3 Nights @ the Honey-Valley home stay - Part 1 - Dec 2015

"The luxury in today's world is his own time"

So true, isn't it? This was quoted by Mr. Suresh Chengappa, the owner of the Honey Valley home stay during our small chat. It looked like the motive of travelling was accomplished, there was a kind of enlightenment, a kind of fulfillment. I was as happy as I had got one nice photograph that day (now, that is how I define super-happiness). This thought occupied my head for the next 2 days and I developed a kind of self realization of few things (no, nothing philosophical here, I only meant I enjoyed it).

25 - 28 Dec, 2015

These 3 day experience do not fade at all! Honey Valley was in our list from a long time. Spoiled by options for the 3 days of Christmas holiday, honey valley just popped up when we were discussing about where this time. It all looked like the perfect place for both of us and so we called them. As expected, it was a 'NO' from them. We knew that they allow pitching tents in their coffee estate and so we called them again, this time hoping for at least a tent to stay. There was a backpackers room vacant and we delightedly said yes. Sent the advance money to book the place and then we were just counting days. I had my eyes on the weather report for 3 days, full moon and a temperature difference of 10 deg at night. I was excited to experience the cold weather and the comfortable home stay.

Dec 25th, 5:30AM. It all looked so perfect. This time I had made a note of the route on a small piece of paper, so that she can just read it out sitting behind. Trust me, this was easier than using the GPS. Never missed the route until we reached Madikeri. Here is the route map we traveled. The first light was like a staged scene; the huge orange sun just above the horizon, peeping through the tree canopies, providing that cozy warmth and the golden tint everywhere. Riding through was a pleasure.

Idli, vada, mysore masala dosa and coffee at hotel Santrupthi and a small break was refreshing. The second half of the journey was roughly about 80KM. The route to Madikeri is mesmerizing. Had been there several times in the bus but the bike ride did the justice to the beautiful place. The experience of seeing the open sky, the hills, the plantations, the cold wind slapping you on the face and a lot of love hugging from the behind are something only a bike trip can give. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

Somewhere after Sulia. The entire route was so picturesque.

We missed our way near Napoklu but the extra distance we traveled was enjoyable this time. We arrived at the Kabbinakad bus junction which is the last part of our bike ride and had to park it at someone's backyard. We were offered 2 ways to climb the next 4KM to reach the home stay - 1.hike 2.hire the 4X4 jeep which would cost 200Rs. My wallet said no and so we started hiking. The concrete road opened up to a small rugged trail between the coffee plantations. The jeep drivers patrolling this path tried to convince us to hire the jeep, I guess they were sure that we would be gasping for breathe after the climb. It was a easy climb for us (oh ya, we did go to the gym on the 2 previous week). One of them made us sit inside the jeep saying that we would miss the way and we do not wanted that in between these plantation. The driver was on the phone call, speaking to another guest and driving the jeep with a single hand, he seemed to be pretty experienced to par that steep climb. The fun began when he started to take a reverse to pick up a group of other guests. The driver never cared to slow down.

Malabar Pit Viper. Found near the small stream on the way. Shot with the 50mm.

The trail almost near the Honey Valley

Reached the honey valley debating whose bag was heavy! We were pleasantly greeted. Nothing posh, no luxuries of the urban life, small cottage on the hill top, surrounded by coffee estate and trees and greens till the end you can see. We were greeted by Mr and Mrs Chengappa, who were busy arranging for the lunch. We loved the place so much that probably the very first thing we asked them was, whether we can extend our stay on Sunday as well. We were suggested to see the room and then decide to extend the stay. The bag packers room was a simple set up and light on the pockets. Dumped all our bags in the room. got fresh and ran to the dinning area. Simple, hot and as tasty as home, the food did not have even the slightest hint of outside food, no extra spice and nothing fancy. The unlimited buffet at 180Rs was all worth it. We sat down near the dining area and started discussing that we have finally got the break we both wanted.

The first few shots of the Oriental White eye.

We spent rest of our day wandering around the home stay, finding spots to photograph / paint and taking some weird looking self-photographs (popularly known as selfie). I got some good bird sightings and I could not wait to get my camera and glass out to shoot. She had fixed her spots for the painting. We just sat together the whole evening enjoying the cold weather and telling how much we love each other :) Having our own time is so much of luxury :)

To be continued in : 3 Nights @ the Honey-Valley home stay - Part 2