COONOOR IN NOVEMBER IS JUST RIGHT

Acres Wild Farm Stay. All photos credited to Ayesha Tabassum

Ayesha Tabassum, our guest blogger, is a copywriter and consultant with Why Axis. She is also a self-confessed "wanderer, runner, nature-lover, animal-rescuer, foodie, Bangalore-based people-seeker, high on life and colours". She writes about her charming trip to a cheese-making farm in Coonoor. She blogs at ayeshatabassum.wordpress.com and tweets @aishatax

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“Coonoor in November? Naah! Not really the holiday destination for the winter month,” was the dismissive response from a seasoned traveler-advisory. It’s too cold, unpredictable showers and a roller-coaster of a journey by bus. Car seems better, was the suggestion. Near and dear ones were a tad bit surprised: "It will be too cold, no? That too you are taking your mother along? You better be padded well."

With an earful of advice, yours truly decided to embark on the much-awaited annual trip.

Agreed, November is usually the month to explore warmer places and cities in India. But what’s the point of following the usual holiday calendar.

This holiday was truly earned – booking at Acres Wild Farm Stay was done nearly two months prior (after warnings from traveller friends: "Book this place early, it’s not easy to get a cottage.") and leave at work had been applied three months in advance. With such planning (perhaps even more meticulous than PM’s quarterly itinerary), we absolutely

OOZING COLONIAL CHARM — THE FAIRLAWN HOTEL OF KOLKATA

Photo courtesy: Fairlawn

The 'past' is throbbing and alive in Fairlawn. Not in a 'time-warp-kinda way' but like a stylish septuagenarian — full of old world charm, glamour and chic, but modern. That's an apt way to describe Fairlawn the hotel in Kolkata which is a landmark in itself. So was its owner, Violet Smith who passed away a few weeks ago at age 93. She was fondly called the Duchess of Sudder Street — the hotel is located at the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder street, a few minutes away from the century old New Market area. 

Fairlawn is for those who are nostalgic about a bygone time — when style, class and charm were an integral part of everyday life. You can find it in the colonial charm of the hotel. And the 200 years old artefacts that you will find all over the place carries within it stories from another era. 

THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI — NOW HAS A RESORT

Pic courtesy X2 River Kwai Resort

The 1975 film, The Bridge on the River Kwai, is still one of the best, all-time favourite war movies. Ironically, the seven-Academy-Award-winning film was not actually filmed in Thailand on River Kwai, but in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). 

Now, if you felt cheated about that — like me — then here's your chance to experience the original River Kwai. Making it possible is to go see the place that inspired the film, in Western Thailand is  X2 River Kwai resort.

Located on a 3000 sqmts stretch of the beautiful Kwai Noi River is the resort with a jaw-dropping view of mountain ranges and blue-blue skies with low-hanging cottony clouds — all reflected in the waters of the river — picture perfect!

Pic courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

Traveling to the resort means a pleasant journey that involves passing rice paddy fields, sugar cane plantations, local temples and villages which are the signature scenery of Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi is the largest of the western provinces of Thailand. It is frequented by tourists who have been attracted by its long history and ancient civilizations. The province is also known for its natural attractions such as forests, mountains, caves and waterfalls. The town really gained fame after WWII when the Japanese soldiers used it as a base camp for the POWs to build the notorious Thai-Burma Railway and the well-known bridge over the River Kwai.  This was the story featured in the famous film.  Another film about this historical event is The Railway Man which was shot mainly in the actual locations in Kanchanaburi and will be screening in 2014.

Photo courtesy: X2 River Kwai resort

Coming back to the resort X2 River Kwai...the eco-friendly resort  was designed by the Thailand-based Agaligo Studio. Materials  procured locally and recycled parts were used to build this wonderful resort. The coolest thing about this resort is that each room is equipped with an electrical key that  cuts off the electricity when the guest leaves the room. 

Pic Courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

The resort consists of 8 rooms of different kinds — PoolXide Cabin, LuXe Cabin, PoolXide Cabin Suite and LuXe Cabin Suite- all facing the spectacular Kwai Noi River. There's also a river-facing restaurant with an outdoor deck, The Bridge Bar and Bistro, library, an infinity riverfront pool with sun lounges and sun beds, bicycles on loan, free wifi in all common areas, guarded car park and iPads on loan. For guests’ safety, CCTVs are installed in all critical areas and there are 24 hour security guards.

Pic Courtesy: X2 River Kwai Resort

Now, I cannot leave you without retelling the story of one of my favourite films: The Bridge on the River Kwai. It opens in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Burma in 1943, where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness). Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai, which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses, despite all the various persuasive devices at Saito's disposal. Finally, Nicholson agrees, not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale-boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that, by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build, the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up, Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection, eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile, American POW Shears (William Holden), having escaped from the camp, agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return, Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. It won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Guinness and Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle.

Now, I suggest you go get yourself a DVD of the film and watch it, even as you draw up a plan to visit X2 River Kwai Resort. 

More info on http://x2resorts.com/

SCUBA DIVE 21 FT, ORDER A PIZZA

The round windows in the Lodge are the major attractions. You can have different kinds of fish peering into your bedroom; you can also see the Pizza delivery man swimming up to the door. Photo: Jules Undersea Lodge

Jules Undersea Lodge in Florida, US, began its existence as La Chalupa research laboratory, an underwater habitat used to explore the continental shelf off the coast of Puerto Rico. Located in the Emerald Lagoon, chock-full with reef fish, tropical angel fish, parrot fish, barracuda, snappers, anemones, sponges, oysters and feather duster worms, the lodge is like a sight in the mind of a sci-fi writer.

It sits on legs five feet off the ocean floor. Guests have to Scuba dive 21 feet down into the sea to get to the front door of Jules, which is the first under sea hotel in the US. The air conditioned cottage-sized lodge with a futuristic decor has two private bed rooms and an 8' by 20' common room, which has a well-stocked galley, dining and entertainment areas. Each of the bedrooms and the common room is equipped with telephone, intercom, VCR/DVD etc. 

Entering the Lodge, 21 feet down into the ocean

However, nothing compares to the 42" round window in each room. "Waking up to view a pair of angelfish looking at you through the bedroom window is a sight you'll never forget," states Ian Koblick, owner and co-developer of the Lodge. He and his business partner Neil Monney have over 50 years of combined ocean research and industry experience. The duo named their unique lodge in honour of Jules Verne, author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. "Jules' Undersea Lodge is a tribute to the human quest for exploration and adventure," says Koblick of the lodge which opened its doors to the public in 1986.

The Lodge is filled with compressed air, which prevents water from rising and flooding the rooms. Guests, in scuba gear, enter the lodge via a 5' by 7' 'moon pool' entrance in the floor of the building to reach the wet room, where they leave their diving gear, take a quick hot shower before entering the rest of the living area. You can either enjoy a three-hour vacation ($150 per person) or stay overnight ($675 per person or $800 for a couple). You can have pizza delivered from land or have a chef Scuba dive down to the hotel to prepare and serve a gourmet dinner. 

The Lodge's command centre, manned by a mission director, is land-based and is located at the edge of the Lagoon. The control centre is connected to the undersea lodge by an umbilical cable which delivers fresh air, water, power, and communications. The facility is monitored round the clock. 

You need to dive 21 ft into the water to get to this

To get into Jules' Undersea Lodge, one must be a certified SCUBA diver. If you are not a certified diver, you can take the Discover SCUBA Diving certification for $95. However you cannot take the course if you cannot swim or diabetic or pregnant or have psychological reasons that would prevent you from diving. 


In spite of the many restrictions that would stop most people from diving down to the under sea retreat, the Lodge has had some illustrious guests including former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau; rock stars Steve Tyler of Aerosmith and Jon Fishman of Phish.


The Lodge is an impeccable specimen of ingenuity combined with commerce and common sense. It not only provides a unique experience to guests but also protects the lagoon. "Marine life is actually enhanced by the presence of an underwater structure," explains Koblick. The Lodge serves as an artificial reef, providing shelter and substrate for marine animals. And the flow of air to the Lodge constantly adds oxygen to the entire surrounding body of water, creating a symbiotic relationship between technology and nature.

To live beneath the sea was once just the dream of science fiction writers. Now it is a reality... Even for the common man!

For more information log on to: www.jul.com

AN ZANZIBAR - HOME STAY IN ARTISTS VILLAGE (CHENNAI, TAMILNADU)

You are a couple and looking for a perfect getaway. Or you are a creative person — maybe a writer, a musician, an artist...— who wants some quite to evoke the creative genie in you.Or you are someone who just wants to escape the humdrum of a busy life. Then a regular hotel might not be what you are looking for. 

AN Zanzibar is the homestay that you might want; even what you might 'need'.  And this one is not 'any' home-away-from-home. It is special. It is situated inside an artists village. 

You might want to stay here just so that you can tell someone one day — "I once stayed in a place called Zanzibar!" It's cool in that sense too!

Located just 10 minutes walk away from the beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (South India) and surrounded by trees, Zanzibar is a private bungalow within Cholamandal Artist Village on ECR. Tastefully decorated with art & antiques, it is the perfect retreat for a short or long quiet break.

Cholamandal is a working artist community and houses a museum of the Madras Movement. AN Zanzibar is located in this artist village.  Mamallapuram, the crocodile park and Dakshin Chithra, the folk art village are all nearby and so are excellent restaurants. And the beach is just 10 minutes walk away.

AN Zanzibar is a 2000sq ft two-bedroom house. AC & hot water available in both rooms.The guests can use the living room, dining deck (and terrace on request) apart from their room. The house has a 'no tv' policy, but there is a fine collection of books and a good music system. 

Shyam is the official host at AN Zanzibar. Apart from settling the guest in, he will also help them to plan their time with regard to places to go to, things to do in the neighbourhood and city. Call taxis, auto rickshaws and buses are readily available. Prepaid taxis are available from the airport and railway stations

TARIFF:

• Rs.3500 per night for double occupancy and minimum is two night. 
• Single occupancy is Rs.3200 
• Breakfast is included.

ADDRESS:

AN ZANZIBAR

29, Cholamandal Artist Village

ECR, Injambakkam, Chennai

Contact: Shyam 089 39 969699

A pictorial walk-through of AN ZANZIBAR

A LUXURY RESORT WITH A CONSCIENCE

Photo: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.  One of the cottages at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda

7000 feet above sea level, on the edge of Parc National des Volcans (where five volcanoes rise up to 15,000 feet) in Rwanda — a country where 800,000 men, women and children were killed in 100 days, and the future, a despondent darkness — sits Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, a luxury lodge, an emblem of hope; a motif of what a group of people can do to change ordinary lives — for the better.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is built and operated by The Governors' Camp Collection, a 40-year-old company operated by a group of shareholders, and which comprises seven award winning luxury safari camps and lodges in Kenya and Rwanda. It was built in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation and its partner in Rwanda, the International Gorilla Conservation Program. But right in the beginning, it was decided that the ownership of the lodge would rest with a community trust to be set up specifically to receive rental and other income from the lodge, which would be used to drive socio-economic development and conservation initiatives in the area. A community trust, SACOLA, was established.

View of the volcanoes. Photo: SSL

In May 2006, agreements were signed; in June 2006 construction of the Lodge began; in August 2007 it received its first guest; in September 2007 SACOLA began its mission.

The SACOLA Community Trust projects range from creation of vegetable gardens for a community farming project to reconstruction of a local primary school for 1,600 students to rural electrification project; construction and maintenance of local roads; building of homes for refugees from the genocide and so on. In addition, the Lodge also contributes to the conservation and preservation of the Mountain Gorilla and its fragile habitat and to the wildlife conservation project in Gishwati Forest, 50 km away.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is an illustration of the seamless amalgamation of socio-economic development (of the public and the private), conservation of nature and the collective consciousness working at rebuilding a country, one community at a time.

The rooms are spacious with fire places and a great view of the volcanoes

The Lodge itself can be describe as 'thoughtful' in its design, architecture and the premises on which it operates. The Lodge is only minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where one can trek on foot to see the magnificent Mountain Gorilla – perhaps one of the most dramatic, thrilling and poignant wildlife experiences possible. The lodge, situated in the foothills of the mighty Virungas, the chain of 15,000 ft volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, affords wonderful views of the volcanoes and the surrounding countryside.

The Lodge, set in 11 acres of land, comprises five cottages, two suites and one family cottage. They are stone buildings with Rwandanese terracotta tile roofs and feature large sitting areas, fire places, stylish bathrooms finished with Venetian plaster and verandahs with dramatic views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmlands. The close relationship between the Lodge and SACOLA can be explored in the Community Awareness room in the main lodge building, or by visiting the various projects run by SACOLA.

Stylish bathroom finished with Venetian plaster. Photo: SSL

Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The family cottage comprises two independent ensuite rooms connected by a shared verandah. The main lodge building comprises reception, sitting room with snug area, dining room, library / games room, a responsible tourism / community awareness room, shop and bathrooms. Three large fireplaces provide warmth and all rooms are finished with a polished wooden floor. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga Volcanoes and the surrounding lowland farmland.

"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence," wrote the celebrated Chinese writer Lin Yutang. Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is 'that' road of hope for some of the communities in Rwanda.

One of the perks of staying at the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is that you need to trek just a few
 minutes to see the majestic Mountain Gorilla.  Photo: SSL

For more details check:  www.governorscamp.com or http://on.fb.me/1n9T9y1 

WHERE TO STAY IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK — TEKARRA LODGE

Tekarra Lodge is easily one of the most beautiful lodges that I had ever stayed. It is nestled in the midst of the magnificent Jasper National Park, Canada. It is just a short drive from Jasper town, I was told. The distance didn't matter at all. Because of the beauty that was rolling past outside the window — mountains, rivers, lakes in different hues. 

The famous Tekarra restaurant

I was allotted a beautiful white and yellow cabin, with its own private deck from where I could sit and drink in the breath taking view of majestic mountains and even catch a wee bit of wildlife — squirrels, deer etc.

It was a cozy cabin with its own fire place — the real deal! There is something rustically charming about hardwood cabins. No television and no phones only added to that charm. And, this is a big AND, I loved the fact that you could bring pets to this place. Of course, my dog was back home across the ocean, but just the thought that I could bring her here on a holiday had Tekarra Lodge score big on my list. 

Picture-postcard wood cabins

Inside the cabin there's a fully-equipped compact kitchen — complete with utensils, plates, pots, pans, toaster, coffeemaker — of course, I was on a holiday; who in their right mind would cook while on holiday except on Travel & Living Channel?  And especially when you have an amazing restaurant, just a hop-skip-and-jump away. Tekarra restaurant is one of Jasper's hot spots.  Warm, cosy, relaxed...oh I can live here all my life. Those large wooden tables were really welcoming. Apparently, this used to be Marilyn Monroe's favourite haunt. And the food....oh to die for. 

Two rivers merge. A sight to behold.

Oh, there's a teeny-tiny annoying thing about the cabin — the bathroom. It was tiniest of bathrooms I had ever been too. I had to indulge in a bit of gymnastics just to have a shower. But that was only a minor irritant.

Tekarra Lodge is on a ridge, overlooking the convergence of two rivers — the Miette and Athabasca rivers. The two rivers, one hot and the other cold, refuses to mingle for long on their way to the Ocean, a good two days away from Jasper. So one half of the river is emerald green and the other is milky tea-coloured. After a long-stubborn-journey the rivers converge — just in front of Tekarra Lodge —  before continuing their journey to the great infinity. Though I could’ve gone biking or hiking I preferred to sit on one of the many wooden chairs and watch the rivers and the mountains and just soak in the nature, breathe the pure air and contemplate on ‘bliss’.

This is where I spent most of my mornings — soaking in nature

If you are in Jasper National Park, a night at Tekarra Lodge AND a meal at their restaurant is must-have experience.

The Lodge is usually closed for winter and reopens in May.

For more info  http://tekarralodge.com\

Waking up to this can be enthralling — the scene just outside my cabin.

THE NEST - homestay in Coonoor, Tamilnadu, South India

It is a cosy four room home (not a house, remember) that can accommodate 18 people comfortably at any given point of time. And it is aptly called The Nest.

The dream home of a couple from Bangalore the homestay is surrounded by lush green tea estates with a view of the Raliah Forest Reserve range. It can be a homey, snug nest for the weekend (or more) for a couple or family or even a group of friends wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and all things commercial.

Two of the rooms here can be combined to form a single cottage. How cool is that! 

Some more info about this pleasant homestay.

• Nest Homestay is 7 kms from Coonoor town/station.
• It is 4 kms from Wellington.
• Taxis can be arranged or you can avail of the local bus that stops right outside the homestay on an hourly basis.
• If you are driving down in your own car, there is ample parking space.
• Simple, hygienic, homemade food is available and will be served in the family dining hall. But if you need any special dish to be cooked for you, that too can be arranged. You only need to give the cook/caretaker advance notice.
• Bonfire too can be arranged on request.  
• If you want you can indulge in a game of carom, chess, cards, board games, badminton, volleyball or spot bison using via binoculars.
• There are lots of sights around the homestay, if you are interested in venturing out — Hiking and trekking trips to the Raliah dam, visit to the tea factory, Sims park, Lambs rock, Dodabetta, visit to Ooty, ride on the heritage toy train.
• Tarrif: INR 2000 + 12.5% tax per room for a couple per night. Extra adult @INR 750 plus tax; children above five years of age INR RS.350 plus tax.
• Vegetarial meal: Rs.200
• Non-vegetarian meal : Rs.250
• Breakfast @ Rs.100 per head.

Contact: 9741868868 / 9845740061.

Manager: Rohit Chandra

THE NEST - Homestay
Coonoor Kotagiri Road
Aniadah Village
Bandhumai , Coonoor 643104 
www.nestcoonoor.com