We left Blore Thursday afternoon in one car - 5 adults and 2 kids. Stopped at Coffee day for tea and restroom break and reached Chikmagalur around 8pm. The Woodway homestay is about 14km from the town. It is one of the most beautiful places I have visited. I have to write about this place. Its owned by one of our close friends. This was the house they grew up in which is now converted to a homestay, so it adds more to the beauty. Its nice to see how well my friend has developed this place over the last 8 years. We can see coffee plants all around the house. The food was yummy, what more do we need on a vacation :)
The weather was perfect, slightly cold and slightly sunny. We woke up early the next morning and had a fresh cup of coffee - coffee from the estate. Had a heavy breakfast of neer dosa and stew with toast, papaya and coffee. 2 more friends joined us from Blore making the group bigger. We spent the rest of the morning lazing around. After a heavy lunch we headed out towards the Muthodi forest. We drove in the friend's open jeep. It was an awesome safari, driving in the midst of the thick forest, with different shades of green everywhere. We spotted many deer, langur, wild goat and the huge gaur being the highlight of the safari! We saw it twice, first was on the side of the mud path we were driving on, just a few feet away. It just stared at us and disappeared. On our return journey, it got dark and the gaur appeared right in front of our jeep. It was very cool to watch the animal from such a close distance. Seeing the lights it ran off to the side, though I guess it was watching us in the dark.
We headed back to the homestay, all of us hungry and thirsty. We had yummy starters waiting for us in the kitchen, my favorite being pineapple and cheese. Thanks Su :) And it was dancing time in the colorful disco light which a friend had got :)
Next day was a bright and sunny day, we went for a small walk near the estate. Its just peaceful to listen to the sounds of nature and look at the greenery. I think I can just sit and read a book there for a long long time without getting bored.
After a debate on what to do that morning, few of us headed out to a place near Chikmagalur for white water rafting in Bhadra river, which is about 90 minutes drive. The drive itself is very scenic. Its on the way to Horanadu and Kudremukh. The Bhadra river is beautiful! Wearing the life jacket and helmet, 5 of us sat in the boat with a paddle in our hands. The guide accompanied us after giving strict instructions. It was my first rafting experience and it was sooooo much fun!! The best part was when we went though a 5 feet drop and the water hit us. It was an amazing experience :) Then the guide pushed us all into the water. I was the scared one not knowing how to swim. We stayed in the still water for 5 minutes, and then continued rafting. We spent more than an hour on the river. It was FUN FUN all the way :)
Had lunch at friend's aunt's house. The aunt has grown all kinds of bonsais in their garden. We also saw a peacock on our way out. Back in the homestay we had dinner, chatted and then crashed on the bed.
It was soon Sunday morning, the day we had to leave. The morning was so fresh, sitting outside, watching the mist and having coffee and chatting.
It was soon time to leave - after a super idli vada breakfast. The roads are great from Chickmangalur to Blore - Chickmangalur-Hassan-Channrayapatna-Nelamangala-Blore.
Great time, thanks S, S, V, J, T, N, K, R, C, A :)
