Coffee break
But the situation looks as though it's about to change with Tata Coffee, the major business in the region, announcing plans to convert bungalows on its plantations into tourist accommodation. Coffee has been grown in the region since the mid-19th century and is planted among orange trees, pepper vines and cardamom. From Bangalore it is a half-day's drive by car, and the scenery along the way is mostly attractive. Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines all fly to Bangalore daily from Hong Kong via their home airports. You can find out more at ww.karnataka.com/tourism/coorg. On a Shoestring to Coorg: An Experience of Southern India is available online from paddyfield.com for $105.
Picture postcards
Big Apple bites
Continental Airlines is selling round-trip, economy-class tickets to New York City for $7,200, valid for departure until the end of this month. This compares favourably with Cathay Pacific's online price of $9,700 (at the time of writing) for the same period. Also available from Continental for travel from September 8 to December 14 are round-trip tickets to Toronto for $6,600 with an option to connect to many United States' east coast and midwest destinations for an extra $1,600. Bear in mind that Continental charges economy-class passengers US$5 for all alcoholic beverages, even cans of beer (right up there with the average five-star hotel minibar) and consumption of one's own supply is mysteriously 'illegal', so don't forget to take dollars for the long haul. For reservations and tickets call Continental on 3198 5777.