Coorg Calling – Part 2 (concluding)

A long trip awaited us on Day 2. Breakfast was arranged at the same hotel where we had lunch on day 1. This time 2/5, inordinate delay as well. We headed to Abbey falls which was in full blast. The wife of the 80-year-old had warned him not to venture. “Why not? When my 85-year-old friend can do it, why not I?” And he climbed all the 154 steps. On return only to realize that I had skipped it. Must have felt cheated.

Then to Bhagamandala temple and Triveni Sangama, the confluence of Kaveri, Kannike and Sujyothi rivers. Nature needs no decoration. ‘Why not we shift our residence here.’ I asked myself.  “No, way,’ wisdom dawned. “By chance if there is no milk at home, you can’t drive 10 km downhill to fetch it. Be happy where you are man. Just enjoy the scenic beauty here and head home,” alerted an inner voice.

Now to Talacauvery, the longest stretch. An arduous uphill drive with occasional throw-up feelings, I wondered if the ordeal was called for. But once I reached the top, the hair-pin and drive, the circuitous route, all became a thing of the past. I can admire with my own eyes the source of the Kaveri river surrounded by the bountiful Nature.

This was followed by a homely lunch, the best part. In her simple house, the elderly lady served us with love and affection a simple but delicious lunch. Long live the lady.

Motor ride in Harangi lake

Now to the Dubare elephant camp where children of all ages fed a row of elephants. Seemed artificial, but sometimes you enjoy watching others enjoy. We took a motor-boat ride which was exciting, but not the unsteadiness one felt while stepping in and out of the boat

The Raja’s seat or garden was next. When free, the King would sit and enjoy the sunset surrounded by the lake, garden and the lustrous greenery.

Back in the bus, the crew offered us this time Badushah and ribbon-pakodas, coffee and tea. Every morning and afternoon they did it but changed the items. On one occasion a fellow passenger asked me: “Uncle, are we here for a tour or for repeated snack sessions?” “Initially I thought for the tour, but now I am not sure.” 

We were at the base at last. The tour manager said that since they were serving only vegetarian food thus far, passengers were on their own for a non-veg dinner should they so decide; the Management would refund Rs 200 to each passenger. We were happy with Shanti Sagar. 

Day 3: Everyone was ready at Reception at 6.30 am with their luggage because the previous evening Santosh’s call was: Tomorrow, Wake up at 5.30, Make up at 6, and Pick up at 6.30.

Omkareswarar temple

We drove to Omkareshwara temple in Madikeri. We were told that the rooftop was of the shape of a mosque dome. There was an invasion and the local king changed the top to mislead and avoid destruction of the temple. 

All work and no fun was no good. The manager kept us engaged with word games: Bahu Nama and 1 to 50 game. That kept us all pleasantly busy for more than an hour. 

We realized the trip would be over soon. I suggested that if everyone contributed some amount we could distribute it among the crew. All agreed. We collected Rs 200 per passenger, and distributed the money to the driver, the tour manager, the guide and the cleaner. They were happy, and so were we. 

The driver stopped at an Udupi restaurant for a buffet lunch – 3/5. “In ten minutes,” announced the tour manager, we will be on the Mysore-Bangalore Expressway, a distance of 140 km.” The driver dropped us near the Rajarajeswari arch in two hours. 

We took a cab and reached SFV. Beaming with joy we said,  ‘Value for money’, ‘Home Sweet Home,’ and with our right foot forward stepped into our supreme abode.

Yes, we started off as co-travellers but became one family in no time – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.