Day 1:
We left Whitefield at 5.45 AM on 16th. First stop was at Kamath on the left side of Mysore road for breakfast. After this I lost the the number of stops we had – for fruits, other essentials, fuel, tender coconuts and photographs. We reached the resort at 1 PM. Road conditions range between fantastic to good. The final 3.5 km leg of the journey to the resort is via steep, narrow and winding roads.
The resort is surrounded by tea plantations and thick roads. Approach road is not tarred and nothing to worry about. Almost all cars will be able to make it without any issues. It has some independent cottages and villas built in authentic Kerala architecture. Each and every cottage is well insulated from other cottages, which gives the great feeling of being in an isolated place. The restaurant servers Kerala Style food with some additional North and South Indian delicacies. Breakfast and the dinner are buffet. Snacks and coffee can be ordered at any time. Being Veggies, our options were reduced a little bit. But considering the fact that we were in Kerala, there were plenty of vegetarian food options.
The environment changed drastically after 6 PM on the first day. It started as a drizzle and was a full blown rain in 30 minutes. Slowly the clouds started descending and our cottage was surrounded by clouds within no time. We settled in the comfortable wooden ‘easy chairs’ and watched all this drama of nature from our verandah for a couple of hours. Sounds of the forest were at its best during the dusk.
Day 2:
Went to Pookoot Lake and Edakkal Caves on day 2. Pookoot Lake is nothing but an overcrowded holiday spot on holidays.
Edakkal caves have some drawings carved in the inner walls and these belong to the Stone Age. To reach this place, one has to park their vehicle in the designated parking lots and take the Jeep service to the top. Jeep will take you to a place from where you have to climb 200 meters to reach the caves. Even this place was crowded as we went there on a Saturday.
Returned to the resort by 7 PM and spent time again watching nature’s drama.
Day 3:
Left the resort at 11.30 after breakfast (Puttu & Kadala, Chana & Batoora, Bread Jam and Upma).
Had lunch a Kamath Madhuvan at Mysore at 2.45 PM. The restaurant was overcrowded and staff was least interested in serving people. After all possible chaos, we left the hotel at 4. Traffic conditions were worst and we reached Whitefield at 8 PM.
Route:
Bangalore -> Mysore -> Nanjanagud -> Gundlupet -> Sulthan Bathery -> Kalpeta -> Vythiri -> Lakkidi
Trip Meter: 730 Kms (Bangalore to Bangalore)
Photos:
Wish list: Better Brakes, some solution for the thick A pillar which blocks the view, tilt steering, lumber support.
