Aug 11, 2008 04:36 PM
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(Updated Sep 29, 2008 05:18 PM)
Club Mahindra - Love Club Mahindra Resorts!
‘This weekend we are off to Coorg! We got a free holiday as a part of package from Club Mahindra enrollment.’ I told my friend - “Oh! Those guys were after us also! My husband, made an excel sheet and showed them how cheap holidaying has become with hotels offering off-season discounts and cheaper rates on booking in advance. Those guys never came back!” Is it! We are already members now.’ I said doubtfully. At least four days no cooking! I consoled myself.
I, my husband Ranjit, our two boys Aryan - 6 yr. old and Aarav - 1yr. 3 months started our journey from Bangalore to Coorg. We reached Club Mahindra Kodagu valley resort around 3.45 PM tired. [Roads are bad] I had read in the brochure and the booking voucher about its RCI 5 star ratings, *Club Mahindra Kodagu *style cottages, architectural brilliance…but that rainy afternoon when we entered this strange land of warm smiling faces, all I could think of was FOOD!
The lobby manager sent us to the restaurant first, while he finished with the check-in formalities. That moment I understood- they speak our language! We were taken to our apartment in a battery operated car which the children enjoyed.
It was the cottage in the hills one always wanted. The unbelievably beautiful sight of lush green valley, the detailing of the tiles, the warm ambience of the furniture, paint, fabrics, lights…, minute details like umbrellas in the wardrobes, clothes dryer in the balcony, not a speck of dirt to be seen, even a swan made of towel sitting on the bed…. I imagined myself arranging clothes delicately in the dresser as if it was my family heirloom… Absent mindedly I asked, ‘Where is the AC remote?’
‘There is no AC m’am’
‘Oh! You mean the air is naturally so fresh and cool’
‘Yes m’am. There are room heaters if you may so require.’
‘O.K alright!’
Late evening in Club Mahindra Kodaguwe set off towards the hillock. This is the activity center. We were surprised to see how professionally activities are conducted! Hats off to Barun and his team. The DJ night was electrifying. Children rocked the dance floor.
6th April 2008
6.30 am: wake up call
7.30 am: all of us ready [with great difficulty]
8.00 am: were whisked away from breakfast table into the Swaraj Mazda
We were off to Dubarey elephant camp - 35 kms from the resort. A small river has to be crossed on a motorboat. Here we experienced an endearing and heart warming experience of bathing the elephants, feeding, taking photos and enjoying an elephant ride. Tickets for the same were already arranged by our tour guide Ranjith. [My husband’s namesake] Time is the key factor here since the show is over by 10 am. Many of the late coming tourists were left disappointed. I had forgotten to pack water and biscuits for children, but to my relief and surprise Ranjith [tour guide] distributed the same to everyone. [Can’t put this gesture on an excel sheet. Can you?]
After lunch Aryan joined other kids for a picnic and later we all enjoyed the fun games.
Sweet chirping of birds woke us up the next day. As we relaxed [though could have joined the plantation trail or learned salsa], Aryan had a busy schedule with clay modeling, painting, cricket, wildlife movie. We did make it to the shop though to select some fresh custom ground coffee. The Lounge - sipping fresh coffee with books on coffee, amidst the coffee plants with 10 varieties of coffee to choose from, how often does that happen!
Evening Bonfire was great. Again Barun had managed to get all age groups, people from different states engrossed in games and dances. Next day we were going to visit the Namdroling monastery on the way to Bangalore.
The Resort food is great with lots of choices and separate kids menu. The staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming even when we entered the restaurant at 10.45 pm and ordered ala carte! Each and every member of the staff made 100 percent effort to make our stay comfortable. Gives me an inspiration to do the same for my family! At least till the next holiday!!!
Dr. Manjiri Ranjit Vaidya
