Welcome to your destiny...

"Welcome to your destiny."

 That is what their welcome note proclaims. And true it is! You need to be destined to find such a beauty personified place out of all those innumerable tourists spots you are researching on the net. 
We were for sure!!

We were travelling from Coonoor which was our first halt in our week long holiday. From Coonoor it took us two hours thirty minutes to reach our destiny. Destiny Farmstay. It is in Ooty but away from Ooty. 

As you travel through the ghats connecting Coonoor to Ooty and once you have left the tourist crowd behind, you enter a beautiful terrain; tea gardens abound and farmlands predominated with orange colour of the freshly reaped carrots and potatoes still laying beneath. 

Our driver Prabhakaran knew the place so it was a gliding ride and we were more focused on the changing landscapes rather than finding directions. Do carry the map though, that You receive from destiny along with your reservation mail it shall be handy if your driver doesn't know the place or you are driving down yourself for the first time.

Once you are at the top of this winding hill road which is approaching EMERALD lake the view is so breathtaking even our driver who had visited the place up-teen number of times couldn't resist glancing. The Emerald lake you need to see to know why it is christened Emerald. 
Our vehicle moved down the slopes and in no time we were near the lake. Emerald and Avalanche lakes look like twin sisters and are amazingly beautiful difficult to choose which one is more picturesque then the other. At a point we reached a small bridge from where the bounty of this lake was visible on both sides of the car in its full glory and then the path is through the woods, the lake water running parallel on both sides. We suddenly registered we were on a kind of an island road. Through the woody & muddy path winding and twisting we reached the parking area of destiny.

The parking area is kept so neat and clean, with washrooms and drinking water it gives you a preview of the hospitality you are going to witness. 

Then starts Our journey to this amazing destined holiday. Thankfully i booked this place for three nights and not for two as we had planned earlier. 

The twenty minutes ride in the Army Truck is a fantastic bumpy experience.

Kids loved it and so did we. It’s a narrow muddy forest road which takes you into this heaven called DESTINY. 

The reception area has similarity to old colonial style wooden architecture almost the kinds one would find in Darjeeling. The deep green and black paint combination adding to the charm. 

We were greeted with a welcome drink and Kanchan welcomed us and showed us to our room…

Magellan … Yes each room is named after an explorer … other rooms too had names like …Columbus and so on. Ours was a standard room and believe me the research on Google helped me to be on spot. The view from the room was amazing. In fact each room has the same view. The sit out just outside the room is worthy and the view worthier. 

 You walk into this place and I am sure you shall have a big WOW spontaneously out of you. It appears to be like a huge RANCH and to know that you are going to be there for the coming three days is so very exciting. 

You walk into the portico that leads to your room and as you walk looking into the direction of the Avalanche lake in the lap of the valley and the mountain cuddling it from behind you are mesmerized by the sheer beauty of nature at its best.  Sure anyone would be. 

I was amazed how on earth do you find such a place? Then choose such a place and then think of building up a lifestyle resort of that magnitude. Hats off! Mr. Vijay Prabhu. (Owner of this paradise as told to us by Anand). We admire your vision. 

We explored our room which was a fabulous one with all amenities, especially running hot water at fixed times in mornings and thoughtfully in the evenings and the best thing I appreciate is the tea coffee maker and enough supply of refills. Loved it! I love my cup of tea and when I want it I want it. I get it as well!

Lunch and dinner are À la carte so you have to go through the process of choosing and ordering and waiting for your order. But you don’t mind it since the restaurant is aptly placed with the complete view of the Avalanche Lake and the mountains behind. The choices in the menu are not hugely varied understandably so as this place is almost at an altitude of 6500 feet. But there’s everything possible of comfort and luxury taken care of. 

After the lunch we were very eager to walk down this amazing path of steps which led us to this very attractive spot which we christened "The Meditation Spot." 




As we walked down those steps everything around so natural seemed to have its own pace and synchronized action. The ducks in the pond  were happily basking in the not so very hot sunlight and bathing their feathers in the cold water of the little pond. Both sides of the steps were plantations of carrots, salads, veggies and birds were fleeting by. 

We had decided we were going to have a wonderful family meditation near the pond. So while the others enjoyed fishing at the bigger pond and left further to explore we sat down amidst lush greenery and in the backdrop the sound of the little brook made for a perfect setting. We held hands and breathed in fresh air and the calmness and stillness of this place. We felt blessed having discovered this spot and this paradise called DESTINY. 


Being a lifestyle destination everything seems to be taken care of, so you have game zone called FIGHT ROOM for kids where they can play some indoor games and besides that you have The Cosmic lounge where kids can watch a movie while parents can take a nap or go for a Spa Treat. And the same room houses a Karaoke  system where the elders can try out their vocal cords while the kids do their bit; and finally at night it turns to a disco where people of all age groups can put on their dancing shoes. But the best part is that everything is as per the time table. So if they have announced for a karoake at 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. they are going to stick to that and not going to change it for any one. Like the horse riding activity which is a part of the package is also at fixed timings and they won't budge. Of course you can book a paid ride which takes you along the perfectly crafted path. The stud farm kind of feel; which I so much enjoyed in Clint Eastwood films and our very own Feroze Khan movies; is worth the bucks you are going to spend here. 

The temperature was low and there aren't any fans in the rooms. We were told that in the Nilgiri's there isn't a fan in any household. It's presumably cold all year round and so was it when we visited. It drizzled in the evening and the temperature dropped further but the camp fire adequately took care of that.
The dinner is À la carte and that's one thing on a vacation i really don't prefer. A buffet always makes me delighted where i have an array of food to choose from. Nevertheless we had a tasty meal and the portions though not sufficiently large the freshness and taste were not compromised.

Once it is dark you don't have much to do unless you are in a big group. This place has no television in the rooms so its like bliss for some and for some it may not be a great idea. For us it was bliss. The silence of such places make you realize the value of stillness and calmness. We soaked in it and reclined for the day.

Next day was going to be a full day and we had decided what we were going to explore.
Horse riding in the morning, a walk through the woods, go fishing and me time. Me time is a time in the vacation when each one of us does what we feel like.
I woke up before the rest and before the sun had raised it's head. The Avalanche lake before me in its magnanimous Avatar was one of the most amazing sights i have ever witnessed in my life.

I Meditated for a while taking in the fresh air and basking in the glory of nature.

After which i took my cup of tea and watched the amazing sight. In peace and solitude as i sat breathing the oxygen rich air ... i realized the value of every breath ... and every moment felt so special ... it got me so close to that present moment awareness i so much have heard of.
It was time to wake up the kids and my love.

The breakfast is amazingly elaborate and exuberantly varied. So you have tea, coffee, milk, juice, toast, butter, jam, cornflakes, chicken sausages, eggs by choice, local fare of idlis sambhar and the list goes on and on. We had breakfast truly like a King and we thought we would skip lunch but the weather and the activities get your hunger going.

                 
The horse riding arena is the best place of this Farmstay after of course the view from the sit out of the room. It has the most amazing view of the Avalanche lake. Horses encircling on the track and the Avalanche in the backdrop makes the perfect setting for some amazing family album. The horse are well kept and nourished. 
We were lucky to see a new born four days old colt.

It was not named as yet but we named it Chulbul. The horse my elder son rode on was named Destiny Child for obvious reasons and the horse which my younger one rode was called Twinkle for reasons not known.
As the kids were so happy with the ride they wanted more and so we send them for a paid ride around the Farm while we walked behind them hand in hand lost in paradise.

One spot we reached just next to the stable, was breathtaking.It gave a view of the horses grazing in the barricaded pasture in the foreground and in the backdrop the rustic panoramic view of the entire property. Oh i so much love this place. After Goshaini in the greater Himalaya's ....Raju's Cottage.... This is one place i want to visit again.

Also on our walk through the path we came across some freshly reaped carrots being loaded into trucks to be sent to the market. We requested for a few and one of the persons very happily gave two handfuls and repeatedly insisted on washing them before eating them. Once at the room we did exactly that and in fact we ate some on our way back home too, the freshness intact.

We skipped the farm tour and instead went for a walk through the woods which led us very close to The Avalanche lake. The entire area is well protected with electric fencing and we walked right up to a small gate which opened so close to the lake waters. The spot is silent and has a mesmerizing feel to it. The resort guys can arrange for a day's picnic by the lake side where they carry hammocks and tents and the food you order from the restaurant; of course it's a paid activity. We chose to be all by ourselves though we feel next time around it would be a tempting proposal. We walked back towards our room through the woods when we came across the Spa. We asked for the details and fixed up an appointment for the next afternoon.

It was late afternoon and we had missed lunch time so we picked up on some snacks and kids meal.
The passage near the reception area leads you into the library where we spent some time reading, that's also the place which is called Compass Point as the place is Wifi enabled. We could see teenagers with their i-pads ,tabs and laptops probably updating their fb status. We were blissfully unaware of the happenings in the world and we hardly bothered.
It was time for some kids time in the Fight Room and then to let our hair down and dance to some latest Bolywood numbers and some retro western numbers. We were just two couples on the floor, since the big group of local school kids had left and it was monday, dancing crazily and giving our kids competition.
The dinner was quick and we were back into our rooms. This time around the younger kid missing his daily dose of gadgets ... we watched a Bollywood movie on tab and tugged ourselves in the blankets and off to sleep.
For yet another eventful day at Destiny. I woke up yet again before the others and this time a little later than the sun. I meditated and woke the gang after my cup of tea. We had missed the morning horse ride so we enjoyed the breakfast which wasn't buffet since there were only few occupants that morning but it was on the house equally elaborate. Juice, milk, coffee, eggs by choice, idlis, dosas, chicken sausage (I binged on), and on and on. it was simply served on the table except  it wasn't a buffet... we freaked out.
Kids were busy playing on the wooden slide and play area, happily rolling down the grass on the slope.

It was "Me time" and so we sat at on the wooden log placed at the sit out and read our books... I was reading Davidji's Secrets of Meditation, while my wife read Chakra Bible, the elder one read Ruskin Bond and the little fellow enjoyed his movie on the tab.

We informed Kanchan that we were going to be away for an hour for our spa appointment and so we wanted the kids to be taken care of.
The spa treatment actually began with a cozy ride in a small car which took us up to the spa and back again.
The massage, the steam and the hot water bath were relaxing and soothing. The kids were a little worried maybe since it took a bit longer and so they had come running to the spa. It had started raining and the view through the huge window pane at the spa was amazing. It was getting cold as we drove back with our kiddos in the cozy comfy car.

The three days had just flown by and the kids thanked us for having booked the place for three nights. We definitely saw some guests who were for just one night also, but i strongly recommend anyone visiting this place for at least a three night stay. The kids won't have enough of it and so won't you.

That night we had a big group which walked in during lunch time and so the place was buzzing again. But the calmness of this place is self absorbing it soaks in any excess sound.
That day we met the Chef john Mathews'

who was glad to know that we are teachers as well as healers and instantly shared his story of ups and downs. He was glad to ask our preferences and suggest the menu at dinner time and next day morning when we were supposed to leave for our home he made sure we had a sumptuous breakfast and even pack some for on the way.
It was time to leave with sweet memories and some lovely pictures so we went around clicking some for our family album and some for our fb status.
We even sneaked in some time for a Meditation again ... this time it was opening our hearts to the beautiful nature abound place called DESTINY.

Watch the video ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-1EXv859p4&list=TL5i9jmlTu2jK7GnL0M33VTbMhqC3wePpg

Anand was going back home after a long time and so he joined us in the army truck with other guests and through the bumpy ride again we realized the journey wasn't over yet.
The manager Shanthakumar is a soft spoken non intrusive guy and knows how much and what to speak to the guests.
Babu Khan and his team at the shed and the stable seem to be putting up a great effort for having maintained the horses and cattle so well. No wonder the fresh milk from the shed was so thick no trace of infused water, it was like a revelation to know milk is that thick for us quality starved city dwellers.
Ragunath the guy who seldom shows up in the restaurant area since he is busy cooking up delicious dishes as per order for the guest in the kitchen.
The young guys Kanchan (Guest manager) and Anand (Front office) are all eager polite and ready to please.

And of course the man himself, Mr.VIJAY PRABHU who Desired to manifest a place like this on earth which resembles the unseen vaguely described heaven so closely.
Your place almost follows the natural rhythm of nature... like the sun rise and the sun set ... the dawn and the dusk... like i very observantly noticed that every time it would drizzle there would be this one lady from  housekeeping who would run and pick up the pillows from the barbecue/campfire area...

We had a flight to catch from Coimbatore and people travelling the same course make sure you have good number of hours in hand ... it took us around four hours thirty minutes to reach from Destiny to Coimbatore airport that too with a driver who knew nothing called as speed limits, not even on the ghats.

A little bit of me still lingers there... 
In time and space when my soul yearns for those moments... 
I take a flight of fancy and visit it again in spirit...
The calmness and stillness a bit of each i gather and back to the grind i move... 
move with a promise to be back again to be there once again...
not only in spirit but in form...

Travel facts:

Mumbai to Coimbatore by flight - 
Travel Time Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes
Coimbatore Airport to Destiny Farmstay - 
by road
Travel Time Approx. 4 hours 30 minutes (approx 97 Km)

*Trust Google Maps and GPRS sytems on your devices.

For some close to heart videos ... click on the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqYjxIwNzn0&list=TL5i9jmlTu2jK7GnL0M33VTbMhqC3wePpg


© nozzer pardiwala