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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Bandipur forest - a relaxing getaway

After quite a few years, on my trip to India, my parents took off on a vacation with me. We had forgotten how good it can be. The first stop was in the state of Karnataka at the Bandipur National Park. A two hour car ride from Mysore, takes you to the Bandipur Safari Lodge which offers package tours for one day to a week.

The lodge we stayed in, the hill on the backdrop we scaled the next day

The lodge was a place of complete serenity. It felt like time had stopped while I was there. We were completely relaxed. Have you ever felt that silence is simply beautiful? With only the birds chirping, it was hard to believe such places existed. Unlimited chai, no TV/internet, just nature and wilderness around. Bliss!

Some of the animals we saw in the forest

As we went on the safari trip we saw quite a few animals. The guide explained how we were a little off season and may not see the big cats. But we got lucky. A long shot of a leopard below. As it turns out, the wildest of animals run seeing/hearing the slightest hint of human activity.

The elusive leopard

Can you see it? Every single person at the lodge had a look at this shot. My father who took it was ecstatic..:) The next day morning we went on a 8km hike up a small hill just in front of the lodge. There were pug marks everywhere!

Pug marks

Well, we were mostly supposed to see elephants around the hill, but ended up seeing plenty of elephant dung..:D. The guide sniffed and prodded the dung to check the elephants' trail but to no avail. We could hear them from time to time but never could spot the big beasts. At the top we could see the border point of 3 states - Tamil Nadu (where I am from), Kerala and Karnataka (where we were).

Connecting 3 states:Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala

Completely rejuvenated, we did not want to leave. But leave we did, to see further.

5 comments:

~ Lopa said...

Wow Viji, You spotted Leopard !!
Really, how cool is that !

I have been to Mysore, but that is it. And Mysore palaces are one of my favourites.
Do you know whenever i see interior of European palaces, i complain they should see Indian palace Interior, this might be great outside but royalty that Indian kings had that is wooooow....lol hehehe

This place looks really beautiful. You spotted quite a few animals. I suppose there will be part II soon of the trip :)

And hey, how was exam?

Orange said...

This sounds so interesting..I have been to the Periya National Park in Kerala 3 years back and that was awesome too..seeing the animals in their natural habitat is always exciting. Great trip you must have had!!

thamarai said...

Lopa, true yaar, especially the palaces in Jaipur..and I have seen some of the Mahararaja's clothes...soo elaborate and bigg! :D

I passed the exam..:)

Orangesplaash, Oh cool yaar, I have not visited Kerela deeply...I must sometime..

Unknown said...

Oh thamarai, I envy you this trip! I have recently seen photos of so many beautiful nature reserves and natural parks in India. And what amazes me the most, is the absolutely beautiful animals that you can spot on just a normal outing. I can imagine how thrilled your dad must've felt when he spotted and photographed the leopard!
Beautiful nature, beautiful India ;)

Unknown said...

Hey Nice Blog.Information of Bandipur Resorts is very useful for every tourist.Thanks for sharing such a significant information

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