My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story

Tripoto
26th Jun 2014
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 1/13 by Tianna
Little village girl Belaku meaning LIGHT. Jus
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 2/13 by Tianna
Kalur Village and Post
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 3/13 by Tianna
Green Dreams' Organic Green Tea , Honey and L
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 4/13 by Tianna
Unsuspecting subject of a farmboy
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 5/13 by Tianna
View of Tibetan roads from my windscreen
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 6/13 by Tianna
Goodbye Monastery!
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 7/13 by Tianna
Sera May Monastery in Kushalnagar
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 8/13 by Tianna
Deafening silence inside the Monsatery
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 9/13 by Tianna
Young male and femalemak monks socialising
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 10/13 by Tianna
KSRTC bus
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 11/13 by Tianna
Taste of Coorg Menu, Madikeri
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 12/13 by Tianna
Mouthwatering Momos and beef cutlet,Kushalnag
Photo of My Perfect Coorgi Travel Story 13/13 by Tianna
Pause Cafe

Sometimes I find myself planning a little too hard, right down to who I will meet and what color hair clip they may possibly have! Other times though, life happens. This day in Coorg was one such welcome series of serendipitous events that fed my travel bug till it burst - with happiness,of course. My day began exploring the small town of Madikeri which was pleasantly nippy even in May. Pause Cafe, much like the name suggests was in tune with my morning state of mind. The warm brown and calming green decor drew me in. A much-needed cup of coffee and a dense brownie slice later, I allowed my sugar high to take me places - Which is how I ended up in Kalur. You may hire a car for an all day price of approx Rs. 1500 or you can befriend a bunch of locals like I did and hitch rides. Kalur Post led me to a small home stay called Shangri-la, where the radiant face and tangible energy of a little 5 year old girl enticed me in. I was made to feel at home with a miniature handpicked orange and a huge glass of Rose Sherbet.The little hands and feet led me to a scenic bridge over a steady inlet, not too far from the home stay. Alas, the day had other plans for me; a few hugs and unforgettable photographic memories later, I found myself back in Madikeri, only to catch a bus to Kushalnagar.

Kushalnagar, I had heard had a massive Tibetan settlement and that to me spelled only one thing - MOMO's! Only I had no idea how to lead myself of them and I was determined to find my way. A cell phone with no network, a shoe that had decided to start wearing out and a pre-dominant male population glancing my way, didn't help.

Thank God for a great memory; I had read up on a gorgeous organic farm stay and the owner was kind enough to not only pick me up from the bus station(after I rung from a public phone) at Kushalnagar but also graciously take me on a jeep tour around the farm sampling all the natural goodness. A cup of organic green tea with some fresh honey in my hand and an non erasable smile on my face. I must have had my lucky jeans on because I then got offered a drive through the Tibetan Monasteries! My answer was "And then perhaps some Momo's?".

The Sera May Monastery was the lesser known between the two thriving monasteries in the area. Much to my delight, my host also believed that uncovered ground has much more to offer than the tried and tested. The Monastery was nothing I had ever experienced. The air was heavy, calm but with a strong sense of engulfment. A gong rung hauntingly from a back room and broke through the thick air of silence. It was time to go.

My eyes wandered to the scores of uniformed monks as they chattered, laughed and looked questioningly my way as I tried to capture their energy behind my lens. A quick drive led us to the moment I had been waiting for.Up till then, I had been fed with the most unusual South Indian food and I couldn't believe I was craving a familiar taste. My host left me to dine in solitude, possibly because my adolescent energy was overwhelming to him. I tried to sign language my way with the waiter repeatedly mouthing "momo" until he understood. He decided to add a beef mince cutlet and a palate cleansing soup to my order. I didn't complain. My day has suddenly broken all levels of fulfillment at an unbelievable rate of Rs. 60.

With a full belly and a diary full of ink and memories, I trudged back into the bus and bought myself a Rs. 80 ticket back to Madikeri, a ride that had me poked in the left eye by a 2 year old who gave me the most heart melting smile right after. I reached back right in time to refresh myself and walk out for dinner. The township is so tiny and every area is at walking distance. Taste of Coorg with it's strange menu was a lovely end to a great day out. As I licked the chicken gravy off my fingers, I smiled at the thought of the miniature orange nestled snug in my pocket. Belaku means Light, her mother had informed me :)

Pause Cafe had the freshest Bakery items. The dense chocolate brownie was like none I have ever tasted and the staff was friendly.

Photo of Pause Cafe, Virajpet, Coorg, Karnataka, India by Tianna

Meeting Laxmans family and his little daughter Belaku instantly was a lesson on culture and family life in Coorg. An authentic home stay with traditional, warm people can educate you like no website ever.

Photo of Shangri la homestay, Kalur by Tianna
Photo of Shangri la homestay, Kalur by Tianna

An easy point of access from Madikeri by bus.

Gorgeous organic farm with congenial host. I enjoyed the pure green tea and fresh honey to refresh my senses after a long bus ride. Ideal spot for yoga lovers and others with a healthy approach to life.

Photo of Green Dreams, Kushalnagar, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Green Dreams, Kushalnagar, Karnataka, India by Tianna

My first time in a Monastery left me awe struck. There was the cheerful chatter of young student monks on one hand and the haunting silence of the monastery on the other.

Photo of Sera Mey Monastery University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Sera Mey Monastery University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Sera Mey Monastery University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Sera Mey Monastery University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Sera Mey Monastery University, Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna

The momo's here were my first taste of authentic ones and I was not disappointed one bit. The price was pocket-friendly and the meal was filling thanks to the complementary cutlet and soup along with 8 momo's per plate.

Photo of Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna
Photo of Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India by Tianna

Authentic Coorgi style curries and parota's were out of this world. The restaurant offers more western palate friendly light snacks as well.

Photo of Taste of Coorg, Madikeri by Tianna
Photo of Taste of Coorg, Madikeri by Tianna

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