Yours Consciously Sneha

Tag: ecotravel

Wandering Memories in 2017!

Parties and loud music have never been my favorite thing to do, at least not during New Years. I prefer a quieter one, rather read a book or count stars. When 2017 arrived, I had to avoid invites and hide in a jungle where no one can find me. Instinctive decision told me to go to Sirsi, after a long search I found a place to stay and headed towards my first travel to Uttara Karnataka.

Sirsi

I was introduced to Uttara Karnataka through Kannada movies-misty mountains, tiled roof houses, a unique dialect of Kannada, areca nut trees, mind-boggling caves. These pictures that I had only seen in a movie came live in front of my eyes as the bus window started to cover with white curtains of mist. I stayed in a homestay 40 km away from Sirsi town, welcomed 2017 by counting stars, woke up on January 1^st to birds chirping and went around Areca nut farms to know more about Areca Nut processing. Hiked to a waterfall in the morning and watched the sunset by evening, a calm New Year start.

I then moved to another place close to Banavasi, stayed in an eco-friendly cottage, traveled through those caves that I had seen in movies, relished on Havyaka cuisine. I fell in love so much with Sirsi; I was here thrice in 2017.

Also read: Areca Nut farms and their stories in Sirsi

Highlights: Areca Nut processing, lip-smacking food.

Coorg

Scotland of Karnataka as commonly known, I have traveled lengths and breaths to Coorg multiple times even before I turned to a full-time traveler. It is a commercialized tourist joint now, but a friend and I needed a break and we booked a homestay far off from the town. We hiked around a small forest looking for a water stream, enjoyed the food and rested all our worries in that small forest.

Highlights: Hike to the water stream.

Nepal

The first stamp on my new passport had to be from somewhere new, somewhere I had no expectations from, somewhere I had not really had any dreams set to. All of this was fulfilled when I planned my travels with my father to Nepal, it started dramatically with the flight cancelation. More than 24 hours delay and we were in Nepal, we stepped into this land without any expectations. The warmth of the people warmed our heart, the architecture of the palaces is incredibly beautiful, the stone carvings on the walls are breathtaking, scenic surroundings with river and paddy fields and the food at any corner of Nepal is to die for.

Highlights: People, food, and architecture.

Bhutan

One of the happiest countries in the world, this little paradise has to be on everyone’s list to visit. With their beautiful landscapes covering about 80% of forest, the happiness lies everywhere-in the air, in the leaves, in the river. Pine trees and rivers followed us everywhere, prayer flags swayed with the wind worshipping for prosperity. This country is surely one of the greatest gifts we have.

Highlights: Scenic landscapes, organic food.

Gokarna

Gokarna is one of those places that I can call home, for all those beautiful memories I have spent here; I decided to take my friend who had come to visit me for my birthday. I have always stayed at Om beach, this time I decided to change and enjoy the waves of Kudle beach. We stayed in a place with the view of the beach, few steps hike and there was a private view of the beach. The viewpoints are usually crowded but this one was just for the waves, sun and us. We enjoyed sipping the beer, reading the book and saying goodbye to the sun.

I visited Gokarna twice this year, the second time I did not miss to spend time at my home-Om Beach.

Highlights: Sunset viewpoint.

Dandeli

Whoever is familiar with the word Dandeli, the first thing comes to their mind is rafting. And for me, it’s a different story, we took a bus from Gokarna to Dandeli; the drive through the tiger reserve and the paddy fields was something that I was not aware of in Dandeli. The step paddy field reminded me of the very famous Ubud paddy fields, Dandeli can surely give a tough competition to Ubud. We stayed in a homestay closer to a small town called Joida, amidst the paddy fields and flowering plants that our host had planted for butterflies. My birthday travels for this year, did really end colorfully.

Highlights: Scenic paddy fields, lush green forest, and food.

Kerala

Kerala always happens with a calling from the heart, something that kept me pushing to go to Kerala after my birthday travels. Last year, I had found out about an NGO called Kabani who are working towards Sustainable tourism; I couldn’t go then so decided to go now. Packed my bags and left for Kozhikode in the last week of October to volunteer with Kabani, traveled with Kabani to a village in Wayanad and learned the history of Kozhikode. Stayed for 44 days and all I can talk about is food, this is exactly the calling from the heart and that’s only because of food; food and my heart sync well and that’s where all the calling begins.

Highlights: Offbeat travel with sustainable practices, food.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

December 22, 2017
A day on a Mysterious Village – Mandaram Nuwara

A mystery is solved with a story-Daniel Handler

Rough roads are always memorable, be it the ride or the destination; they are beautiful. Mandaram Nuwara is one such place that took tremendous efforts to be reached, efforts in the form of research and also to find the commute. A friend mentioned about this village, he said its called a Misty City as it is always covered by Mist. I would like to call it as a Mysterious Village-here is why. I started my research and was mesmerized with the pictures of this Mysterious village, but there were hardly any details on how to reach there. I figured out its closer to Kandy, so decided to reach Kandy first & then flow towards this eye candy. I asked few locals, there was no soul aware of this village. The more it was hard to find out, the more I wanted to go. Finally with some help, I found a blog post that had few details of locals who had visited this village couple of years ago. I couldn’t find any details about the commute so I shut my laptop to hit the road. Perhaps, there are answers on the road!

A traveler friend joined along, we began our hunt towards this mysterious village. We went to Kandy bus stand and figured out the direct bus will leave only in the noon. We did not have much time so decided to go to a nearby town to the village called Padiyapelalla, conductor in the bus was trying to build a conversation, I told him we need to go to Mandaram Nuwara, asking him if there is a bus from Padiyapelalla. He said this bus goes to Mandaram Nuwara, I was literally on Cloud 9; never imagined that road can fulfill your wish so easily. Apparently that was the last bus leaving to Mandaram Nuwara from Padiyapelalla.

The houses were placed like cubes amidst the paddy fields, we were closer to Mandaram Nuwara. This was the first sight we had when we entered the village, the house in the corner was the perfect eye candy. Every house here opens up to a view like this. We were welcomed with loud music, huge speakers were placed on the road, people chilling & playing carom, old men having a chat by the verandah, kids had just finished their school, women shared a startled look at us with a graceful smile. Smile-seems like a common jewelry worn by everyone in this village.

We started to walk around the village listening to Sinhalese music, every few steps we take; we stop to see the view staring at the never ending horizon with a huge floor of paddy fields. I kept thinking how lucky these people are to wake up to such a blissful view. The mountains surrounding the village is called Pidurutalagala (Mount Pedro) which is also the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. We kept walking and stopped over a house for water, a girl came out & asked where was I from, I said India. She immediately said, “Kohli batting, very good; I like it”. I laughed and said yes, he is good!

The Kohli Girl 😉

By the stream in the village 🙂

The kids were all around us, we had a small “body language chat” with them. Like every journey should have an end, this short journey came closer to an end as well. The bus driver & conductor was waiting for almost an hour for us to return to drop us to the town as there were no bus leaving that evening. Both the driver & conductor took us in their Tuk Tuk and showed us a beautiful waterfall, a secret water fall they said! They later dropped us to a nearby town and made sure we got into the right bus to reach Kandy!

Somewhere on the road!

So, the rough roads journey turned out to be one of the most beautiful & memorable events in my life!

Blooming…

Wild Flower

September 12, 2017
Wandering Memories in 2016!

2016 started with full zoom as I knew it is going to be one of my biggest years so far. I had decided to leave my job by then & was very excited to write my resignation email. The excitement was also towards my footsteps on getting into full time traveling & writing. Just like luck can have it, I started my travels in January on Western Ghats-my home.

Into the soul of a Forest: Hulivana

Nested deep in the rain forest, Hulivana is situated on the lap of mountains. Roller coaster Jeep ride through the forest, trek on all the mountains around, view of thick forest, eco-friendly environment, learning about birds & insects, friendly host & not to forget the yummy food. Everything together constitutes this place to be one of its kinds.

Highlights: Only place located in the forest, eco-friendly environment.

Tea & some conversations in Chikmagalur: Megur Homestay

Chikmagalur is always about coffee, that’s not true is what I realized during this visit to Chikmagalur & my stay in Megur Homestay. Situated around acres of tea plantations, coffee surrounded by it, view of Kudremukha/Kemmanagundi, stay in ancestral property which was owned by the locals of Malnad region. Not to forget to mention, of course a visit to Chikmagalur was mandatory when the year starts J

Highlights: Located on acres of tea plantations, local food.

Peekaboo with Nature: Bird of Paradise

A Garden full of Bird of Paradise flowers, Cauvery River passing by, beautifully built tree house, paddy fields view from the window, birds knocking on the door of the tree house, an old house with red oxide & stories to tell, local food. Bird of Paradise named after the flower, located in Coorg; is a place to get a break from city’s hustle & bustle & spot lots of birds while you are watching bird of paradise flowers.

Highlights: Tree House, Local Food.

Sri Lanka

Realization to achieve my dreams happened during my visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 & to commemorate this I decided to go to Sri Lanka for a longer time-a month. I traveled around the Galle Fort to mountains in Deniyaya & Haputale, misty village Mandaram Nuwara to a 400 years old village called Meemure, from a busy town Kandy to a sandy beach in Mirissa. Sri Lanka is one of those places that remain closer to heart, always!

Highlights: First trip for a long duration after quitting the job, visiting 400 years old village.

Sadhana Forest

Volunteering is one of the ways to travel if you are on a low budget, but this concept seemed nicer when you are volunteering to an organization that is giving back everything they do to nature. Sadhana Forest is the first place I volunteered in for 10 days, 70 acres of dry land is converted to a dry evergreen forest which is now home for many animals & birds. There is no one person I haven’t mentioned about Sadhana Forest, it is an experience to stay & volunteer in there. Everyone should visit this place at least once or more 🙂

Highlights: First time volunteering, Vegan environment.

Pondicherry

Our little own France is Pondicherry, stayed in an ancient house in Pondicherry & slow traveled the 3 days wandering around the cobbled streets, watching people cycling like old times, Vespa scooters adding some color on the road, bougainvillea flowers lit up on the streets, colorful row houses, shopping on the streets.

Highlights: French Colony, colorful houses, beach

Karuna Farm in Kodaikanal

While I was looking for a place to stay in Kodaikanal, I happened to stumble upon Karuna Farm & was happy to know that there was a job opening. I was super excited that I could work here & enjoy the freedom of being with mountains; I worked here for 2 months & 8 days watching the same mountains every day that looked different each & every moment when I looked at them.

Highlights: Eco-friendly environment, Community living.

Maharashtra

Stayed in Mumbai for a while to catch up with few friends & then headed towards Matheran as I heard so many good things about this place. Matheran is the only eco-friendly hill station in Asia; commute is only by horse or by walk. Words wouldn’t give justice to describe Matheran, everywhere you look you can see lush green mountains & waterfalls running through.

Panchgani, another hill station around the Western Ghats is another beautiful sight where it has table land & Asia’s second largest plateau.

Highlights: Western Ghats tour, an Eco-friendly hill station.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad was my dream place to visit since the day I saw a scene in a Telugu movie. Finally, I could visit as a friend was getting married; it is pretty much like any other city but carries a very nice vibe. The food was mind blowing; I sipped coffee at Minerva, glittered in the colorful streets of Char Minar & loitered in Golconda Fort.

Highlights: Food, Historical monuments.

Blooming…

Wild Flower

April 8, 2017
Time’s set to medieval age here in Sri Lanka @ Galapita Rocks!

Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I paused; I could hear something when I reached a far off unknown land. It was my blood rushing through my veins; I knew I was going somewhere far, really far! Wheels of the bus start gliding on road through a forest, I knew I was going somewhere far, really far! My eyes didn’t want to rest for a second admiring nature; there is an elephant on one side and a dancing peacock on the other side! I knew I was going somewhere far, really far!

My backpack & I stepped out of the bus after 30 minutes of this warm welcome by nature, I knew I was going somewhere far, really far! Celebration of my arrival continued opening up to glittering corn fields, sun shine was sprinkling on the corn turning to golden lights that was beaming till a far off lake. Locals were greeting me with their beautiful smile, kids were peeping through the trees throwing a shy smile! I knew I was going somewhere far, really far!

Dry leaves were mizzling on me as I entered Galapita Rocks; I stand still watching the colorful leaves on ground. Those colorful leaves turn into beautiful shoes, I take a step ahead with a grin on my face looking at the hanging bridge. Gems in the river were crawling up forming a tiara; I slowly move my fingers on the rail of the bridge and start walking. Wind swirls around me with beautiful beads transforming to a gorgeous gown! I knew I was going somewhere far, really far! I was in the medieval age!

I was so mesmerized by the whole place and when asked about the history: It was started in 1995 by Mr. Rukman De Fonseka who found this land near Buttala while traveling with a friend, this land was then used for slash and burn cultivation by the local farmers. Mr. Rukman designed this whole place and was initially used as a place for a getaway with his friends. Electricity came to this village only few years ago, this place was then converted to a yoga & meditation centre. It is also a famous spot for river bathing; this river is located by the side of Gem River called Menik River which runs till Kataragama temple. Once a barren land is now home for Teak, Palm, Mango and many trees, Galapita means “Rock on a Rock” which is visible from this place and hence named Galapita Rocks!

Vibrantly lit room with antique pieces, soothing noise of the gushing river, pond with lily pads next to the bed, crystal stones throwing light to the room, courtyard to relax gazing at the huge trees forming a pathway for river to pass, a place to read/write, moon light sprinkling the entire place! I fall asleep with a smile as moon sways its reflection on the pond.

My eardrums were knocked by the screams of peacock and my eyes were softened by the gentle sun rays!

Open shower with dry leaves on the ground, like I was showering somewhere deep in the forest!

Yoga by the river, breeze to chill my soaked skin! What more can I ask for?

Tree top was setup to have a bird’s view of the entire land, also to witness amazing sunrise or sunset!

Every gem and an antique piece found around this area are showcased in this Museum, Agasti!

Take a dip in the river crawling through the rocks, if you are lucky you can find some gem stones! Luck was all I had when I reached here 😉

The Crystal Lounge, Dining area is no less with the antique pieces and crystal stones surrounded. Lip smacking food is served on mud plates, and every meal was unique with the touch of taste cooked by locals. I don’t have to justify anymore that I was treated like a princess!

One of my favorite spot here was to sit and gaze at the sugarcane field for hours while I spotted a monitor lizard and a dragon in the sun!

Friends who gave me company as I was gazing at the sugarcane fields!

Full moon day is called as Poya, which also calls for a public holiday in Sri Lanka.

What’s with me and the love towards antique pieces, they are just a sheer beauty! Untouched!

*I was hosted by Galapita Rocks, I have just been too lucky!

Blooming…

Wild Flower

April 23, 2016
Celebrating Life in the sacred Hill of Sri Lanka!

Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow-Anita Desai

I have learned a lot while traveling, mostly from the people I meet who always have a positive impact on my life! Hence, I am always choosy on the place I travel to & most importantly the place I stay in; I believe the relationship you hold with hosts has a serious impact on the place you consider as a home for the days you stay in. One of such amazing hosts I met are Sala & Bludgy & this is how!

I was looking for eco-friendly places to stay in; I found their website & shot them an email. They said they have moved to a different location but they are starting something new very soon. I saw the pictures of their new setup; it was an overnight dream that came true. Just a few days ago before I reached their place, I had seen a picture exactly like this on Instagram and thought I should stay in a place like this someday!

Also read: A guide to Galle & Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

View from the sky tent!

Sala was talking about how they came up with this concept, they have been seeing people cutting trees to increase the number of places to stay for travelers, and they were not very happy with it, so had to come up with this concept of not harming trees & can still host travelers. This could be an example to everyone who thinks cutting trees is the only solution; also they are having all their guests to plant a tree as well. They even segregate garbage; dump the garbage that can be recycled as manure in a pit to use it for plants. The soil is really good here, manure is not really needed but it is just one of the ways to use the garbage effectively by not harming nature; he adds.

Also read: Sacred Hill in Ramayana

This is where they live 😉

Sala & Bludgy both quit their jobs in advertising & followed their passion for paintings, to make it more accessible they have those paintings printed on T-shirts. He was talking about him wearing a tie & presenting to clients & I was sharing the job that I was doing that I never liked. When asked why they decided to quit, they said they found more happiness in what they are doing right now than their earlier 9-5 job. It was not even a month since I had quit my job; I was still struggling with the post syndrome and I realized I have made the right decision too. I learned that Quitting job is not a big deal, accepting the life that throws at you after quitting is!

Also read: Mistakes I learned from after quitting my job

It was a big day while I was staying at their place, along with my friend in Bengaluru we had finished 48 days of 108 Surya Namaskara & still continues!

Oh, you yummy breakfast!

We have had long conversations over dinner about how India & Sri Lanka were rich with Diamonds & Gems, spices, crops & so much richer in the culture before Portuguese, Dutch & British invaded and how we are struggling now to save our own culture. I was curious to know about this indigenous tribe in Sri Lanka called Veddas, I had read about how they originated earlier in a book and Sala was talking about how there is a change now in their lifestyle with modern technologies taking over all our lives.

I was a poet during my stay here, read through; it will explain how beautiful this place is!

It was dark & lovely,
I am floating in the air.
Fireflies passed by like twinkling stars,
I am floating in the air.
Peacocks screams at a distance as I fall into trap of sleep,
I am floating in the air.
I walk into a dreamland with fireflies & peacocks,
I am floating in the air.
Sleep releases my eyes to birds chirping,
I am floating in the air.

Sit at the edge of a rock staring at the trees,
Sit on the hammock reading a book for ages.
Lie down until the sun keeps winking,
Lie down until the stars start twinkling.
We all have one life to live,
Let’s just Live! Live! Live!

I have learned how to celebrate life from them, how to manage daily tasks along with work and a baby & two dogs, how to have balance in a relationship, how to look for happiness in everything you do, basically just how to celebrate life!

Also read: People of Sri Lanka

Silus & Naggi!

Blooming…

Wild Flower

April 9, 2016