the right person, as for the first time in many years I saw sparks flying between my ‘married for 25 years’ parents