The Travel Connection

The best part about traveling to Ooty is that the drive through Bandipur, Mudumalai and Masinagudi is worth every minute spent on the road. Time and again i have heard that the drive through these jungles lead to more sightings than taking a safari through the interiors. And we were not disappointed. Like always the spotted deer gave us company all along Bandipur. Mudumalai proved to be even better with our friends elephants, peafowl, langurs, wild boars among other animals dropping in along the highway and greeting us with an smile. I am so tempted to get preachy on how people don't respect the distance factor but let's leave it for another day. As long as we are conversing about roads, it was enlightening to realize that the flat 2d google map is no match for the roadways on the hills. What looks like a straight road will have its curves and leave you wondering where to take the next turn. Was is it just me or has anyone experienced the same. The queen of hil...

I love taking a drive on Mysore road and eating at loka ruchi. But on this trip we decided to try a new place in an ugly building - Vasudev’s Adigas. We did'nt regret the choice after a yummy south Indian Breakfast followed by filter coffee. The drive through Bandipur and Mudumalai was eventful with some spotted Deer, langurs, bisons, peacocks by the road side. My destination that day was The Wilds, Northern Hay at Masinagudi. After a bumpy treacherous last 2 kms ride in Alto we reached this home stay. The Wilds is a coffee ware house converted into a couple of rooms. It is in a secluded part of a coffee plantation. This is a place for solitude, reflection, communion with nature or what the heck just lounge around in the verandah and read a film magazine. The only time I ever pick up a film magazine is when I travel on a holiday. It’s interesting that the gossip makes the boring  bus/train/car journey seem shorter and more enjoyable. I had never ...