It’s been a while since we just took off as we have been caught up with life’s different priorities. With many things happening , many not so good, many which one cannot avoid, we did decide to just let it go and go for a small break. Sometimes it’s easy to be just detached from everything that is happening and then get back to it. Nature has a way of looking after its own.. 
So we did not have time to plan an elaborate trip. It was going to be just me Mom-in-law and Rocks and of course the Birds. My grey birds were traveling for the first time.. My yellow birds know when its time to change cages that it was time to be on the road. They like it.
When you are pressed for time and planning, what does one do ?
I wanted to go to a familiar place yet a new place, not more than 6 hour’s drive and then of course a place which had abundant nature and good food.
Checked a couple of my information database and went with my favorite place : Bokkapuram, Masinagudi.
We did about 5 places in this area and I wanted to try a something new. Monarch Safari Park was my answer. I looked at reviews but could not find it. I searched for their website but that was also not available. The only link available was though Nivalink. Now this is a decent link to book the resort but the turnaround time was too much. Anyway, after many interactions on the phone, we finally got our booking done.
The route was familiar, the timing set, we started early and hit Mysore road soon. The traffic was low in the morning but the highway was full of crudely laid speed breakers. So even though we would want to cruise at a comfortable speed, it would not allow us to because of the speedbreakers.
We decided we would break at McDonalds just to do something different from the usual. I loved having the burgers and coffee for a change.. This place is situated some distance before Maddur if you are traveling from Bangalore. There is a Kamat’s joint at the same place to fulfil your traditional tastes, so though Rocks was jumping to get something traditional, I had burgers on my mind.
So well after filling our stomachs, we did continue our way towards our destination.
There was an ALL female vehicle driving Skoda Superb who was following us and well because of the speedbreakers, she did careen into us while we were going over it and hit our back. So all said and done, damage was minimum.
We reached Masinagudi at noon and made our way to Bokkapuram. We realized that we came at a time when the crowd was low to minimum. I did not waste time to upgrade our cottage for a minimum fee. It was a wonderful place. Usually, we stay on the other side of this place. This view was pretty amazing. The room was airy and it had ample view on all sides.. it had a wooden veranda.. and a cozy field just to ourselves.. And yeah, to give you a pinch of modernism, it did have a plush bathtub and the works.. he he!!
Our Machan Cottage had a sitting area and it also had a table and seats outside for us to enjoy the sunshine. I felt like I was in Shillong or some place in Assam. We were surrounded by the mountains and it was a very nice day. I felt all my worries just washing away and I was one with nature.. My birds loved it.. They were communicating with the other birds and well they are pretty adapting if they see lot of green around them.
While we were settling down, Rocky seating outside with his mother talking about lunch.. Suddenly there was a curious push through the hedges which covered the seating area.. And then WHACK !!! In came a horse… hahahahah !!! We were surprised as him. He was on the lookout for some fresh grass and did not know what to do. We pretended as if we did not see him and he contentedly started grazing. It was funny.. But it also was very natural…
I was sitting on the ledge and could not help clicking some shots..
After a while we did get our lunches and had it outside.. I tried to keep awake but we did nap awhile before setting out and paying our regular visit to the Murugan temple or more known as Mithun Chakravarty’s temple. As I said the day was beautiful and it was a wonderful time to watch the sunset.
We trekked, to the point where we usually view the sunset from in this place and basked in the warm sun rays.. Watching it slowly descend down the horizon.. It was pure serenity and it was one of the most precious moment of my life.. My family and nature.. All at peace.. I felt very grateful and very content… There is something serene about watching the sun go down and basking in its downing rays. It was a very peaceful moment.. for me.. which seemed to tell me that it will all be fine… !!!
It was like our private space as there were no people around.. As we gazed down below, we could see a group of children playing and also our place.. We also could see different types of animals moving around.. Some trying to climb up the hill.. Some generally fooling around, among them were a pair of identical twin calves. I had never seen twin calves.. And I enjoyed their antics..
Rocky spotted a Chameleon who was fascinated with our Video Camera and pretended to be one with the rock while eyeing it.. hahaha !! It was cute..
As the sun went down, we trekked down and drove on in the hope of spotting some wild animals.. But it was too dry and noisy or the time was not right, I guess, so we did not spot anything besides some stray monkeys.. It was fine.. I was just enjoying being out there.. I did not have to go anywhere or do anything…
We came back and while Mom-in-law was resting, we walked around the campus.. It was a decent one.. And since there were very few people who checked in, we could order food instead of having a buffet. I traipsed to the kitchen which was just across our Machan Cottage and got familiar with the cook who was a Bengali. I had some intense conversation about food as Bengalis do and ordered dinner.
It was served outside beneath a clear sky filled with stars where you could clearly see the Belt of Orion and all that goes with it.. We did walk around the campus in the evening. My eyes were more on the starlit sky rather than on the soft downy ground…
I was happy with my Chicken curry and rice.. Yum !! Life is good… What more could one want ? Fish is not a good idea if you do not like spicy food. Go with the meat if you are a non veggie. And the Dal was also delicious.
We retired early with the sound of crickets and different night sounds enveloping us.
Morning was cool and misty but I felt great joy welcoming the day along with my birdies. I freed them up as I usually do in the mornings so that they could explore or generally sit on our shoulders whilst admiring their new surroundings..
We did have a simple but tasty breakfast.. And I could see the horses running around in the field down below.. A guest playing football with his kid and well the mountains they were smiling it seemed in the sunshine.. Even though people say that its beautiful in the rains.. I must say that the yellowed grass and the feel of this time in the winter has its own charm..
It was a perfect weekend. We started at 11:00 and reached at 5 :00. It was a smooth drive and it was a peaceful and much wanted break. I will come back here.. This is one of the places where you wouldn’t mind coming back.
Service was decent and communication was connected.. Place was clean and the food was good. Price was decent..
I would not say it was fancy but it was unique and just right..
For booking you can contact : http://www.nivalink.com/monarchsafari/contact.html
For more pics, you can click here.
