If you are a coffee lover, you might have heard of the coffee blossom, the delicate white flower that blooms on the coffee plant before it produces the beans. But have you ever experienced the coffee blossom in person? In this blog post, I will share with you my coffee blossom experience and why it was one of the most memorable moments of my life.
I visited a coffee plantation homestay in Chikmagalur last year, during the peak of the coffee blossom season. The farm was located in a mountainous region, surrounded by lush greenery and fresh air. As I arrived at the farm, I was greeted by the owner, who invited me to join him for a tour. He explained to me that the coffee blossom only lasts for a few days, and that it is a very special time for the coffee farmers. He said that the coffee blossom is a sign of hope and prosperity, as it indicates that the coffee plant is healthy and ready to produce high-quality beans.
As we walked around the farm, I was amazed by the sight of thousands of coffee blossoms covering the plants. They looked like tiny stars in a sea of green, and they emitted a sweet and fragrant aroma that filled the air. I felt like I was in a fairy tale, surrounded by beauty and magic. The owner told me that the coffee blossom is also edible, and that some people like to make tea or honey with it. He offered me a taste of his homemade coffee blossom honey, which he said was his secret ingredient for his coffee. I accepted his offer and tried a spoonful of the honey. It was delicious, with a floral and fruity flavor that complemented the coffee perfectly.
I thanked him for his hospitality and asked him if I could take some pictures of the coffee blossoms. He agreed and said that he was happy to share his passion with me. He also gave me a small bouquet of coffee blossoms as a souvenir, which I gladly accepted. I took out my camera and started to capture the beauty of the coffee blossom experience. I felt a sense of joy and gratitude, as I realized how lucky I was to witness this natural wonder.
The coffee blossom experience was one of the highlights of my trip to Chikmagalur, and one of the best experiences of my life. It made me appreciate the hard work and dedication of the coffee farmers, and the amazing diversity and richness of nature. It also made me enjoy my coffee even more, knowing that behind every cup there is a story of hope and love.
Chikmagalur is the trending destination in the South India. Chikmagalur is already well known for its beauty of nature with words cannot describe. Many tourists flow from many parts of India, mainly from the Bangalore for the weekend trips. People from Chennai, Kerala, Mumbai and Delhi are some of the frequent travelers to Chikmagalur. Coffee plantations is one more attraction to tourists to get around and walk inside deep plantations, taking pictures. As the people started getting in to Chikmagalur, it was easy for the homestay owners to convert their posh, heritage, lovely homes to a homestay. Many Chikmagalur homestay commonly have a beautiful garden, hill top houses, roof top tails, a small family having a commendable experience to handle guests heartily.
Chikmagalur is a 5 hours drive from Bangalore at about 250 Kms. The NH roads gives the driver a power boost to reach quickly. We recommend the guests to book a homestay prior one week. Finding homestay after reaching Chikmagalur is not recommended since you may not find the best homely stay and food. Chikmagalur homestays provide Malnad tasty foods. Here are some of the interesting things to do in Chikmagalur.
Things to do in Chikmagalur
Trekking
Trekking tests your body fitness when you walk in the hills and jungles on uneven surfaces. While trekking you sweat in the cool winter too and helps to clean the skin pores naturally. Trekking is good for all age groups from children at 8 years to adults till 60 years. Best trekking spots coming from South region in Chikmagalur are Devaramane, Ettina Bhuja, Ballarayanadurga, Mullayanagiri, Kemmanagundi etc. After doing trekking your body feels light and stress free.
Sightseeing
Apart from doing trekking travelers can go sightseeing on top of the hills to touch the sky. Morning or evening sightseeing is the best time to notice sunrise and sunset. This will be tremendously awesome moments watching sun and gazing at it. Some of the best sightseeing places coming from South Chikmagalur are Pandavar Gudda, Devaramane, Kelagur Tea Estate, Kudremukha, Mullayanagiri.
Photography
Neelakurinji flower at Devaramane, Mudigere, Chikmagalur
Capture your precious moments with family and friends. Now a days camera phones have improved a lot in better clarity pictures, hence this should do well in normal photography. Professional photographers can use wide angle lens or zoom lens to click far away objects. Photography varies on personnel interests like nature/landscape photography, wildlife photography, portraits, travel photography, macro photography etc. Normal phone camera photographers need not to worry, you can also do better photography with latest phones.
Bird Watching
Listen to the chirping noise of birds when in a homestay. You can notice the innocence of nature through these birds communications. Normally morning times you can definitely here Grey Jungle Fowl birds sound, a unique sound which everyone loves to hear. Improve you knowledge by identifying birds around you with the help of local people. It is difficult to capture photos but pro photographers can do very well.
Waterfalls
There are some good waterfalls in Chikmagalur like Bandaje Arbi waterfalls, Ghatikallu Waterfalls, Hanumana Gundi Falls, Kalahatti Falls, Ukkada/Jagra Falls, Hebbe Waterfalls, Manikyadhara Falls. There are soo many other unnamed waterfalls in private properties that can be checked with the homestay/resort managers. Not only waterfalls but cool rivers can serve your purpose of playing in waters. The famous rivers around chikmagalur are Hemavathi River, Tunga and Bhadra River.
Off Beat Jeep Drive
Youngster and even men and women loves to go off beat to jungles and valleys on jeep. Ask your homestay or resort owners to take them away for ride on jeep. If they have the facility to organize the off beat jeep drive then its your luck. There will be charges for the jeep ride since driving jeep in rough terrains makes them to be serviced and consumes more fuel due to use of AWD. Never miss the chance, not all people can experience this joyous ride through deep jungle and hills.
Coffee Plantation Walk
Walking around coffee estate gives you a glimpse of how coffee cycle happens. A guide helps in making you understand various processes of coffee and other crops. You can pick fruits in the coffee estate. A walk helps in burning your calories and keeps you relaxed.
Temples
Hoysala rulers were basically from Malnad regions. Hoysala period was an important era in developments of art, architecture and religion. Famous temple Amrutesvara in Amruthapura is a small example of art and architecture. Many temples around Chikmagalur tells the same stories of marking the empire and successful defending of empire. Some of the important historical temples are Bettada Byraveshwara Prasanna Temple, Nanyada Byraveshwara Temple, Deviramma Temple.
Places to visit Near Chikmagalur
1. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: (Muthodi)
38 kms. North West, this sanctuary is a must for wild life enthusiasts.
Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Elephants and Tiger are some of the wild life
found here.
2. Kemmangundi: 55 kms. North of
Chikmagalur, this is as scenic hill station, situated on the Bababudan
range at a height of 1432 mtr. 8 kms. From Kemmangundi are the Hebbe
falls where the water gushes down form a height of 168 stages. The
Kalahatti falls are 10 kms, from Kemmangundi. The water here cascades
down a height of 122 mtrs. There is also a local temple here.
3. Kudremukh: 95 kms. South West of Chikmagalur is the secluded hill station of Kudremukh situated 1894 mtrs. above sea level. The Kudremukh hill overlooks the Arabian sea and are chained to one another with deep valleys and steep precipices. There is rich flora and fauna here, waiting to be discovered, Caves asking to be explored, Ruins and traces of an old civilization inviting a study. Lovely unspoiled places to camp – can trekker resist Kudremukh? This place is also rich in iron-ore deposits.
4. Amruthapura: About 10 kms. from Tarikere, this little town has an 800 year old temple dedicated to Amrutheshwara.
5. Sringeri: Is
a pilgrim center, known for its Vidyashankara temple. It has 12 zodiac
pillars on each of which the sun rays fall accordingly to the time of
the year.
Weather
The climate is ideal for tourists throughout the year. The weather range from 14 degree to 30 degree. In high rainfall areas like Mudigere one can expect a different world like agumbe. During rainy season you can enjoy rain. Except rainy season, all the coffee planters will be busy with the coffee estate works so you can get know the process of coffee plantation. Basically you have to ask questions with the hosts to learn things and know the rural life of Malnad community. Most of the hosts communicate well and be informative, only thing is you should be a good listner.
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