Kerala & India Connections

23/09/2024

Malabar Squirrel from Wayanad Wild, CGH Earth restaurant.

23/09/2024

Beddome's keelback at Wayanad Wild, CGH Earth

23/09/2024

Day 5: Part 2 .. and a bit of Day 6!!
“19 hours in Wayanad Wild”

For a stay at Wayanad Wild you arrive in their car park and are transferred to a jeep, for your off road 30 minute journey up to the resort. It’s bumpy but quite the adventure - spotted Sambar Deer and a family of monkeys. After a lovely welcome I managed to squeeze in a delicious thali meal just before the kitchen closed for lunch.

I was asked if I wanted to go on a 2 hour hike after lunch but as my legs were still feeling “Braveheart”, I politely declined. Instead I sat with coffee and watched three Malabar Squirrels in the nearby trees.

At 17:00 I joined a cooking demonstration on how to make a cumin masala, a staple required for some Indian cooking. Will try and recreate at home!

Back to my room (which was very comfortable) and changed into trekking attire! Well, jeans and a hoodie…after dinner I went to the nature office and was given my leach socks by the naturalist Umesh and off we ventured into the dark!

It was fascinating and in the hour we saw various snakes, frogs, roosting birds, lizards and insects - and in a relatively small distance. The photos show Malabar Gliding Frogs and Malabar Pit Vipers. Umesh was extremely knowledgeable and it was a very interesting hour.

Before I knew it, 07:00 had come round and I was back in my leach socks for the morning nature walk with Arathi. We spotted several birds including a grey hornbill and Red-whiskered Bulbuls. Also a Beddome’s keelback (snake) and an impressive Variable Forest Snail - both crossing the track at contrasting speeds.

Quick breakfast, shower and off I went in my jeep back down to meet Prakash for my onward journey.

Thank you to everyone at Wayanad Wild, Yoga and his team were fantastic - the chef was exceptional as were the enthusiastic naturalists!!

WAYANAD IS OPEN AND REALLY NEEDS SUPPORT!!

22/09/2024

Day 4 - Wayanad & Friends!!

After a short stroll around Marli Hill’s neighbourhood and a hearty breakfast, we set off at 08:30 to visit the iconic Taj Savoy. It has had a recent renovation and it seems to have a new lease of life. I especially liked the Premium Rooms, with the steps going up to the room and the cottage style terrace!

Then goodbye Ooty, hello Wayanad.

The drive was fantastic with stunning views, tea gardens and impressive eucalyptus trees. We stopped at a popular viewpoint for a coffee and monkey watching (reel to follow!).

First property visit was Pepper Trail - a resort set in lush surroundings with a heritage bungalow, treehouses and pool villas. The friendly Anand and his team showed me around the attractive resort and served up a delicious Kerala lunch.

Then off to Amaryllis, a lovely homestay run by Victor and Ranjini. Amaryllis has the most amazing position sitting on top of a hill overlooking the Karapuzha Dam backwaters and views of Chembra Peak. Unfortunately the fabulous hosts weren’t at home for my visit but it was still great to see the beautiful property again!

I actually got to my final destination earlier than anticipated, which was a delight - what made it even more delightful was that it was Tranquil and time to spend with the fantastic Ajay and Nisha. We worked out we hadn’t seen each other for about 12 years, which is criminal…but we made up for lost time and the rest of the day was spent chatting, seeing new rooms and exciting renovations, chatting more followed by a delicious meal (maybe a gin or two!!). The new three bedroom pool villa is amazing - already thinking of booking it for myself and friends for 2026 - and just wait till you see the finished upgrades to the Tree Villa.

Tomorrow mornings plan…Tranquil’s Braveheart Trail at 06:30, a 2 hour climb up through the plantations to the viewpoint!! Will I make it??

21/09/2024

Day 3: Hill Station, views and wildlife

Got going early today as we needed to drive up to Ooty, and the journey through the wildlife areas of Bandipur and Mudumalai followed by the ascent and hairpin bends up to the hill station can take sometime. But it’s a great drive with plenty of monkeys and two elephants!

On arrival in the “Queen of Hills” I checked into the relatively new CGH Earth property of Marli Hill. Welcomed by the fantastic Amaljith, and sat on the lawn with a delicious lunch. The chef is great and they use locally grown products, and the freshness is reflected in the dishes. The property is only about 15 minutes drive from central Ooty but it is in a lovely peaceful setting. The rooms are in two blocks and split into 2 heritage suites and 4 heritage rooms, the suites together in one block - and the rooms in the other block with the restaurant.

After lunch I went to see a hotel I discovered on instagram called Kelso House - wow! Shahwar, who showed me round her ancestral property was extremely welcoming and her enthusiasm for Kelso was infectious. It started as a family home but in the last few years has been lovingly extended and transformed into a boutique, heritage home away from home. The rooms are stunning, each unique with a colour palette based on the varying colours of the eucalyptus. Lovely gardens, and some suites have stunning views over Ooty. A fabulous discovery.

Then we drove up and down the mountain road trying to find a mid-range option called Sleeping Beauty - no thanks to google maps, we finally arrived. A small hotel with not many communal areas, but the comfortable rooms and restaurant have great views. The lovely Flora on reception took me up the track to a viewpoint and got some very rare photos of me!

No idea where the time went so we called it a day and headed back to base camp! Another lovely meal, including a delicious double bean (aka broad bean) curry! Then it was time to retire to my extremely comfortable massive bed….

20/09/2024

Day 2: Mysore, Markets, Food & Efkay’s

Before breakfast I had a stroll around Big Banyan’s Ranch, the grounds are lovely - lots of plants and vegetables growing as well as the grapevines.

After breakfast back in the car and headed to Mysore, this was a different car experience altogether as we were outside of Bangalore and no traffic jams. We passed by the Big Banyan tree which is where the wine and ranch get their name.

Before checking-in at Efkay’s Homestay we visited three properties. The first was the Metropole, it was looking really nice - it has a heritage charm, and the Heritage rooms now look great after their renovation. The second hotel will remain nameless, but work on your people skills - uninterested, rude…not a pleasant experience.
But then a visit to see Yamuna at Gitanjali showed why small properties are the way forward - what a contrast…personal, friendly and a lovely property. Seeing Yamuna and her parents after many years was great, and reminded me that Gitanjali is a fantastic option in Mysore.

I checked in at Efkay’s Homestay - wow, what a fantastic place. The property is a homage to the hosts mother who collected artefacts and trinkets from across the globe. With three large rooms, dining room, bar and swimming pool.

Then it was time to go explore the markets and try some street food. I got to the meet point early as I wanted to explore the city market independently, it was great - love the hustle and bustle of a market (see separate post for pictures of the market).
Then at 5pm I met Nish from Gully Tours and we first went into the Devaraja Market and she explained all about the fruit, veg and flowers being sold. We then headed out into the streets to try some of the famous Mysore dishes from some of the iconic eateries. Luckily I only had a small lunch as we tried Mysore Pak, various savoury snacks, a tasty lassi and to end a very large dosa! It was an informative, enjoyable and tasty 90 minute walk and Nish was excellent.

My evening was rounded off with a great chat with Raian and Jyotsna, the hosts of Efkays, a lovely and extremely interesting couple. Efkays is a gem.

20/09/2024

Just outside the well known Devaraja Market in Mysore is the city market which is situated around the Dufferin Clock Tower.

19/09/2024

Day 1 - Bangalore Airport, Bangalore City & Big Banyan.

My day started with an on time morning arrival into Bangalore Airport, both Emirates flights were really good - great staff, food was fine, legroom better than I remembered and impressive entertainment selection.

Getting the e-Visa wasn’t too painful, took about 30 minutes - make sure you’ve completed the arrival form given to you on the plane. You may think this is a silly statement but two people in front of me in the queue hadn’t and had to fill it in there which made the process longer than it needed to be (for everyone). Also the officials asked for my boarding pass as well, so keep that handy!

Met by my fab driver Prakash (aka Jess) with flowers, then off we went…mission “Bangalore Airport Hotels”.

For the next few hours I visited five airport hotels, with the standouts being the classic Taj Bangalore (also the closest, domestic terminal walkable but international needs a car) and a complete contrast was the Moxy - with its fun, arty, playful vibe. Also I liked Quality Inn Rockwell Grand, a budget option with a great restaurant area!

Then it began, the traffic…wow, always knew Bangalore’s traffic was bad but I wasn’t expecting this…props to Prakash to contend with that. On arrival (finally) in Bangalore, I visited the very nice Paul hotel - very welcoming, stylish property and a tasty lunch - fun fact, it has its own brewery and Irish Bar!

Time to escape the city…but the traffic had different ideas! Two hours later and we arrived at our ranch in the country! My overnight stay was at Big Banyan Ranch & Vineyard. An interesting property where you can go on a wine tour, taste some Big Banyan wines, eat delicious food and just relax in the grounds.

Day 1, completed…over and out.

15/09/2024

Happy Onam!

07/09/2024

1. What year did you open Dewalokam?
2006

2. How many rooms do you have at the homestay?
8 Rooms in the Main House and 3 in a Cottage

3. Describe your homestay in a few words?
Organic Farm to Fork, Yoga, Ayurveda, Pool & Wild Water Swimming, Spice Tour, Village Walk, School Visit.

4. Please tell us about you and your family.
Dr Jose, retired Professor
Sinta Jose working as Teacher Trainer with the govt. of Kerala
Tara working as I T Consultant
Paul student at IIM Indore

5. What professions did you have before you decided to open your homestay?
Jose was a University professor and Sinta still works as a Teacher Trainer

6. At your homestay what experience would you recommend?
Cut off from the rest of the world by farm land and forests, the guests find it most relaxing. We offer activities like a spice walk that gives a lot of information about spices, fruits and vegetables that grow in Kerala. A cooking demo gives an idea of converting these into Kerala cuisine. A village walk provides a beautiful insight into the rustic farm life. Yoga is offered complimentary in the morning. The guests can go to the nearby Thommankuthu Waterfall for a Nature Walk. School visit is also possible.

7. If clients eat at your homestay which culinary dish is your specialty, what would you recommend?
We offer authentic Kerala cuisine without any repetition for one week. Kerala meal (Sadya) is the highlight. Fish Moilee/Chicken Curry with Appam/ Kerala Parotta are a must try. Tandoori Chicken, Grilled Fish and Masala Dosa are other highlights.

8. Describe the location of your homestay?
Dewalokam is an organic farm isolated by a two thousand acre rubber and pineapple estate on two sides and a river on a third side. The reserve forest on the other side extends hundreds of kilometers. Dewalokam is not in a destination.

9. What made you decide to open a homestay?
Friends of my brother in Germany started coming with him in 2000. They loved the stay with us. So we opened it to the world.

10. How many staff do you employ to help at the homestay and are they from the local area?
We employ 19 people from 18 different families in the village.

04/09/2024

Got to love an Indian Festival!!

31/08/2024

31/08/2024

India is blessed with many bountiful rivers, but Assam’s Brahmaputra River is undoubtedly the mightiest of them all. Presenting a variety of cultural and wildlife delights along its course, like tracking rhinos and tigers at Kaziranga National Park, and discovering the dancing monks of the neo-Vaishnavite sect at Majuli, there’s plenty to enthral travellers of all ages on a lahé (meaning ‘slow’ in Assamese) cruises.
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lahé cruises are designed for 1-5 persons. Itineraries reflect a sense of deliberate slowness, enabling guests to cruise gently, and keenly absorb the beauty of Assam.

Ask us for details on dates, itineraries and availability.

24/08/2024

Last week our colleague Amit and his family travelled to Ayodhya and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on a pilgrimage.

Varanasi is known for being the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus, and Ayodhya is said to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It holds immense significance for millions of devotees. This ancient city witnessed the unfolding of the epic story Ramayana.

19/08/2024

Next stop on Jo’s India adventure, the iconic Taj Mahal!

18/08/2024

Morning view from the The Leela Palace New Delhi.

18/08/2024

My colleague Jo has woken up in Delhi today on a trip to explore some of the lovely Leela properties in North India. An early morning meeting with our fantastic agent Nilesh, before her trip begins.

16/08/2024

1. What year did you open Belhome.
2006.

2. How many rooms do you have?
4 Rooms (2 rooms in a cottage, 2 independent wooden cabins)

3. Describe your homestay in five words?
Serene, Cozy, Homely, Amidst Nature, Heritage

4. Please tell us about you and your family.
We are Ramolla & Vijai, and we manage Belhome which is located in the midst of our coffee estate. We are a family of 5 and have two adorable pet dogs that live with us on the property.

5. What professions did you have before you opened your homestay?
We come from a long line of coffee planters, now spanning three generations.

6. What experiences would you recommend that the clients can enjoy?
Nature Walks, Bird Watching, Experience the local cuisine and culture, Coffee estate tours, Picturesque Views, Beekeeping Tour, Drive into the Mountains, Visiting local tourist attractions such as Tibetian Monastery, Dubare Elephant Camp, River Rafting etc.

7. If clients eat at your homestay which culinary dish is your speciality?
We serve home cooked Coorg cuisine. Our speciality is pandi curry (pork curry) along with kadambuttu (steamed rice balls). We also serve other Coorg dishes such as otti (rice rotis), paaputtu (rice cakes), noolputtu (string hoppers) etc.

8. Describe the location of your homestay?
Belhome Homestay is set amidst a coffee plantation, away from town. A perfect blend of wild outdoors, and nature trails in Madapura, 25km from Madikeri.

9. What made you decide to open a homestay?
We have always loved hosting people over at our ancestral home. It’s always been interesting to exchange cultural insights from around the world while also educating others about our rich Coorg heritage and coffee plantations.

10. How many staff do you have at the homestay?
We have a total of 4 assisting us in running the homestay. They help us out with the cooking, housekeeping and gardening.

15/08/2024

🇮🇳 Happy Independence Day 🇮🇳
Thursday, 15 Aug 2024

10/08/2024

Isles Beach - Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
(8-12 Guests) - 4 Bedrooms/4 Bathrooms

Isles was built around the large swimming pool, which has been preserved for over 20 years. It takes inspiration from Moroccan designs, with rooms spread out so the pool is always just a step away.

Many skylights around the property open the space out even indoors. Isles welcomes couples keen to book individual poolside rooms or families who want to book the whole villa.

Only 15 minutes from Mamallapuram, a hub for delicious seafood and home to many UNESCO heritage sites like the Pancha Rathas and Krishna’s Butterball.

Ask for more details.

09/08/2024

1. What year did you open The Francis Residence?
2014

2. How many rooms do you have at the homestay?
6

3. Describe your homestay in five words?
Homely, peaceful, comfortable, friendly, hospitable

4. Please tell us about you and your family.
K.P. Francis, Rosy Francis (wife)
Richard Francis (son) Arya Mohan (daughter in law)
We are originally from Trichur district in Kerala.

5. What professions did you have before you decided to open your homestay?
I possess a diploma in Hotel management. And had training in Taj group and worked with Taj group for 10 years.
Then I moved to The Malabar House as a General Manager and worked for 10 years with them.
Then I started a company and taken up hotels for management.
Finally I started my own homestay to follow my passion and love.

6. At your homestay what experience would you recommend?
My wife conducts an activity “Cook with Rosy” and guests can book it with prior notice.

7. If clients eat at your homestay which culinary dish is your speciality?
We do specialise in seafood being near the beach. Our popular dish is Tiger prawns
mango curry.

8. Describe the location of your homestay?
We are just 10 minutes’ walk from the old Fort Cochin, very close to the bishop house.
And it’s away from the main road and very peaceful and quiet. There is no sound of any vehicles. Guests can have a very peaceful sleep at any time either day or night.

9. What made you decide to open a homestay?
My wife retired as a nurse in 2014 and I was passionate in meeting people and spending helpful time with them. I also wanted to work My love and passion towards my profession to start a homestay.

10. How many staff do you employ to help at the homestay and are they from the local area?
We , my wife, son and daughter in law work here. When we require additional help we take help from local.

07/08/2024

Who else could do with a few days at the beach!?

Location: Chera Rock Beach Resort, Kannur. North Kerala.

04/08/2024

1. What year did you open Royal Mist?
2007

2. How many rooms do you have at Royal Mist?
3 rooms

3. Describe your homestay in five words?
Cozy, scenic, comfortable, rustic, welcoming

4. Please tell us about you and your family.
I am Anil, my wife is Jeeva. We have a son & daughter- Nithin & Neha. My ancestors originated from central Kerala and settled in Munnar. Jeeva is from Kottayam, close to the Backwaters of Kerala.

5. What professions did you have before you decided to open your homestay?
We were involved in travel and tourism business in Munnar.

6. At your homestay what experiences would you recommend?
Guided treks to the mountain tops or plantations, a trip to “Top Station”, vist tea factory, tuk-tuk ride to explore our village, cultural shows and experience the local life.

7. At your homestay which culinary dishes are your speciality?
Guests love the delicious homemade meals which features authentic Kerala cuisine. Some stand out dishes are chicken curry, pickles, juices etc.

8. Describe the location of your homestay?
We are located in Chithirapuram, which is 10 kilometres before Munnar town. Overlooking lush greenery, offers stunning views of valley & hills and away from the bustling town.

9. What made you decide to open a homestay?
We loved to meet people. We were involved in the travel business for many years and wanted to create a place that blends the warmth of a home, with local food & culture. A unique experience.

10. How many staff do you employ to help at the homestay and are they from the local area?
Two women, they’re from the local area.

03/08/2024

The countdown begins to my next work trip in September to Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty, Wayanad, North Kerala and Cochin!! Can’t wait to get back to India…

26/07/2024

1. What year did you open Vanilla County Heritage Plantation Bungalow?
1997

2. How many rooms do you have at the homestay?
6

3. Describe your homestay in five words?
Heritage, Serene, Authentic, Cozy & Welcoming.

4. Please tell us about you and your family.
We are Mathew and Sili and our family hail from Meenachil in Kerala.

5. What professions did you have before you decided to open your homestay?
Our families are planters; Mathew was a graduate in hospitality and culinary arts from New Zealand. Silu was involved in community and family traditions. Our combined backgrounds in hospitality and culinary arts have allowed us to create a unique and welcoming environment for our guests.

6. At your homestay what experiences would you recommend?
Homely Kerala Cuisine, Infinity Pool, Rock Pool & Monastery visit, Bird and Butterfly watching and guided treks.

7. What are your culinary specialities?
We recommend trying:
Naadan Kozhi Varutharachathu: Traditional Kerala-style chicken curry with roasted coconut and spices.
Puttu and Kadala Curry: Steamed rice cakes with black chickpea curry.
Chicken Stew with Appam: Chicken in coconut milk gravy with soft appam.
Our sweet, homemade Banana Jam.

8. Describe the location of your homestay?
Our homestay is nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. Located in the tranquil village of Mavady, our property offers a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

9. What made you decide to open a homestay?
Our homestay has been a cherished family endeavour for the past 27 years, originally started by my parents. Their vision was to create a welcoming haven that blends the warmth of home with the natural beauty of the Western Ghats. Over the years, we’ve continued to uphold their legacy, offering guests a unique and personal experience that highlights the charm and serenity of our region. Our commitment remains to provide exceptional hospitality and a truly memorable stay, just as my parents envisioned.

23/07/2024

Conde Nast Traveller has recognised Palace On Wheels as the second best train trip in the world.

It has been operating since 1982 and offers 42 regal suites, personalised service and destinations such as New Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and of course the Taj Mahal.

Ask us for more details of this unforgettable journey!

17/07/2024

Amrit Bhawan is a stylish 8 room property by the Ganga in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. With its private garden and ghat, massage room, rooftop whirlpool bath and vegetarian restaurant.

Take part in morning yoga classes, sunset Ganga Aarti and cookery classes at the property or explore the area with its markets, villages and various hiking trails.

26/06/2024

The magical Backwaters!