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In the green and quiet

If your company is running out of venues for a meeting and some merry making, Winter Greens in Chikmagalur is not a bad idea

SYLVAN SURROUNDINGS The sprawling area is being promoted as a "business adventure destination"

When you think Chikmagalur, you normally think rolling coffee plantations peppered with pepper vines. And when you hear a name like Winter Greens you're expecting mist in this picture postcard as well.

So when the log wood gates of Winter Greens heave open after a smooth five-plus hour drive, you're quite surprised to be greeted by sleeping sunflower-heads, and a winding lane amidst a coconut grove. And no blooming coffee berries. A little climb down the pathway and a bouncy suspension bridge greets you to an island that has been dreamed up for corporates.

Surrounded by a deep moat fed by a nearby lake (there is water only after October we are told), the island is home to this training and development centre, being promoted as a "business adventure destination." So it's for all you corporates who would rather do your training and board meetings away from the sordid concrete jungle and instead in the real lap of Nature at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

"We have created an island to give a sense of privacy and a feeling of isolation," says Capt. Ramesh Arun, CEO, Winter Greens. He also explains that they decided to set up the resort far off in Chikmagalur, away from their obvious Bangalore-based target "because psychologically you don't feel you've gone `out' till you've driven for at least four hours. Moreover we are trying to build the brand of Malnad," offers Arun. The company can bring in its own trainers or the resort offers their trainers for any kind of outbound training programme. Winter Greens is open only to group bookings so if it's individual families planning a holiday this is not the place. You need to be a minimum of five families to book here.

There are 10 log cottages on the island and, if your group is large enough, the whole island will be blocked exclusively for you. The wooden cottages sit amidst a criss-cross of pathways between mango and coconut trees. There are also some larger brick cottages. The cottages are basic, with tiled roofs, and the highpoint is the bathroom with skylight. Each cottage has its own porch to sit out. Hot water for bathing is generated by forest wastes; but a warning — it's not really hot enough for cold wintry mornings.

Not much storage space in the cottage, though. Locally available silver wood has been used in construction and for the furniture, while bamboo and composite materials have been used for the dining area. Camp-style chairs and foldable tables are lined up against the wall.

The dining area also doubles as a boardroom/classroom. Power shortage is another problem that one needs to watch out for. There is no mobile network in the resort. (Surprising, considering the resort is targeted at corporates!)

When there is water in the moat, they also apparently offer boating. There is a game room and an outdoor play area for children.

The ambling farm space around the island, though not very well-maintained, is an ideal open air teaching ground for kids where you can show them birds like the emu, geese, turkeys (raised on the farm); vanilla and pepper vines, and trees laden with star gooseberry, chikoo and mango.

Food is supposed to be a buffet of local country-style dishes cooked on firewood. But it is really bad, except for breakfast. So those who think food is on the periphery of their concerns alone can manage easily — quite an unfortunate feature I would say, on a holiday.

What will lift up spirits though, is the possibility of short, day-tours to the neighbouring Mullayangiri hill, the highest peak in Karnataka. Right now (up to perhaps mid-December) the Neela kurinji flower (Strobilanthus kunthiana) is in bloom. It is bluish-purple in colour and gives the Nilgiri Hills its name and fame.

Lavender-carpeted hill slopes will greet you as you wind your way up the Mullayyangiri peak, dotted with many steep curves and hairpin bends. It makes a breathtaking sight in the evening mist. The flower blooms once every 12 years so you will witness one of those rare botanical events of the decade, that drives botanists and tourists to vacation in Munnar. What many don't know is that the shola grasslands in the rich biosphere of the Western Ghats, of which Chikmagalur has a good slice, is also home to this rare flower. Another diversion on this route and you will be at the Datta Peetha, the controversial spot now, in the Bababudangiri range.

The Bhadra Wildlife Reserve also makes for a good day trip and the resort can organise transport and make other arrangements on request, at extra cost. You could also visit Kemmangundi, Kudremukh, Hebbe Falls, Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola.

Winter Greens charges Rs. 1,850 per head per day for stay and food. It is about 245 km from Bangalore, at Lakya Cross, opposite OM Poultry Farm, 10th Milestone, Kadur Road, Chikmagalur. You'll have to take the NH4 via Nelamangala, get on to the road that goes to Kunigal, Hassan, Belur to reach Chikmagalur.

For bookings contact: 28601800 or M. Sarvana on 98450-04005. Or log on to: www.wintergreens.in

BHUMIKA K.

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