HILL COUNTRY RESORT
LOVEDALE
USP: A wonderland with misty hills and toy trains
With the heat of Bengaluru becoming oppressive, a holiday in the hills seems a good way to beat the heat. So we head for Lovedale, a few kilometres from Ooty, that is still untouched by the milling crowds.
The resort is 12 years old and has wonderful views of the vast expanse of Lovedale Valley, with the Nilgiris in the distance. Clouds and mist languidly drift in and out of the the green expanse of tea gardens, interspersed with silver oak trees, their leaves glinting in the rays of the setting sun. A place for Nature lovers, Hill Country envelops you with the heady perfume of the hills — a blend of ferns and ancient cypress trees.
LOVEDALE
USP: A wonderland with misty hills and toy trains
With the heat of Bengaluru becoming oppressive, a holiday in the hills seems a good way to beat the heat. So we head for Lovedale, a few kilometres from Ooty, that is still untouched by the milling crowds.
The resort is 12 years old and has wonderful views of the vast expanse of Lovedale Valley, with the Nilgiris in the distance. Clouds and mist languidly drift in and out of the the green expanse of tea gardens, interspersed with silver oak trees, their leaves glinting in the rays of the setting sun. A place for Nature lovers, Hill Country envelops you with the heady perfume of the hills — a blend of ferns and ancient cypress trees.
Wrapped up warmly, camera in hand we sit at Hill County's vantage point, waiting to see the quaint toy train that chugs along its narrow gauge tracks at a leisurely 33 km per hour. Suddenly the ‘cooo-cooo' of the train whistle echoes in the valley and the train, that was conferred UNESCO World Heritage status, appears over the crest of a hill.It chugs past the resort and disappears into a tunnel, that the resort manager says runs right under the resort. Jump on the train — it's a romantic ride that takes you through untouched countryside right upto Coonoor.
Ask for local Badaga cuisine at Orenda, the resort's restaurant. The Badaguru koi udaka (Badaga chicken curry) and steamed rice, finished with Tuppathittu (banana pancakes) are must-haves. For those who find spicy food hard to handle, a variety of cuisines including Continental and Chinese are available on order. The sweet corn chicken soup with freshly cut celery, straight from the garden, is perfect for a cold day.
The rooms are beautifully maintained with crisp white sheets and towels and a spanking clean bath and toilet.
Carry a shawl or a cardigan because, at any time of the year it is chilly and temperatures dip sharply at night.
How to get there
By road, Lovedale is well connected. It's an overnight journey from Bengaluru. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. You can take a cab to the resort.
Things to do
Go boating on Ooty lake.
Take a train ride on the UNESCO heritage toy train.
Visit a tea factory, go on treks or shop for spices, tea and chocolates.
Indulge in a massage at the Sowkhya Ayurvedic Spa and Wellness Centre.
Tariff
The tariff includes all meals. The summer package for a couple for two nights costs Rs. 9,990 (Deluxe suite); for a family, it costs Rs. 10,990 (Deluxe suite). Accommodation for two children below 12 is free.
The honeymoon package for three nights during off-season costs Rs. 16,000; and Rs. 18,000 during the season.
For details, call 044-28236217/0877, e-mail hillcountry@bsnl.in or look up
www.hillcountryholidays.com
MARIANNE DE NAZARETH
Source: The Hindu
Beautiful Place.
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