Working on your own....

Why one must not have a boss....

 देखना किस्मत कि आप अपने पे रश्क आजाये  है

    मैं उसे; देखूं, भला कब मुझसे देखा जाये है
रश्क => envy

Coorg 2: Dishes, Drives, Delectable and Delightful

My uncle George had discovered that alcohol was a food well in advance of modern medical thought.

....from The Delayed Exit of Claude and Eustace (1923)

This has been a hectic week (the one gone by) and after discovering the joys of Bangalore (rather early) night life (A "Hint" of "Maya" in the "Tavern") sauntered off into the west, the land of the Kodavas or Coorgis. The destination was Polycad Estate, Amathi, some 250 odd kms from Bangalore. Lovely place and the recommended route is Bangalore - Srirangapatana - Hunsur (Bypassing Mysore) - Piriyapatna - Siddapura - Amathi. The Piriyapatna - Siddapura stretch is a spectacular drive through some forests and the odd manicured plantation on the side.

Started a little late but after a food stop at Kamath's on the Blr-Mysore SH17, it was smooth sailing. The country roads are slightly narrow but on the whole motorable (except 4 or 5, hundred meter patches where widening work's going on) and the drive takes 5 hrs plus depending on the passengers / drivers.

After arriving, went off to iripu falls (didn't make it on time) and had a minor flutter when we nearly ran out of gas - the Petrol Pumps (or Petrol Bunks as they are known locally). So a fuel stop and drink stop later, were back at the estate. Evening drinks - most welcome after the 300 plus kms of driving - were accompanied by apricots marinated in home made brandy followed by a lavish spread. After some dessert and brandy for afters, all retired. The morning started late, 9ish, but we were on our way soon thereafter with Bylakuppe being the first (and as it turned out, only) port of call.

Things to do: Relax
Other things to do: Enjoy the clean air and the food that the Cariappas' provide. While the cost includes bed and breakfast, the dinner there is excellent.
Yet other things to do: Go to Iripu falls, close to Brahmagiri forest: this must be accomplished before 6 pm (the access gates shut and the area is taken over by wild tuskers - who are not particularly fond of garishly dressed tourists).
Adjoining areas: Nagarhole national park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
En route Places: Brindavan Gardens and attached Bird sanctuary; Bylakuppe Tibetean Settlement

Bylakuppe is a quite quaint place with not much to do. They make good momos, otherwise the place is a bit too touristy. The Golden Temple Complex is imposing but sadly over run by tourists who treat the place like a photo-op, killing the feel of the place. Bylakuppe is best visited the way back. Some pics are attached....

Note: Please understand that these are not "Party Places" and the people are really very hospitable. Two nights are highly advisable otherwise the driving around becomes exhausting. Also the places have limited accommodation so book well in advance. The food is excellent and the thinking liberal so go have fun, commune with nature (and yourself or whoever / whatever takes your your fancy) and enjoy yourself!

प.एस.: If there are any single coorgi girls out there, I would love to get in touch

To Move or not to move....

The return of East India Co- Hindustan Times

Apparently Bombay still has a colonial hangover...

Right, so continuing from wherever (if there is such a word), one has a soft corner for Bombay (or Mumbai), having moved here straight after “education” at Wimwi (re: academic case studies reference - Well Known Institute of Management in Western India). So the feedback on other people-to-do-and-things-to-see … rule a) have a lot of time on hand or b) gas mask handy – asphyxia is a distinct possibility in Bombay traffic.

The places in and around Bandra are highly recommended – there is something to suit every mood, palate, time and girth. It’s also a smallish place with grid lanes so getting around within the area is not a problem (if you know the by-lanes). Not only are there mainstream wannabe places like Olive (which served boiled oysters the last time I visited – consequently did nothing for my or my date’s libido) Or Shatranj Napoli (regularly screw up on reservations – not good if one is short on time), the HSBC bank crossroads (turner road) is where one gets the best food – Lemon Grass for Oriental and a whole lot of Fusion food. Drinks at the Hawaiian Shack or Toto’s (Rock music, inexpensive alcohol and décor that hasn’t changed for over a decade or so)….Juhu OTOH is completely avoidable, if the traffic doesn't get you, the music(sic) will.

But, IMHO, Bombay isn’t the best place for food – that honour goes to Delhi. Notwithstanding the lack of security (particularly wrt women), those buggers know how to eat and be merry! For drinking one has to be back in Bombay…any further comment is likely to start a Del v/s Bom war of words so after a dull and largely unexciting discourse on Bombay, the city where a 35km commute takes 3 hours (or longer if it rains)….. I retire from writing… have a busy evening to look forward to…… Salute.

technorati tags:bombay, delhi, food, guide, pub, pint, lounge, bar

Blogged with Flock

Right ...just back from B'Bay and the withdrawal symptoms of an efficient city were clear. Functioning meters, electricity, people and the general buzz. However, to my dedicated readers (if any) I must point out that going to Andheri (and adjoining areas like Lokhandwala, 7/4 Bungalows, Versova etc. and trying to look for a watering hole is an exercise in futility. The "Pub" one wound up in (on Saturday) was Enigma (every city in India seems to have one or more of those) - where the music was rubbish and the DJ apparently didn't have volume control (or hadnt heard of it) - net result was that the company for the evening went from pleasant to surprised to agitated. However when the music reached a pitch normally associated with fighter jets, we decided to call it quits and head for the safer (for the ears) environs of the attached Restaurant, Legacy of China - aptly named so. The table was a corner facing a fish tank where you could have a meal in peace while the fish gaped at you. The food was, how shall I put it kindly...rubbish. Their idea of "crisp" pan fried noodles was a gruel out of a POW camp. ... however after much cajoling and coaxing , and the combined intellectual efforts of two, finally got the manager to produce something which was pan fried (perhaps noodles?). Net result was a fairly agitated company..
Verdict: LoC and Enigma are a Write-off for bad food and worse music (though it could be a toss up between the two). Suggest those seeking nocturnal pleasures of fine wine go to the original enigma at Mariott Juhu.
.... to be continued. I have to mosey down to the local watering hole for a pint.