Vacay with Strangers

Beckoning Hills of Karnataka

When did you last have an vacation with absolute strangers? Did you enjoy? Were you apprehensive?

We were. Who is not, about a vacation with a ”group” of perfect strangers no matter how inviting the hills, the forests, the coffee plantation, and the picturesque resorts appear in the travel brochure? Yet, we embarked on this expedition- Hills of Karnataka by Anubhav Travels in the last week of May 2024.

And you must be wondering why I took six long months to write about it, right? Honestly, I am mentally still wandering there.

As the strangers dragging their luggage reached the assembly point, from two different airport terminals in Bengaluru, I could see at least 20 shades of grey with a sprinkling of other shades - a perfect blend of young and old travelers looking at each other with excitement and a wink. The ice-breaking perhaps was planned later until then each one of us acted as a member of some Secret Society.

Cruising through rush hour Bengaluru traffic, snatching a meal on the way, we reached Mysuru for a good night’s sleep before we embarked on a long-winding journey through coffee plantations to the green pastures at Coorg - promising an upgrade to our Instagram feeds! Less said is better about the obscene grandeur of the Palace at tax payers money.

Aloha! Welcome to the Paradise 1.0

Stepping into a new adventure - lush greenery so vibrant, it was like Mother Nature showing off and the trees reaching the sky. The name Capitol Village Resort was proudly proclaimed at the entrance.

The moment we alighted from our buses, Kiran Desai our Chief Guide-cum-Commander promptly took the roll call - we were a total of 37 strangers soon partaking in all the activities for the next five days. As soon as keys to our respective cottages were given and the baggage transferred, smooth talker as he was, the Commander declared that there would be no TV in the cottages, and the WiFi was restricted to the Cafeteria. Unmindful of this misery, many of us were already exploring the surroundings and the kids running wild - I mean with joy!

The Commander knew his job well: The aroma of hot samosas and coffee emanating from the cafeteria automatically brought the flock together. Over the coffee and snacks, the exciting itinerary for the next two days was rolled out.

This stunning resort is nestled in a coffee plantation, where the entrance alone felt like a warm hug from nature. Picture walking through a lush plantation, greeted by the sweet sounds of birds chirping—nature's welcome committee. The greenery here was so vibrant it could make even the most seasoned gardener green with envy.

A few fruit trees were like the nature's buffet where ‘seconds’ were always welcomed.

Plucking and picking fresh and fragrant flowers was our group's favorite hobby - watch out florists! The air was so fragrant like walking through a natural perfume factory. Sometimes, one just has to stop and smell them.

For a lucky few, there was a romantic Pond with an Island - a slice of tropical paradise. My wife and I could get to discover this only on the last day of our stay. It's your loss readers, for you couldn't get to see our song & dance on it. 😉

The cottages were very cute. Cozy corners and comfy beds for all weary travelers.

The birds here have a song for every occasion - morning tea, breakfast and calling off the day with the local bird choir - wavy, strident and competitive:

And here, they go solo:

And then, competitive:

Dining hall vibes: where every meal feels like a family celebration. Food brings everyone together as friends. Bonding over breakfast, lunch, and dinner—because calories don't count on vacation.

Simple yet tasty food, menu changes everyday but chatting up with the Chef, ferreting the secret sauce was a everyday routine.

Celebrations at galore

Another year older, another slice of cake—birthdays & celebrating love and life with cake and karaoke, best combo ever, where every song sounds better under the stars 🤩

Gathering around the campfire: where stories were toasted like marshmallows but no one roasted😂

And the stories by a great story teller, yours truly:

Ever wondered the naughty and rogues can be celebrities? Yes. The elephants are pampered with a scrub and bath, fed lush green tender grass, and protein balls at the Dubare Elephant Camp. Tourists need to walk through the knee deep river water to reach there. Elephants charge Rs 400 for their wash and Rs 150 to feed them,😂

Our days were filled with adventure, from chasing breathtaking waterfalls and the valley views that left us feeling on top of the world, to the exhilarating thrill of zip-lining through the treetops. Navigating serpentine roads was like riding a roller coaster with the most stunning views, and shopping for coffee, chocolates, and spices were the perfect souvenirs—because happiness is always better when it is edible.

A group photo, capturing smiles that spoke volumes of the memories we made, and then leaving with hearts full and bags packed.

Stay tuned for my next post.

I know your genuine concern : will I take another six months to write about the next destination of the same trip? Not if you like this, comment, and share. So why wait, then.

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