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COVER STORY
Plantation Style Cottages
Coffee, Spice and
Everything Nice
Much like India’s wealth attracted invaders
in the past, Coorg’s beauty, abundant water
sources and fertile soil lured in rulers from
surrounding areas. It’s neighbours coveted
the vast rice fields, succulent spices and
torrential rains. Soon, the British brought
in coffee cultivation on a large scale and
left behind a colonial lifestyle that is still
followed today. The brief imperial rule left
behind a legacy that is the source of
Coorg’s identity and income – the
cultivation of coffee and spices.
While cups brimmed with coffee, the
alluring hills of Coorg were the supply
depot for the famous spice coast of Malabar.
Pepper, Cloves, Cardamom, and other stars
of the fabled ‘spice route’ are residents of
these hills. Coorg Pepper is considered the
world’s best and since ancient times, traders
have landed on the neighbouring Malabar
Coast of Kerala to pick up loads of this
black treasure. The ancient Greeks, Romans,
Arabs and Chinese then carried it to
different parts of the world.
Orange County Resorts
When visiting Coorg, don’t miss the
opportunity to experience nature by day
while escaping to your own private cottage
by night. Let’s take a closer look at why
World Travel Awards picked Orange
County Resorts as Asia’s best themed resort
for 2010. There are two Orange County
properties located 2 hours from each other,
Orange County, Coorg and Orange
County, Kabini. Both properties are
supremely beautiful and perhaps that is
why they are so famous. Around the mid
1990’s the Ramapuram brothers started
Orange County Coorg with just 12 Tudor
style bungalows and named it after the
orange orchards in the area. The plantation
was originally purchased by their
grandfather from the British in 1926.
Orange County, Coorg, offers plantation
style cottages with an ethnic character and
rustic in its beauty. You can enjoy a
soothing evening in your very own private
sit-out overlooking the plantations that
offers stunning views of the nearby hills.
Each cottage comes equipped with plenty
of facilities designed to help you forget the
world you’ve left behind.
While there, be sure to experience
rebirth at the Ayurvedic Spa, Vaidyasala, and
enlighten yourself with ancient secrets of
the world's oldest healing system to
rejuvenate and revitalize your body and
mind. For more rest and relaxation don’t
miss a peaceful respite at the Coffee
Lounge which overlooks the lush paddy
fields and coffee plantation.
Orange County hosts a range of
activities, themed around Coorg’s unique
geography and culture. Coorg presents the
perfect weather and opportunity to
discover the naturalist in you. A visit to the
nearby Dubare Elephant Camp across the
river Cauvery, is a great half-day trekking
experience. Visitors can participate in
bathing and feeding the elephants and
complete the visit with an elephant ride
through the forest to a nearby waterhole.
Another great feature of this resort is the
guided tour of the 300 acre working coffee
and spice plantation by foot. Learn first
hand the differences between Arabica and
Robusta and discover how the Malabar
blend got 'monsooned'. Surely a treat for
even the casual coffee connoisseur!
As poet Rabindranath Tagore said, “Trees
are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the
listening heaven.” Nowhere is this truer
than in Coorg, a magical and mystical
heaven on earth. If you're the type who
likes to rendezvous with nature, romance in
the mountains, feel the sensual cool and
gentle breeze, and hear sounds of birds
delicately fill the air - then Coorg is just
the place for you. You might leave Coorg,
but Coorg will never leave you.
Misty hills, acres upon acres of coffee and tea plantations,
orange groves, and breathtaking views are what make Coorg an
incredible holiday experience.
Pool Hut Bathroom
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