Holiday 2020

I had an interesting start to this year…..I was craving for some quiet time, I wanted to be outside the city and close to nature. I wanted slower pace than the city life, if not permanently, at least for a holiday.

I convinced my husband & we shortlisted a farm stay (home stay with bed breakfast) in Coonoor in Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu, India.

Kids were not exactly excited about it but we insisted that we all need to disconnect a little, spend some time family time, taste a simple life without the distractions of tv phone & wifi and all the busyness we indulge in. We packed warm clothes and tons of books.

Days in Coonoor were spent lazing around in garden outside our cottage, soaking in the sun, reading books and enjoying the quiet of the hills. Meals were simple affairs and a small trek to and back from dining cottage made us hungry soon upon returning. Mid meal snacks were Maggi and chai.

There were tea gardens to explore and walking trails would lead to one of several water streams. It was a farm so could see cows graze and could hear them moo. Stories of leopards in the region were galore, though we were lucky not to spot any during our stay.

Cheese making was the only so called activity of the day.

Evenings were spent playing board games and cards.Nights came early and we slept longer.

Waking up on day break wasn’t a struggle, each day started nice and bright.

Gazing at the hills it actually dawned on me as to why they are called Nilgiri’s. They are blue, unlike the green mountains of the north, that I am more familiar with. It was comfortable cold, not the freezing cold.

Life was wholesome & humble those few days and how I wished I could carry its ordinary charm back to Singapore.

Little did I know that my wish would soon be granted.

I wasn’t aware at that time that this experience holiday will be a precursor to months of staying home due to Covid 19.

I went in search of peace and quiet and didn’t know that I will carry it all back home.

It’s hard to fathom that the entire world has not only slowed down but has actually come to a stand still.

I have an inkling that it wasn’t just me yearning for a pause.

The sounds, smell and scenery may not be the same, but the serenity of this city now matches the Hills.

I like to believe, that I am still in Coonoor, enjoying the uncomplicated life and making most of my extended stay.