Mangalore nd Udupi Road Trip

Finally, after a span of three years it was time to visit beaches. A road trip to Mangalore. Total of four including me,Raj,Srini and Santosh in his car ( SWIFT ). We started around 5 PM in the evening and destined for Sakleshpur.Reached there around 11 PM. Booked room in a hotel there and slept. Next morning, we started for Mangalore via ghat section, which had loads of coffee plantation. The road was too bad in this stretch. It took more than 3 hours to cover the last 110 kms and we reached Mangalore with stiff butts. We directly went to Santosh's brother place who stays there only, took some rest, had lunch and started for Surathkal. We visited the NIT Surathkal's private beach. Don't know about others, but I was delighted to stand on a beach.

Stayed there for a while, enjoyed the balmy breeze. Our next destination was Kaup beach on the way to Udupi. It was the perfect time to reach Kaup beach as one can enjoy the beatific sunset.

After that, we started hunting for hotel rooms to stay overnight. We couldn't find hotel rooms near Kaup beach. So, we went to Udupi, booked rooms and came back to Kaup beach to enjoy the tides in the moon light. We also carried lot of beers and food to spend time at the beach. At 1:30 AM, two police man came, who were patrolling, asked us to leave. We tried to convince, but they said its not safe and we had no other choice, went back to out hotel rooms in Udupi and slept. Next morning, woke up had good Udupi breakfast, it was yummy. Then, went to the famous Lord Krishna temple, seeked blessings and started for Malpe beach.

There, we took the ferry to visit St. Mary's island. It took around half an hour to reach the island. It was beautiful. Enjoyed a lot there, bathing in water, soothing breeze. Took the last ferry back. The view of the sunset from the ferry while coming back to Malpe beach was breath taking.

After that, we started for Mangalore. Reached around 9 PM, had dinner and stayed at Santosh's brother place. Next morning, we started for Bangalore, but this time decided to take a different route via Madikeri. There was a big stretch of land consisting of rubber plants on both sides of the road. Explored them and proceeded for Kushalnagar.

Since, we had enough time, so we decided to visit the famous Golden temple at Kushalnagar. Looked around and then proceeded for Bangalore. Around 11 pm, we reached Bangalore.
All, I can say is that it was one of my best road trips till date.

Route: Bangalore-Nelligere-Sakleshpur-Mangalore-Surathkal-Udupi-Surathkal-Mangalore-Madikeri-Kushalnagar-Mysore-Bangalore
Total Distance Travelled: around 1100 kms
For more pics visit: Mangalore and Udupi Road Trip

Deja Vu for RCB

It was almost a deja vu for RCB. Around 2 years back, in a similar fashion, IPL first season was inaugurated which included some flashy performances and led the audiences gawking. Venue was same and because of the good stint in IPL 2, audiences had faith that time will turn around for RCB. Though, it was the same team which received some derogatory remarks from everyone when it was formed. Now, It was time for Champions to fight.

Two years ago under the same lights, McCullum ripped the bowling attack of RCB single handedly by flashing his brawns and playing an extraordinary innings. This time it was Duminy of MI fame who steered his innings at enough pace to meet the required run rate while chasing a mammoth total of 180. McCullum innings was more of a flamboyant nature with hints of slogging in it while Duminy played a much mature and composed innings. But, both the times RCB got stung in the end. Ambani's might have raised eyebrow's over Duminy's perfomance that what happens to him when he plays from MI. In fact I was pretty sure yesterday that the longer he stays at the crease more the chance RCB have. But he proved me wrong by miles.
Time has changed for sure but not for RCB this time.
~

Munnar Road Trip

Finally, it was time to visit Kerala. It was a long pending trip. We were total of five; including myself, Ashish, Abhijeet, Vinit and his friend Mohit, hired a cab ( Tavera ) for this road trip. The initial plan was to visit Thekaddy and Alleppey too. But, there was a boat accident the same week and due to that we had to drop the plan for Thekaddy and Alleppey visit. We started around 10:00 PM from our place.We had to take few stops as the driver was feeling sleepy. Next morning, we entered Kerala border. The weather changed so drastically while riding only few hundred metres on the hills.

We reached the resort around 12:30 PM. We had lunch at the resort only and started to tour Munnar. First, we went to Pothamedu viewpoint, the weather was amazing.

Then, we went to Attukal falls. It was all roaring due to heavy rains. Since, it was cloudy and it started getting dark, we called it a day and went back to the resort. Had good food , played cards and a bit of gossip till late night.

Next morning, nothing changed, again it was cloudy and misty. Everybody got ready and we started for echo point. There were so many breathtaking views on the way to echo point, heaven for photographers. All lush green tea plantations. We stopped twice, including the elephant ride park. I must say, it was a good experience riding an elephant.

Finally, we reached echo point, it was a bit crowdy as compared to other places. We all had a lot of mirch bhajji, aloo bhajji and banana bhajji which eventually ended up being our lunch that day. Next destination was Kundla dam. Nothing special it was.

Then, we headed for Top station view point, which ended up being out last for the day as well as the trip. We came back to town after that, purchased some munnar special tea.

Next morning me, Vinit and Abhijeet went for a morning walk as the weather was pleasant and hints of sunrise. Got ready and started back for bangalore. Since, the clouds were clear and thus exposing the sun on the lush green landscape, the view of the valley was much more beautiful than our expectations.

By 10:00 PM, we were back in bangalore. It was long ride and everybody was tired, but it was one of the best road trips I ever had.
We stayed in Spring Dale Resort. We had a good experience, more information can be found on the internet.

Route: Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Salem-Dindigul-Theni-Munnar-Theni-Dindigul-Salem-Dharmapuri-Krishnagiri-Hosur-Bangalore
Total Distance Covered: around 1300 kms
For more pics visit: Munnar

Yercaud Visit

This was my consecutive trip in consecutive weekends. Myself ( Apache RTR ) and Vaibhav ( Apache RTR ) with Piyush and Praful riding pillion. Me and Piyush started from Ejipura and Vaibhav and Praful were supposed to join us from Electronic city. Instead, we met at IO petrol pump just after the Tamil Nadu RTO check post. We started at 8:00 PM and took only one break at Krishnagiri for dinner. At 11:45 PM, we checked in the hotel at Salem. Next morning, we booked a cab for Yercaud visit as everybody was tired from last night's bike ride and nobody wanted to ride again. It was a sunny day, and we were roaming around Yercaud lake around 12:00 in the noon.

We visited several places including Lady' seat, Botanical garden, Pagoda view point, Kiliyur falls and Monfront school. The heat was too much, atleast enough for us to be thawed. Our initial plan was to stay till sunday, but the place was stodgy enough to make us change our plan.

At 4:30 PM we started our way back to Bangalore and around 9:00 PM, I was in my home.
In all, the only good part of the trip was the bike ride. The Bangalore-Salem highway is awesome and the ride was as smooth as butter.




Route: Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri-Salem-Yercaud-Salem-Dharmapuri-Krishnagiri-Bangalore
Total Distance Covered: 450 kms
For more pics visit: Yercaud

Muthathi Ride

Finally, a long weekend arrived after four and half months. I tried but didn't ended up with any plans. Later in the evening on saturday, I came to know that my room mate and other friends are making plans for Muthathi/Bheemeswari. Finally, around 11:00 PM, it was decided that we are going tomorrow. Next day, myself ( Apache RTR ) and Vinit ( CBZ Extreme ) with Abhijeet and Saurbh riding pillion, started from HSR layout around 8:45 AM. Riding on Kanakpura highway was fun, as it was rainy season and the landscape around was pretty good. Taking a few breaks, we reached there around 11:15 AM.

As such, there are no sign boards for Bheemeswari. You will only see boards for Muthathi. We crossed Cauvery fishing camp and drove around 6-7 kms in the forest. After realizing the fact that there is nothing else ahead, came back to Cauvery fishing camp. Since, it was a long sought weekend, there were no reservations available for camping/staying etc, and other activities. Being disappointed, we explored the area, spent some time and started for Bangalore.

At 3:45 PM, we were sitting in Punjabi Rasoi, HSR Layout having late lunch. In all it was a unfulfilled ride, which I will try to complete later.

Route: Bangalore-Kanakpura-Muthathi-Kanakpura-Bangalore
Total Distance Travelled: 216 kms
For More Pics Visit: Muthathi

Bike Ride to Shivanasamudra Falls

It was almost two months since my last bike ride. I decided to go to some place this weekend. I called up everyone to give me company. Finally, my dear friend Swayambhoo came to the rescue. Some of his friends also agreed to join and we all decided to visit Shivanasamudra Falls. Total of five of us, me ( Apache RTR ), Vaibhav ( Discover ), Sonam ( Apache RTR ) with Praful and Swayambhoo riding pillion. We all started around 09:10 AM from BTM and decided to take the Kanakpura route ( other route is through Mysore road ). After taking few pit stops and around 140 kms of ride, we reached Gaganachukki ( one of the two falls of Shivanasamudra Falls ) at 12:00 PM.

The view was good but disappointing too as it was not possible to get down in the falls. Just view it from the top. After spending some time, everybody was hungry. So, we went to the only restaraunt present there, gulped down some idli's and dosa's and headed towards Barachukki falls, the other fall of Shivanasamudra which is around 12 kms ahead of this one. After riding 15-20 min, we witnessed a fall better than the previous one.There was a warning board which said not to go near the falls, but nobody cared.We also, went to the foot of the falls. It was amazing.It was perfect to get under the chilled water and enjoy.

We were not carrying any extra clothes, as we were totally unaware of this. But, it was too tempting and we couldn't resist too. We put our shirts off and went into the water. All of us had a great time, more of because no one expected it to be like this.

Around 3:45 PM, we headed back to Bangalore, following the same route. After few breaks, we were stuck in Bangalore traffic around 6:15 PM. It was a well spent saturday.

Route: Bangalore-Kanakpura-Shivanasamudra-Kanakpura-Bangalore
Total Distance Travelled: 325 kms
For More Pics Visit: Shivanasamudra

Rainy Ride To Coorg

Ride to Coorg was pending from long time and it had already started raining in Karnataka. So, we planned adhoc to ride to Coorg. It was the first weekend of July' 2009. Total of five of us; myself ( Apache RTR ), Gowri ( Y Gladiator ) and Uttaran ( Thunderbird ) with Raj and Varun riding pillion, started on friday evening. We never knew what next was in store for us. The moment we touched Mysore road, it started raining.

Luckily, myself and Raj were carrying raincoats which we put on and started again in rain ( with others riding without raincoats ). We reached Mysore around 09:30 PM totally drenched. Stayed in a hotel that night. Next morning ( Saturday ) when we woke up, came to know that there was a curfew in the city due to some disturbances. Only option, to get ready quickly and leave for Coorg. Around 07:00 AM, left Mysore and started for Coorg ( Madikeri ).Again after 30-35 kms it started raining.

We stopped near Kushalnagar for breakfast. Gulped down some dosa's and idli's with tea. Finally, we reached our home stay in Madikeri around 01:00 PM totally soaked in rain. We put our luggages in the home stay, changed our clothes and started for Talacauvery ( around 50kms from Madikeri ).

But, no respite, it was raining continously. We continued in rain only and reached the top of Talacauvery.It was too misty because of the clouds, reducing visibility to around 15 mts. Stayed there, visited the temple at the top, had mirch pakoda's, tea , etc ( this was our lunch :P ) and came back to our home stay.

No body had any dry spare clothes left. So, we decided to go for shopping in the local market. Went to the market and bought lowers, shorts, raincoats and even umbrella. Came back, had nice dinner prepared by the care taker and slept.

Day 2 ( Sunday ): We woke up with some hope of watching clear skies but it seemed nothing can be done to stop the rain. Had breakfast and started for Abbey falls. As it was raining continously from the past two three days, the fall was flooded and roaring with the noise of falling water.

The worst was about to come; when we decided to go back after a while, what I saw was that rear tyre of my bike was punctured. No option, I had to drive the punctured bike to the local market to get it repaired, which I did. The rim of the rear trye got deformed because of this. It was total of 8 kms.

Got my bike repaired, had some light lunch and started for Irpu falls. We took the route through Virajpet-Ponampet to Irpu falls. We also decided that, we will take the Nagarhole National Park route to reach Mysore from Irpu falls.We reached Irpu falls around 03:00 PM. It was huge and due to continous rain, it was also flooded.

We came to know at the Irpu falls that Nagarhole route is not allowed for two wheelers. Again, no option, we came back to Ponampet and then reached Mysore around 06:00 PM. Had good food at Punjabi dhaba as we were all very hungry.

Around 07:00 PM, we started back for Bangalore. Took our last pit stop at the famous Maddur Cafe Coffee Day. I was at my home around 10:00 PM. My trip meter showed a reading of 776 kms. To sum up, it was hell of a ride. Never drove so much in rain and fortunately no accidents for any of us as for most part of the ride it was raining. Well, one good thing due to rain was that, all the water falls were in full bloom... :)

Route:
Day 1: Bangalore-Mysore-Kushalagar-Madikeri-Baagamandala-Talacauvery-Baagamandala-Madikeri
Day 2: Madikeri-Abbey Falls-Madikeri-Virajpet-Ponampet-Irpu Falls-Ponampet-Mysore-Bangalore.
Total Distance Covered: 776 kms
For more pics visit: RainyRideToCoorg

Manchanabele Ride

It was a wonderful sunday morning to go for a ride.Luckily, we already had a plan to go for a short ride to Manchanabele. Gowri( Y Gladiator ), Rajsekhar( Apache RTR ), Uttaran( Thunderbird ) with Varun riding pillion and myself( Apache RTR ) started from Jayadeva flyover around 7:15 a.m. By 8:30 a.m. we were there at the Manchanabele dam.

Its a small dam which is around 10 kms from the famous Big Banyan Tree. Its famous for bird watching including both resident and migratory birds.Though, we couldn't sight any birds.But, its was a nice place to spend time, calm and peaceful and on top of that the weather was very pleasant.

We stayed there for a while and then went to the dam. It was a small one with only one person guarding it. He showed us around.

We started back and stopped at the famous Big Banyan Tree. All of us had our breakfast there and started back and around 1:00 p.m. I was back in my home.

Route: Take right from Rajarajeshwari Dental College on Mysore road and after that its almost straight ( keep asking locals as there will be few diversions)
Total Distance Covered: 120 kms
For more pics visit: Manchanabele Ride

Chunchi Falls

It was long time since I visited some place outside Bangalore. So, I planned a trip to Mekedaatu ( but, we ended up visiting Chunchi Falls ). Uttaran ( Thunderbird ), Gowri ( Y Gladiator ) with his two friends joined me ( Apache RTR ). We started at around 6:30 AM from silk board. We took our first stop at Kanakapura for breakfast.

By 9:15 AM, we reached the junction of Chunchi Falls and Mekedaatu. The Karnataka tourism board said that Chunchi Falls is only 6 kms away. So, we decided to check this first and then proceed for Mekedaatu. By 9:30 AM, we were there at the falls.

The first impression of the falls was not good, there was very less water. Well, it was 18th April, so we also didn't expected much and it was hot too. Since, there was very less water, so it was worth taking risk of climbing down the rocks to the base of the fall. So, myslelf, Uttaran and Vikram climbed down and it was worth going there. Stayed there for a while and then climbed up to the top.

Then, we decided to trek to the other side of the fall. We started and found ourslelf stuck in rocks, but we kept on moving, making our own ways and finally we reached the other end.It was too tiring and left all of us exhausted. Took few snaps there and then we decided to find other way to go back as the way we came was too risky. To the surprise, there was another way to go back. Took the other way to the place where we parked our bike. Everybody had tender coconut which gave us some energy.

After taking some rest, we started back for Mekedaatu. We reached there within half an hour. Surprisingly, there was a lot of crowd. It was too hot though and we were all tired from trekking at the falls so decided to go back rather than crossing the river and walking ( or taking the bus ) to the actual place which is around 4 kms. So, we had some cold drinks and then started back to Bangalore. By 3:00 PM, I was back in my home.

Route: Bangalore-Kanakapura-Chunchi Falls-Mekedaatu-Bangalore
Total Distance Covered: 230 kms
For further information visit: Chunchi Falls
For more pics visit: Chunchi Falls

Kodachadri Trek

After a long time, me and my team-mates decided to have a trip to some place. We ended up with the plan to trek in Kodachadri. Earlier, we planned to go on bikes, but there were more number of people than the bikes and only three of us were ready to drive. So, we booked a tavera.

This place is around 420 kms from bangalore towards west.We were total of seven and started at 11:30 PM on friday night from hebbal. At 5:30 AM, we reached Shimoga. We lost three hours there in Shimoga as our tavera got punctured ( and for the worst, the stepney was also punctured ) and there were no puncture shops opened in such early morning. Finally after repairing everything we started at 8:30 AM from Shimoga. We reached our destination around 11:30 AM. There is a small shop where you can get snacks,cold drinks,etc for refreshments.There is also a small cottage at the foot of the hills, where you can get good food like lemon rice,omlettes,idli,dosa,etc.

The PWD guest house at the top is around 9 kms from the foot of the hill. You can trek or you have another option to reach the top riding on Mahindra Jeep which will cost you 900 bucks. They will not allow you to ride your own vehicles ( other than bikes ). By the way, we decided to trek which is expected to take four and half to five hours.

We had a good lunch and started around 12:10PM. After completing around 5 kms we were too tired that we even thought of taking lift from the jeeps and pay whatever they ask.. It was a sunny day and we never expected it to be so difficult. We sat down thinking what to do and started gulping bananas which we carried in case we get hungry. After finishing every thing we had to eat, we decided to gather all our strength and start again. After 2 kms we reached a rather plain terrace which was rather easier to walk.

But, after some time we again lost all our strength until we saw a man sitting with some utensils around him. He was selling butter milk. We were so thirsty that together we finished all the butter milk.He walks there daily from the foot to sell butter milk. After a bit rest, we started again towards the guest house at the top which can be seen now. It was still 2 kms left.

Finally, we reached at the guest house around 4:45 PM. The guest was all booked. We only got to stay in the hall at 50 bucks per person.Enjoyed the sunset there at the top.

We had dinner there at the guest house only, which you have to order before hand once you reach there. You can also have bonfire. But we slept as we were all tired and had to wake up early for the sunrise. Got up at 5:30 AM and trekked further to the top to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful. Then, we went to a small waterfall which is there on the opposite side of the hill.

We came back to the guest house, hired a jeep and came back to to the foot of the hill around 9:00 AM, had our brunch at the same cottage and started towards Kollur to visit the famous temple there.Reached Kollur in around an hour, visited the remple and started back to Bangalore.Stopped in between at Shimoga, had lunch and reached Bangalore around 11:00PM.
In all, it was a good weekend trip.

Contact to book Guest house in advance:
Name: Makesh
Mob: 9980178008 ( you may have to try several times as the network is not so good there )

Route: Bangalore-Shimoga-Hosanagar-Kodachadri-Kollur-Hosanagar-
Shimoga-Bangalore
Total Distance Covered: 913 kms
For further information visit: Kodachadri
For more pics visit: Kodachadri