Holiday review by Mrs. Yvonne Chapman
Name: Mrs. Yvonne Chapman
Date of trip: 18/10/2015
Number of people: 2
The hike to Tiger's Nest monastery and the trek with camping in Bhutan. The food on the trek was really good, even the picnic lunch. We visited our guide's family one afternoon, and were given whey with pressed rice and butter tea; it was wonderful to visit a real village and talk to real people. The food in Kerala was excellent. The walk in Periyar reserve was hard, but it felt like an achievement to finish it; seeing several groups of elephants and gaur was an added bonus.
Guides:
Tyres on car in Bhutan were very worn, but driving excellent. Thinley was with us all the time in Bhutan and he was very good. When we did have a problem, he sorted it quickly.
Social & Environmental Responsibility:
Especially the cghearth hotels.
The places you stayed
Taj Tashi
Bhutan
It managed to feel Bhutanese without losing any comfort or efficiency. Staff well trained, food very good.
Brunton Boatyard
India
Great rooms and location. Loved having real tea and fresh milk for our early morning tea. Staff excellent, cookery demo good. Food a bit disappointing.
Coconut Lagoon
India
We were upgraded to a lakeside cottage, which was very comfortable. The staff were brilliant (obviously the cghearth training was good). Food excellent and pool looked inviting. Wish we had stayed another night so we could have visited the bird sanctuary; a guide tried to take us in the evening, but they would not let us in. The walk back through the village was interesting though.
Windermere Estate
India
We were upgraded here too. The staff were helpful; the room was plain but adequate. I was a bit disappointed to get tea bags and powdered milk substitute in a tea area. The main course for dinner was always excellent.
Spice Village
India
Well run, good staff, good food, nice things in the shop, generally well looked after: all we had come to expect from a cghearth place.
