Coorg-Kabini

Last weekend, Manju and I took time off from our hectic schedule and went to visit Coorg. While returning we stayed for a day in the Kabini Jungle lodge.

In Coorg, we stayed in a homestay by name 'The Nest'. Our room overlooked the scenic paddy fields and coffee plantations. The hosts (Asha and Sagar) are very hospitable and serve great food!
And they have 5 wonderful dogs. Each of a different breed and absolutely friendly. Asha's stories about them are totally entertaining. :)
Sagar helped us plan our sight seeing. He would draw a map of all the places we can visit on that day and tell us how much time we can spend in each place.

Over the next two days in Coorg, we visited the Namdroling Monastery, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbi falls and Raja seat.

While returning from the monastery, it was late in the night and we had to drive through the forest. It was pitch dark and there were no vehicles on either side. Suddenly ahead we saw and screeched halt to a giant tusker grazing in the middle of the road. It was barely 50 feet ahead of us. We switched off the engine and kept the lights on.. and patiently waited for his majesty to pass across the path. Wild elephants can get crazy and getting so close can be dangerous.
Soon after it crossed, we sped. We saw two more herds after that on our way.. but they weren't in the middle of the road and we didn't stop again. :)

Talacauvery is on a high hill and it was raining as we started driving up. The top half of the hill was covered by the clouds. Visibility was very poor. Barely 10-20 feet.
It being a week day, there wasn't a big crowd at the temple and we could enjoy the calm.

On the third day we left for Kabini. We had booked a tent in the govt run Jungle lodges and resorts. For a govt run place, its very clean, green and its people are friendly and on time.
The resort itself is on the banks of the Kabini. For the safari, they take you in jeeps deep into the Nagarhole jungles. We spotted a leopard from far, a pack of wild dogs, a serpent eagle, racket tailed drongos, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambhars, a crocodile, langurs, wild boars, peacocks and jungle fowl. Except for the deer and the elephants, it was difficult to spot the animals.
We couldn't spot a tiger. Though the rangers said there are about 50 tigers in Nagarhole, they themselves spot tigers rarely. Its very disturbing. Are there really 50 tigers out there? :(
Also just 50 tigers in 640 sq km of forest?! The jungle can easily accommodate a hundred more tigers. Looks like there are enough deer too. If only poachers are caught and punished. The ranger informed that each tiger can fetch Rs 10,00,000.00 for the poachers. Everything goes to China.

Left Kabini the next day and reached home in the evening on June 10. End of a wonderful vacation. It was one of the best trips we've had. Comparable to the trip to Mount Shashta in Northern California with Soumi and Prasenjit.

Some photos here.