Morning Sun Glow On My Window Sill At Java Rain

Morning Sun Glow On My Window Sill At Java Rain

As I drove out of the city,  a weary traveller, away from the restrictive spaces of concrete, monstrous buildings and the material possessions that have begun owning me more than me owning them, as the car moved with my music on my player, I was leaving much more than just the cityscape behind. I was leaving behind the worries and the heaviness in my heart and being greeted by the dusty streets of the charming small towns of Karnataka.

The city kept fading into smaller towns, with homes that had cows tied at the front yard and haystacks catching the last rays of the December sunlight. Women walked in groups with coloured ribbons on their hair heading to a destination unknown. I wondered how joyous it would be to not know the devil called ambition and monetary growth. I was glad I would be away from the sound of the cars honking into my eardrums. I was heading to the western ghats of Karnataka to this new luxury resort, spread over 40 acres on a coffee estate called Java Rain, 9 km away from Chikmagalur town.

I passed the towns and finally into the forest-dense roads. As we travelled further the air got cooler, making me hold my light woollen shawl tighter over my shoulders. That nip in the air was touching my heart reminding me of the unknown winters, changing seasons, and the ephemeral nature of life.

The road meandered into smaller tree laden lanes to find a small sign leading me on to Java Rain Resorts. As I drove into the coffee plantation;’s driveway I arrived at the main porch of Java Rain. It was picturesque with an infinity pool overlooking the Mullayanagiri mountains covered with clouds and an azure sky ahead, fading into a horizon that beckons you to leave it all behind.

Java Rain Resorts has twenty luxury villas, 1250 sq ft each, surrounded by silver oak, wild fig and orange trees.

The staff was courteous and before I knew it my luggage was being pulled out of my car and a fresh welcome drink was served.  As I sipped the cool fresh juice, I couldn’t take my eyes off from the infinity pool leading to a portico that was  overlooking the town ahead. The small town was merging into the clouds, hovering across the hills like an artist and her muse. 

I checked into my villa, it was the presidential suite called Fika, which means “a coffee break” in Swedish.  The room overlooks the town and has 3 bedrooms with a private pool, a living area, Jacuzzi and the chirping of the birds. I threw myself on the soft bed with large pillows and sank into it. I was looking forward to sleeping like a baby in this spacious room with a large window overlooking the mountains and the sun setting.

The glory of the morning rays broke into my room through the drawn out sheer curtains, just like a lover nudging me, urging me to allow its rays to touch my skin, laden with a freshness of gratitude and overwhelming feeling of the glory of the sunshine. 

I decided I was not going to waste the Western Ghat’s morning sun rays, so I took my coffee & my diary down the slope ahead from my room, and I found a large wooden table with a bench overlooking the range ahead. I sat with my diary and heard the silence of the trees swaying to the wind ahead. When I put my pen to paper, what followed was an overflowing of emotions, that I had long buried deep in the concrete of my city. My words flowed like an unhindered honey stream, from my jug of hope. I wrote of hope in hopelessness and I wrote of love in unloving environments. 

My last line read “ splashes of sunshine on my yearnings of yesterday, it showed up in the promise of my magnificent tomorrow. As I admire the cliffs ahead in the sun’s morning glow, drench me in your splendour, dance me to my infinity in your glory, just like the butterflies on the flower bed seeking its nectar in this paradise called Java Rain”  

❧

Mullyanagiri Morning

Feel your stressed nerves relax, as you usher in your weekend getaway at the infinity waterbody, overlooking the town of Chikmaglur, welcoming you at The Java Rain Resorts , nestled among coffee estates in Karnataka.

This is the presidential suite called Fika, which means “coffee break” in Swedish. I did exactly what the room was named after. I fixed myself a strong brew overlooking the large bay window ahead. The living room was done with artifacts from Java with a minimalist decor. The sunlight above threw shades on the morning glory of the mountain sun.

This was the morning I was waiting for. The glory of the sun from the Mullyanagiri peaks were breaking into my room with a promise of a new day. I sat mesmerized in the magic of that godly hour. This felt so right.

As I found my way into the deck of the Coffee shop called Mirra, I was looking ahead at the town below with a steaming cup of coffee and freshly baked cupcakes, sourdough bread, cheese and the wonderful, friendly staff who made me feel like a princess. I want this for a little while longer, to ponder and to rest my tired nerves.

❧

Infinity Poolside with Martinis and More!

The Mullyanagiri mountains by now were crystal clear as the afternoon sun was touching every peak, every brook, every leaf and every corner of the resort. I caught the light throwing shades on the quiet corners of solitude that had a lone bird sing its tune. ⁣⁣

I decided to order a Martini & sit by the pool. The cool water reflecting the sky above and the music of the faraway bristling leaves played its hollow tune. ⁣⁣
I just wanted this moment to last for eternity. ⁣⁣

I decided to get drunk in the moment of that siesta hour where birds and squirrels played a tune to each other. I sipped my Martini and felt grateful for the glory of the cascading bountiful nature ahead. ⁣⁣

This was perfect, this was what I had yearned to do this noon since yesterday. ⁣⁣
I know life is transient and the moments we make are permanent. ⁣⁣
I sat listening to Abida Parveen, Pink Floyd, Eddie Rabbit and then finally ended with Denver’s “ country roads take me home, to the place I belong”⁣⁣

I had just begun belonging to my poolside love story at Java Rain when the next martini arrived silently. I didn’t know how many I had because I didn’t want to count the drinks like I had stopped counting the hours!

I realized like the sun parts every evening to usher in the night, everything is temporary. But today I asked the sun to stay just a little longer. ⁣⁣

Java Rain was my answer to all the questions answered far away from the madding crowds.

❧

Magic Hour at Crimson Peak

By now noon was bidding farewell on the Mullayanagiri peaks ahead. The birds were flying in a straight line towards their nests. This was the godly hour when the moon started to slowly take tentative steps from behind the sun to shine brightly in her own aura against the darkening skies of the night. 

I sat with my traveller friend at the deck of the bar, 50 ft above civilisation, staring at the skies turning a dark colour. It was the Godhuli Lagan. This hour was when down below the glittering town was readying to take the cows into the shed and lighting the lamps to dispel the darkness of life with the hope of a good night ahead.  

The bartender got us two glasses of a good-bodied red wine with a cheese platter. It was the perfect setting for a sundowner.  I couldn’t take my eyes away from the panoramic view of the fading sun and the emerging moonlight. I had just met another guest and we realized we had so much in common. 

You strike friendships in unknown places and the joy of talking to a stranger who you wouldn’t meet ever again. You tell the other about your fears and your dreams unhindered without the fear of judgement. 

As the night started getting heavy with conversations and music from my phone. We walked down to find a little gazebo with white curtains billowing in the night air and a table laden with food and more red wine. We decided to read a book taking turns in chapters. The curtains blew in the cold nippy air. The town ahead was twinkling like little stars. This was the perfect getaway. 

Once we finished the book, it was time to part ways, and we thanked each other for the time spent. As I was walking back into my villa. I looked up to the sky above, it was studded with stars each brighter than the other. Like it was a party happening from above. 

I tucked into my bed that evening thinking over what we miss if we don’t write about our companions and the strangers we meet during your travel, who for those ephemeral moments become closer than the closest equations you have in your life. I guess the lit gazebo with little bulbs helped to make my mind at ease and I spoke of memories and nostalgia. 

I left the next day with gratitude towards the benevolence of human connections and all that appear different from one another is actually extremely similar. We all seek solitude, company, happiness, melancholy and we all thrive in human connections. 

Crimson Peak lived up to its name at Java Rain Resorts. The crimson ending to the evening took my blues away. 

The town slept as I woke up to find the next chapter of my diary of encounters.

❧

Java Rain has prepared a special package just for MoodyMo fans, available from Jan-March 2020. You can check it out here:

---

How to get there

The closest big city is Bangalore, and there are multiple transportation options available from there including Ola Outstation, Uber Intercity and Car Rental services like ZoomCar, Drivezy and Avis. From Bangalore, it’s a perfect weekend getaway. You can also get there from Mangalore and Mysore. Distances and estimated time by road:

1. Bangalore to Java Rain, Chikmagalur (245km, ~4.5 hours)
2. Bangalore International Airport to Java Rain, Chikmagalur (276km, ~5 hours)
3. Mangalore to Java Rain, Chikmagalur (161km, ~4 hours)
4. Mangalore Airport to Java Rain, Chikmagalur (169km, ~4 hours)
5. Mysore to Java Rain, Chikmagalur (200km, ~4.5 hours)

You can also make a reservation by phone: +919901674477 (and kindly give us a shout-out when you do!)

Java Rain Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/LDPBNn3ir1huf1Dc7