Palace Estate

Where the rainforest retreat taught us about the flora and fauna of Kodagu, the Palace Estate introduced us to the Kodovan people.  Prasad and Vinsie are the fourth generation to run their 26 acre family plantation and share the main house with generations 3 and 5 (albeit he’s only about 8).  All of the delicious home cooked (wheat free no problem!) meals were served up in the main house with proceedings carefully managed by Vincie as her family and guests chewed the fat about coffee cartels, the cardamon market and monsoon-proofing banana trees.

The rooms at Palace Estate are adjacent to the main house and have been uniquely designed by Vincie using the beautiful old wood from an old silk-worm barn that used to be on the plantation.  They have the most incredible view over about 40km of forest canopy and our huge balcony was perfect for snapping sunrises and whiling away the pleasantly warm hours that scattered themselves between mealtimes and walks.

When Steve landed in India, I think my whole body sensed the arrival of a support network and packed up having to look after itself.  Following internet research and antibiotics we now believe that I either have Giardia or my tummy has been so assaulted that it is now highly sensitised.  The culprits are dairy, spice and fat so I am on a pretty boring diet right now but it seems to be working.  Anyway, I digress …the tummy has had somewhat hampered our trekking plans since reaching the plantations but whilst at Palace, we managed to achieve our aim of climbing Kodagu’s highest peak …Tadiyendamol.  The walk was only as challenging as a day’s summit-bagging in the lakes but we had the whole range almost to ourselves, the rain held-off and we didn’t come face to face with wild tigers or elephants …although we did see wild elephant poo in a rather enclosed corner of the reserve!