Coorg Experience: Gone to Coorg over 20 times and I have never got bored of this place. Too many special memories with regards to Coorg. And calling Coorg the Scotland of India is absolutely right. The weather when I went was simply awesome. It was in October and there was this slight drizzle which made the place look really green and clean. Not very crowded when I went. People are extremely friendly. Will do anything to ensure that your trip is wonderful. A 4 day trip here will ensure you see most of the famous sightseeing attractions. Stay for a month and you still wouldn't be able to explore the beauty that Coorg has. Right from the hidden waterfall, mountains, hills, valleys, traditions, customs and of course the people. It will take at least a couple of months for one to experience this bliss. And when you return from this trip, you will have this incomplete feeling making you want to go back for more. Thats the magic of Coorg. Many people have gone to Coorg, but few have been able to experience it. I would highly recommend this place to anybody and everybody. People with physical ailments. People as fit as a horse. 5 year olds. 90 year olds. People from cities. People from villages. Everybody can find his or her own space here in Coorg. If you are a soul seeker, you will find it here. Sitting in your balcony or veranda, listening to the sound rain drops make when they hit the ground, a hot cup of coffee in your hand and some light music. Thats all you need in Coorg. You tend to forget about the troubles and worries that you face back home. You tend to forget about dead-lines, the crazy boss, the irritating mother-in-law who is always down your throat. If you want to get high without using any kind stimulants, just go to Coorg. You will drift into a different world.
Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Food in Coorg is simply awesome!! The famous Pandhi Curry A.K.A Chilli Pork is amazing. Some pandhi curry with akki roti will get your taste buds running all over the place. But the disappointing factor is that you really don't get these traditionally cooked dishes in most restaurants in Coorg.
What we had was the specialty of a 93 year old lady. Looking at this lady, made most of feel like weaklings in front of her. She could run, climb trees, do most of the household work and at the same time, a good conversationalist. She really enjoys chewing betel leaf. Used to chew on it almost all day. And post 7:30 in the evening, she needed her bottle of brandy. Yes, I guess that was the secret of her energy.
With regards to shopping, you get pretty much everything in your own city. You have the Tibetan monastery at Kushalnagar where you find the Tibetan Market. So if you want to just go shopping, you don't need to visit Coorg.
There are a lot of sightseeing places in Coorg. Abby falls, Irupu falls, Nisargadhama, Thalacauvery (this is where the river Cauvery originates), Thadiyandamol, which is, if im not wrong, the highest mountain in Coorg. At its foothills, you have Kakabay. You also go to Kutta. Elephant camp in Dubare. The main town in Coorg is Madikere. Trust me when I say there are too many places to visit in Coorg. And I would suggest you explore it on your own rather than taking suggestions. That's what I did and it has worked out for me in ways it hasn't for others.
Activities & things to do: White water rafting in the Barapole river. It drives you nuts. Gets your heart beating so fast, you feel like your going to have a heart attack. Gets your adrenaline pumping!! You can also go trekking at Thadiyandamol. Really a physical exercise. For a trekker, this place is next to heaven and that is exactly what you feel when you reach the top. Next to heaven.
Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: I have traveled to Coorg from Bangalore. I've traveled by bike, by car as well as by public transport. You need to have your own transport within Coorg. There is hardly any transport system there. So if you're going there using public transport, hire a vehicle to travel within Coorg. If you are travelling from Bangalore to Coorg on your own, the roads are fantastic all the way to Kushalnagar, thats if you are going to the Golden Temple first. I suggest you do that. You get to see the whole of Coorg this way. But you're the traveler. Make your own way and you will see and experience things nobody else has ever seen or experienced. Venturing out to certain places when its dark is not recommended. People in Coorg believe a lot in traditions and the existence of spirits. Many people have experienced it. Unless you too want to experience it, stay indoors. Although I've stayed out and never experienced it, people might feel you are disrespecting the spirits of the past. So you might want to avoid that. Apart from that, you really have nothing else to worry about. Just get to Coorg and experience BLISS!!
