Wayanad- The Verdant Paradise

My last holiday (read short getaway) was in Wayanad, Kerala early March this year. This green paradise in south India had been on my bucket list for years now (ever since my law school days in Bangalore). So this year, when we were making plans to spend my birthday week in Goa, I decided to swap it with Wayanad instead. And it turned out to be incredible barring the onset of Covid-19 in Kerela, while we were there.

Since we had just three nights and four days in hand, we decided not to include anything 'touristy' in our itinerary. Some of my past travel experiences have made me realise that when you have limited time at hand, it’s best to not squeeze in too many things in your plan and instead just focus on what interests you. In any case, I have always believed in exploring a place over just ticking off the tourist spots when I travel. 

We, for one just wanted to soak in Wayanad our way and have a laid back holiday in the lap of nature. So we booked ourselves in a property called Abad Brookside, Lakkidi in Vythiri, Wayanad. This resort is owned by Abad Hotels & Resorts Group and has its hotels and resorts in various parts of Kerela.  The property is located on a hill with a brook literally passing through it. It is a sizable property with different types of cottages spread across the resort offering different views- some with the garden view, the others brook side and some offering both. The cottages are extremely beautiful and spacious with distinctive aesthetics, and we got quite lucky as the Manager very kindly put us up in their best cottage to make my birthday memorable.     

Speaking of the property- it has a nice in-house restaurant overlooking the brook which is a plus, considering the food served and ambiance is pretty good, especially if you don’t wish to venture out much and leisure is ruling your mind. Besides, if you are planning a stay as short as ours’, you will sail through without much boredom in terms of variety. Our package included breakfast at the restaurant. While the buffet spread was not extra ordinary each morning, the quality of the food served and the staffs’ behavior more than made up for it.   

The property also has a cozy little swimming pool at an elevation right above the brook with woods all around, so don’t miss out on a short nevertheless a scenic swim amidst the natural splendor of Lakkidi. Since the property is large in terms of outdoor space, it provides ample space for walks/jogs, outdoor badminton, volley ball. There is also a library adjacent to the resort lobby to laze around with books and a gorgeous view, and a game room with indoor games such as chess, carom board and other board games. Essentially, there are plenty of recreational activities to keep you occupied within the property, and then there are some beautiful spots that can be hiked around the property. These hikes however must be undertaken before the sunset, keeping in mind the movement of wildlife, especially wild elephants in the area post sunset. We went hiking twice during our three day stay here- the first one was an uphill hike leading to a spectacular sunset point atop a hill and the second was an easy breezy one to a signature Lakkidi lush green tea estate. The resort also offers the much popular Kerala massages which you may want to try during your stay here. 

So any of you interested in a short idyllic vacation within the comforts of a property in this beautifully forested region, Abad Brookside is certainly a good stay option. The property aside, Wayanad is known for its wildlife sanctuary, camping/hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, ancient caves, flora and fauna. Our holiday was too short to experience all of these but if you have the time, go splash your feet in the celebrated waterfalls for sure and don't miss out on the safaris. These are due for our next trip.

Lastly, being a foodie I cannot go wrong with this one- do try some random eateries in Kozhikode during your transit. I promise you won't regret it. Also, you can never have enough of cakes and cookies from the bakeries on the way to Wayanad. They are absolutely scrumptious!

Jaltarang Villa- Spring in Summer

So this post is about an impulsive road trip that we went on over a long weekend in March of 2018. Most people I know, plan long weekends in advance but this one was one of those absolute last minute spontaneous getaways and I am sure, those of you who have traveled impulsively know the thrill of it.

After returning from work on a Friday night, I started looking for places we could drive to for two nights over the long weekend. Within half an hour of googling destinations around Bombay, I realised that I was done traveling to the popular destinations around Bombay and that I would rather do something offbeat. And while I was at it, I came across this beautiful house overlooking a lake, appropriately named "Jaltarang Villa", approximately 8.5 hours away from Bombay.

Well, there are moments in life when you instantly fall in love with something, this was one of those for me. I didn't want to look at any more options after spotting Jaltarang Villa, online. It was too late to make any bookings online but we tried our luck in successfully finding and getting through the Owner's number late that night- Dr. Khalid Shaikh, who was kind enough to let us come over the very next day.

The next morning we started driving towards Ratnagiri, the district where Jaltarang is located. The drive was pretty smooth barring a few stretches here and there but Dr. Shaikh was constantly in touch with us and guided us quite well to the place. We drove leisurely, stopping at a few places to buy some stuff, relish Konkan food at recommended eateries on the way and grab tea every few hours. Finally we made it to Jaltarang Villa early evening, around 5 pm. The last mile connectivity to the property is slightly deceptive and yet most exciting. Not sure if (but I hope) it's still the same.

Jaltarang is cozy and pretty as a picture of course, but what makes it even more gorgeous is the nature and the tranquility engulfing it. It falls in the category of places that manage to live up to the hype and expectation it creates when you browse it online. We were thrilled to be treated with some hot masala chai in the balcony as we entered the place, which also happens to be my favourite spot at Jaltarang. The sunset is spectacular from the balcony fronting the lake with the unceasing breeze.

A lot has to be said about the way the Villa has been designed. Structurally, the lake view has been utilised extremely well. You get to see the lake, both from the living room and the bedroom- so much so that it could pass off as a glasshouse from certain angles. The property retains a unique charm in its simplicity which continues to stay with you long after you've left the place. On the inside, it reflects streaks of creativity well implemented on its walls, ceilings, and corners, giving it a bohemian feel. The place is done up optimally- It can be a great reading or meditation place to instill inspiration in you and a phenomenal party place to make some great memories, at the same time. I have always believed that any space is reflective of the person you are, only to find out that this place has been designed by Dr. Shaikh's daughter who is in the creative field.

There are a handful of outdoor activities that one could indulge in while staying here- you could go for nature walks in the morning, jam by the lake with your folks, hike a few hills around and go rafting. Rafts are made available at the property upon request and availability. 

They say, "It's the people that make the place." The quote certainly holds true for our stay here at Jaltarang Villa. Not only is this place strikingly scenic but it also offers extraordinary hospitality to its guests. We were treated with some lip-smacking home-cooked food during our stay. Both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options are available at the property and we loved the food so much that we tried both the options on different days. Dr. Shaikh is a wonderful host. He ensured that we were comfortable right from the time we entered the property. He made time to chat with us and sought our feedback before we left. Bhau, the caretaker, who lives at the property and takes care of the guests is extremely sweet and serviceable. He makes awesome tea and was always ready to pamper us with his tea making skills.

Jaltarang Villa comprises of two stand alone structures, both facing the lake and can accommodate 8-10 people comfortably. Dr. Sheikh and his daughter were planning to expand it further when we visited. It is an ideal place for people looking to spend some quiet time amidst the nature. You could plan a long weekend and spend some quality time with your partner, family or a bunch of friends. We were told that the best time to visit the place is during the monsoons, we loved it in March nevertheless.

Whether you wish to curl up with a book, go on a writer's retreat, paint, meditate, go hiking, soak up the sun or just sit and gaze at the stunning view around, Jaltarang offers it all. And yes, don't leave the place until you've indulged in some Konkan curries.