Wildlife Paradise- Masinagudi.

So if you love wildlife, if you love that soothing breeze on your face, if you love greens around you, if you love staying on tree houses, if you love going for random walks inside the forest, then Masinagudi is the place! There is much to see in Masinagudi, the forest destination nearly three hours from Ootty. Located somewhere in the borders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Masinagudi has much to offer to nature-lovers.

We traveled all the way to Ootty, made a halt there for a day (just to indulge in the serenity and calmness that town had to offer), and moved to Masinagudi. The place is perfect for those who need a break from the highly bust city life. My photographer friends clicked many pictures! And the journey to Masinagudi was bliss. With trees and animals (guiding us to Masin), lest did we think about anything else.

We stayed in a guest house, towards the interiors of the forest. You wouldn’t believe! There are tigers and wild elephants, deers and boars visiting this guest house (nearly a km away as they have fenced it). We were lucky enough to ‘trip’ on a small mountain lake that flowed nearby. The crispy fresh waters were sprinkled on us, and it was sunset. So the beauty of the waters merged so well with the colors of nature.

We moved more into the forest, the next day. The thick dense dark forest reminded me of the concrete jungle where buildings replace trees, and wild animals replace wild men and women (in the haywire for survival). We did our forest trekking in a jeep when we went deeper into the thickness of greens. We made barbeque once the sun went down. It was all soo much of fun!

Masinagudi is haven if you want a 3 day break from the chaos and calumnies of daily life. The pill I would suggest to elate your mood, and find peace! 

Goa, Oh! Goa. I Love You to Bits.

Goa, oh! Goa. How much have I fallen in love with you? The sweet sands on your beaches flattened me. Your perfect weather soothed me. Sight of men and women smoking the holy herb awed me. Inebriated youngsters who were sober awed me (again). Goa! Oh! Goa. How much have I fallen for you?

My carefree, totally not planned trip to Goa was magically awesome. With a bunch of friends who made it extra super, I spent three days of my life (journey) with good food, lovely people, and lots of fun. All I did was go around Goa and visit places. And whichever places we visited were random ones, which we never knew existed. From small restaurants, shacks on the beaches, forts, there is so much to see in Goa. Well, so much to indulge in, actually!

For my photographer friends, Goa was true bliss as they could capture sunset at its best, westernized roads with pubs that remind you of European countries (not that I have visited any! Thanks to Hollywood), free market (which I have loads to share about), and people from across the globe who have come there and blended in sync with all that Goa has to offer.

Free market which we visited at 10 p.m. was an array of lights spread out with colors and beautiful people. There was a bowl of cultures. Indian stalls where reds, blues and pinks reigned. Japanese, Germans, Italians, French, Dutch… so many of them together in the same market, selling goods that they made!

Vagatore where we stayed was a quiet place which bore a few churches and old houses. Mapusa had a huge market where we got the famous Goan Feni, Pork sausages and Pan Beer. Anjuna, where beach is at its best. How can I forget our dinner at the famous ‘Curlies’?! Baga for shopping. And Panaji where we witnessed many historical monuments.

Goa seemed like another planet to me. Ask me why? Well, for all that I know, the place has much to offer. From peace, tranquility (which is confined only to that place alone, I don’t know why!), to lots of independent loners, and fun unlimited everywhere, there is so much in Goa. I would rather call it ‘man-made paradise on earth’.

I don’t remember the name of the hotel we stayed, nor the places we visited. It was all random. And the fun lied when there was randomness everywhere. I don’t remember the people I met there, or the stores we got into. They were all mere randomness. But for all that I know, I wouldn’t miss a chance to hop in to Goa again. This time, alone maybe. With less stress and strain. The more your priorities, the less fun. What say! ? 

 

With Lots of Love from Sri Lanka

The land of handsome men and simple women, haven of colorful tuk-tuks, paddy fields and lots of greens, depth-taking beaches and disciplined traffic, tour de Sri Lanka was bliss. I’am a little too late (actually) in writing about my Sri Lankan trip, but as they say, better late than never. Oh! That wonderful place took my breath away, made me go ga-ga over its scenic beauty, and most of all, gave me a reality check on how people can lead a simple yet happy life.

Sri Lankans are recuperating from all the tragedies LTTE had imbibed on them. Bomb blasts, suicide attacks, gun shots and mass killings were nothing new to Sri Lankans. How can people just randomly kill other people, for nothing?! I ponder, but in vain. Generations have pondered on this question, but it is supposed to remain unanswered (as long as mankind exists).

We visited South Sri Lanka. And I was with my cousins, uncle and aunt, the company I would love to be with till I exist on earth, and cherish to no end. Having boarded at Colombo airport, we got in for our first Sri Lankan road trip, all the way to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where we had our lunch, and also saw hundreds of elephants soothing themselves with an afternoon bathing session. I could see, they were having truck loads of fun!

Off we went to our next destination which took us nearly four hours from the airport. Having spent a couple of days at a hill station named Kandy, we set off to Nuwara Eliya. The place famously known as ‘Little England’ showed us the sophisticated English bungalows (built during the British era), polished restaurants and the place was anglicized everywhere. And oh yea! We saw the temple where Sita was held by Ravana. We saw Hanuman’s huge footsteps. We saw the 5000 year old deity of Sita Rama. We saw the pond where Sita used to take her bath. We saw Nuwara Eliya, where history told tales in millions. The place where the world epic Ramayana took steep turns and lovely climaxes. Oh! We saw that blissful, holy place. I’am one of those lucky ones!

We went to visit the next holy place where Lord Buddha reigned. Kandy it was. The monastery faced a serious setback when LTTE bombed the place nearly a decade ago. Again, a monastery that bears testimony to human inconsideration and his uncanny! Buddha’s tooth is kept here. And the holy sight is open to public only once a year, when people from across the globe come here to witness that holy sight. Kandy was beautiful. The people there lovely. We witnessed South Sri Lankan cultural art forms which took us to the ethnic side of this lovely country, and helped us re-visit their past which had hundreds of tales. So it was time to bid good-bye, and say hello to beaches. We set ourselves for a 7 hour journey to Bentota!

The journey took us half a day (at least that is how we felt!).Having stopped occasionally for food and water, we made our way to Bentota. Indruwa Beach resorts, where we stayed, was true bliss. And if you plan for Sri Lanka, make sure you make a stop here. The vast sea (which stretched to ‘god-knows-where’), blissful beachside, strong rocks, and the occasional creaks that we saw in the beachside made our Bentota stay extra remarkable. We visited a couple of places at Bentota which included the turtle hatchery, water sporting arena etc., but nothing to beat a beach stroll at Indruwa, listening to some good music, and witnessing the sunset smile at you when bidding goodbye.

After spending 2 lovely days at Bentota, we started preparing ourselves to say final good-bye to Tour De Sri Lanka. We set off to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where thousands of people halt with dreams and ambitions, where tall buildings rule, shopping malls smile at you, and huge restaurants and commercial spaces throng in thousands. It was shopping time for us too! We did our bit of purchases. Who says Sri Lanka is cheap!??!

We left the country of the lions with a heavy heart. All good things have to come to an end, doesn’t it? How can I forget our guide Chaminda who took us to all these placesm waited for us patiently when we strolled the roadside at Kandy and Colombo, and still had a smiling face! But when I write about my memoirs having spent a week there, I can also recollect the lovely people who are always willing to help you. So much to learn for Indians! Good-bye Sri Lanka for now. But I promise, if I ever get an opportunity to visit you again, I shall never miss it. Sri Lanka is true bliss.