It wasn’t the average quick –short –adventurous fun filled trips we usually embark on , it was our office offsite arranged for the benefit of us employees, with 
all the team building exercises thrown in for good measure. It was a luxury wrapped holiday which I would definitely want to do again, with my better half of course.
I wished for a wild jungle holiday, but without my husband’s heroism by my side to keep the fear factor at bay, I realized the comfy option I had was a much better choice.
On our way to Kabini
The planning had been on for very many days, it finally happened on 6th and 7th weekend of June, and with all our enthusiastic spirits, we set out for a short little adventure on 6th morning from Bangalore. We had our breakfast point charted out as Kamat, so we halted there for an extended buffet breakfast, post which we halted for some early morning beer and wine…high spirits and relaxed nerves was the hymn of the day, but that aside, it was a merry journey. The tree lined road was spring cleaned with a fresh drizzle, as if dressed for our welcome while the gushes of wind were blowin’ the trees, carpeting the landscape green with nature’s bounty.
Reached Kabini-Cicada
We reached the resort by 2:00PM and welcomed with a refreshing cool sip of gre
en coconut juice. Aah! Cicada Kabini Resort is set in the charming green of the jungle. Flanked by South Karnataka on one side and Waynad Kerala on the other, the quaint place was surrounded on all sides by the Kabini River. We were allocated our cottages on a twin sharing basis, with each unit situated at least 250 m away from the other ensuring complete privacy. All the cottages were overlooking the river with a private hammock and recliner, and each room amply stocked with top of the line herbal soaps and aromatic shampoos, which just added to the experience.
Soon, we all made a beeline for the extensive lunch buffet, post which (as per our agenda )we were to leave for the jungle/river safari. The Lunch, along with the rest of the meals over our course of stay, was a delightful mix of continental and Indian cuisine but what takes the cake is the resort’s milk and milk produce. Wonderfully thick-sweet milk, which adds oodles of body to its house brewed coffee and reminds one of the celebrated buffalo ranches of Punjab.
Post lunch Water Safari
all the team building exercises thrown in for good measure. It was a luxury wrapped holiday which I would definitely want to do again, with my better half of course.I wished for a wild jungle holiday, but without my husband’s heroism by my side to keep the fear factor at bay, I realized the comfy option I had was a much better choice.
On our way to Kabini
The planning had been on for very many days, it finally happened on 6th and 7th weekend of June, and with all our enthusiastic spirits, we set out for a short little adventure on 6th morning from Bangalore. We had our breakfast point charted out as Kamat, so we halted there for an extended buffet breakfast, post which we halted for some early morning beer and wine…high spirits and relaxed nerves was the hymn of the day, but that aside, it was a merry journey. The tree lined road was spring cleaned with a fresh drizzle, as if dressed for our welcome while the gushes of wind were blowin’ the trees, carpeting the landscape green with nature’s bounty.
Reached Kabini-Cicada
We reached the resort by 2:00PM and welcomed with a refreshing cool sip of gre
en coconut juice. Aah! Cicada Kabini Resort is set in the charming green of the jungle. Flanked by South Karnataka on one side and Waynad Kerala on the other, the quaint place was surrounded on all sides by the Kabini River. We were allocated our cottages on a twin sharing basis, with each unit situated at least 250 m away from the other ensuring complete privacy. All the cottages were overlooking the river with a private hammock and recliner, and each room amply stocked with top of the line herbal soaps and aromatic shampoos, which just added to the experience.Soon, we all made a beeline for the extensive lunch buffet, post which (as per our agenda )we were to leave for the jungle/river safari. The Lunch, along with the rest of the meals over our course of stay, was a delightful mix of continental and Indian cuisine but what takes the cake is the resort’s milk and milk produce. Wonderfully thick-sweet milk, which adds oodles of body to its house brewed coffee and reminds one of the celebrated buffalo ranches of Punjab.
Post lunch Water Safari
The water safari made me feel as if I have wandered onto a Hollywood movie set capturing the pristine islands of Malasia or Thailand in the hinterland region, with its mix of rare breed of birds, leafless trees, exotic barks and miles of nothingness. The Kabini river is an excellent spot for bird watching and star gazing. Kayaking and canoeing in the Kabini River are also popular activities as the water is sheltered.
Barbeque Dinner:
Dinner is nothing to talk home about; it was filled with joy, exuberance and the usual team gaiety. Number of games and an extensive spirits section added to the liveliness of the evening.
Jeep Safari:
We left for the safari at 6:30 in the morning. The jeep was a custom made high-rise jeep which could accommodate 7 of us at one go. We followed the beaten tracks for a while, occasionally stopping for rare predators to take a peek-a-boo, but weren’t as lucky. We saw a vast variety of flora and fauna- Sāmbhar, elephants, mongoose, peacock. It was a fantastic experience to watch a peacock dance while we were trying to make videos. The whole way we kept on ticking the ready reckoner of the animals sighted, which was provided to us by the resort people.
Our Way back
With two of the safaris done and over with, we were pretty much done with our agenda and on our own till lunch, and were looking at an early departure around 2:30PM. The Journey back was lazy and long, but that didn’t deter our spirits and we stoppend every now and then for food breaks. Managed to hit Bangalore by 8PM.
Recap
Stay at Kabini Cicada for a luxurious stay. Cost about Rs.5000 per person/day on a twin sharing basis, all inclusive. (Includes three extensive buffet spreads everyday and all the five start frills)
Jeep Safari costs 1750 pp for two and a half hours.
Boat Safari costs 1500 pp
Biking 100 pp
Kayakaying 350 pp
Conclusion
It was an action-packed and incredible weekend. The forest is about 625 sq km, and habitats an incredible variety of flora –fauna, the river is serene and never-ending. For foodies, it’s a paradise, so is for bird watchers. I wish every weekend could be spent making such great memories.
Barbeque Dinner:
Dinner is nothing to talk home about; it was filled with joy, exuberance and the usual team gaiety. Number of games and an extensive spirits section added to the liveliness of the evening.
Jeep Safari:
We left for the safari at 6:30 in the morning. The jeep was a custom made high-rise jeep which could accommodate 7 of us at one go. We followed the beaten tracks for a while, occasionally stopping for rare predators to take a peek-a-boo, but weren’t as lucky. We saw a vast variety of flora and fauna- Sāmbhar, elephants, mongoose, peacock. It was a fantastic experience to watch a peacock dance while we were trying to make videos. The whole way we kept on ticking the ready reckoner of the animals sighted, which was provided to us by the resort people.
Our Way back
With two of the safaris done and over with, we were pretty much done with our agenda and on our own till lunch, and were looking at an early departure around 2:30PM. The Journey back was lazy and long, but that didn’t deter our spirits and we stoppend every now and then for food breaks. Managed to hit Bangalore by 8PM.
Recap
Stay at Kabini Cicada for a luxurious stay. Cost about Rs.5000 per person/day on a twin sharing basis, all inclusive. (Includes three extensive buffet spreads everyday and all the five start frills)
Jeep Safari costs 1750 pp for two and a half hours.
Boat Safari costs 1500 pp
Biking 100 pp
Kayakaying 350 pp
Conclusion
It was an action-packed and incredible weekend. The forest is about 625 sq km, and habitats an incredible variety of flora –fauna, the river is serene and never-ending. For foodies, it’s a paradise, so is for bird watchers. I wish every weekend could be spent making such great memories.
No comments:
Post a Comment