“Friday the 13th” Weekend Trip to Jim Corbett

Often teased by friends and family for not having visited Jim Corbett ever, I was ecstatic when we embarked on our journey to this National Park on the infamous date, Friday the 13th of June.  

Many would argue that June may not be the perfect month to travel to this destination because of the weather. I, on the contrary, feel differently. Despite the hot and humid temperatures, it turned out to be the best climate to spend ample amount of time in the water, whether in the swimming pool or the Kosi river flowing parallel to the resort.  

Travelling as a family to Club Mahindra resorts, thanks to my sister-in-law (SIL) being a member, always translates into an adventurous yet luxurious experience. Boasting of a fun zone, spacious rooms, sprawling open green expanse and an inviting pool rarely sees us miss an opportunity to head out for a vacation with the SIL and family.   

This time was no different! Except that we came back home sunburnt and bruised. *Ouch!*

Not because we hurt ourselves, but courtesy our adventurous spirits that saw us climbing greasy rocks in the river and stand for the most part of our bumpy 5-hour jungle safari!

Useful tips for travelers to Jim Corbett:

• Take your own car for jungle safari unless you have qualms about driving through a rough terrain
• Make sure your room is facing the river for a beautiful view  
• Explore eating options outside the resort as it will fall cheaper and give you a home-cooked flavour
• Do pick up some local pickles or rhododendron juice concentrate by Himalayan Fresh to take home
• If you are on a mission to spot the tiger, stay at Dhikala rest house  
  
  

Adventure with River Kosi

A small stream was running parallel to the Club Mahindra resort which ended up being our favourite spot in the entire 3-day trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the cold water in the heat and how!

Perched on the rocks in the middle of a rapid, clinging on to our packets of chips and mangoes and what not. Trust me, if it is difficult for you to imagine this sight, in actuality, it was even more challenging yet exhilarating to say the least!

The force of the water combined with our slippery feet on the algae rocks not only made us challenge our strength, but had us cracking into bursts of laughter at how vain we were! 

Having spent three straight hours in the stream on arrival, we satiated our senses with a hearty chicken curry-rice meal and a power nap.

Let me not forget to mention that we were not yet done with water as the swimming pool awaited us. After enjoying some water volleyball, we decided we were done for the day.  

Cycling our way through the lawns and pathways of the resort

Do you remember the last time you rode a cycle on road? That is exactly the question I asked myself when I was jittery carrying the niece on the carrier, especially on the uphill. The last time I was on one was on the stationary cycle in the gym few months back. And, before that I really don’t remember.

Little did I realise that in the routine life of city hustle bustle we miss out on much more than we imagine.

Later, when I attempted artificial rock climbing, I found myself deeply thoughtful when I could not complete the task. Frankly, fitness was never one of my concerns but any attempts of avoiding it are certainly not possible anymore. :-(

Anyhow, I was gratified with the share of fun and adventure I had on this trip with Water.

Eyes on the forest for one glimpse of the Big Cat - The Tiger

After a stint with outdoor sports, the next afternoon saw us all prepped up for our jungle safari in the open jeep. Focused about spotting the Bengal Tiger, we set out single-mindedly with that goal.

Eyes locked on the jungle while tightly gripping the iron sidebar on the jeep, we rarely blinked for the fear that we might miss out on one sight of the Big Cat..

After about two hours like this, we loosened our hold, not because we were giving up, but now the journey was more about absorbing the sheer raw beauty of traversing a path, treaded by wild animals on a daily basis.

Even though we spotted a herd of deer and nilgai crossing the uneven path, the best experience for me was when I enjoyed about a km long walk through the jungle, when our jeep broke down.

In the quietude of a jungle, you rarely miss any noise, even if it is a fly lingering near your ear.

As I walked along, clicking pictures of the sunset and listening to the sound of dry leaves crunching under my feet, I was least bit excited to see our jeep approaching us. 

Although, the passersby who were quite concerned about why we were walking around the jungle alone had a reason to breathe a sigh of relief!

Shortly after, we stopped by a stream to take one of our many breaks during the extended safari. By the time we reached the end, it was dark and still a long way home (the resort).

So, that were some of the memories I took back with me from our Corbett trip. I’m hoping the next one will be coming soon too, may be at Dhikala Forest Lodge.

Don’t miss this 'home away from home' summer retreat this season

Final impression after one trip to Lohagarh resort: Your search for the idyllic holiday experience ends here. 

Tucked away in the lap of nature’s ‘luxury’, Lohagarh resort, short of Jaipur is conceptualised on a unique theme in the middle of a jungle.

Situated at about 3.5 hour-drive from Gurgaon, you cannot imagine what awaits you is an extravagant, classy and creative holiday. Lohagarh has been operational since 2011.

The resort boasts of tree houses, cottages with private pools, camps and villa. Our abode for the weekend was the cottage with a private pool which is the USP of this resort. 

A glimpse of our private pool

At the risk of sounding boastful, I would like to point out that I and my husband have been to countless destinations, but never have we been this smitten before, and I speak for the both of us.

The exquisite stone and wood work in the cottages is an instant hit with the visitors, and has a calming effect on your senses too, apart from the soaring temperatures. 

It's no wonder that the owner of this property, Bhagat Singh from Bharatpur has a stone business. That explains the elaborate use of stone in the rooms, along the pathway, in the common sitting area and even in the swimming pool!

You are bowled over by the greenery that the resort offers. So much so that I was not dissuaded from taking a walk through the entire expanse despite the temperatures peaking at, at least 40 degrees. 

The moment we walked into our cottage, tucked away in a corner at the bend of a pavement, we felt nothing short of pampered rotten when we dipped in our private pool, surrounded with tree branches and birds chirping away about 3 feet from us!

Our Cottage

Each cottage is surrounded by a thick cover of trees and small mud hills to protect your privacy, much like a feeling of ‘home away from home.’

The natural habitat keeps the temperatures low with sprinklers all around the property and leverages on another new concept which is a hit among consumers today – glass windowpanes.

Sipping our beer, with our favourite hits playing in the background on our iPod and bubbling with enthusiasm, I can say that we felt like the modern-day Adam and Eve on Vacation.

Through the large glass sheets, you can enjoy the view of birds pecking on the tree branches and fresh flowers blooming amidst a variety of flora.

Sit-in area next to private pool

And now, I come to my second favorite part of the resort, which is the swimming pool. A hollow sitting area made of stone is carved out as part of the pool area, which was my best spot, followed by the hammocks.

This was where I read, had my two cups of coffee, binged on food and relaxed for the most part…  

This time of the year is off season, so we managed to escape noise and large crowds. That’s why we were in the common pool for over 3 straight hours!

The hollow stone carved sit-in adjoining the common pool

All said and done, the price factor for any getaway is the first thing you consider.

For me, this destination was a complete paisa vasool. In the off season, the resort is moderately priced at 6,000 bucks a night per cottage including lunch, dinner, evening tea and breakfast. Not to miss the complimentary foot massage!

In peak season, these rates can go up to 15,000 bucks a night.

When you are here with friends and family, you can explore in-house options like volleyball, billiards, or an elephant safari nearby at Hathi Gaon.

The entire resort boasts of such hammocks

Like no resort or restaurant is complete without a mention about the service, no Review is either. The staff here is very cooperative and when we were rewarding them for their exceptional service at the time of checkout, they refused to accept Tips, reiterating that they strongly believe in a No-Tip policy. Kudos to that!

If your summer retreat is still pending, you know where to go next. So, wait no more and book right away at http://lohagarhfortresort.in

Find your way to this "Raasta" in Hauz Khas for some great music and relaxation

For our latest date, I had shortlisted a place called Tarami, specializing in Kashmiri cuisine in Hauz Khas Village. After reaching the upmarket by lanes of this prime hub in South Delhi, we learnt that Tarami had closed down and were guided to a lounge called Raasta.

The moment you walk in the lounge, you are welcomed with a breath of fresh air coupled with a chic crowd. We took up a corner near the open patio. This is a favorite place amongst the crowd, second to Only the Dance floor ;)

Sipping on my complimentary ladies’ night drinks, I was dazed watching the tasteful crowd. My husband and I were transported to a fresh and vibrant world which we were experiencing after almost 6 months.

Madras (vodka with cranberry and orange juice) is my personal recommendation. A look around the place had me see girls donned in the best colours and latest trendy attires of the season. You can’t miss the great music running in the background, as you sway your hips and tap your feet to the beats.

The Barbados non-veg platter we ordered as appetizer, explained the joint’s specialty in Caribbean cuisine. Filling to the core, the snacks were perfect company to match our drinks.

As we were grooving to the music by DJ Paddy, by 11 pm, there was barely enough space to stand in this packed lounge. For a change, it was a worthwhile feeling instead of being put off by the ever-crowding mace. At the exit, a glimpse at the dance floor with reverberating trance music was so so so so inviting… We have decided to come here next with our group of friends to explore that bit.

This one is a Must Recommend for those who want to chill out and enjoy some great music, food and drinks J

Knysna – Venice Recreated in South Africa

There are beautiful small towns in almost every country. Then there is Knysna. A quaint destination along the Knysna river shore that you may not have heard of before (neither had we) except from the mouths of seasoned travellers and some online reviews. But we were hooked attracted by its raw beauty and the amazing outdoor activities in the vicinity.

A George-ous Pit Stop

While we were still dreamy from an enchanting journey along the Garden Route, our spirits awakened to the brilliance of a place short of Knysna called George. With picturesque houses on the foothills and the Indian ocean running parallel to the road, I was mesmerised by the habitation. When I found myself at a loss of words, I wondered if it was because I was a naïve traveller or in reality there were very few settlements such as these. But I was travelling with an expert – my husband. Having lived in London and explored Europe extensively, he conceded that this haven was more picturesque than many parts of Europe with just the exception of Switzerland, of course. Ahem!

George

Nice Knysna

As we entered Knysna, I could feel the weather gods smile upon us. My eyes were glued to the picturesque surroundings growing even more beautiful under the cloudy skies with sudden showers of light rains while the mist over the Knysna river added its own enigma to the scene. A scene straight out of a movie, I was reminded of Venice looking at it. When I thought we would have our hideaway for the next three days someplace in the town centre, our car moved towards a dockyard. “Wow, is this where we would stay??!!” I exclaimed. I was right. So, there was an added skip in my step as we grabbed the keys to our accommodation.

Knysna

The Lodging

Knysna Quays is one of the many lodgings that is within the harbour complex and offers a great view of the boats docked, over bridge, forest and mountains in the backdrop. You can also see boat owners and few couples who hire boats go for a ride along the harbour up to the river front.

The rooms were so cosy and warm, and kept us guessing “how” because we could not spot a heater or a fire place in sight. And when we walked around barefoot we realised there was an under-floor heating system in the entire apartment. Woohoo, technology never fails to wow me!

Knysna Quays accomodation

The English-style flat offered the comforts of a home. Since it was equipped with a fridge, washing machine, microwave oven and sleek cutlery, I could not resist myself from preparing some salami sandwiches with scrambled eggs on one of the days during our stay. Checkers, a food retailer around the corner, offers all the supplies you would need for home-cooked meals.

And now we come to my favourite part - running a hot water bath. A hot bath in this place is a triple whammy, fading away any afterthoughts that you carried with you from back home, leaving you meditative for the longest time possible. It is like a therapy for the mind and body and also eases any sore muscles post a long day of sightseeing or activities. Recommended!

The People

Beats me at how humorous and light-hearted Africans are!!! Anywhere you walk – on the streets, in restaurants, shops, cash counters -no one misses to crack a joke or pull your leg. You feel less like a tourist and more like local running errands in the city. They welcome you with a smile and can be so courteous that you would be in awe.

Things To Do

Ferryboat

Our 2-hour ferryboat called The John Benn was a dream. Surrounded by a magical view of boats cruising along the river against the backdrop of mountains, forests and houses atop the hills is something you want to capture forever. No wonder the shutter on our cameras was exposed throughout the ride!
Since it was rainy and tides were high, we could not venture up to the Knysna lagoon or the Knysna Heads. But, the overall experience of eating and drinking on this floating restaurant is plentiful to enjoy the view of the sea for hours.

The Elephant Park

The Elephant Park experience is the closest you can get to an elephant. With a guided tour, you are encouraged to feed the elephants, walk with them and stroke them. There is a mix of young and old elephants that obediently follow the instructions given by the guides and caretakers get in a line formation when they are to be fed by tourists and walk away when told to.

The Elephant Park

It is good to see that these elephants live comfortably with an open ground to explore. The cutest was the bed made of sawdust and branches that each elephant had. Then came an interesting proposal to all tourists - a SLEEPOVER with the ELEPHANTS!!! You can get a lounge overlooking the elephant sleeping area and observe the beast up and close. What a unique stay that would be!

Wolf Park

The Elephant Park reserve inspired us to go visit another reserve. This time it was the Wolf Park. When we were busy clicking away the wolves, we realised they looked at us as if we were their meal. Half an hour later we knew why. It was their feeding time and 6 kilograms of raw pig meat was served to them and they roared and growled contending for their piece. One could only imagine how they would rip apart a prey alive! The wildlife experience in South Africa is a must-do. Sadly, we could not go to the Kruger National Park this time. But definitely next time.

Wolf Park

Introduction to Jeiger Bombs

Oh! How would I miss the Jeiger Bomb experience?! It is literally bombastic…The shots which I perhaps imagine my husband, who’s still in South Africa for an assignment, would be having right this minute! These shots are taken with Red Bull and have the after effect of being ‘high’ yet wanting more because it doesn’t let you feel sleepy. So much was the impact of these shots that I got 2 bottles on my way back from the airport. Yay!

Food

One always looks forward to the food when travelling to new destinations. And a place like Knysna happens to offer the perfect atmosphere and view to enjoy the impeccable and tangy flavours whether it be the all non-veg pizza at Mario’s, pesto chicken pasta from JJ’s, the plain margeritta pizza from Ocean’s basket or the chicken shrapnel at the John Benn ferryboat.

Adventure sports

Adventure sports were one of the top reasons for our stay at Knysna. The famous Bloukran’s Bridge -the highest bunjee jumping bridge in the world is a 1.5 hour drive from Knysna. Plettenberg bay or Mossel bay are famous destinations for skydiving. It’s such a joy to again and again remind myself that I’m glad we did BOTH! These two events have clearly become the most unforgettable moments of my life.Not only did I get to face my fears but I also conquered them. I feel it’s something each one of us should experience to shake ourselves up.Yes! This is the one moment when you actually feel time has stopped and nothing else matters. You surrender to the joy of letting go. Since the experiences of both these adventure sports were so overwhelming, I have decided to write separately on them.

Ready for Bungee jump from Bloukran's Bridge, SA

For now, the emotion is - Guys, just stop thinking and go South Africa!

My South African Adventure: The Garden Route

I know it is Kerala that is revered as God’s Own Land but one trip to South Africa and you will be willingly sharing the sobriquet between the two. It all started when my husband moved to the African land on business a few moon ago and I, like any wife, was more than glad to visit him that too in a destination I had not known before. So what I had imagined to be a romantic holiday, surprisingly also turned out to be the biggest adventure of my life!

Heita Aafrika!

True to my spirit, I packed well in time and was jumping with excitement as I boarded the 15-hour long connecting flight from Delhi to Cape Town via Dubai. Well, it was an exhausting journey but all my tiredness disappeared completely as I set sights outside the window. South Africa (SA) was absolutely gorgeous! The usual trend for most first time international travellers is to flock to either Europe or parts of South East Asia. I am so glad we didn’t because SA is more beautiful than I or you could ever imagine. Most of us are oblivious to the fact that in Cape Town, the second most populated city in SA, itself there are more than 1,100 species of indigenous plants, at least 250 species of birds and different types of terrains that your camera will be spoilt for choice.

Cape of Good Hope

I cannot begin to fathom what locales like Durban, Sun City, Johannesberg, Kruger, Kenya and others have to offer! These are in our bucket list though.

Okay, lets travel back in time to June 7, 2013 when we kick started our vacation with a moonlit night at the CUBE Guest House at Hout Bay, a coastal suburb of Cape Town. Tucked in a corner surrounded by lush green trees, was our li’l wooden cottage with a private pool. It’s a pity that June is a winter month here or we would have definitely taken a dip in the pool.

Garden Route – Highway to Heaven

Early next morning started with a hearty breakfast prepared by the caretaker at CUBE. The delicious fare comprising of jams, eggs, breads, cheese and juices charged us up plenty for the 500 kilometres drive we were going to undertake. That’s how we started out for Knysna, a town that falls on the famous Garden Route.

Garden Route stretch "Best destination for 2012 by Tripadvisor"

With infinite shades of green and brown, the Garden Route boasts of small and quaint countryside houses, extensive golf courses, evergreen forests, stunning green landscapes, countless types of flora and fauna, spectacular bridges, cliffs, valleys and coastal towns. The best of Mother Nature is enclosed in this Highway to Heaven.

You have plenty of destinations to sightsee in this part of Cape Town and one could perhaps spend days or weeks exploring the -

Vineyards – Presenting you a variety of wines to taste ranging from red, white and rose wines, Jakkalsvlei Vineyards in the Langeberg Mountains, Bramon Wine Estate in The Crags and Herold Wine in George are the popular choices.

      Nature reserves – Plethora of options are available for wild life and nature lovers on this stretch. Top choices are Birds of Eden, Featherbed Nature Reserve, Garden Route National Park, Knysna Elephant Park, Oyster Bay Reserve, Tsitsikamma National Park and countless others.

   

    Ostrich farms –Oudtshoorn is the best bet for seeing the biggest ostrich farms in SA. The highlight at this place -the ostrich rides @ more than 70 kmph. Highly recommended!

      

           White sand beaches – Port Elizabeth, St. Francis Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay boast of white sand beaches, perfect for long walks and relaxing.

Adventure activities - There is no end to the adventure sports you can enjoy on Garden route. I could go on and on but the not-to-miss ones are bungee jumping from Bloukrans Bridge, deep sea diving at Mossel Bay & Plettenberg Bay, skydiving at Plettenberg Bay, whale watching at Hermanus and shark cage diving at Gansbaai.

Fine dining restaurants/eateries – You can explore so many fine dining places on different destinations along the Garden Route stretch. You might want to try a new place for each meal here ...Slurp.. Bomo Terrace at Plettenberg Bay, The 5^th Season and The Rose on York Restaurant at George, Dine in Style at Wilderness, The Lighthouse Restaurant at Mossel Bay, Jazzbury’s at Mossel Bay, Vaaljapie Station restaurant at Little Brak ... the list is endless...

But this was just the beginning. There’s more to go. Presenting Venice of SA in my next.