Tiger paw prints were last seen here at a watering hole about eight years ago, but the country’s national animal is elusive now and few in number, so you are unlikely to encounter one during your visit.
Our cottage with its own balcony, was called Tiger Springs in recognition of this special sighting. Tigers might be rare now, but there are many beautiful birds in the surrounding jungle and we saw a huge Brahminy kite wheeling across the valley. Each morning you wake to a chorus of bird song and the outline of the mountains and the Acacia trees etched across the sky as its colour changes from pale yellow gradually to clear cobalt blue. There is a footprint shaped pool which is a fabulous spot to chill or do yoga and Ayurvedic treatments are available nearby.
The food here is really quite something. Simon’s team of talented chefs (Saju, Subin, Suneesh and Jomon – in that order) take local ingredients and fresh spices and serve up meals worthy of any Michelin star restaurant. A breakfast would typically be a huge fresh fruit platter, coffee from the plantation and a freshly made appam or delicate white pancake made with rice flour with a touch of yeast, served with honey and coconut milk.
Meals are served in the open restaurant overlooking this stunning landscape of the Western Gods.
Our dinner provided an explosion of fantastic flavours. Kingfish and tomato curry, creamy eggplant curry, snake gourd (a kind of squash) long beans and coconut rice. Dessert was sweet vermicelli with cashew, raisins, coconut milk and nutmeg, which made a kind of delicious noodle version of our old British favourite, rice pudding.
