Coorg-Bekal 2022

After moving to Australia in Oct 2015, I did not do a great job of keeping in touch with my friends from India. Instagram and Facebook updates were good to keep tabs but only until I moved away from social media in 2021. So, when I visited India in 2022, the first time since 2018, I was not sure if/how I would catch up with any of my old school friends. Yash and I have one of those friendships where you only talk twice a year, but when you do, you pick up right where you left off. I guess that is how most friendships become after a decade of knowing each other 🤷‍♂️

Growing up, I did not have the same passion for traveling as I do today. There would be the occasional family or school trip but the memories of all such trips have faded. The experience of traveling India as an adult, on my own terms will be vastly different.

When I called Yash in June, it had been at least 4 years since I had last seen him. We both agreed to plan a trip together. I had a look at the recommendations online and then we decided to head to Coorg - a rural district in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka. We also decided to spend a day in Bekal, a small town of Kerala (neighboring state of Karnataka) - renowned for its stunning beaches, beautiful backwaters, and forts.

The planning of this trip was entirely managed by Yash, his family and their friends. Usually, I take on the responsibility of planning trips whether I am traveling alone, with friends or family. This was a rare occasion where I simply showed up and had a good time!

From the very start of this trip, Yash had taken care of organizing a luxurious trip which included impeccable service in every aspect. There was a car ready to pick us up at the airport and take us to his sister's home for lunch. She welcomed us both warmly and had prepared a feast, all by herself!

After lunch, the driver stayed with us for the next couple of days to drive us around from home to Taj Bekal Resort and from there to Ayatana Coorg - both 5+ star hotels in absolutely stunning locations 😍 The service and quality of stay at both places could not be faulted. I cannot think of another time when I have been so happy and fulfilled even after splurging on extravagant stays.

For places that otherwise deserve every cent of the bank-breaking bills, we got decent concessions. Regardless of how good an experience is objectively, getting a hefty discount makes it even better! 💸

In Bekal

In Kerala, we stayed in Taj Bekal Resort & Spa. Taj Hotels is a chain of luxury hotels and a subsidiary of the Indian Hotels Company Limited, owned by Tata Group. Taj has hotels and resorts around the globe, not just in India. Be it hill stations or beaches, Taj has a legacy of royalty, providing iconic hospitality for 116 years.

When we reached the main entrance of Taj, we were welcomed warmly with garlands made of marigold flowers into the beautiful estate centered by a pretty lake and surrounded by coconut trees. Almost immediately, we were treated to evening snacks and refreshments in a conference room. The chai and pakoras (a traditional evening snack) were freshly prepared and served out of a lari in the most authentic fashion.

After taking a quick tour of our villa, we walked to the beach and enjoyed the cool and refreshing ocen breeze. After meditating in the peace and quiet of the shore, we walked around the villa enjoying the greenery and the soft night lights before feasting at the buffet!

After a hectic start to the year, I was craving a relaxing holiday where I didn't have to worry about organising every detail. This serene patch of paradise was the perfect place to kick off my adventures. 🧘‍♂️

Before leaving, we also spent a few hours kayaking in the backwaters of the resort. I wasn't brave enough to zipline over the water but from what Yash tells me, it was absolutely thrilling!

In Coorg

After spending a night in Bekal, Kerala, we drove to Coorg in Karnataka. Coorg is known as the Scotland of India, famous for its exquisite climate, hill ranges, and coffee plantations.

We stayed at Ayatana. The resort is situated in the midst of a dense forest surrounded by beautiful hills and tall trees. The owner of the property has put a lot of thought into making this an ideal place for the utmost rejuvenation. The property is constructed in only a third of the acquired land and the rest is left as it is. This means that Ayatana is home to an amazing waterfall and a lush, dense forest. The soothing natural melodies of flowing water, singing birds and chirping insects come together to create an incredibly peaceful ambiance, unlike anything I've experienced before. Hours away from any meaningful civilisation, the tree-house inspired cottages are the ultimate way to detox and get away from it all.

The next day, following a deliciously heavy breakfast, we tested our hand eye coordination and strategic prowess by playing some pool by the bar whilst enjoying a glass of wine. Then, we rewarded ourselves with a massage and took a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the waterfall. We were absolutely spoilt for choice at the lunch and dinner buffets. To say I was flustered at the quality and variety of dishes would be an understatement. My only complaint would be that I came vastly underprepared and could not eat it all! On one of the days, we went on a guided bush walk over an unmarked trail. As an avid hiker I was eager to explore the wilderness and this experience did not disappoint. Trekking through the muddy forests, we braved leech infested waters and slippery, rocky terrain. After such an arduous journey there is no better feeling than coming back to a warm shower, having some drinks at the bar and tucking into yet another majestic dinner. It is a feeling I will treasure forever.

A similar theme followed. The next day, Yash and I were driven to the start of one of the treks in Patla Betta - one of the beautiful peaks in Karnataka and among the best trekking places in Sakleshpur. The trek itself was not long but it was unimaginably beautiful. The air was as pure as snow, the lenticular clouds set the perfect imagery of the smaller peaks. And best of all - there was not another soul in sight! We came back to another afternoon of great wine and South Indian delicacies finishing off with lots of sugar loaded desserts.

The success of this trip inspired many more, one of which has already happened at the time of writing this blog - Syd to Melb and another in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, that is planned for next week!