Exploring Coorg!

This is a continuation of my previous post "The Home stay experience in Coorg"

July 18th Saturday 10:45 am. After our breakfast, we were just having a walk amidst the coffee plantations. Our plan was to go to Thalacauvery. It was around 50 kms from the estate where we stayed. We started our trip around 11 am. On the way to Thalacauvery, we witnessed the natural scenic beauty of this Coorg district. On our way, it rained heavily. Thalacauvery is located at a hill which is 4000 feet above the sea level. Bhagamandala is a place at the foothill. We reached Bhagamandala around 12 pm and to our excitement, the road to Thalacauvery was blocked. We were all very disappointed. It was because of the heavy rains, Cauvery is overflowing above a low leveled bridge and this was the only way to head to Thalacauvery. I thought our 50 kms travel would end in vain. Thanks to a local, he said that there is a boat service sponsored by the temple to cross the river and from there we can hire a jeep to and fro to Thalacauvery. It was really a different experience.

July 18th Saturday 12:30 pm. We stopped the Qualis, walked a few distance and crossed the river using the boat service. On the river bank was the temple. It was of Kerala style. I guess most of the temples in Karnataka and Kerala are of similar architecture, unlike the ones in Tamilnadu. We then hired a jeep. It was an eight km travel in hills from this place to Thalacauvery. As we started, it started to rain and gradually it turned heavy. On the way, we could see small waterfall and the natural Cauvery water flowing down all over. As we headed further to a higher altitude, the presence of mist couldn’t be avoided. The area was fully covered by mist. It was a very refreshing scene – full mist, raining and chill – all at the same time. The jeep driver stopped at one place and said that we reached the place. I couldn't see anything but mist. The whole temple was hidden. It’s a nice experience. I felt I am in Kulu or Shimla, though I have not been there. This place was believed to be the origin of river Cauvery and a temple was built and now it’s a tourist place. There is a view point as well above the temple. But we could view nothing except the mist. We clicked a few photographs, of course to fill our personal portfolios. We returned back using the same jeep, took the boat, crossed the river, returned to the Qualis and started our journey towards Madikeri.

July 18th Saturday 04:00 pm. We had our late lunch in one of the hotels in Madikeri. After that, we headed towards Abby Falls, which is around 5kms from Madikeri. Since it was monsoon time, Abby falls was overflowing. There is a hanging bridge which is built approximately 50 metres from the falls. The water fell with such a force that the water splash has made us completely wet, when we stood on the bridge. It was again a must visit place in Madikeri.

How is it possible for us to return Bangalore without getting Coffee Beans? So it was purchase time then. We stopped by a shop – “Ganesh Coffee” recommended by one of my room mate’s colleague. My father has specifically asked me to get the Coffee Bean from Coorg. Each of us got a kg of it and we headed towards our next spot – Raja Seat.

Raja Seat was like a park similar to the conventional parks found in other hill stations. Except that it had some historic identity. It seems that in the olden days, the king used to sit there and watch the sunrise and sunset. We could only see the mist. We returned to our home around 7 pm. We had already ordered for our dinner. As you know, Coorg is famous for its variety of dishes using pork. I did not have pork, instead had asked to prepare Chicken. We had a simple but awesome dinner – A few chapattis, rice and curd with Chicken curry. It was very cold outside. The rest of the night was spent chatting, listening to music. I had a very good sleep, really!

I will end my scribble here. The return trip would follow soon.