COVER STORY I TRAVEL I PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
C
ontroversy courts comparisons, but whatever side of American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan’s genius you weigh in, Nobel or not, the lines from his cult favourite Blowin in the Wind, “Yes, how many times must a man look up before he can see the sky?’’ seem more prophetic than poetic, more common concern than social commentary, especially if you live in the city. But if hankering after a clear sky on a starry night seems like poor ambition, you haven’t been introduced to the full fanfare of nature’s charm and intrigue. Here’s where Coorg inspires not just thoughts but sensations; the landscape, wildly unpredictable and whimsical bares in equal glory matted green Thekkady-style rain forests, the swell and troughs of the Yorkshire Dales, interspersed with lakes that break into paddy fields at a moment’s notice. Somewhere at the end of winding trails, where the undergrowth gets scruffy and poinsettias pop up to break the hegemony of green, Tamara looms up. Almost lofty, nestled in the mountains, cradled by the trees, the cottages look like cribs for angels; dark wood peeking out of the dense green. Tamara, like Coorg, is charmingly schizophrenic. The all-wood resort, broken into Robinson Crusoe cottages, jostle for space among the highest trees, harmonising with the environment yet standing apart. Even within their silences, it’s never quiet; the orchestra of insect sounds compete with gurgling water bodies and whispering winds. Swarthy desires and sublime pleasures make for an interesting mix at this luxury property that remains limited to just two acres, within the 170-acre estate that produces coffee, cardamom, pepper, and honey. “The idea is to restrict unbridled growth to avoid any negative impact on the surrounding environment and community,” says Shruti Shibulal, promoter of this exquisite resort, which is her flagship.
shruti shibulal against the valley views seen from the balcony deck
SELVAPRAKASH LAKSHMANAN
FACTFILE ACCOMMODATION Luxury Cottages 44, Superior Luxury Cottages 2, Suite Cottages 8, Eden Lotus Suite 2
Mangalore
GETTING THERE The nearest airports are Bangalore (BLR), Mangalore (IXE) and Kozikode (CCJ)
28 INDIA TODAY SPICE u NOVEMBER, 2016
CONTACT Kabbinakad Estate, Madikeri, Kodagu; Ph: +91 80 7107 7700 Email coorg@ thetamara.com
Mangalore
Bangalore
Puttur Sulla Kasargod
Madikeri
THE GOOD LIFE
“Our USP at Tamara is sustainable good life; it’s about natural, wholesome living, while nurturing sustainability. Creating properties that are respectful to the environment and community distinguishes us from other luxury players,” she adds. The resort uses solar power, wields effective waste management, allows no plastic and tries maintains a high level of efficiency in the use of competing resources
RACK RATES Luxury Cottage `18,000; Superior Luxury Cottage `25,000; Eden Lotus ` 40,000
Mandya
Ramnagar
Kushalnagar Hunsur
Mysore
Gonikoppal Kuthuparamba
Kannur Thalassery Kunji Palli
Kozhikode
Airport Raiway Station
The Tamara Koorg