Holi, the festival of colours is a time when we usually plan quick getaways. Previous escapades have included visiting places like Mount Abu, Daman and Baroda but this time around due to prior professional commitments, the getaway indeed had to be a very quick one.
The road to Kodiyat, a village about 15 kms from Udaipur is a pretty scenic one that takes you past the formidable Monsoon Palace locally known as Sajjan Garh, perched on top of Bansdara peak of the Aravali Hills. Right on the Kodiyat Road around 10 kms from Udaipur were the gates of Ananta Resort and spa our chosen getaway for some quick rejuvenation and escape from the rigors of mundane life.
The gates opened and off we went into a steep climb on a hill tract that was lush and had beautiful landscaped environs. We reached the reception area that was adjacent to the restaurant which was buzzing with activity. Our car was taken by the valet for parking in the parking slot while we completed the check in process. We a family of 6 adults and 2 kids and 1 infant were allotted villas 514,515 and 516. The resort has its own fleet of cabs that take you round, point to point and it was through these cabs that we reached our villas that were to be our abode for the next 24 hours.
The view from the balcony
The villas with their own private balconies gave a splendid view of the valley beneath and the greenery therein.
The villa with a private balcony
The plush interiors
The interiors of the villas were plush and had all modern amenities in place.
The bathroom with their dual options of indoor as well outdoor bathing was a hit with the children and would also be a hit for romantic couples, I presume.
The non veg Club Sandwich
As I had come directly from office, I was famished and ordered through room service an Ananta Special Non Veg Club Sandwich. The service was quick and the sandwich was pretty awesome. A quick nap and we were ready to explore the property.
Splashing in the pool
Sipping away to glory
Calling up the in-house cabs, we disembarked at the pool area of the resort. There the kids had a splash in the water while the elders had a round of snacks sipping their choice of drinks.
Moonlight illuminates the pool area
It was with these sundowners that we saw the sun set and the brightness of moon gradually illuminate the dark environs.
From the pool area, we went to the recreational centre. The centre which also housed a mini cafeteria had a plethora of activities to indulge in like gymming, playing table tennis, table football, chess and a kids’ arena that had plastic slides, softballs, tunnels and the like.
Fun for elders and kids, alike
The kids’ arena
The kids and the elders alike, both had a great time there.
Recreation over, it was time for dinner. It was here that we encountered our first and only unpleasant incident during our stay at Ananta. The guy at the reception of the recreation centre who also doubled up as the café manager made a call to the transportation desk for us to be transported to the restaurant. He told us that transportation would be available in 5 minutes. 5 minutes led to 15 minutes and 15 minutes led to 45 minutes. There was no sight of any vehicle despite repeated calls to the transportation desk. It was only after an outburst from our side that finally a tempo traveller 14 seater mini bus came to pick us up.
The transportation manager was gracious enough to profusely apologize and that cooled down our seething tempers to quite an extent. He explained that due to dinner time rush at Oasis-the fine dine multi cuisine restaurant of The Ananta, he could not spare 3 cabs and that the mini bus he had sent had encountered some mechanical problem and broken down. Thus the delay.
The love for food is a very sincere business
“There is no sincere love than the love for food” as quoted by the great Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, is a philosophy that we follow and as we entered Oasis-the fine dine restaurant of Ananta, we forgot our transportation travails and concentrated fully of our first love. We skipped the buffet dinner and went in for an ala-carte.
Love at first bite
Mutton Rogan Josh, Chicken Korma and Malai Koftas along with steamed rice and buttered naans were devoured with relish. The food was flavorful, colorful and delicious.
We went back to our respective villas to retire for the night, exhausted but fully satisfied.
After a very comfortable night’s sleep, it was the chirping of birds that awoke me the next morning.
Breathing in the fresh air
Viewing the scenic surroundings
Light dawned on another day
Sitting in the balcony breathing in the crisp fresh air, viewing the scenic surroundings while the light dawned on another day, was an experience in itself. Refreshed I went out for a stroll and witnessed a spectacular sunrise over the city of lakes while the magnificent Monsoon Palace stood perched atop the peak of the Aravali Hills, as though in deference to the might of the Sun.
A quick breakfast
Time was running out for me as I had work lined up at office, so it was time again for me to be at Oasis. This time we went in for the buffet breakfast and what a spread it was. North Indian, South Indian, West Indian, Continental, English all types of breakfast choices were available.
With desserts-galore
And then there were the dessert delights, galore. I had to quickly partake of as many of the goodies as possible in the limited time that I had.
Adios-Ananta
Breakfast over, it was time for me to say adieu to Ananta-the resort that provided us with endearing times to cherish for a lifetime.
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