Chikmagalur - A weekend of surprise for my better half clubbed with memories lasting a lifetime, thats what both of us would carry with us forever.
A very relaxed drive took us just under five hours to reach a place we had never been to before. Nestled in the foot hills of Baba Budan hills, Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises, hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms. Situated 251 kms from Bangalore, Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged mountain trails.
I kept the surprise of the place we were to stay till our car crept into our refuge at the end of a long and winding road, snaking between forests of tall trees, cloaked in pepper wines, shading the burgeoning bushes of coffee called 'The Serai'.
Serai, the Turkish interpretation is ‘a palace of the Sultan’, the Persian version means a comfortable, accommodative place where intrepid travellers and battle-weary soldiers rested and recuperated from their rigours and travels across inhospitable terrain. And the life we lead today is no different from the description above. The place is "Pure Bliss". If you have a plan, Serai is not the place for you. Go there to do nothing. Just relax and unwind.
After checking-in to the pool side estate villa at 5 star delight by the Amalgamated Beans & Coffee, i hit the comfy chair by the pool and Anu took a dip into the chilly waters of the pool. She played like a 6 year old in the water for the first time. Swirling in the shallow pool, Splashing water all around & trying to see how far she could float... She was a kid exploring newer grounds like never. The day was just perfect.
The idea was to laze and this was the perfect place to do just that. We took an early evening stroll on the estate and decided to see around the property. A look in each direction is an image to be stored in your hearts. The thick pepper wines, swaying on the stem of tall trees, warned us to stand back and admire only. We just relaxed till our eyes shut on the first day at Serai.
Our eyes woke up to the most breadth taking view one could get from his bed. A large French window across our living was like a wall paper. The trees, the birds chirping and the fog was just picture perfect. While sipping over our morning coffee, we had seen the mist rising out of the forests, wreathing the wooded mountains beyond and noosing a high peak with light. We were told it was the highest peak in Karnataka with the mellifluous name of Mullahnagiri. We decided to drive up to the top of the mountain.
From the heights of Mullahnagiri, the green ridges of the western ghats stretched down to the densely wooded plantations, and then on to the flatlands, patched with fields and highlighted with the glisten of blue lakes and wetlands. Tattered veils of mist drifted over the mountains trailing shape-shifting shadows in their wake. It was very beautiful in an untamed, Lord of the Rings sort of way.
Lunch awaited us post our eventful trip into the woods. The irony was, a while ago we were lunch for some tigers in the hills of Baba Budan hills. After feasting on a well spread out lunch, we decided to hit the bed for a while.
We woke up to another spectacle, the moon rise. It was a full moon night and the gleaming milk laden view of the mountains made us gaze in awe for a good 15 minutes. The moon was playing hide and seek with the mountains and us as we strolled around Serai to enjoy the peace and sanctity of this place. The mornings were full of wonderful songs sung by some wonderful birds and the evenings were like a jazz concert with many insects adding a tone for the audience. A light dinner ensured a smooth sleep in the valleys of Chikmagalur.
Day 3 started a walk deep in to the estates. The birds giving us company and the monkeys letting us know that we were in their territory. The tall trees made us look puny and thick vegetation seemed to be never ending. All tired after an early morning walk, we headed back to a swim in the chill waters of the pool, a nice warm hour long dip in the tub and a lazy hot water shower to compliment the chill weather outside. after a late breakfast, we decided to hit the library. The library was well stocked with a collection of large books that were a delight to the eyes. They were a collection of pictures around the western ghats and they were work of some very good pair of hands on a camera. A heavy lunch meant some sleep and to laze in the evening.
The next day was when we were to leave and believe me, it was one of the most difficult things to do. Leaving so many wonderful things behind was like asking an old man to walk on the street without his stick and glasses. He would feel weak more than anything. We felt very weak...
In a frazzled world, absorbing the serenity could be a major gain for many opting for a stay at "The Serai".
Snaps at http://www.flickr.com/photos/arvind_king
