Like every cousin trip, I assumed ours would begin and will end within a WhatsApp chat. I assumed the trip to Sakleshpur would be just another plan that will never make it past the talking stage. Then my mom called, updating me about the planning in progress after speaking with my aunt and cousins. Still, I couldn’t help but think it would all fizzle out, just like the others.

One day, I unlocked my phone to find a new WhatsApp group titled “Sakleshpura Trip.” That’s when I realized things were getting serious. One by one, all my cousins joined in, and soon the group was buzzing with suggestions for accommodation and travel options to reach Sakleshpur. The planning kicked off in full swing in April, all set for a trip in May.

I have always been more of a laid-back passenger, while my cousins and aunt quickly slipped into full-on organizer mode. Day by day, decisions were made, rooms were finalized, and transport was booked for 20 people. That’s when it finally sank in, this trip was actually happening, and it was just a month away.

The WhatsApp group, once bustling, filled with chats, suggestions, and excitement, gradually fell silent. As the days passed, the inevitable began, people started backing out of the trip due to personal reasons. Our original group of 20 shrank to 15, and eventually to just 10 adults and three children. My excitement began to fade, and a nagging thought crept in “Will this trip still be as fun?” I had imagined a big gang, laughter echoing until our stomachs hurt, silly jokes flying around, and kids running free in nature. Still, despite the drop in numbers, the ten of us decided to go ahead and make the most of it.

Hello Bangalore

March finally arrived. After wrapping up work by Thursday afternoon, everyone made their way from different cities and reached Bangalore by night. The city was alive with traffic and people flowing in from every direction. That night, I headed straight to bed, exhausted from the day. The rest of the group, however, made their way to the popular Rameswaram Café, where they indulged in everything from butter-drenched dosas and crispy, delicious masala dosas to healthy ragi dosas, finishing it all off with a strong cup of ginger tea, the perfect end to a flavorful evening.

The next morning, we got an early start and made a quick pit stop at our aunt’s place along the way. She greeted us warmly with steaming hot coffee and a delicious, hearty breakfast. After a short and cheerful catch-up, we were back on the road. We had booked a 12-seater passenger van that fit us comfortably, with everyone sitting close and chatting away, about work, life, kids, cooking, and of course, a fair bit of gossip. After five hours on the road, we finally arrived in Sakleshpur by afternoon, with the sun beaming down on our faces as we stepped into the hills.

Our First Day in Sakleshpur

The property was such a lovely treasure of nature and amenities. Full credit goes to my little cousin for discovering it, and to my aunt’s negotiation skills for sealing a great deal. We enjoyed our lunch while soaking in the scenic views, as the little ones ran around with boundless energy, their laughter and giggles filling the space with pure joy.

After a satisfying meal, the only thing calling louder than the view was the bed. On our first day in Sakleshpur, we chose to stay indoors, soaking in the scenery, enjoying the cool weather, and recovering from the journey. We planned to hit the pool later in the afternoon. Until then, we unpacked, freshened up, slipped into our swimsuits, and got ready for a relaxing dip.

By late afternoon, the weather was perfectly balanced, not too hot nor too cold, with the sun hiding behind clear blue skies. As we made our way into the pool, my son was hesitant to get in, despite having visited waterfalls a few times before. My husband and I stayed close, gently encouraging him to dip into the water little by little until he started letting go of his fear. For the first time, we got him a swim ring, allowing him to swim on his own, kicking his legs up and down and rowing his arms front and back. Though he still wanted us to hold him, he gradually began to enjoy the experience.

Soon, the whole family plunged into the water, splashing each other and swimming like pros though neither of us knew swimming:) We hit the ball back and forth, smashing it into each other, laughing and shouting like kids, completely lost into water pool, surrounded by lush green trees, standing tall amidst the light blue skies. Eventually, we pulled ourselves out of the pool, teeth chattering as we made our way to the hot shower to warm up.

Later in the evening, we took a leisurely stroll around the property. I had expected the night to be chilly, but the weather was pleasantly mild, with just a gentle breeze. Over dinner, we shared plenty of conversations, discussed plans for the next day’s itinerary, and cracked jokes and laughed so loudly that we caught the attention of other tables. We wrapped up the day by simply relaxing and enjoying the moment.

Our Second Day in Sakleshpur

Manjarabad Fort

Our first stop was the historic Manjarabad Fort 30 minutes drive from the resort. Reaching the top required a steep uphill walk, and only three adventurous folks from our group chose to make the climb. The rest of us, including myself and the older folks opted to stay back in the comfort of the passenger van. Among the three trekkers, my father and my little cousin made it all the way to the viewpoint, while my uncle had to turn back halfway, breathless but smiling! 🙂 It was a clear reminder that trekking, even for a short distance, demands a good level of fitness. Exploring such spots in a day isn’t as easy as it seems, you have got to be healthy and prepared, even for a small climb.

Kukke Subramanya Temple

Next, we visited the Kukke Subramanya Temple, which was about an hour and a half away from the fort. We received divine blessings there, but the intriguing part was seeing the idol placed inside the dark sanctum (karuvoolam). Although we all knew a statue of Lord Muruga was present, none of us could see it clearly due to the darkness.

My dad had no idea what it was. I noticed a snake statue above, which seemed to be part of another figure, though I couldn’t quite identify it. My aunt thought she saw a lingam with a snake statue over it. Everyone saw something different, but none of us could say for sure what it actually was. In the end, we turned to Google and finally saw the complete image.

Shopping

Later, we came across small toy stalls set up along the street corners. We bought a ball and bat set that barely lasted a day, and some fancy sunglasses that were lost before we even made it back to our room. By the end of the day, the kids had already forgotten what they’d bought.

They have no idea how much something costs, whether it’s of good quality, or if it’s a branded item. All they know is how to light up with excitement when they receive something, smile with pure joy while playing with it, and cry when it breaks. That’s the beautiful simplicity of their world.

On the way back to our room, a light drizzle began to fall. We stopped for some hot chai, roasted corn, and spicy molaga bajji, simple comforts that felt perfect in the moment. It felt like the journey itself meant more than the destinations we visited.

To pass the time, we played the classic game of dumb charades. It had been ages since we played, and soon we were laughing until our sides hurt. We reached our place around 7 PM, refreshed ourselves, and returned to our usual dining spot for dinner.

There, we recapped the day, teased each other, and shared stories. A warm sense of togetherness filled the space. Later, we moved on to indoor games, with more conversations, laughter, and even a few fun reels. The weather added its own charm, the rain gently blessing the earth, the cool breeze brushing our faces.

In that moment, we cousins wished for just one more day like this, together, carefree, and full of joy.

Third Day in Shakleshpur

On the day we were set to check out, we decided to keep things simple, no itineraries, just good food, a relaxing dip in the pool, and then packing up to head home. Unlike the previous days, we all woke up early, wanting to make the most of the little time we had left together. With cousins meeting after a long time, the conversations felt endless.

We woke to the gentle hum of birdsong, misty blue skies, and the soft sound of water dripping from lush green trees. The morning felt peaceful, almost poetic.

By 8 AM, we were all in the pool again. Despite the early hour, the water was freezing, the sun still hidden behind the clouds. My husband jumped in first and immediately started wriggling like a snake from the cold. But after a while, he settled in and felt fine.

I stayed at the edge with my son, just dipping our toes in. Then, after watching everyone splash around, he turned to me and asked, “Amma, shall we get in?” I told him it was cold, but once he was in, he would feel better. “Is that okay with you?” I asked. He nodded and said, “Yes, Amma.”

As we stepped in, he felt the chill but within moments, he was perfectly fine. Kids truly have a way of surprising us. The same child who had refused to enter the pool the day before was now eager to dive in on his own.

Give children their space. Listen to them. Support them gently. And watch them grow into confident, beautiful individuals.

Travel Tales of a Toddler Mom

As a toddler mom, I must say, I am really enjoying this phase. My son is eager to be independent, choosing his own clothes, carrying his heavy water bottle, and feeding himself. These small acts have given me a bit of breathing room, and it’s heartwarming to see him growing in his own little ways.
One of the best parts of traveling with my cousins is that my son doesn’t come looking for me, at least not until his grandparents and little cousins are out of sight. On this trip, my younger cousins happily took over, pampering the kids and lifting a huge weight off my shoulders. It was such a blessing to see them bond so effortlessly.

It was truly one of those relaxed and fun-filled trips with my cousins. Sakleshpur turned out to be a beautiful and scenic place to explore, with a cozy, sun-kissed climate that made everything feel just right.

A memorable trip doesn’t need a large crowd, extravagant views, or luxury. What truly matters is having a few like-minded people by your side, the shared laughter, the playful teasing, the heartfelt conversations, and simply being there for each other. That’s what makes a journey unforgettable.

xoxo,

Mita