Kabini & Mysore - Hectic Trip for a day

Journey Date: Mar 15' 2009
BIkes: Hero Honda Hunk, Bajaj Pulsar, Bajaj Discover, and Hero Honda Splendor

We were little unhappy with our last trip to Yelagiri as there was nothing much to enjoy, not even the drive. So we were looking for a place which has some water bodies near by. We zeroed on Kabini which 220 kms from Bangalore. We all know its going to be hectic for a day trip. There was nothing much in Kabini if you are not planning to stay overnight.

This time we had a little big gang, we were 7 guys: Myself, Ganesh Kumar, Sakthi Ganesh, Mohamed Ali, Suresh, Thanimalai Rajan and Vinoth. Ganesh Kumar joined us in Bangalore from Coimbatore. Plan was to pickup Vinoth from Mysore on the way to Kabini. We started around 7.30 AM from BG Road and reached Mysore in good time. We reached Mysore around 10.00 AM and Vinoth was waiting for us. We had our breakfast in Mysore and started towards Kabini. From Mysore it is a straight SH-33 to Kabini. Vinoth was riding the Splendor which is the slowest of our bikes, so we had to drive at 60 to 70 kms average. 

We reached Kabini around 12.30 PM, and it was damn hot. It was the perfect time to take a swim in the cool river. We all jumped into the Kabini river and enjoyed for more than 2 hrs. By that time, we all very hungry. We had our lunch in Kabini. As we had plan to visit Mysore Palace, we started from Kabini. 

Before the reservoir

Sakthi Ganesh, searching for some locals

Suresh Sundaram

We reached Mysore around 5.00 PM, visited the Mysore Palace. The palace is elegant and well maintained by the government. There was some problems in the two wheeler parking lot though. We started from Mysore at 6.30 PM. 

Mysore Palace

Ganesh Kumar, Myself, Sakthi Ganesh, Suresh, Mohamed Ali, Thanimalai Rajan

Myself, Sakthi, Vinoth, Suresh, Ali, Thanimalai Rajan

On the way back, it was raining like hell, and all of us very tired because of the swimming we did after a very long time. We took around 4 hrs to reach Bangalore with multiple breaks. Nevertheless to mention it is damn hectic. Kabini is in Karnataka-Kerala border. The Kerala side of the place is very scenic and the Karnataka side ends up in one big reservoir and hydro-electric plant. You can visit Kabini, if you are planning to stay at least a day there. You can try Jungle Lodge or Orange County, both these resorts are wonderful and they have wild life safari and other activities. We made a mistake of planning this as a day trip.

Click here to visit the complete trip album

Kabini - Mysore

-- Baskar Mookkan

Yelagiri - Not a place for Bachelors

Journey Date: Feb 08, 2009

After a fun trip to Ooty, we were eager to go for another one good trip. As we had covered most of the near-by places of Bangalore, we started looking for places around 100+ kms from Bangalore. Finally we finalized the place as 'Yelagiri', a small hill station in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. Yelagiri is approximately around 160 kms from Bangalore. We had zeroed on Yelagiri as it was pending from the day we visited Hogenakkal. I had done my ground work, collected the route map, places to visit, etc.

It was a hot Sunday, and we four (Sakthi Ganesh, Mohamed Ali, Suresh and myself) started from Hulimavu gate, BG Road at 10 AM [quite early based on our past experiences ;)]. We hit the Hosur Road, via Nice Road and reached Hosur in an hr. We had our breakfast in Meenakshi Bhavan, and started towards Yelagiri. The plan was to go via Krishnagiri -> Bargur -> Thirupathur -> Yelagiri. The road till Thirupathur is a four lane NH-7/NH-46. The road signs were very proper and it was so easy to find the route to the hills. After Ponneri, you need to drive 14 hair pin bends to reach Yelagiri. This drive was scenic and you can enjoy the view from the hill top.

Once you enter Yelagiri, you can find the Government Guest House and Tourist Information Center. We went there and collected few information regarding the places to visit around there. From the information we got there, they are arranging camp fire and trekking activities for people who do a overnight stay there. Families who want to take a break from their hectic schedule, who are planning to stay overnight can enjoy those things. As our trip was planned only for a day, we did not have time for any of those things.

They had created an artificial lake, Punganur Lake, where you can do boating. It is not an enjoyable experience as in Ooty, as it is very smal artificial lake. Sun was also not that accomodating for us, so we decided to go downhill. We had our lunch in Yelagiri itself. There are few choices you have there for food. Surprisingly you can find an ATM in Yelagiri :).

From a local guy, we learned that there is a falls near by, Jalagamparai Falls near Thirupathur. When we went there, there no water in the falls :(, so all our efforts went in vain. We started back to Bangalore at 6 PM. We reached Hosur around 8.30 PM, had dinner in Meenakshi Bhavan, Hosur. By this time, Meenakshi Bhavan started becoming our official food joint in Hosur :).

There are not much activities you can do in Yelagiri except Trekking. So people who are planning for a one day activity, avoid this place. If you want to enjoy Yelagiri, stay overnight, do trekking, and camp fire, else you won't be liking this place. So Bachelors, it is no go place for you :)

Few Snaps:

Suresh in Solo Action

Sakthi and Ali

Myself and Suresh in Punganur Lake

On the way to Yelagiri

Suresh, Sakthi, Ali

Ooty - A trip memorable for Life time

Date: Jan  24th - 26th, 2009
Route map: Bangalore - Mysore - Gundlupet - Bandipur - Mudumalai - Ooty - Cuddalore - Bandipur - Gundlupet - Mysore - Bangalore

So far our trips were only for a day. For a change we wanted to go to a place where we can spend 2-3 days. The nearest possible location is Ooty, Queen of all hill stations. Ooty is around 387 kms from Bangalore and its going to be our longest trip so far. We have doubts whether it is doable or not.

There was a long weekend coming, Jan 24 - 26th, and we decided to hit road during that time. It was our first long journey, so started planning for the trip before a month. Murali annan & his friend also (from Mysore) also joined us this time. We got all the route maps and places of interest in and around Ooty. Ganesh kumar was doing his Masters in GCT, Coimbatore. We have asked him to join us in Coonoor.

Myself, Sakthi Ganesh, Mohamed Ali, Thanimalai Rajan and Murali annan started in 3 bikes, Hunk, Pulsar & Discoverer, from Bangalore on Jan 23rd evening. Plan is to reach Mysore by midnight, stay at Vinod's place and start next day early morning. Murali annan's friend would be joining us in Mysore in his Apache. We reached Mysore in the midnight, had a good sleep at Vinod's house. Big day was waiting for us.

Next day, we started from Mysore around 6.00 AM. Vinod's house was near to Infosys, so it is quite easy for us to find the Ooty road. We decided take the Bandipur - Mudumalai route for onward journey. Except few patches here and there, the road till Gundalpet is fairly good, with lots of speed bumps. I really hate Karnataka roads for these speed breakers. You will hit a speed bump, when you least expect it. But the weather was so good for driving. The visibility on roads was less than 3 meters.
We had our breakfast in Gundlupet, and started towards Bandipur. The road till Bandipur is at its worst. Pits and patches everywhere. Road was fairly good after Bandipur. We had spotted few deers while crossing the Bandipur wildlife sanctuary. Then we entered Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, where the Tamil Nadu border begins. We were instructed not to stop our vehicles within the sanctuary range. We didn't spot any animals in Mudumalai though. After crossing Mudumalai, we had driven some 30+ hair pin bends to reach our final destination. We managed to reach Ooty by 12 noon. Raja had already arranged accomodation in SBI guest house.

Ganesh Kumar told he will be reaching Coonoor around 5 in the evening. So we had decided to visit Doddabetta before that. The road which goes to that highest peak is just pathetic. It is so narrow with lots of potholes. You will get a nice scenic of Ooty from that peak. Now our next task is to pickup Ganesh Kumar. We had to rush to Coonoor to pick him up. The drive from Ooty - Coonoor is the best one I have driven till date. Any biker will love to drive in this road. It is double lane road with upcoming traffic, lots of turns and curves.. We just love it. We picked up Ganesh Kumar, finally I got my pillon rider :). We had visited few tea estates in Coonoor and the botanical garden, then started to Ooty. 

We are pretty much tired by the long journey. But we just don't want to sleep. At 2'o clock in the night, we went for long walk in the streets of Ooty. One of my life's best moment. Chatting with my best buddies in the deserted roads of Ooty, its just a bliss :).

On day 2, we had visited Botanical garden, Rose garden, Boating, and did some shopping in the market area. We are pretty much covered all the small & major tourists spots in Ooty. We had planned to visit 9 miles & Pykara falls on day 3.

Pykara falls and 9 miles are on the way to Cuddalore. So we had planned to visit those places and leave for Bangalore. 9 miles is a famous cinema shooting spot. You could have watched this place in all the Tamil movies shot in Ooty. May be god's private lawn :). Then we went to Pykara falls, there was no water in the falls as it was not the season time. Finally we wrapped up, and started to Bangalore. I asked Ganesh to come to Bangalore, but he had some important work in college (?), as usual. So we had dropped him in Cuddalore. The road from Ooty to Cuddalore is also very good, you need to watch the upcoming traffic. In Cuddalore people suggested us to enter the Bandipur forest area after 5 PM, so that we can spot few animals. We entered Bandipur around 5.30 PM, where we spotted few elephants (I saw a wild elephant for the first time), deers, etc. Then comes pathetic Gundlupet road, and then Mysore. We had our dinner in Mysore and then started towards Bangalore. Finally we managed to reach Bangalore at 12.00 AM in the night. I was driving my bike from 12.00 PM - 12.00 AM for the first time. It had never let me down :). I was very happy that, we all reached Bangalore safely, in one piece ;). From now on, our targets are getting just bigger :D

Few snaps:

Complete snaps:
http://picasaweb.google.com/baskar.spc.mit/Ooty?authkey=Gv1sRgCIO-3q_Y653FsgE#

Hogenakkal - The place Cauvery divides Tamil Nadu & Karnataka !!!

Journey Date: Dec 21' 2008
 
After the successful trip to Shivanasamudra, we wanted to try place which should be little far away from Bangalore. This time, Ganesh Kumar was joining us from Coimbatore, and Suresh is a new addition to the gang. Suresh, is a friend of Sakthi & Ali, who is working in HCL for past 4+ years.

Myself, and Sakthi Ganesh has shortlisted two places, Yelagiri & Hogenakkal. Both the places are around some 140+ Kms from Bangalore. We are also not sure that we would be able to complete the trip in a day, as we had been to max Shivanasamudra in a day. Ganesh Kumar arrived Bangalore on Sat, Dec 20. We have not finalized the place yet. On Sunday, we have Ganesh to choose any one from the two, and the result was Hogenakkal. I am more interested towards Yelagiri, as it is a hillstation. But we wanted to stick to what we have chosen. So we set our pace towards Hogenakkal.

For a change, this time we started little early, @ 9.30 AM (;)) from Hulimavu Gate.  We 6 people started in 3 bikes, Myself, Sakthi, Ganesh, Ali, Raja and Suresh. The plan was to go via Hosur -> Krishnagiri -> Dharmapuri -> Pennagaram -> Hogenakkal. To reach Hosur, we have taken the Anekal route to avoid Electronic City traffic.  We reached Hosur @ 10.15 AM, had breakfast at Meenakshi Bavan. Nice place to finish your breakfast ;). We again started from Hosur @ 10.45 AM, wanted to complete the trip at a single stretch. We are quick in crossing Krishnagiri (in 50 mins), and then Dharmapuri. After Dharmapuri, we got confused by the routes, as there are two. And by mistake we took the longest one. So we ended up in 160+ Kms to reach Hogenakkal @ 1.00 PM. But the entire road stretch was good.

The entry to Hogenakkal is not entertaining. Hygiene is a big question there. We parked our bikes in the parking lot to see the scenic view. Even though the area is not clean, but the view of Cauvery is promising. We are very excited to see the water falls and we have taken a crocile ride. The crocile ride is for some 2 hrs and it costs about Rs. 400. Do not overpay those guys. The crocile ride starts from one bank of the river towards the waterfalls in the river and then to a small landscape, which they call it as a island (?).  From that place, you can see both the Tamil Nadu & Karnataka borders in the either banks of the river.

We have taken a nice bath there, had few fish fries. It is advisable to buy your own oil & fish, ask them to cook it for you. That should be better than having it directly. We spent almost 4 hrs there and we started towards Bangalore @ 5.30 PM. This time we decided to take the route via Karnataka border, which the localities claimed as some 30 Kms less than the route we have taken earlier. The road in the Karnataka border is like hell. We can't even ride our bikes @ 10 Kmph. After some 10 kms in the rough patches, we were able to find some roads. After some 20 Kms, the road merged into TN border -> Royakottai. We stopped at Thenkanikottai for some snacks, ate everything in that snacks shop. The shop owner closed the shop, when we left the shop ;). Then we started towards Hosur and then to Bangalore.  Finally we are able reach Bangalore @ 8.00 PM.

This one being our first long trip everyone was exhausted. Ganesh Kumar has to return to Coimbatore on the same day. So we had to rush to Madivala for his bus.

Verdict: Hogenakkal - place you don't want to miss once.

Few Snaps

Complete snaps can be viewed here. Click here...

Shivanasamudra Falls - If you like water, this is a must see !!!

Journey Date: 14 Dec' 2008

After visiting the Chunchi Waterfalls, our attention turned towards the river areas around Bangalore. The next option to visit was Shivanasamudra Falls, Cauvery River. We four, myself, Sakthi, Ali & Raja, started in two bikes, Pulsar & Hunk, planned this trip for Sunday.

As usual we started on a Sunday from Sakthi's room in Bannerghatta Road around 11.30 AM. Shivanasamudra is around 120 Kms from Bangalore via Kanakapura. As we had been to Kanakapura last week, we are doing very good in the roads. The roads were very good till Kanakapura. After Kanakapura, the road becomes narrow and there so many patches along the entire stretch. We have to drive carefully as there were 'N' number of speed breakers in the entire stretch. We find very difficult to touch 60 Km/hr.

After some 2.5 hrs of drive with couple of tea breaks, we were managed to reach the falls around 2'o clock. I have to really tell this, all our folks were really astonished by the first view of the falls. We had been to so many water falls in Tamil Nadu. Almost in all the waterfalls, falls down from a hill. But this one, its falling from the plain, and forms a valley. This is the first one we had seen of this kind. We have to climb down around some 100 steps to reach the falls.

Once we reach the falls, everything is FUN. We explored the unexplored part of the falls, did some trekking, enjoyed to the core. Shivanasamudra balances our so far weekend experiences. After having bath, we had little snacks near the waterfalls. After spending around 2 hrs there, we started driving towards Bangalore. We stopped in Kanakapura for tea. Nowadays, the tea shop in Kanakapura had become one of our mandatory stop point. After the hot tea, we started riding and reached Bangalore around 7 PM.

After all, We felt being to a very good place - Really !!


Few Snaps:
First view of Shivanasamudra:

Sakthi & Ali in one of the unexplored falls side:

Complete snaps can be viewed here


Route Taken: Hulimavu Gate -> Nice Road -> Kanakapura Road -> Shivanasamudra -> Kanakapura Road -> Nice Road -> Hulimavu Gate

PS: கணேஷ் குமார்-க்கு ஆணி புடுங்க வேண்டிய வேலை இருந்ததால் அவரால் இந்த முறை எங்களுடன் வர இயலவில்லை... :)