Unmaad, the annual cultural fest of IIM Bangalore and the biggest B-School fest in the country, is back and we are proud to partner with them since their theme this year is Travel! Unmaad is the annual cultural festival of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Conducted over a period of three days, Unmaad includes events like dramatics, music performances, dances, quizzes, debates, street plays, professional concerts and fashion shows. The first edition of Unmaad Festival was held in 1996 and since then it has been an integral part of life at IIM Bangalore.
The 22nd version of Unmaad, based on the theme ‘A Wanderer’s Paradise’, which will transport its attendees to a global village, will be held from 2nd to 4th of February. This Unmaad promises to be an exciting array of Dance, Drama, Music, Fashion, Lits, Quizzes and a ton of online events!
With exciting performances by Farhan Akhtar and Varun Thakur lined up for the final Pronite on Feb 4th, the event has already witnessed record registrations. There is also a performance by the Indian Ocean scheduled on Feb 2nd, which allows free entry for all. Like last year, the ‘World Cultural Fiesta’ will witness some superb performances by extraordinarily talented international artists.
With amazing participation in its outreach events so far, including a treasure hunt on bikes, ‘Road To Unmaad’, and several online events, this three-day extravaganza has already set the excitement rolling! Unmaad has a host of events lined up to entertain people across all age groups and participation from over 400+ colleges across the country. There’s prize money of `11+ lakhs to be won this year.
Further details are available on the official website, http://www.unmaad.com
It had been a long time since we took off on a bike ride so we decided to ride this time. Luckily, since it was a Sunday the traffic was minimal and we got to enjoy a nice long ride winding through the highway and country roads to reach our destination in about 5 hours from Bangalore.
On our arrival, the staff welcomed us with traditional tika followed by refreshing juice and cold towels to freshen up. Check-in was done in a jiffy and we headed to our rooms eager to see what was in store for us. There are around 20 rooms in the property, each one with a lovely waterfront view. The location of these rooms was exceptional. The view from the sit-out was stunning, the surroundings peaceful and the rooms itself tastefully decorated, keeping in mind the wild life around the property.
After a brief photo shoot, we headed to Wildgrass, their in-house restaurant. We were served an impressive array of soups, salads, deserts and main course from all over the country. There was a lot to choose from so we tasted as many delicacies as possible but our favourite that day was the Chicken Tikkas! The chef’s did a spectacular job of serving a delectable buffet spread, some finger licking food consisting of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies including few dishes from the local cuisine. Lunch was a lightning quick affair since we were excited about the jungle safari that followed next.
Soon, we had occupied our favourite spots on the safari bus and off we went into the magnificent jungles hoping to spot something. We curiously leaned out of the windows, our sight following every movement in the jungle but we could only manage to see hoards of deer snacking on the dry grass.
To ease our disappointment, we all headed to Serai’s bar, The Outpost. The staff had set up a campfire right outside the bar and we soon were downing cocktails and sharing travel stories with each other. As we munched on some mouth-watering chilli chicken, we got to talk to all the bloggers about their journey into their respective genres. Dinner was again served at Wildgrass, another lovely spread of local and continental cuisines. After a sumptuous meal, we headed back to our cozy rooms and soon dozed off. The day had been eventful but we had a lot more in store.
Next morning, we woke up early as we wanted to take a boat cruise and try our hand at Kayaking. As the sun rose, it hit the blue hues of the Kabini river turning it into a dazzling golden shade, making it one of the most beautiful sights we had ever witnessed. The boat safari is also an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife along the shore of this river as it serves as a waterhole for all the animals in this wildlife reserve.
Breakfast followed soon after, post which I grabbed one of the cycles and took a tour of the property. There are plenty of activities to indulge in; cycling, swimming, kayaking, boating, archery, badminton and the list goes on and on. Plenty of acvities for the little ones as well. Watching others play in the swimming pool was quite fun too and it was funny shooting some slo-mo videos of them fooling around. A lot of chit chat and a lot of laughter made the experience quite a memorable one.
Post lunch, we again headed to the lake for a kayaking session. All though I am terribly scared of the water, I always end up getting brain washed into trying water sports. Hesitantly, I got into the kayak with Sachi and decided to give it a go. As we drifted away from the shore, the boat started wobbling; maybe it was Sachi playing a prank on me and I let out a loud shriek. I was later told that people could hear me screaming almost half a mile away!! I managed to be in the water for more than 30 minutes and it definitely called for a celebration. I think Sachi also needed a drink having been the victim of my screams. Sure enough, post my kayak session I was at The Outpost with a six pack in my hand, patting myself and feeling amazingly proud.
3. Pepper spray – This is one of the best defence spray products to use. Incase of any emergency don’t hesitate to use one
14. Matchbox- This tiny thing has saved me so many times. Sometimes it has helped me lite a fire and protect myself from extreme cold and at times it has worked as a fire to keep wildlife away from our campsite
Arrggghhhh!!!!! That was such a complicated requirement but we took up the task coz when it comes to finding a place like this, Vidur has the skills to get one. He loves looking for new places and prides himself with the ability to sift through hundreds of pages on Google to find exclusive locations that are not very well-known and off the tourist grid.
Wild valley is spread over 50 acres of landscape fully covered in lush green grass throughout the year. It is surrounded by the forest on three sides and a stream with a small water fall on the other end. There are a number of Amla trees ( Indian gooseberry) around the property with hundreds of Amlas growing in it. You are free to pluck and eat them whenever you want. Wild Valley is as affordable as 1950/- per head which includes your stay, lunch, dinner, snacks and breakfast. Located near the Sathyamangalam forest, the area is untouched and unspoilt by mass tourism and one can witness the pristine footprints of nature all around. Wild Valley combines the concept of eco tourism and farming; all managed by the owner, Mr Daniel.
Our colleagues had wished for a camping experience in the wild and that is exactly what we got them. The place is completely surrounded by wildlife and lots of peacocks roam open in the property, deer jumping in and out of the fences, elephants trumpeting at night and if you are lucky enough you can also hear the tiger roaring at times.
The drive to Wild Valley passes along BR Hills and runs close to Dhondeling Monastery, which is one of the youngest Tibetan settlements in India. It’s a small village yet astoundingly beautiful. Set at the foothills of BR Hills, the village is surrounded by farmlands, lush green grass fields and a view to die for. We suggest you take this short detour and cover the monastery as well.
Daniel has put up 10-12 army tents with cots, pillows, blankets, drinking water and a LED bulb. There are no fans as the nights are quiet chilly and cold. Bathrooms and toilets are located 50m away and there are enough to accommodate a large group as well. In front of the tents is a large camp fire area along with enough open space for guests to play sports. Guests can carry their own camping equipment if required along with personal BBQ as well. Once you go there you will understand why this place is perfect for a barbecue!
Germalam is usually a very windy place and the stooping trees all around are a testament to that. I remember riding to WV once at I just couldn’t keep the bike straight. The nights here are usually quite chilly and you must carry a light sweater/jacket to stay warm. The small bonfire area in front of the tents provides a great atmosphere for outdoor events, bon fire parties or the occasional BBQ. We usually carry our BBQ with us and Vidur cooks some yummy kebab to go with the drinks. Since Wild Valley is located in a secluded farm land the nearest alcohol shop is around 45 mins away and we suggest you carry your own stock.
There is a small perennial waterfall close to the dining area and makes for a perfect after-lunch walk. Guests are required to take a guide along since the stream in located in the forest area. Since this is a watering hole it is frequented by wild animals and we would strongly urge you to go with supervision.
After a 10 minute off-road drive, we lingered into the reception where the staff was waiting for us with garlands and a local herbal tea. As we were finishing the tea, we saw a golf buggy pulling up and we were wondering what it was for. The staff told us that since the property was spread across 17 across on the hilly slopes, the buggy would help us move around the vicinity. Super! Just the thought of roaming around in the buggy brought out the child within us as we hurriedly hopped on to it trying to occupy the best seats!
The buggy took us through the winding roads full of Nutmeg trees, wild flowers and gigantic Bay Leaf trees. The property houses 3 kinds of room depending upon the view and the size of the bungalow – Kurumba Cottage, Kurumba Suite and the pampering Jacuzzi Room.
What we saw next, that moment was so beautiful and mesmerizing! Our room was located right next to a waterfall; so close that we could reach out of the balcony and touch the cold, clear, pristine waterfall flowing down from the massive mountains in front. We were booked into the Kurumba suite; a 2 floored luxury bungalow with a lovely view shown below.
The Infinity Pool
Private BBQ in our room
The meal started off with a refreshing of mint & watermelon juice accompanies by Russian salad. The fruits and veggies, grown mostly at their property, tasted so fresh and tender and a far cry from the stale ones we get in the city. Next came Onion Rings and chicken fritters. I would have never imagined having these in the middle on a jungle in India and prepared just the way Americans would!
For main course. we had Bayleaf chicken. As we unwrapped the bay leaf, the aroma of authentic local spices filled the air and we could see the juices flowing into the plate. What we experience next was nothing short of an explosion of deliciousness in our palate! Nothing short of sheer brilliance, this chicken took just 30 mins for the Chef to prepare but has left a lifelong impact on us. We hadn’t even heard of such a preparation before let alone taste any chicken as succulent as this.
Our entire dining experience was surreal due to the food and the environment. Nothing can get more romantic for a couple than dining on a rooftop with fireflies all over the place! Thumbs up to the entire Kurumba team for giving us such a stupendous experience!
Nachikuppam is a village in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu State. A village which is known for its mango plantation. Hold your breath coz I am not talking about any other mangoes but the most delicious Alphonso. Managed by a group called Linger, this property is called “Alphonso by the lake” nestled in a 60 acre mango farm and surrounded by beautiful hills. As you drive into the property you cannot miss the acres of mango, coconut and vegetable plantations in the vicinity.
The first thing that attracted us the very first time we heard about this property was it’s name. Sure enough when we reached the place we could not take our eyes off from hundreds of mango trees which surrounded the property. We could just pluck them and eat as much as we wanted – WOW! These are the luxuries we can never enjoy living in the city.
The drive to this place is quite scenic. Tall green trees cover the road and the farm lands around make it even more beautiful. The property is a perfect place for those who are looking for camping and adventure and for those who love spending their night under a star studded sky.
The property does not have any rooms but what it offers is even more exciting. Army style tents fixed under a shed with wooden cots for a comfortable sleep- a complete feel of camping in the hills. There are some hammocks for you to lie on while flipping the pages of your favourite book along with a chilled one by the side. We suggest you carry small speakers, your favourite book or games to while away your time here. The Linger group’s theme is Do Nothing and that’s exactly how we spend our time here. We laze around, take naps, play games and spend time next to the bon fire. We never really missed the telly or mobile phones during our stay here!! That’s the beauty of this camp site.
Another thing that we love about this place is their food. The cooks are from the neighbouring village and can come up with some very unique dishes. Right from the dal, veggies to the non veg, everything had a very authentic local flavour to it. The heavy lunch can be followed by a walk by the lake, a hike to the hills, or a lazy satisfying nap on the hammocks under the Imli trees. Evening snacks usually consists of bhajjis, tea/coffee, or lemonade followed by a live BBQ.
Nachikuppam has so far been one of the best places we have been to. It’s close to Bangalore, cost effective and a complete value for money. A perfect place to escape the hustle bustle of Bangalore city and a great way to spend your weekend amidst hills and open sky staring at the stars.
This unique camp gives you an opportunity to camp amidst a beautiful mango orchard, observe the village life, and spent the evening by the lake! A place which we call our perfect weekend getaway.
As we settled in, lunch was served on the portico outside the bungalow. It was a little chill as there was a slow breeze and from behind the trees, we saw a group of clouds coming into the property. I remember running out to the gate hoping to feel the clouds and enjoy the moment and as I looked behind I saw the manager standing at the entrance with a strange expression like he was quiet amused as for them this is a regular sight, every single day.
Lunch had been really heavy so we decided to take a stroll through the tea plantation in the evening as the weather was just so great. We went at the top of the hill until we reached a viewpoint through which you could see the whole of Mettupalayam city. How could we miss clicking pictures there. Of course, we did some photo shoots so that we could share them with you. That night in Annex it was cold and quiet. There was no noise of the traffic or people – just grazing sounds of some bison nearby.
The next morning was bright and sunny, hence we decided to take the cycles out and go cycling on those curvy scenic roads. This has so far been one of my best cycling experience. I guess it’s the roads and the flying clouds that made it so special. Imagine riding your cycle on a road like this and the clouds covering your view leaving you clueless where you are heading to? Soon after our cycling session we were served some nice breakfast cooked by the Nepalese chef who is truly an exceptional. I still remember the taste of the dal he served us for lunch the previous day. Witnessing a magical view along with finger licking food in the table – What more can you ask for?
This place is perfect for those looking for plantation trails or for people who would just like to relax, soak in some sun while watching the clouds float by. A great destination for couples and parents. The property is small but it’s a whole world in itself with plenty to do if you are a nature lover!
Anyways our article is a little different and we will tell you where you shouldn’t travel to and why. We will also give you some alternatives, not all since that’s left to you to discover.
First taste impressions – WOW! Delicious, flavoursome in the best way possible. The pasta was perfectly cooked. The sauce was creamy yet didn’t feel chunky at all and the succulent chicken added a great flavour to the dish. The parmesan cheese grated to perfection, landing all over the pasta looked like white xmas on a plate! It was such a different experience from eating the usual white sauce, but entirely amazing in its own right. I know it sounds weird to call a pasta dish as light, but that’s exactly what this sauce was. None of the ingredients interrupted the texture of the sauce or the pasta and blended in perfectly with each other to create an amazing taste. Our only regret was that we could only eat so much and couldn’t order another plate of this heaven!
The standout dish here is definitely the Chicken Pasta in White Sauce. One spoonful of it takes you to the streets of Italy and delivers an explosion of flavours on your taste buds. It’s simply the best we’ve EVER had. Delightz Inn might not offer the best of stay options but the food is a strong enough reason for us to go there each time we are in Ooty. Drop in sometime and have some pasta; leave us a note when you do!
1. Keep your family informed of your travel plans. Your location, mode of transport, dates and contact numbers of hotels should be shared with them
1. Talk to locals whenever you can. You will find that you will learn so much more about the place and the culture than the internet has to offer. Sometimes you will come across amazing people with fascinating stories to share. Most of us have reservations about talking to strangers and this is an excellent opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. You will find this helpful in connecting with people in your professional and personal life
TRAVELMYNATION 