tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post110631872684909593..comments2024-03-20T01:29:54.395-07:00Comments on Binu's Musings: Bellikalbinuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-13132735391246871552017-11-27T04:49:13.401-08:002017-11-27T04:49:13.401-08:00Nice post about Bellikal! Thanks for sharing this ...Nice post about Bellikal! Thanks for sharing this wonderful post in this blog. Loved reading this blog. It is a wonderful place to visit. If you are planning for your trip then book your <a href="http://www.ticketgoose.com/" rel="nofollow"> Bus Tickets</a> in advance to enjoy your trip.Ashwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14762724626264223795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-11745936535609734822012-08-09T00:25:39.264-07:002012-08-09T00:25:39.264-07:00can i choose bellikal for one day picnic with frin...can i choose bellikal for one day picnic with frinds? i am from mysoreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-38075014785512597792008-06-03T08:30:00.000-07:002008-06-03T08:30:00.000-07:00we went there in may and were chased by a bear, We...we went there in may and were chased by a bear, We ran our way outAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-40740829144554650702008-04-07T09:57:00.000-07:002008-04-07T09:57:00.000-07:00Your totally right binu..BELLIKAL is the most amzi...Your totally right binu..BELLIKAL is the most amzing place to spend your weekend.<BR/> I had been to bellikal this january,as usual we(me,paras,rahul and shravan) were accompanied by Mr.Panalal ,a person totally devoted to his passion of enjoying nature and also keeping in mind that the people around him enjoy nature but in a way that they are away from danger(which i guess CITY BRED ashish calls lack of privacy) <BR/> This was the best eva trip i've had.Nature at its best and luck in our favour(but not as lucky as u binu,no bear in sight).We did see a herd of 7 elephants inclusive of 3 calves ,a deer giving birth to its fawn(still cant believe it we saw it happen)and also a herd of bisons(GAUR)with their offspring. (GUESS IT WAS REPRODUCTION period :P )<BR/><BR/>BACKFIRING ON ANTI BELLIKAL COMMENTS :<BR/> okie .. i've become a BELLIKAL FAN .. so i can justify any statement against the place as well as Mr.Panalal. So here it goes:<BR/><BR/>@ Ashish:<BR/><BR/> From ur comments i wonder if ur the "President of the Jungle". ur comments seem as if u were expecting a 5 star hotel and the statement confirms your expectations >>"servant like quarters".As mentioned earlier its a total rustic place.Guess you don't know the meaning of rustic :P<BR/> <BR/>Privacy point:<BR/><BR/> If ur talkin about Mr. Panalal giving no privacy and if u wanted to venture into the jungle yourself you would have realised that you are wrong only if you had an encounter with a herd of elephant or a bear .. rite Binu??<BR/><BR/>And you don't have any right to term a person , specially whose well over your age. He's no GUIDE who is trying to DESPERATELY entertain you,infact he wants you to get the best of your stay, is what we all felt when we were with him.<BR/>NOTE :D<BR/>Ashish don't get annoyed by my comments.Its just that everybody has their own views and you did post positive points,but in a half hearted manner.I feel you have used a lot of harsh words. Its jus blogging,so i guess its chill ..No offence buddy ..Its jus that only Binu,You and i have given detailed description,so we can build up on a conversation :)<BR/><BR/>SOME IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED TO VISIT BELLIKAL :<BR/><BR/>* NO luxuries are available.All basic amenities(place to hault,neat toilets,a clean kitchen and good food) required are provided.It makes us realise depended we are on machines in the machine era.ITS ALL WE NEED~~"BASIC AMENITIES".<BR/><BR/>* NO electricity hence no noise caused by TV and other tech based equipment and you can atleast hear some pleasent singing of the birds for a change, for all you hardworking techies on a holiday, you have a chance to stay away from work and can enjoy complete relaxation in the peaceful environment.<BR/><BR/>* Please avoid bringing CHILDREN who are below the age of 15.The place requires silence so that you can spot any animal,be it a rabbit or an elephant.The thrill of seeing an animal in the wild is just different from that of watching it on NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC channel or in the zoo.<BR/><BR/>*Be prepared mentally and physically to face any odds.Its a jungle out there :) and yeah about the estate house,its a perfect example of a rustic place.Its just a different experience and its worth it.<BR/><BR/><BR/> Well we had an amzing trip and i guess we'll be back again for more of BELLIKAL.Thanks to Mr.Panalal,an amazing person and ma pals for companying me and Raju anna (We were the only people involved in this adventure trip) :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-66096401919635309712007-12-03T03:37:00.000-08:002007-12-03T03:37:00.000-08:00Silver Stone estate in Bellikal is an extremely un...Silver Stone estate in Bellikal is an extremely unspoilt and undisturbed location barely 18 odd kms from the hustling bustling Ooty. It will be an ideal weekend getaway if what you are looking at is complete relaxation. The place has three rooms and can cater to a max of around 10-12 people at a time.<BR/>The rooms have a tin and clay tiled roof and have neat and clean toilettes and that is almost all that they have in terms of amenities ! There is no electricity either, but then you are provided with kerosene lanterns at night.<BR/><BR/>Mr Pannalaal, who hosts the guests most often at the estate is a well read and well behaved person and he knows the place well. However, most of the stories that he recounts about his encounters with wild animals seem just that..'stories' ! He does add a personal touch to your stay but does not offer you any privacy at all. You are not allowed to go on a treks or walks in the forest unless he accompanies you.<BR/>The views of the Mudumalai forest from the hilltop are beautiful although probabilities of spotting animals in the wild there are rare. However, you are bound to hear story of a bear/bison/barking dear coming right up to the stay place only the previous morning or the night before ! What you can see quite frequently in your treks, is elephant/dear droppings strewn all around to prove that the animals had visited the place sometime in the past.<BR/><BR/>I would recommend this Rs. 1250 per person per night place for a getaway only for people whose only exposure to nature is national geographic and who would feel excited, amused and challenged by the absence of city life comforts like electricity, fan, A.C,fridge, heater,TV,geyser etc.Food served is veg and Shanti Sagar mini meals type, but for the claim that most of the things used to prepare it are 'farm-fresh'. Alcohol is not served(of-course), and is also discouraged.<BR/><BR/>The place is completely an outdoor place as you would hardly want to spend time in the servant-quarter like rooms. The tragedy, however, is that there is nothing much you can do outdoors but for bonfire in the night and the treks in the 'wild' which get repetitive almost right after the first trek.<BR/><BR/>I would not recommend the trip at all if you are looking for even a bit of privacy as Mr Pannalaal is almost always with you.<BR/>While sitting atop the hill, and, with a beautiful view of the sprawl below and in front, you would have loved to have some idle or even serious chat with your beau/friend/family etc…but all that is rendered impossible with the presence of Mr Pannalaal around you ! <BR/>Also, it’s a tad too heavy on the pocket and you are left with the feeling of being burdened by an over-expensive guide trying desperately to make things sound and seem exciting and interesting with his stories.<BR/><BR/>The surroundings and ecology of the place are eco-fragile and If the intention of your group is some boisterous merry making you are better off staying away from this place.<BR/><BR/>The access roads to the estate are pathetic to tackle with a small car and require a vehicle with decent ground clearance. If you are a good driver, you can manage with a small car as well, but you are almost sure to take a few blows on the under-side of the car. However, Mr Pannalal is helpful enough and can pick you up in his jeep while your car is parked safely somewhere in the village that you are required to pass to reach the estate.<BR/><BR/>To sum-up, I would say you can visit this place if :<BR/>1)You are looking at lazy-ing around doing nothing or maybe reading a book while sitting in the sun <BR/>2) You want to breathe some un-polluted air<BR/>3)Your want to give your 'city-bred' kids some first-hand experience of a 'forest' or closeness to nature.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1155211041203949882006-08-10T04:57:00.000-07:002006-08-10T04:57:00.000-07:00Only Pannalal was there. We were fine with accomod...Only Pannalal was there. We were fine with accomodation eventhough it was not fancy, but the food which was either bread or something offered was hardly enough for 2 people when there were a buch of guys present..sometimes it appears that Panna wants to cut down costs incurred on food..etc and earn more income....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1155210589373691362006-08-10T04:49:00.000-07:002006-08-10T04:49:00.000-07:00I think absence of Panna's wife made the differenc...I think absence of Panna's wife made the difference. When we went one of male servent prepared the food.<BR/>We had to ask for each and everything needed. And yes, Panna did stay there with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1155021139774245442006-08-08T00:12:00.000-07:002006-08-08T00:12:00.000-07:00Sorry to know you didn't enjoy the food and the ho...Sorry to know you didn't enjoy the food and the hospitality.<BR/><BR/>Panna and his wife took very good care when we visited. The food was vegetarian, prepared by Panna's wife. All of us liked it. Accommodation was comfortable but not fancy.<BR/><BR/>Did Panna and his wife stay with you during your visit? Perhaps that makes a difference.binuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1155014454204664922006-08-07T22:20:00.000-07:002006-08-07T22:20:00.000-07:00Yeah..Bellikal place is good indeed..but please do...Yeah..Bellikal place is good indeed..but please dont go with high expectations of good food or hospitality offered in that place.<BR/>Its cost 1200 bucks plus for a one night stand..for providing no gr8 facilities.So think twice before you decide on this place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1154928946012686032006-08-06T22:35:00.000-07:002006-08-06T22:35:00.000-07:00After reading the info we decided to visit Belleka...After reading the info we decided to visit Bellekal.. <BR/>Its really a very nice peak of jungle..<BR/>But stay at the estate house is not at all value for money.. <BR/><BR/>Note: Please dont go with high expectations regarding food..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1136957007657095382006-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:002006-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:00Went through your photo album and travel diary. Ex...Went through your photo album and travel diary. Excellent photos of Bellikal !! It was a pleasure reading your Bellikal experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com