High in the Western Ghats 6-9th February

I can't describe sufficiently the wonderful paradise we are living in. On the eastern side of the Ghats with evergreen forest and ridges  all round us.  The trees descend the steep slopes to the hill streams and a waterfall. The small farm called OffTheGrid is beside rice paddies and a few banana palms. Wood smoke from the open kitchen floats on the air. 

Our room is open on three sides with roman blinds for privacy. At the moment all these blinds are raised and a cooling breeze wafts over the bed in lieu of a fan. Having no electricity Sylvia and John use solar powered batteries to charge night lights. 

There is a house with two guest rooms upstairs overlooking the paddy and the forest. 

In the grounds are 2 cabins and a tepee. The dining area is shaded from the hot sun by a large sheet. In the evening chill we  sit by a wood fire in the garden to chat and gaze at the stars. Apart from a single farmer nearby there is no light or noise pollution. 

  

Vernal hanging parrots (India's only true parrot) seem to be in abundance. White breasted waterhen, Oriental white-eye, ashy drongos, pin tailed snipe, green bee eaters and sunbirds abound. In the dawn the Malabar whistling thrush sings his tune meandering up and down the scale. You could be convinced that it's a local farmer whistling on his way to work. You might also hear the cackle of a laughing thrush early in the morning along with the whoop of monkeys.

Today we walked up through the forest to a plateau on top. At one point a large savannah grass area is reminiscent of kenya. Tigers and wild Gaur have been seen here.  I never have seen this beautiful and unspoiled India. If you are considering coming to India you will love this remote farm.  

Ten out of ten!!