Not an average Indian Hostel! Transport me here for Lockdown 2020 #secondhome

When I first visited Vagamon, the quintessential laidback hill town of Kerala, last summer, it was my first experience of staying at a hostel. This particular hostel had been started only six months ago and I read about them on the website of the Indian hostel chain, Zostel.

What made me choose the hostel then was their group tours around the place and even the option to hire a two-wheeler moped to go around the serpentine routes amongst the tea estates. Vagamon, being an offbeat destination, may not be easy to go around without your own vehicle.

I was prepared to not expect much from the hostel compared to any exotic hotels or resorts and the husband seemed a little blown out at the idea of staying at shared spaces until I convinced him that they did have options for a double occupancy room and we would opt for it.

Despite all our doubts, Zostel Vagamon (or as their instagram handle is called 'Soles on Wheels') took us by surprise. This month when Tripoto popped up this contest of where would you want to spend your lockdown, this was the place that instantly crossed my thought.

In difficult times like these and given the accessibility of Vagamon town, I would wonder how much they could support their customers logistically with food and other essentials. Never the less, I would love to fantasize it as a lockdown accommodation.

Here are the reasons why this hostel is worth the stay and how it could be the best lockdown accommodation -

- The location of Zostel Vagamon is breathtaking. It is on a hilltop surrounded by adjacent green hills and tea estate plantations.

- You can wake up to the chirping of many little birds in the morning.

- I can look out to the endless stretches greenery all around without being bored.

- Every now and then the clouds come down to greet you at your window panes.

- And if the cloud clears I can swing on a hammock to soak the sun and chill in the cool breeze.

- Evenings can get really dark with only audible sounds of crickets. But the hostel will keep you engaged with its common room activities.

- For an avid reader like me, there are many books to read across the large windows overlooking the green hills.

- The common area has a TV for the occasional inflow of news. P.S. In a crisis like this, I would seldom want to look at all the negativity spelled through the news channels.

- And if the common area games and books get me bored, I can always sit at the reception and have a chat with the owner of the place.

- A little team also has you covered with delicious meals through the day.

- Occasionally if the evenings are dry and not stormy, the front open-sky porch awaits its residents to play a guitar and jam for the night under the twinkling stars!