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Breathing the silence

Here is a chance to reconnect with yourself in the calm of the Mudumalai forests

IN TUNE WITH ENVIRONMENT The cottages at Blue Valley Jungle Resorts are modest but very comfortable

Spoilt as we are by urban existence, a trip to the forests is a revelation for sure: of our mean, banal existences. You know what to expect — verdant, luxuriant stretches, mountains that meet the sky, unanticipated water bodies and more. But armed with all this knowledge, I must admit, one is yet unprepared. The silence of the jungles; the stately hills shrouded in mist so much at peace with themselves; with only the talkative birds chirping away.

A getaway to the Blue Valley jungle resorts in the thick of the Mudumalai forests was rejuvenating in more than one sense. The quiet not only left you reflective, but also after a long, long time made you familiar with the sound of your own breath. Like this already exasperated, city-bred, four-year-old kid, who, till his recent visit to the forest, had held that the seamless skies were one's only hope, remarked with great excitement: "You don't actually have to become a bird! We should just come to live in the forest. There's no noise, no traffic... "

It's quite a green stretch. You pass through Bandipur to reach Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, situated that it is on the northeastern slopes of the Nilgiri range of the Western Ghats. It lies at the junction of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

About 27 km from Ooty, the Blue Valley Jungle Resorts is in the Mudumalai forest range. It is a 32-acre sprawl with 12 cottages and a bungalow. Built in 1990 by a German architect, the cottages come in three categories of Standard, Standard Family and Deluxe. They are modest and comfortable.

As most of their clientele are wildlife/nature enthusiasts and those on leisure trips, they don't make lavish offers. "We are in the middle of the forest and it's important for us to respect the flora and fauna around us," reasons Joji Phillip, General Manger of Blue Valley. He explains how it is very important not to disturb the peace of the area.

A stay at the resort also entitles you to an evening safari in the jungle, wildlife adventure, bird watching, campfire, riverside picnic, temple visit, and free use of indoor and outdoor games. They even organise visits to Ooty, Khalahatty falls, and Ayurvedic massage, but they come at an additional cost. They have corporate packages too.

The jungle safari is a real treat. You do spot a good number of peacocks, deer, bison, boars, rabbits and, if you're lucky, a couple of elephants too.

The restaurant, Flame Of The Forest, specialises mainly in south Indian cuisine, but occasionally offers Mughlai, Chinese and north Indian.

You can go for long walks within the property or up the mountains with the staff of Blue Valley. There's even a play area for children.

If you want to catch up with your reading, write a novel, or simply spend time with yourself, then it's the place to go. Forget about the vagaries of urban living, you'll completely go off wire from the world for as long as you stay here. For one, there is no distraction of television, and you're cellphones are reduced to mere paperweights.

For those of you who deserve that much needed break, Blue Valley Jungle Resorts can be contacted on 0423-252644/2526344. Their office in Bangalore can be reached on 080-23535581/9945207078.

Fact file

Tariff at the Blue Valley Jungle Resort is as follows:

The accommodation comes in the following categories

Standard - Rs. 1,350
Standard Family - Rs. 1,550
Deluxe - Rs. 1,750
Bungalow - Rs. 3,500
For an extra bed - Rs. 200
Breakfast - Rs. 100
Lunch - Rs. 175
Dinner - Rs. 200

There are special packages of two nights and three days and they are priced differently.

The resort will even drive you to Ooty and it comes at Rs. 800

Distance from:
Bangalore - 244 km
Mysore - 101 km
Ooty - 27 kms
Palakkad - 177 km
Cochin - 270 km
For reservations and bookings:
Blue Valley Celestial, Bangalore - 99452-07078, 99452- 80807
Or email: booking@bluevalley.in
Perinthalmanna, Kerala
99479-01839

D.G.

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