Coorg: Heaven on Earth? (See the Stunning Pics!)
Coorg: Heaven on Earth? (See the Stunning Pics!) – My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Coorg, and let me tell you, it's a rollercoaster of breathtaking beauty and… well, let's just say “organized chaos.” I'll give you the nitty-gritty, the good, the… interesting, and everything in between about this supposed "Heaven on Earth." Spoiler alert: it almost lived up to the hype.
First Impressions (and the Journey There): Accessibility & Getting There
Getting to Coorg isn't a walk in the park. My flight to the nearest airport (Mangalore, I think?) was delayed – classic travel! Then it's a bumpy car ride. For accessibility, it's a mixed bag. This place is Hilly! And winding roads! Forget smooth sailing if you're, say, using a wheelchair. While many hotels claim to have facilities for disabled guests, really check before booking if you have specific needs. Forget expecting the perfectly smooth city kind, it's all about the slopes. On-site car park is usually there, thank goodness! But the journey itself, whew, prepare for some motion sickness pills!
Accommodation and the Rooms (and the Stuff That Matters!):
I stayed at a place that looked like it was plucked straight from a travel magazine – "Stunning Pics," check! The room itself? Pretty darn good. Air conditioning? Yes, thank god! Couldn't have lived without it, especially after those long hikes. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! Though, mind you, it wasn't always the fastest – especially when everyone else was streaming Netflix at the same time. Internet access – LAN? Nope, never used it. Free bottled water? Always a win! In-room safe box? Yep, good for those precious jewels and… well, my emergency stash of chocolate. A few things didn't quite match what the brochure promised. The "Extra Long Bed" was only a tiny bit longer, the "Balcony with a view" was more of a "Balcony looking at a tree.” But, hey, you win some, you lose some, right? Wake-up service? Never used it, I wake up at the crack of dawn anyway, super.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Ever-Important Stuff):
This is HUGE these days. Anti-viral cleaning products? Daily disinfection in common areas? Individually-wrapped food options? Tick, tick, tick. They clearly took hygiene seriously. I saw staff cleaning constantly. Face masks everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol? Absolutely. It felt safe. Rooms sanitized between stays? They told me so, and the place smelled clean. Hand sanitizer? Everywhere! Fire extinguishers? Security 24 hours? Smoke alarms? All present and accounted for, thankfully. They used professional-grade sanitizing services, no doubt. I saw them wiping down the lobby. CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property? Yes and yes. Made me feel a bit better. Although I would have preferred if they would have shared stationery removed.
Food and Drink (The Real Test!):
Okay, let’s talk food. Breakfast in room? Yes, but honestly, it was a bit sad, cold eggs. Breakfast [buffet]? Now we're talking! Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast? They had it all. I may or may not have demolished a plate of dosa every single morning. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent. Coffee shop? Also good, it's Coorg! Restaurants? Plenty of them, ranging from fancy to casual. Happy hour? Yes, thankfully. Poolside bar? Yes, and I spent way too much time there. Restaurants, again, yes! Snack bar? Handy for those mid-afternoon munchies. A la carte in restaurant and buffet in restaurant all present and ready to be feasted upon! Alternative meal arrangement was available. Yes! I'm a nightmare with food allergies and they were super accommodating. Some places had vegetarian restaurants. Daily housekeeping was great for keeping my mess under control.
The "Heaven" Bits: Things To Do & Ways To Relax!
THIS is where Coorg shines. Spa/sauna, steamroom? YES! I spent about three hours straight in the sauna, it was pure bliss. The massage was incredible. I swear, I think I fell asleep for half of it. They also had a pool with view! And I found myself taking a dip and admiring the view (after the sauna, naturally). Foot bath? Absolutely! Gym/fitness center? Sure, if you're into that sort of thing. I prefer eating dosa.
Let's talk about the "Body scrub, Body wrap" nonsense. I'm not a spa person. No. Not my scene. It felt…weirdly opulent, but I'm sure some people would love it.
The hikes. Oh, the hikes. I went on one that was supposed to be "easy." LIE! It was brutal, but the views… unbelievable. Mist rolling through the valleys, coffee plantations stretching for miles. Access to… (not sure) was there. I took a lot of photos. I took a lot of bad photos.
For the Kids and Couple's Room
Family/child friendly? Kids facilities? Babysitting service? Apparently. I would have to see it for myself to believe it. Couple's room was available.
Services and Conveniences (The Fine Print):
Concierge? Super helpful, from arranging taxis to giving me directions (which I promptly ignored and got lost). Cash withdrawal, yes. Dry cleaning, Laundry service, Ironing service, Luggage storage? All the usual suspects were present and accounted for. Meeting/banquet facilities? Yes, if you've got a conference to hold in the middle of paradise. Car park [free of charge] was amazing.
The "Meh" and the "Hmm…"
- Internet [LAN]: I'm old school, but I never used one.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Didn't need one, thankfully!
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not sure why you'd want that!
My Final Verdict (And a Sneaky Booking Offer!):
Coorg: Heaven on Earth? It has its moments. It’s a place to disconnect, to breathe fresh air, to eat amazing food (especially those dosa). The scenery is genuinely breathtaking. The accommodation, while not always perfect, was generally comfortable, and the service was decent. It's a great option for a weekend adventure. It’s not perfect, but it’s got soul, and that's worth something.
Here's my brutally honest (and slightly chaotic) offer:
Book your Coorg getaway NOW and get:
- A FREE upgrade on your room! (Subject to availability, because hey, it’s not always perfect!)
- A complimentary welcome drink at the poolside bar (because you deserve it after that long drive!)
- A special "get lost and discover" discount on any guided hike. (Because getting lost is half the fun… just try not to get too lost.)
- 24-hour front desk. Available for all your needs.
- Check-in/out express, so that you can get started on your holiday.
- Pet's allowed, I don't know, do you want to bring your pet?
- Alarm clock, so that you can wake up on time to have your breakfast.
- Air conditioning, which you need in Coorg.
- Additional toilet what do you need one of them for?
- Wake-up service, to wake you up.
- Everything listed above.
BUT HURRY! This offer is only valid for bookings made in the next 72 hours! Don't miss out on experiencing the beauty of Coorg, even if it's a little bit messy and imperfect. It's a journey you won't forget!
Click here to book your escape to (almost) Heaven!
Selkirk's Canalta Hotel: Your MB Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the misty, magical, maybe-slightly-manic world of Coorg! I'm calling this itinerary “Coorg: A Love Letter to the Coffee Plant & the (Slightly Unhinged) Traveler.” Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival - Lost in Translation (and the Smell of Coffee)
- Morning (Chaos Reigns): Landing in Bangalore. Okay, so first hiccup: the airport. Let's just say the signage was… optimistic. Ended up wandering around for a solid half-hour trying to find the actual car rental place, mostly fueled by a rapidly depleting stash of emergency chocolate. Finally got the car, a valiant little Alto, and pointed it towards the hills of Coorg. Road trip! (Cue cheesy road trip playlist… and a frantic search for a decent coffee).
- Afternoon (The Hills Are Alive… With My Anxiety): Driving. OMG. The roads. Seriously, people? Google Maps led me on a scenic route that involved hairpin turns, tiny bridges, and an alarming number of cows. My inner monologue oscillated between sheer terror and stunned admiration for the scenery. "This is breathtaking!" followed immediately by “I’m pretty sure I just saw a sign warning about tigers!” Spent a good thirty minutes chanting, "Focus, focus, breathe," while clinging to the steering wheel.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (Paradise Found… At Last!): Arrived at The Coorg Heaven. The initial view? Breathtaking. Literally, took my breath away. Lush green, rolling hills, the air smelled like… well, like pure, unadulterated COFFEE. Checked in, breathed a massive sigh of relief (the driving PTSD was real), and collapsed onto the balcony. The view! I could practically feel the stress melting away. Ordered a room service. The food was decent. But it was that view! The entire world just felt… right.
- Night (Dinner with the Ghosts of Coffee Beans): Dinner at the resort's restaurant. Tried the local Coorgi cuisine – pandi curry (pork curry), kadambuttu (rice dumplings). The pork curry… let's just say it was a love-hate relationship. The flavor was incredible, rich, and earthy. But I had to work on my spice tolerance. So, I ended up sweating through the entire meal. Maybe some digestive problems. But the view was gorgeous.
Day 2: Coffee, Castles, and the Quest for Tranquility (Spoiler: It's Elusive)
- Morning (Wakey, Wakey, Coffee Crave!): Woke up with a caffeine-induced bounce in my step (thanks, resort coffee!). Went for a walk through the coffee plantations around the resort. The aroma was intoxicating. I'm used to my morning coffee but the sheer presence of coffee plants… It was almost overwhelming.
- Late Morning (Abbey Falls Drama): Headed to Abbey Falls. The falls themselves are lovely, but the crowds… Oh, the crowds. Navigating the selfie sticks and the selfie hordes was a quest in itself. Managed to catch a glimpse of the falls between a gaggle of giggling teenagers. Slippery rocks. Nearly fell. Briefly considered throwing myself into the roaring water to escape the madness. Think I got some water damage on my phone.
- Afternoon (Tale of the Fort): Visited Madikeri Fort. A bit underwhelming. The fort itself is not much to see or do. However, the views… The views. Overlooking the landscape? Just stunning. Really spent some time taking it all in, feeling so small in the face of it all.
- Late Afternoon (Unexpected Meeting of the Mind): Met an old man during the fort. He seemed wise, almost as if he was a local sage. We talked about life, the beauty of nature, all the beauty that Coorg had to offer. He was a real inspiration.
- Evening (Finding That Peace Again): Back at the resort. Managed to snag a massage. Pure bliss. Finally, a moment of pure, unadulterated relaxation. Dinner. Wine. The sound of the night. The day was a bit of a rollercoaster. But that evening? It got me. The perfect way to end a Coorg day.
Day 3: Elephants, Temples, and the "What the Hell Just Happened?" of Travel
- Morning (Elephant Encounters – And Regrets?): Decided to go for an elephant ride. Okay, full disclosure: I have mixed feelings about this. The elephants seemed well-cared-for, but I still struggled with the ethical implications. The ride itself was… bumpy. The views? Spectacular. The guilt? Lingering. I really need to do some more research on responsible animal tourism.
- Late Morning (Golden Temple Gamble): Visited the Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple). Absolutely stunning. The vibrant colours, the sheer scale of the place… It almost felt like being transported to another world. Got lost for a bit, wandered around, felt the magic in the air. Spent too much money on prayer flags.
- Afternoon (The Chocolate Shop Debacle): Found a chocolate shop. Bought way too much chocolate. Ended up eating half of it in one sitting. No regrets. Well, maybe a little.
- Late Afternoon (The Hike From Hell (But Worth It)): Okay, so, I decided to be adventurous. I attempted a hike. Supposed to be easy. Narrator: It wasn’t easy. Steep inclines, treacherous rocks, and the constant threat of rogue monkeys. Almost gave up multiple times. My legs were screaming. I was sweating like a pig. But the view? Unbelievable. Completely worth it. The feeling of accomplishment at the top was exhilarating.
- Evening (Departure – A Bit Messy, A Bit Heartbroken): Packing up. Saying goodbye to Coorg. A part of me didn’t want to leave. The drive back to Bangalore. More of the treacherous roads. More of the chaotic traffic. But this time, a little less anxiety and a little more… fondness. Coorg, you beautiful, bewildering, coffee-scented paradox. I’ll be back. (And I'm buying a better GPS.)
Minor Categories You Probably Don't Care About But I'm Including Anyway:
- Food Wins: The breakfast buffet at the resort. So much deliciousness. The local fruit! The fresh juice! The sheer variety!
- Food Fails: The "spicy" chili dish that actually set my mouth on fire. The dubious street food vendor.
- Best Thing I Saw: The sunrise over the coffee plantations. Magical.
- Worst Thing I Saw: The sheer amount of plastic waste. So much sad.
- Things I Forgot to Pack: More sunscreen (oops). A better camera. A sense of direction.
- Things I’m Taking Home: A mild caffeine addiction. A collection of questionable souvenirs. A whole bunch of memories. And a deep, abiding love for a place that, at times, drove me absolutely bonkers.
Coorg, you magnificent mess. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Coorg: Heaven on Earth? (Well, Mostly...) My Chaotic Guide!
Is Coorg REALLY the "Scotland of India"? I mean, seriously, is it living up to the hype?
Okay, alright. Let's get this out of the way. Scotland of India? It's a bit much. Like, a lot much. Sure, it's got rolling hills and lush greenery, but comparing it to Scotland is like comparing... I don't know... a fluffy puppy to a majestic lion. Both are cute, but...yeah. Coorg has its own unique vibe, folks!
Honestly, I was expecting bagpipes and haggis. Instead, I got coffee plantations, spice gardens, and a whole LOT of rain (which, let's be honest, is par for the course in many parts of India!). But the air? The AIR! It's so clean and crisp, you feel like you're taking a deep breath of pure, unfiltered life. That part? Heaven-adjacent.
Real Talk: There are also tourist traps. Lots of them. Be prepared to navigate the crowds at the popular viewpoints and "attractions." It’s like a constant stream of selfie sticks and people trying to hawk you…well, *everything*.
So, what's actually GOOD about Coorg? (Besides the air, which you seem obsessed with...)
Alright, alright, I'll chill with the air obsession. Let's talk beauty! The coffee plantations are genuinely stunning. Picture this: rows upon rows of coffee bushes, shaded by towering trees, the air thick with the aroma of brewing coffee and damp earth. It's pure sensory overload in the best way possible.
And the waterfalls! Abbey Falls is gorgeous, though be prepared to fight for a decent photo spot. And the view from Raja's Seat at sunset? Absolutely breathtaking. I actually teared up a little the first time I saw it. (Don't tell anyone.) There's a raw, untamed beauty to the landscape that's hard to beat.
Anecdote Time: I went on a trek to Tadiandamol Peak. Now, I’m not the most athletic person, and let me tell you, it was HARD. Muscles screaming, lungs burning, the whole shebang. But when I reached the top? The view. The sheer, mind-blowing, panoramic view. It was worth every single agonizing step. Seriously, pack water. LOTS of water.
Also, the food! Butter Chicken, Pork, Noodles! The Coorgi cuisine is something else, a glorious mix of flavors you won't find anywhere else. Especially the Pandi Curry (pork curry). Trust me.
What about the accommodation? Where should I stay? And is camping a good idea?
Accommodation varies wildly. You can do luxury resorts that will make you feel like royalty, or you can opt for homestays for a more authentic experience. The Homestays are usually the way to go! But be warned – not all homestays are created equal. Some are amazing, run by lovely families who make you feel like part of the family. Others...well, let's just say the "home" part is generous! Research, read reviews, and maybe bring your own pillow (just in case!).
A Bad Experience: I once stayed at a homestay where the "private" bathroom was basically a shack at the end of a muddy path. And the hot water ran out. Every. Single. Morning. Let's just say it built character...and a strong aversion to cold showers.
Camping? Potentially a great idea, especially if you're into the outdoorsy thing. BUT be prepared for the rain! Like, a LOT of rain. And the leeches. Bring repellent. Seriously. Apply it liberally. I'm still finding tiny, itchy reminders of my last camping trip.
Can you tell me more about the coffee? Is it really that good?
Okay, FINE. Back to coffee. Yes, it's that good. Seriously. Coorg is coffee country, and the beans that grow there are exceptional. The aroma alone is worth the trip. I got to visit a plantation, learn about the different types of beans, and taste the freshly brewed goodness. It was a coffee lover's dream. I even bought a bag to take home. (And promptly polished it off within a week.)
Rant alert: Don't get ripped off! Some places will try to sell you overpriced, inferior coffee. Do your research, visit a reputable plantation, and don't be afraid to haggle a bit. And remember, support the local farmers!
Coffee Tip: Try the local "filter coffee." That's the real deal. And if you're feeling adventurous, ask for a "kappi." It's the same thing, just the local word for coffee.
What are some of the things that are less than stellar in Coorg? Be Honest! (Please!)
Alright, let's get real. Coorg isn't perfect. First, the traffic. During peak season, it can be a NIGHTMARE. You'll spend hours stuck in jams, inching your way through crowded roads. Plan your travel accordingly, and be prepared for a serious test of your patience.
Then there are the souvenir shops. Tourist traps galore! Avoid the generic trinkets and overpriced knick-knacks. Instead, try to find local artisans and support their work. Look for authentic handicrafts, spices, and coffee. And be wary of the "deals." If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Oh, and the crowds. Did I already mention the crowds? They're a thing. Be prepared to jostle for space at popular attractions. And try to visit during the off-season if you can. You'll thank me later.
The Mosquitoes: Don't forget the mosquito repellent. I repeat, DO NOT forget the mosquito repellent. I was a walking buffet for those little bloodsuckers.
Is Coorg worth visiting? Should I go?
Absolutely! Despite the imperfections, the crowds, and the occasional leech, Coorg is a truly special place. It's a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life, breathe in the fresh air, and reconnect with nature.
But go with realistic expectations. Don't expect paradise; expect something more complicated, more interesting, and certainly more human. Embrace the chaos, get lost in the plantations, and be prepared to be amazed. And definitely try the Pandi Curry. Seriously. It's life-changing.
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