It took my eyes a while to adjust to the all-encompassing greenery. The scenery was a cache of every imaginable colour of green. Raindrops fell vigorously on the foliage. Modest homes, freshly whitewashed, peeked through this panoramic view.
Five years ago, Sakleshpur, the sleepy coffee town nestled in the Western Ghats, was barely on the tourism map. But now it comes up frequently in conversations with friends and family, its scenic plantations, nature trails and trekking options a welcome, non-commercial alternative to Coorg and Chikmagalur, the stalwart coffee areas of Karnataka.