Bannerghatta National Park

After so many bored weekends, we finally decided to carry our lazy bums to Bannerghatta National Park, a place which is on the outskirts of Bangalore. There were four of us : Vinit,Ashish,Saurabh and myself. We stopped in jayanagar just after IIM to have breakfast. It didn't took much time to reach the place as it was a small ride. Then roamed around the park, had Jungle safari. It was decent enough to spend some time off from the boredom. Below are the pics, which will describe better.

Route: Indiranagar-Jayanagar-Bannerghatta National Park-Jayanagar-Indiranagar

Total Distance Travelled: around 60 kms

For more pics visit: BannerGhatta National Park

Kerala Road Trip

After a gap of around 10 months, we decided to have a road trip. The destination was God's own country 'Kerala'. We were total of five including myself, Hari, Raj, Venkatesh and of course Santosh with his SWIFT. We started around 7 PM from Hari's place ( Sarjapur ). The route taken was via Salem-Coimbatore as it is a toll road and expected to be good. We took few stops for dinner and loo breaks. After driving in single stretch for about 600 kms, we were there at Cherai beach (Kochi) at 6 am.

Checked-in the home stay which we booked. Took rest for a while and left for the city tour of Kochi.

Had a good lunch at the marine drive.Took a nice speed boat ride in the backwaters.

Next morning woke up and left for Alleppey.Reached in the afternoon. Took a boat ride in the famous back waters. Then went to Alleppey beach, to my surprise there were no tides what so ever even in the evening.

Next morning, we took the different route via Athirapally forest to go back, so that in the way back we could see the famous waterfall where movie 'Raavan' was shot. It was beautiful, though it took long for us as it was ghat section and we could not maintain speed. After the falls we drove back to Bangalore and in the morning around 4:30 am, I was at home.

Route: Bangalore-Salem-Coimbatore-Kochi-Alleppey-Athirapally-Bangalore

Total Distance Travelled: around 1500 kms

For more pics visit: Kochi  /  Alleppey  /  Athirapally

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

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