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Being cooped up in my home for nearly 22 months, I was desperately looking for a quick getaway and at the same time a relaxing break – a ‘doing nothing’ holiday. And Tenpy – the tiny container homes tucked away in a forest, caught my interest. As much as the concept being novel, the excitement was double as this was a surprise date planned for my hubby, and importantly after an abnormally long gap!
As we fastened our seat belts and hit the road, the drive felt so much refreshing, especially as we headed into the adjoining villages about 80 kms off Bangalore with lush greenery on both sides. Then came the tiny home Tenpy, located at the DRD Hills, where we would be spending the next 24 hours.
For the uninitiated, Tenpy is a portmanteau coming from the words ‘tent’ and ‘canopy’. At its heart, it is the experience of living closer to the nature, in the wilderness and with basic necessities – beyond what camping offers, that defines this new idea. These are tiny homes made by upcycling unused shipping containers and fitted with all essential comforts one would need on a daily basis. A queen-size bed, a kitchenette, a bath and a portico – all within a container of 22X9 feet. If you thought this sounded like a cramped cell, you must check this out for yourself. It is noteworthy to see how neatly the space management part is taken care of, imbibing ‘minimalism’ and yet offering all the daily comforts. Besides the eco-friendly construction and sustainable tourism that Tenpy looks to promote, a few other aspects make this experience fascinating and adventurous.
1. The tiny container homes are located on a vast 12-acre farm where you will find just one small house belonging to the caretaker family, who essentially supply food and tend to any issues that guests may face. So, it’s a completely private space and totally secluded making it a perfect retreat to unwind from a taxing routine and the bustling city tones.
2. The feeling of getting to wake up to the sight of mango trees, the sounds of peacocks and the majestic view of DRD hills overlooking the tiny home, is a pure bliss. And in the current times, a hard-to-come luxury. Add to this star-gazing, book-reading and meditation – free add-ons which you get to experience in totality.
3. The nature trails and the hike up the hills can add a bit of spark, if you want to get out of the ‘do nothing’ mode. As you pass by the farm and walk amidst the groundnut, chilli, cabbage and sapota fields, as the sun’s rays cast a golden canvas on the hills, and as the gentle breeze caresses your cheeks, the feeling of calmness, peace and joy will engulf you, as it did to us. The purity of air, the liberty of breathing/walking unmasked, the privilege of popping up freshly plucked groundnuts and the delight of picking up peacock feathers along the path was the most memorable part of our stay.
4. If you are a DIY types, then you can carry a few cooking essentials and prepare your own meals. The kitchenette is equipped with an electric stove, cooking pans, plates and basic cutlery – good enough to make a comfort meal. If not, you can avail the meal plan that includes a welcome drink, lunch, coffee/tea with snacks, BBQ dinner and breakfast. All the food is cooked using fresh vegetables sourced from the farm, making the ‘farm-to-table’ so much a daily affair.
5. The stay gives you a chance to experience the feeling of being vulnerable, exposed and secluded, if you are open to new discoveries and experiments. The profound, long and complete silence is truly captivating but the accompanying vast, towering and dense darkness coupled with the thought of bears patrolling the farm can be terrifying. It was this feeling of living in a rustic space and being exposed in the wild and in the dark that actually made this retreat special, unique and different for us.
Tenpy truly is a beautiful concept of short staycation that packs a punch of silence, serenity and solitude making it an ideal detox and breakout spot for the urban dwellers. The cosy living, the delicious homely food, the beauty of the woods and the nature trails offer a quick break to rejuvenate and reignite the mind and body. Do give it a try and share your experience.