The Great Bachelor Trip – Into the Wild!

Ah, our yearly bachelor trip—after multiple failed plans, last-minute dropouts, and scheduling nightmares, we finally found a small window of opportunity on Christmas Eve. Peter got parole from family duties, Rahul somehow escaped his busy schedule, and Thomasetan, as always, was ready before we even finalized the destination.

As always we wanted to avoid the usual tourist traps. We wanted something offbeat, not too far, and preferably deep inside a forest. Enter Misty Valley Resorts in Nelliampathy, an old British bungalow hidden inside a 400-acre plantation in the middle of the jungle. And just like that, our adventure began.

The Ride That Shook Our Souls (and Spines)

Getting to Misty Valley wasn’t just a drive; it was a bone-rattling, rollercoaster of an experience in a 4-wheel drive jeep. But it wasn’t all pain and potholes—we stopped at stunning viewpoints, enjoyed misty mountain landscapes, and encounters with herd of wild bisons.

Finally, after two hours of shaking and bouncing, we reached the resort, deep within the forest, far away from civilization—and mobile signals.

Luxury in the Wild – The Karadi Bungalow Upgrade

Our luck took a turn for the better when we got an exclusive upgrade to the Karadi Bungalow! Nothing luxurious about it - the resort had an old-world British charm, with basic amenities surrounded by lush greenery and misty hills.

As the sun set, the team arranged for a night safari within their plantation - The forest came alive in the dark, and soon, we found ourselves surrounded by herds of massive bisons. They seemed calm, but let’s be real—we weren’t about to test their patience.

Post-safari, we gathered around a warm campfire, with barbecue, booze, and endless conversations. Under the clear, starry sky, we caught up on a year’s worth of gossip, debates, and exaggerated life updates.

A Morning of Birds, Bisons, and Unexpected Luck

Woke up to chirping birds and fresh forest air —pure bliss. An early morning walk rewarded us with sightings of deers, more bisons, and, the jackpot—The Great Hornbill! Spotting this rare beauty felt like winning a wildlife lottery.

After a healthy breakfast (to make up for last night’s indulgences), we reluctantly packed up and bid goodbye to paradise.

The Scenic Detour – Kollangode, Kerala’s Postcard Village

On our way back, we decided to take a detour to Kollangode, often called India’s most beautiful village. And for once, the hype was real—it looked straight out of a postcard. Green paddy fields, cute little houses, and a slow, inviting peaceful life.

To top it off, we found a local eatery serving homely Kerala meals at reasonable prices. Great food, great views, and zero regrets.

The Trip That Was Worth the Wait

Delayed? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Between bumpy jeep rides, wild safaris, deep conversations, and discovering hidden gems, this trip had everything we could ask for. Here’s to many more bachelor trips (hopefully, with fewer scheduling disasters).

Until next time… cheers! 🍻