Cool Chikmagalur

July 2017

Cool Chikmagalur 😎

Vitalizing, was the sleep I had, which was interrupted by frost air that had made its way through the sheets. I pulled it up till the start of my head and tried to sleep, but it was in vain as my sleep has disappeared. Of course; you would’ve realized that I was travelling with my mum and dad. Comfortable was what I had made the back seat into as I was stuck in the car for hours. The long bedsheet in which I was snuggled into had floral prints on it while the little pillow on which my head and closed eyes rested on had a little dinosaur picture on it. I had gotten into the perfect position; it was the key to a reinvigorating sleep.

We were off to Chikmagalur with two other families who were my parents’ friends. One family lived in France while the other lived in Bangalore, just like us. We were to go to a homestay called Doopadacool that was located on a hill. But it was decided to meet at a café coffee day where many travellers stopped to take a sip of refreshingly cold coffee or have a piece of a reheated sandwich. Before we all arrived at the area, we went to the places that flashed old memories in my mom’s and dad’s mind. All the families were originally from Chikmagalur and went to revisit their long lost friends. We went to a small store and coffee shop called cool corner which was owned by my mom’s cousin. It was an endlessly long chat (not exaggerating!) before we went to meet the families.

A cousin reunion!

Ridhi, the little girl from France called out my name, Saanvi, another girl from Bangalore smiled at us and the rest of the adults greeted us. Both my parents, Saanvi's dad and Ridhi's dad had studied in the same engineering college, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology (AIT chikmagalur). Upon request, the waiter brought us some pomegranate iced tea for my parents, some hot coffees and teas for the other adults, two hot brownies for the two girls and a Belgium choco shot for me. After sipping some drinks and eating some tasty chocolate delights, we split into two groups to travel to the homestay. 

Parents in black 😎

Ridhi’s mom, my parents and I was seated in our car, a Toyota Etios, while all the others were in Saanvi’s car, a blue Baleno. My mom drove us up a hill where there were innumerable trees following the path. The sight was filled with the awestrucking beauty of nature and no signs of the slightest pollution. An hour it took us to reach the homestay. A pathway lined with plants of different shades of green led us to a palatial two storey house. To its right was a small compound behind which the scenery of hills and forests just took our breath away. We realised, after entering the halls, that the enormous house was just awe inspiring. A pearl white three-seater swing with some soft blue cushions was just next to the flight of stairs. Further in the corridor were some chairs and eye-catching cushions. To the right was an open room which had a big analogue clock, a television and a big wooden rocking chair and a few seats on the sides. There were windows which overlooked a garden; it was just the right place to curl up on a rocking chair and just read. Before doing what I wished, we went for lunch.

The view before the homestay. Breath-taking, isn't it?

Hot rice, small chapattis, paneer gravy and sambars; all kept on a counter with some forks, knives, spoons and plates on another. Satisfying, was the taste and we got back to the room. Just before I settled down on the rocking chair, my mom called me to get ready to see a waterfall. Sigh… soon I will relax on you – I told the chair and went upstairs where the room was.

The room had a big bed, a window and a bathroom. The three families had occupied the top floor of the homestay. My parents and I put on a jacket and freshened up, getting ready for an adventure.

The fall of the water off the rocks made a distinct sound that was heard from the place our jeep was parked. Though my heart was thudding with fright as there would be leeches on the way, my brain told me that it would be a new experience which I had never experienced. Tying my jacket around my waist and holding a trekking stick in my hand, we set off bravely. Ridhi was carried by her mom and Saanvi was carried by her dad as the girls too were scared. After a short distance of walking in the area full of weeds and grass, we reached a small stream which we had to cross. Holding my slipper which the driver had advised us to wear, I waded across the sand that sunk at certain places. I passed on the walking stick to Saanvi’s mom and my dad gave me his later on. I quickly wore the slippers and swiftly walked in the direction of the splashing sounds.

The tall trees spread their leaves overhead and had some plants below, framing the winning sight. Rocks of the colour black were on top of each other and the clear water symbolised purity as it fell from the top. The water flowed off in different directions but formed a big pool of water before flowing away. Removing our slippers on a dry rock in an instant, we splashed our legs in the cool water, sending a positive chill though he spine. The fun, excitement, tranquility, beauty and joy; just unexplainable through words or the best of pictures. Certainly, we were wet but had no care. Just when we were about to start back, came the pouring rain that made us even more wet that we already were. My mom made me put on my hoodie as I had cough and cold, shielding me from the wet drops.

Well, we look a bit wacky...😝

Looks marvellously fun!
Only if I was that small...

Funky four students from AIT.

Ridhi’s mom plucked it and threw it out. A leech was on my foot and was wiggling around strangely when I looked at my foot in the jeep which was thrown out soon.

Changed into warm outfits were we, eating plates of onion pakodas and ketchups and drank hot drinks. The parents spoke for long, the little kids went to play inside and I on the other hand was still munching on the crisp food and reading on my best friend, my kindle. I later realised that I had found the perfect time to do what I had been longing to since I had arrived. Cuddled up in the comfortable chair, I went back and forth as I blogged on my phone. As I wasn’t finding the signal for mobile data, I jotted down the day’s adventure on OneNote.

The campfire time was similar to tea time. The parents surrounded the campfire as they ate some hot bondas of different varieties and talked, the kids danced to music that was played and I was once again curled up comfortably on a plastic chair with my sweater, reading. The day was just marvellous and it was soon time for bed.

When the hot heat of the flame warms your cold toes...

The next day…

An hour and half in the front seat of a jeep was the bored me but that soon changed. Wearing raincoats, caps and cotton balls, we were tightly packed to climb Mullayanagiri. Unlike usual, that day had a raging storm on the top. Moist air, heavy winds, cold temperature and cloudy sights. We were to conquer the hill by climbing up but it was extreme due to the weather. We felt like erect sticks placed in loosed sand which was against harsh winds. We began the climb up and it was amazing how determined Saanvi and Ridhi were. A few hundred stairs later was the top and joy blasted through me. We took pictures celebrating the difficult climb and soon set back down. Amazing, the experience was an unforgettable one and wouldn’t have been possible if the weather was different.

Conquering the mind-blowing hill

Saanvi and her parents

We came, we saw, we conquered

Rainy raincoats, watery sticks and sweaty sweaters filled the jeep. It was warmer as we went downwards back to our homestay and we stopped for some lunch. 

Still wondering how it held our weight...

Our next stop, before going back, was Siri, next to which was a coffee store by the same name. Siri was a big statue of a woman whose clothes were grass, her earrings flowers, her ring a potted plant and was surrounded by water, representing natural beauty.

Before dinner was the campfire like the day before and everyone enjoyed. It was time for rest and I had a sound sleep.

The last day…

At Aadrika was our last meal together and cherished every moment. It was the last day and we were set to go home after lunch at the restaurant and hotel. Ordering some palatable food, we talked to each other for the last time. At the parking lot, we waved to each other till they were out of sight. It was the end to an amazing three-day trip in which all of us had the best time we could ever have.

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