The Coorg Trip


    Coorg, more famously known as Kodagu to the residents of Karnataka..... 
is 260 Kms from Bangalore. It is a good tourist spot for those interested in spending 
time at a hill station. Coorg, with its ethnic landscapes and captivating growth 
is highly enchanting. Coorg, is famous for its immense production of coffee and its 
coffee estates. We, an assorted group of 16 set out on a trip to Coorg. All of 
us knew each other though not that well. We left Bangalore in the midst of the 
night at around 1.30 a.m. We had booked a Swaraj Mazda, an omni bus kind of a vehicle.
It as a 20 seater, so all of us managed to seat ourselves comfortably in the bus.
We had with us, Mr.Rahul Pai, our travel agent for this trip who was accompanying us.
The 260 Kms was covered in a good 6 hrs and we reached the much awaited
guest house at around 7:30 a.m. The location of the cottage needs special mention. It
was in the middle of a coffee plantation. It was just perfect with a number of small
bedrooms, some just enough to hold 2 and the rest 3 with a dining room and also a 
number of bathrooms. The most delightful part about the whole place was the stream
running just behind our cottage. It was so nice to even feel the fresh, chill water!                      After looking around our cottage and some of us having our bath, all of
us were ravenous... We devoured every bit of the breakfast that was served. The break-
fast consisted of a special dish called "Popittu".. a dish made out of rice and coconut,
and puri-bhaji!! Some of us then went on to relish the Black Coffee that was served. 
 Then, we set out on our first trek session. Our guide was not ready. But being unable to control the enthusiasm in us, we moved ahead at our own ris,k to trek... It was quite steep.. 
the girls also climbed ahead with the help of the guys...as we were slowly but steadily
making our way through, we came to a part of the hill where, the sand was very loose..
Some of the guys had climbed up... Two of them were up and one guys feet was resting
on a loose rock. Suddenly, he let off his grip on the rock and then, the big boulder
came rolling down.. all of us moved away, except for one of us who got hurt in her 
hip.. It was a huge piece of a rock and the sight of the rock rolling down towards us,
is still crystal clear in my eyes!! It felt like the scenes we watch in movies... Some
how they manage to escape, but in real life there is no escape, I think.
Not letting this unfortunate event damp our enthusiasm, we then set out
for our next trek, with our guide. We were to go trekking to a place called RAJA SEAT.
We trekked and trekked and trekked for nearly an hour or so... Most of us were very tired
and just wanted to reach the place.. we didn't have even water with us. But the effort
was worth it, for the beautiful view we could catch from the top of the hill... We could see
our cottage as a tiny dot amongst the coffee plantations!! At the Raja Seat, we at last 
quenched our thirst and even went on a ride in a toy train! We then, took rest in the
lawns there for some time before we proceeded on to have lunch in a nearby place.
Directly, after lunch, we set out for the next item on the itinerary, the ABEY
Waterfalls!! It was the first time I was visiting a waterfall.. So, i was all the more 
enthued... and my Goa trip a few weeks back, had ridden me of all my fears of getting into
water (though i don't know swimming). Most of us, got into the water.. the pool of
water in front of the waterfall, was deep on one side. And so, we were warned from getting
into that part of the water. Even the place where it was considered shallow, was deep enough 
to come till my neck. Out of the fear of slipping and falling down, i kept myself contented 
with sitting on the first rock in the waterfall. Some of them , however climbed up and
enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
 The sun was merciful enough to let our clothes dry quickly. We then got back 
to our cottage. Some of us had bath. Then, the rest of the evening was endless enjoyment.
We played a number of games and the game "Mafia' would get the highest vote for the 
most interesting game. Most of us didn't know the game but as soon as we started playing,
there was no ending at allll... Then, we had the camp fire, had dinner, played games again
and then, not to forget the music system and the speakers.. We played loud music
and all of us were dancing... We even got the effect of having watched another DW Session.
Some of us then went to bed while the rest stayed awake to play more...
 Next day, after a heavy breakfast of sevai and chappathi, we then left the 
cottage. We were on our way to the Golden Temple of Buddha. It has 3 60 feet statues - 
one of Buddha, Buddha Ametayus(The Buddha of Long Life) and the third one of a great saint...whose name I am not able to recall now. It was very colorful inside with the numerous 
paintings that covered the walls on both the sides. We could even witness a prayer that
was going on in the monastery. It was surprising to see coke and fanta bottles lined up 
in front of the gods.
Our last place of visit was Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. We went boating in a 
lake there.. which has some 50 - 100 crocodiles.. during the course of the boating, we
could see a number of birds including the egrets, cattle egrets, grey herald, scon bills...
which have come from Australia, Germany, Nigeria and other countries.
We were then on our way back... Didn't  feel like coming back. But there
was no other choice.. the memories of the trekking and the waterfall and of course the 
camp fire are still lingering in my mind and i suppose it will for a couple of days more
till i visit some other place!!