Holidays

Its again the of  the year to take a well deserved break and a vacation, I haven't still gotten over the fact that I had to travel to Vienna the same time last year with 2 empty seats besides me as Ranjini and Samiksha couldn't join me in Germany on time for this trip. These tickets being low fared and no cancel, I actually made this trip from Cologne to Vienna and back with 33% occupancy and this probably ranks to be my weirdest plane trip in my life so far. This years' vacation was all included including our newest addition to the family, Pradyumna. With this vacation break, Pradyumna had his first real outing when we took him out to a Jungle lodge in Masinagudi followed by a 3 night stay in a tea plantation resort at Wayanad. Needless to mention, Ranjini and I were more than worried about how he would take to being in a car for nearly 800 KMs spread across 5 days. The itinerary itself was planned and carefully designed to keep his patience and fatigue levels spread across many days with Ranjini spending an equal number of days, if not more preparing for the outing. She ensured we picked enough clothes,baby feed, diapers, medicines and other paraphernalia carefully packed against a checklist (Mission critical, you see!). Samiksha on the other hand was all excited at the thought of eating out for a week, and having her cousins for company. The whole thought of being able to carry her 'stuff' in a separate bag was enough motivation for her to declare to all that she was old and independent enough now to manage her things by herself. Looking back, I can tell you that she managed herself very well and also most of the times helped watch over Pradyumna when the roads and the weather turned harsher to his comfort

.

  We reached 'Inn the Wild' after a 6 hour drive with Samiksha throwing up in the middle of the reserve forest where even stopping the car is not permitted for the fear of wild animals and more practically because of potentially blocking the narrow road. Once at the resort, we were pleasantly settled into a cosy tribal hut (with all amenities!) overlooking the lake and the thick forests. The next couple of days were spent getting into the forests in search of wildlife,night safaris, morning and evening treks to the lake and the surrounding marshlands . The Tiger as in my previous visits remained elusive to my tough luck but this time around managed to spot fresh pugmarks in the soft mud deep in the Singara reserve park range. But as always the Bandipur-Mudumalai-Nagarhole range never disappoints a visitor. We saw plenty of wildlife - Elephants, Bisons,Langurs,Wild Boar,Peacocks,Antelopes,Giant Malabar Squirrels not to mention atleast 25 unique species of birds. The highlights of the sightings were the elephants, ever so majestic, with calves in tow and extremely dangerous when intimidated. Samiksha enjoyed every bit of the stay in the wild and was always eager to step out with me or Ranjini whenever her loyal and faithful cousin Pratyush allowed her.The evenings at the resort were fun too with socialising around the bon fire and then a midnight safari to the waterholes to spot nocturnal creatures before retiring into the comforts of the rooms. The nights were always full of suspense with howling winds,visiting animals. On both the nights we stayed there, there were visitors from the jungles. Bison,Deer and Elephants would come very close to the rooms where we stayed. I guess this is what makes this resort so special and why city dwellers like me flock to savour the crisp mountain air free from of dust and vehicle fumes and watch wild life up close.

We left Masinagudi on the next leg of our stay at Wayanad in Kerala at a plantation resort called Meenmutty Heights. The route was a 100 Km winding road through Elephant country and tea and coffee plantation. We had to stop en route multiple times to give way for the crossing pachyderms. The Gudalur-Ooty road is a sight to see when the elephants are on the highway. We reached Sultan Bathery in the evening before and our gracious host Jacob who was waiting patiently for us picked us from the Calicut highway and led us to the Meenmutty Heights resort after a 35 KM drive. The resort itself is perched on a pretty tea plantation overlooking the mighty Chembra peak. This resort has some amazing cottages and bungalows which have a quaint mix of British era and

Chettinad architecture blended beautifully to provide a stupendous accommodation with a view. The resort layout appealed to me at first sight given the different levels (each a few 100 feet apart) the amenities and facilities are laid out. The dining area, restaurant, the cottages, the riverside, the waterfalls the viewpoint and the tea plantation are all so aesthetically planned. Three days here did us a lot of good to my lungs and the knees though it was quite difficult for my Father in Law Dr Sitaram.  But the best part to this is one can literally take the car to any point in the resort and the plantation. So walking around is completely optional. Luttappi, The villain from the comic Magic Pot is immortalised in cement here and for a change, looked cuter than in the magazine (Although the resort manager could never explain the rationale for singling out and glorifying a horrible character

from the comics).Samiksha had a blast in this place as it also happened to be Christmas eve and the resort managing to arrange a cake and a stand-up Santa (much skinnier than the ones we are used to). Ranajini's obvious and not to forget comment was that I was best suited to play Santa Claus that evening. That definitely reminds me that I have been away from the Gym for some time now! Ranjni has a subtle but sure way of constantly reminding me of my waistline..!

The next 3 days were mostly spent lazing around the resort with each meal becoming heavier on the palate and almost predictable. Samiksha was probably the only one who was enjoying at the dining table. On our part, the Glenmorangie that I had picked up at Edinburgh years ago entertained Mahesh and I. Great Scotch tastes best anywhere in the world,Kerala included!

The ride back home was very typical stopping a few places to pick up Kerala spices, banana chips and sundry. A final thanksgiving to the master at Himvad Gopalswamy Betta near Gundlupet was much needed before we hit the urban landscape- The landscape that holds our precarious dreams and aspirations. The months ahead in the new year when school,work takes priority to tire the soul again only to enthuse us to return to the hills,seas or to yet another serene corner of the world. Until then, work and the rat race beckons..