The stay at the Zoestal in Lovedale was fascinating
and a first time experience sharing the place with young tourists of different
nationalities enjoying their stay in this beautiful hill station. We too loved
the place and the atmosphere and the people around. After our two days of
pleasant and chilly stay in Lovedale and moving around Ooty, we were on our way
back to Bangalore. I presumed we were driving back to Bangalore. It was not
supposed to be so, and we were in for another pleasant surprise. After a long
drive on the highway leading towards Karnataka, we took a left turn to proceed
to Masinagudi.
The Wilds At Northern Hay - Singara Post, The
Nilgiris and about 5.4 km from the nearest town. An old majestic colonial bungalow
offering quality accommodation in the heart of the forest is interesting, scary
and an unique experience. Easy accessibility and countryside feel with
comfortable accommodations and necessary amenities ensure a relaxed and
pleasant stay at The Wild At Northern Hay in the midst of the wild forest. The
property offers facilities like parking, room service, Wi-Fi internet access,
front desk, tour desk and luggage storage. Rooms are comfortable and provided
with amenities like television, shower and attached bathroom with hot/cold
water and essential toiletries.
The amenities, the furniture, fixtures and the artifacts
remind you of the British Raj and their English lifestyle. These are well
maintained and give you a glimpse of the British life in India. The furniture
and fixtures in the drawing room, the bedrooms and the large bathrooms remind
you of the king size life the British enjoyed during their rule in India. The
owners have taken care to preserve the interior and décor of the colonial days.
The kitchen, dining table and crockery remind you of the good old days of the
English.
Unwind and enjoy a relaxed stay at The Wild At Northern Hay! Situated on the
very edge of the natural haven called Mudumalai, the Wilds at Northern Hay is
spread across 98 acres of wilderness and an ancestral coffee plantation.
Secluded, away from everywhere this is where the wilderness literally comes to
your doorstep and beckons you. Here the quiet environment and being away from
the hustle and bustle of the city, a sense of being close to nature and wild
life is special and great fun. And that's what the Wilds at Northern Hay is
about. Wild West in the South!
Once a colonial coffee warehouse where the world's
finest coffee was stored; The house in the Wilds is divided into a hall, dining
room and a few charming life spaces - some for relaxation, some for stimulating
conversation and some for sheer indulgence. And of course, with all other
amenities, one can imagine having a place that's bang in the middle of all
that's so frequently forgotten - nature, wild animals, solitude and
timelessness. Rooms include big luxury rooms with large bathrooms and Tree
house to relax and the watch the world go by and the sound of birds is stimulating.
The Wilds is for all, the young, the old and
seniors. It has a special charm for each one of them. And with surprises at
every turn, one has to be careful too. Because even if you choose to laze
around in an easy chair on the lush lawns, you'll get to see a plethora of
animal and bird life (some that will come for a quick rendezvous till the
doorstep of the house). Sometimes its fun and at times a bit scary.
This is a place where you can spot wildlife in its
natural habitat. You can experience a thrilling ride through the jungle in an
open jeep and on return can enjoy a barbecue on a platform overlooking the
Wilds. One can even explore the coffee plantation. As the night falls, one can
listen to the incessant roars and sounds of the wildlife. And in the early
morning get to see the huge species of monkeys very close to the bungalow.
Though their presence is interesting, it’s a bit scary too. One can visit an
elephant camp and enjoy an elephant ride through the jungle.
You could also just sit around the house, or in the
lawn or the tree house and chat. Apart from the frequently sighted monkeys, and
not so often seen panther, elephant,
nimble-hoofed gaur, shy deer, tree squirrel, majestic eagle, civet, the hardly
seen barking deer, striped hyena, dhole, hawk owl, magpie robin, spotted babbler,
whistling thrush, quail, brown dove and just about every form of life that this
dense forest is known for. You will have seen a lot making it an unique
experience in the wild.
The Wilds at Northern Hay is situated down a long,
winding road away from Masinagudi through towering trees, coffee and more
seemingly dense foliage. Masinagudi is easily reached through Mudumalai from
Bangalore. On the way, you might encounter varied forms of wildlife. Hence to
reach the place,one has to park his car at the gates and their person will come and
pick you up in a sturdy and rugged jeep, simply because you may not be able to
make it on your own through the rugged pathway and dense forest with animals around.
Once you are there, you are amidst the forest experiencing the wild thrill - huge trees, animals and birds. Bonding with nature and enjoying it. Though a fasinating place, care should be taken not to wander around on your own as animals may smell your presence. Distance from
Coimbatore Airport is 118 Km. Distance from Coimbatore Railway
Station is around 118 Km. And the distance from Ooty Bus Stand: 30 Km. And if you are driving down, the roads are good. It’s truly a wild west in the south. One should visit and experience the wild.
Many people may not be aware about Helena and the
inter-racial marriage in the ancient times. It was during the time when
Alexander defeating all on the way arrived to conquer India, but had to stop
his campaign after his tough battle with Raja Porus. Though Alexander won, but
he realized it won’t be easy to conquer India as he had thought. Besides, his generals
and soldiers were exhausted with the continuous fighting all the way from Greece,
Europe and Asia. After he was stopped at the doorstep of Indian sub-continent
by Raja Porus, he decided to go back. And Seleukos was stayed behind as
governor in India to govern the territories they had captured.
Helena was daughter of Seleukos and his Persian
wife. It is said Helena must have been in her 15-17 years when she was married
off to Chandragupta Maurya who was 40 years then. Helena became very Indian
after her marriage to Chandragupta Maurya. She learned Sanskrit and Classical
Indian music
However some say, she was a very dominant female in
those ancient days. Helena was teen-aged when she married Sandrocottos: as
the Greeks called Chandragupta Maurya, ruler of the Magadha Empire. Taking
place in 305 BCE, it was the first Indo-Grecian political marriage in the
subcontinent. The truth is Chandragupta Maurya married the Greek Princess
Helena in his 40s and stayed with Helena for few years. However, the couple
didn't have any child of their own.
If
you feel that Aneela Nike Post is making a difference to your life, do take a
minute to consider a comment or contribution. We would also value your
suggestions as how to make ourselves more relevant to you. Please write to akn929@yahoo.com to give your
valuable feedback.
The stay at the Zoestal was fascinating and a first time experience sharing the place with young tourists of different nationalities enjoying their stay in this beautiful hill station. We too loved the place, the weather and the atmosphere and the curious people around. Set amid the rolling hills and the greenery with a lovely view of Doddabetta mountain, this modest hostel is a 12-minute walk from Lovedale train station and 5 km from Ooty's Government Rose Garden.
A couple of years ago on my visit to Bangalore
after almost a decade, a long-drive was planned as a sight-seeing trip. I
wasn’t informed of the final destination or the place where we were proceeding
to. It was supposed to be a surprise destination. As we commenced our journey
looking around the towns and new places we passed on the way, we reached Mysore.
We had a look around the city, including the Mysore Palace. A lot has changed
since my last visit many years ago. And after a brief break and some tasty
snacks, the drive continued with the approaching view of the beautiful Nilgiri
hills in the background.
Once we crossed
the Karnataka border and entered Tamil Nadu, got a strong feeling we are
heading towards some cool holiday spot in Tamil Nadu. May be Coonoor or Ooty? After driving ahead
for some time, we approached the popular hill station, Ooty. Had a delicious
south Indian breakfast and drove further to Lovendale, the surprise
destination. And here we were to spend a couple of days in a Zoestal. It was an
unique experience with the combination of chilly weather, beautiful scenery and
the tea gardens around giving an impression of carpeted hills.
The stay at the Zoestal was fascinating and a first
time experience sharing the place with young tourists of different
nationalities enjoying their stay in this beautiful hill station. We too loved
the place and the atmosphere and the people around. Set amid the rolling hills
with a lovely view of Doddabetta mountain, this modest hostel is a 12-minute
walk from Lovedale train station and 5 km from Ooty's Government Rose Garden.
As we approached the hostel, it appeared like a beautiful colonial villa or a quiet homely cottage. Inside, the place has been creatively designed and nicely converted into a spacious hostel for
the young tourists and bag packers on the move. It’s affordable, comfortable and convenient
too; an ideal place to relax and chill with other occupants. The food too is
decent and good prepared by the inhouse cook. If you wish to prepare something for youself, the kitchen is available. You can either eat here or have it at the restaurants nearby
serving excellent South Indian food and other cuisine.
It offers you the choice of rooms, bunk beds and tents. One has to amke a choice and book in advance. Apart from the well laid out two cosy private rooms with double beds, colonial type furniture, arte facts and spacious bath, the bunk beds for bagpackers, simple tents with cots for the outdoor types are available with a nice view of the distant
mountain and nearby tea gardens, free Wi-Fi and shared bathrooms.
Straight forward
mixed-gender dorms feature comfortable bunk beds, lockers and other facilities.
Linens are included, and towels can be rented. Parking is complimentary.
There's an airy communal lounge with colourful accents and an oversized chess
board. Breakfast is available for a fee. The place is buzzing with tourists arriving and others departing after their comfortable stay, promising to be back. Even tourists and bagpackers meeting again after havinf met earlier in some other city. The atmosphere is friendly and casual.
It allows you to relax and enjoy and pursue your
interest like photography, painting, shooting or sketching. Offers an ideal location
to meditate or exercise in the open with beautiful natural environment.
I would recommend this place and suggest one should
certainly experience a stay in a Zoestal. It’s different and satisfying. Its almost like a home away from home, relaxing, affordable and comfortable.
Room with a view -The rooms offer a wide view of the scenic beauty around. One can relax and enjoy the nature sitting by the windows.
Well laid out interior, neat and clean. The space has been creatively designed with sitting area, with lot of open space to move around.
Tents with bed and basic requirements offer a open stay with a view of natural beauty for outdoor lovers.
Local and other artefacts, handicrafts and masks add to the cool look. The collection is interesting and provide the occupants something to ponder about!
Spacious and comfortable sitting for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. An ideal atmosphere for reading, sketching, painting or music.
Tourists and bagpackers coming here throughout the year love to scribble their thoughts, feelings, suggestions or even at random writing something about their experience.
Lovedale station nearby with the trains add fun to the outing. The station reminds you of the good old days, a small platform with trees around.
On our way back a few km ahead is the old Chocolate Museum which offers a good view of how chocolate was made and what all ingredients go into making of choclates. They also have an interesting counter offering different types of choclates.
Set in the tropical South Pacific, an archipelago
of 333 islands is surely the essence of a tropical island paradise. It boasts
of white sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees, pristine ocean and waterways and
a wide range of things to do and see that will appeal to the most discerning traveler.
Snorkel, dive, surf or kayak its pristine waters, or enjoy the white water
raft. Cruise the ocean around the main land and outer islands, trek its rain
forests, backpack the outer islands. Also visit the simple villages and experience
the sustainable living or immerse yourself in Fiji’s unique culture, tradition
and history. A life time experience!
Fiji officially called the Republic of Fiji
is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. Fiji
is an archipelago in the Oceania region in the southern Pacific Ocean. As an
island country, Fiji is surrounded with water in all directions. It's famous
for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons.
Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain most of the population.
Viti Levu is home to the capital, Suva, a port city with British colonial
architecture. The Fiji Museum, in the Victorian-era Thurston Gardens, has
ethnographic exhibits.
Fiji is a mixed society with most people being
Christian (64.4% of the population), with a sizable Hindu (27.9%) and
Muslim (6.3%) minority, according to the 2007 census. India has close links with
Fiji because of the Indian Diaspora. Most Indians still follow the Indian
tradition and culture and maintain close link with their country of origin.
If
you feel that Aneela Nike Post is making a difference to your life, do take a
minute to consider a comment or contribution. We would also value your
suggestions as how to make ourselves more relevant to you. Please write to akn929@yahoo.com to give your
valuable feedback.
Since the Russia-Ukraine conflict I have been
seeing a lot of interesting reports online, giving different views and reasons
for the conflict and its outcome. And also provide detail analysis as to how
the war affects different countries in different continents. Once again a vivid
reader has sent me an interesting report. It is thought-provoking and logical
too. I am not aware of the author, but the content seems to tell us a lot about
the other economic and political strategies that come into play. If it is true,
one should delve deeper to understand the full impact and truth about it.
I would like to share this interesting report with
the readers. It will give you an idea how the major players and countries with
power, funds and influence play politics, make economic moves and plan
strategies to suit them and their interests. Everyone seems to gain or lose
something. It’s akin to the game of chess. Make the right move at the right
time.
CHECK AND MATE
What is "Shit luck"?
All over the word, airlines mostly don't own their
aircrafts. They simply get it on lease.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russia
and directed European leasing companies to take back all leased aircrafts from
Russia by 28th March. That's a total of 520 planes!
1. The Russians say, since you've terminated
the lease, take them back yourselves! Now, how can EU get 520 air-crews into
Russia when the airspace in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine is closed? They
can't fly them in!
2. Assuming they somehow do, then as soon as
the handover takes place in various Russian airports, the planes will no longer
be Russia-leased. And a non-Russian plane is not allowed to fly in Russian
airspace. They won't be able to fly out!
3. Now, the European leasing companies are
the initiators of the termination of leases. Calculating the cost of fines that
Russia will then impose for parking 520 European-owned aircraft on Russian
soil, they will all be bankrupt at once.
4. Russia now has to pay the lease for the
month of February. Russia is willing to pay but cannot pay because it is
excluded from SWIFT. On the contrary, the leasing companies have to pay
fines to Russia because of the terminations, but due to the lack of incoming
payments from Russia, they have no money to pay the fines!
5. Despite all this, and assuming they take
back their planes, what are they going to do with them? They don't need them, and nobody else wants
them!
6) The Boeings of American leasing companies are
not affected, because Russia hasn't leased any. If Europeans take their planes away from the
Russians, the Americans will immediately supply Russia with Boeings and become
the world's No. 1 aircraft leasing company, thus completely bankrupting the
European leasing companies anyway.
There is no greater joy than the joy of knowing one
can make a difference. Giving is a privilege. It's one of the greatest
contributors to personal happiness. It gives life a purpose and helps build
good karma, making you feel empowered. It not only makes you feel happy, it
also has a healing effect. In fact all religions encourage giving and helping
others.
Your helping hand may have touched someone
knowingly or unknowingly. Knowing or even meeting whom you have helped, and
seeing them improve their and their family's life is a satisfying experience.
The acknowledgement and smile on their faces have a true healing effect. It
also makes you feel satisfied and gives a sense of joy.
Help the less privileged in a small way, like
supporting education of children from poor family background. Or by giving
things and gadgets you don’t need. It could be a valued gift to the needy. Like
gifting your old cycle or an old smart phone to children, help them study
online during lockdown and study from home.
A small effort can bring about a
big change. Empowering others to live their small dreams and aspirations is
inspiring. You don't have to have lots of money to give. In fact you don't have
to give money at all. You can give what you can, your time, kind or inspiring
words or even guide them. And that means every one can make a difference. Enjoy
the joy of giving someone in your local area and bring about a small change in
their lives.
If
you feel that Aneela Nike Post is making a difference to your life, do take a
minute to consider a comment or contribution. We would also value your
suggestions as how to make ourselves more relevant to you. Please write to akn929@yahoo.com to give your
valuable feedback.
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