. : April 2010

After my Maharashtra & Goa ride during Christmas & New Year, this was the time I was eagerly looking forward to. Working for 3 months (January, February & March) at office without a break was terrible. At last the wait has finally ended. The month of Easter & Good Friday has come. Hurray! Holiday for 5 days! Time to run away to beat the Bangy Heat :)

Initially had planned to visit Hyderabad, Vijayawada & Vizag. But the plan got cancelled at the same speed in which the thought had come. Climate matters you see! Next were hill stations in the state like Madikeri & Chikkamagalur. But was not interested as I had already been to these places couple of times. That’s when the idea ran through about visiting tea estates in Nilgirie Hills. Yeah! Sounds a plan right??? Cool. Decided to ride through Kodaikanal, Munnar, Ooty & Wayanad for 5 full days. Was also confident of pleasant climate at hills. Sarvanan told he would like to be a part of itinerary. Good for me as well. In fact, his presence would be beneficial as he was from TN & solution to my biggest problem of communication to localities. Planned the day-to-day activities and here we kicked off…

Note: This write up is not as lengthy as my previous write ups. So could be easily read in less time :)

The trip map is...

Day-1: 1-April-2010, Bangalore – Kodaikanal, Trip Meter: 484 Kms
Route: Bangalore – Hosur – Krishnagiri – Salem – karur – Dindigul – Kodaikanal

As per the plan, woke up by 2:30 AM with multiple alarms in mobile each with a min difference. That’s the only way to wake me up these days! By irritation :). Got fresh & called Sarva for his status. He too was all set & woke up my bull by 3:30 AM. Rode to office where we both had decided to meet up to tie his bag to my panniers & start the journey. Tied all 3 bags & answered few queries to night beat police as they were curious about our plans.

As everything was in place, we kicked off our machines by 4:30 AM :). Crossed silk board & we were on NH-7. Took newly opened Silk board – E-City 9 Km flyover. Night wind had started its game on us by now. Kept a speed limit of around 75 Kms/Hr & gave first break for tea after crossing 100 + Kms in odo meter. Got hot tea served at reasonable price :). Post tea got back on our wheels & this time cruising at 80’s. Could not speed up more as my bike was wobbling due to the weight of bags. But 80’s was fair enough I felt. Reached Salem by 8:30 AM & found it hard to locate a decent hotel for morning bite. But at last, managed to get one in the NH itself.

Breakfast was yummy with Idli-Vada & Dosa. No competition in these items with Tamilians :). Got back on our seats & we were out of Salem by 9:10 AM. Now Sarva’s native language came into action and he took the responsibility of enquiring about routes to locals. Else, I would have been in a soup to communicate :(. Took the route to Dindigul and rode non-stop for 140 + Kms. Quite lengthy non-stop ride it was & thought butt break was a must. By now, we both were totally burning as sun was dancing on our head. Stopped near to Tender Coconut shop & what a relief to drink that under hot sun. Oh man! It was a must for us. Reached Dindigul by 12:30 PM & took right deviation to Kodai after couple of enquiries. Kudos to Sarva again for his Tamil! Had juice on the way as heat was burning on us. After around 30 Kms from Dindigul, took right at Kart Road to Kodaikanal.

From now on, it was the game of twisties for the rest of days ride. Wow! That’s all I was in need. Filled fuel till the tanks neck & started enjoying my ride in twisties. But they were killing our time too. With few pix breaks, it was around 3:50 PM when we reached Kodai & guess what??? Against our wild guess, we were warmly welcomed by heavy rain :(. Got full wet & was in no mood to remove my rain gear from bag for just few Kms. What’s the point in wearing it after getting wet??? Anyways called up Lawrence for his arrangement for the days stay. Though it was little messy initially to get a lodge, he made sure we got the proper stay at the earliest & we landed up in a neat comfy room :). Thanks to you Lawrence for your on time assistance!

Got fresh & called up parents to intimate on my safe arrival to Kodai. It was around 4:45 PM by then & hunger was running at great speed in our stomach. Had yummy Gobi & cheese paratha. Rain had stopped by then & sky was clear enough to indicate us that we can get some sightseeing done for the day before it gets dark. Headed to Pillar Rock & Green Valley View. After couple of shots, got back to town as it was dark by then. Had hot tea and relaxed for rest of the day. Had dinner, updated the log and crashed on bed. Days long ride made me to sleep deeply in no time :)

Machines waiting to run :)

At our first tea break...

They wanted a break as well...

GQ NH-7

View on the way to Kodai at Ghats!

This was few Kms before Kodai...

Comfy room we landed in at last in Kodai!

Pillar Rock!!!

Entry to Green Valley View...

Shops not working here :(

Cozy doggy...

Green Valley View

Day-2: 2-April-2010, Kodaikanal – Munnar, Trip Meter: 682 Kms
Route: Kodaikanal – Periyakulam – Theni – Munnar
Woke up by 6:45 AM & got ready in a jiffy. Got out of the room & found that all the plants outside were full of dews. Caught few of them in my camera & by then Sarva was ready too. We were out of lodge by 8:00 AM to continue sightseeing from where we had left yesterday. Headed towards Silent Valley View & got to the spot by riding for few Kms. On enquiry, localities told that Silent Valley View is not possible as we need forest office permission to enter. Gone case! That was a toss for us. But since we had come so far, decided to check out few places nearby and parked our bikes.

Started walking down the hill & at dead end, Oh Man! What a breadth taking view of hills ahead. Just marvelous! Happy now as at least something worked for us today :). We could also hear the echo of sounds made. Man o man! Is it a Echo Point? Well… Donno really! Captured as much as we can in camera with lot of poses. Came back to our bikes & it was 9:30 AM by then. Rode non-stop to Kodai town. Quickly had breakfast & checked out from lodge. Tying bags swallowed sweet time of a day & it was 11:15 AM by the time we bid bye to Kodai.

Had to take same yesterday’s route till Kart Road only difference being this time its declining the hills. With few pix stops, reached Kart Road & took right towards Periyakulam. Though the road was not 4-Lane, it was a smooth one. Crossed Periyakulam & stop for Tender Coconut now. As soon as we got down the hills, temperature started playing on us :(. Continued & crossed Theni. Still 90 + Kms to cover. As we crossed Theni, got to see huge sky touching hills ahead at a distance & that’s when I guessed what’s in pocket for us :). Soon entered the twisties & at the start the board said 17 HP bends. Oh man! What a ghat it is??? Mind blowing & very steep too. Got excited & started ripping at 60’s. After some time, pix break again. Sarva told I was riding fast & that’s what I love at twisties! After few clicks rode ahead & once again pix stop. Man! Each & every view is making me to stop for clicks. But Sarva insisted to restrict the number of stops else we might get late to Munnar. Well! Agreed this time. Back on the bikes again & we were accompanied by few KA cars too. Long weekend for techies you see! Got to the top of some hill & it’s time to decline now. Soon we were welcomed by huge acres of estates indicating that we are in God’s Own Country :). With few clicks, rode ahead & as we continued views were just getting better & better. But due to time constraint, could not stop in lot of places.

On nearing Munnar, found that the roads were already wet. Oh yeah! Today were lucky that it had already rained. Reached Munnar by 4:30 PM & with ease got into Hotel Dhanyashree booked online with safe parking facility. It was a nice comfy room for just 900 bux. Unpacked our stuffs, got fresh & went out for walk & snacks. Munnar is a small nice town I should say. As it was already dark, decided to check out sightseeing by early morning tomorrow. Came back to room & got my bikes tank filled & then just relax for rest of the day. Sarva insisted on skipping Wayanad as we were spending more time riding than sightseeing. After couple of discussions, I agreed to skip Wayanad from plan & take one more day at Ooty. Oh yeah! Its Bangalore vs Punjab today. So busy now watching IPL, updating daily log & dinner. That’s a day end.

Early morning rays :)

Morning dews! Nice one isn't it???

We had to go through this to get some shots...

Poser dude :)

This is what you get to see ...

Beautiful Marco shot! (More yet to come...)

It was not risky though...

Strange ones!

Heavenly drinks they are...

Both look gr8 isn't it???

Views enroute Munnar...

Twisties enroute Munnar... Howz that???

Spell bound Views!!!

Couldn't resist getting into estates!!!

Very first view of Estates on the way!!!

Day-3: 3-April-2010, Munnar – Ooty, Trip Meter: 1003 Kms
Route: Munnar – Pollachi – Coimbatore – Ooty

As per yesterdays plan, was out of bed by 5:30 AM & we were on our wheels by 6:30 AM heading to Top Station. Enjoyed riding in curves with dense estates on either sides of the road with misty toppings :). Man! This ride is spell bound. I think we were the very first visitors to Top Station for the day & hence the road was absolutely free of traffic. One big mistake I made was by forgetting my hand gloves. Oh boy! It was freezing out on the way. With very minimum stops, reached Top Station by 7:45 AM. It was a mind blowing ride for 33 Kms I should say. Road was of GQ except for the last Km which was very messy.

Parked our bikes & had hot tea to feel the heat. Also met a bunch of SJBIT (engineering college in Bangalore) guys who were about to depart for their trekking adventure. After bidding byes to them, walked towards View Point & got couple of good shots. We were lucky enough to get nice shots free from tourists. Started back by 8:45 AM & stopped on the way to get few shots between estates. Continued further & next stop was at Echo Point. Man! Can’t explain the beauty of this place in words. It was an absolute wallpaper material you know! As the name goes, could clearly hear the Echo produced at the other side of lake. Flood of pix flowed with couple of poses. Next spot in the list was Mattupetty Dam. Got our share of photos there too & straight away back to town by 10:45 AM by then.

Packed stuffs, had breakfast & it was time for us to tell good bye to Munnar. Got on our wheels by 12:15 NOON & long way to reach Ooty! Oh boy! It’s already NOON & still have to ride for 250 + Kms in hills. Rode for around 35 Kms & got too see Anamudi Peak. Got get on to the top, we had to park our bikes & take a bus which we both were not interested in. Got few shots at some view point on the way & continued further. As we were getting down, the temperature was going up. Crossed few check posts & we are now in Reserved Forest Area. It was so cool to ride between dense forests & enjoyed it immensely. Reached Coimbatore by 5:00 PM & it was time for some snacks. Post snack break, crossing lengthy Coimbatore city took sweet 40 mins & till Mettupalayam riding was a real pain. Man! People are found more in roads than anywhere else. Moreover, most of the vehicles overtake in wrong side in this 2 lane road. Boy! No words for their riding sense. In addition to that, it was full of traffic too :(. Felt happy once we crossed Mettupalayam wiht lot of patience & rest of the rides was in Ghats. Also it was already pitch dark by now. Boy O Boy! I just love it. Riding in twisties & at night was what i wanted to relax myself :). Guess what! The entire ghat section was full of traffic & overtaking them all was real thrill. Was speeding up as much as I can & found Sarva getting lost in my mirror couple of times as he was not used to riding at ghats in night. After a long Zig-Zag ride, gave break few Kms before Conoor by 7:15 PM & called up Lawrence’s friend Shashi for stay arrangement. Sarva was not happy with me as I was riding very fast & it was difficult for him to catch me up. Anyways I just loved it. It reminded me of my previous similar ride from Amritsar to Shimla. Met Shashi on the way to Ooty & got into the guest house by 9:30 PM. Oh Man! Tiring ride altogether it was. It was a day end for us. Had food in a nice restaurant & crashed in no time.

Stunning SunRise shot :)

Can you observe the mist on top of water???

Cute one!!!

Isn't it very special??? Found at Munnar Top Station!

Poser this time...

Loved its colors :)

Loved it :)

Tea leaves..

It was Estates everywhere enroute Top Station!

A stem of Tea plant! Loved the colors in it :)

Absolute Wallpaper material!!! Echo Point it is...

Simply cool i look :)

Toy's anyone???

Best ever helmet stand found!

Fresh veggies :)

Mattupetty Dam back water!

Am at action Now!

Posing infront of Anamudi Peak...

Loaded Bull!

It was a huge one!!!

Day-4: 4-April-2010, In Ooty, Trip Meter: 1093 Kms
Route: Ooty – Coonoor – Ooty

Started the day little late as the bed was cozy & yesterday’s tiredness was rolling over me. Woke up by 7:15 AM & had to manage myself with cold water as geezer wasn’t working :(. Also realized that light not working. Phew! Donno what’s working fine here??? At last, we were out of guest house by 9:15 AM & had breakfast in a decent restaurant. Soon after our morning bite, first spot in the list was Doddabetta. Reached the spot in around 20 mins & found it’s not very exciting. May be coz of crowd floating there. Next in the list was Rose Garden. Got entry tickets & as we entered, found loads of rose plants without even a single rose on it :(. Another kick for the day! What nonsense??? Nothing seems to be working for us today! Garden care taker told us roses could be found little downwards. Oh! Some hope for us now. Walked down & as she said, loads of roses in variety of colors. Some roses were larger than our palms. First thing I did was setting my camera mode to Macro & clicks after clicks for around 1 hr 30 mins :). Sarva was getting little frustrated with me spending so much time clicking roses but I really dint mind spending more time there :/. At last, we got out of the garden & went to check out Lake. Again few shots there. Dint opt for boating as it would consume our sweet time. On the way out, there was horse riding going on & Sarva got curious about that. He went for a ride but I preferred waiting for him rather going for a ride. He also made me take few shots of his with white horse. Moved out of the late & direct entry to Botanical Garden. It’s a very famous one & I had missed it in my last visit. Found the garden very vast & flood of clicks flowed once again. Sarva also took few snaps with cute kids playing there. After spending good amount of time, we were out & it was time for us to have good lunch.

Post lunch, rode towards Coonoor & checked out Dolphin’s Nose. It was nice to ride between estates. Got to the spot & relaxed for some as we dint had anything else for the day. After spending some time, decided to move out & on the way, gave visit to Sim’s Park. Nothing special we found here & it was 6:15 PM by the time we were out of it. Rode non-stop to our guest house. Relaxed for some time & it was Delhi vs Bangalore today in IPL & I can’t miss it. Had quick dinner outside & continued with IPL. Oh man! Tomorrow back to Bangy. Shit :( :( :(

Guest house at Ooty!

Yummy breakfast to start the day with!

View from Doddabetta...

Macro shot in Doddabetta

Simple one yet special one for me :)

Its time for some Macro's now...

It was bigger than our palm!!!

Few rose's to follow now... A Yellow one to start with...

Orange one!

Whity this time...

Dual color Rose anyone???

Managed to get this snap inspite of care taker screaming at me :)

Darling Rosy posing...

He was starring at Sarva...

My new AVATAR clearly visible this time :)

:( :( :(

Bingo combination???

At Botonical Garden now...

It was flowers everywhere...

Cute one :)

Once again cuty/whity posing...

On the way to Conoor...

Bull gazing at the Hill!!!

Perfect shot :)

Dolphins Nose in Conoor!!!

Clever one! He knew what to cover :/

Vast tree at Sim's Park!

Macro found again at Sim's Park!

Amazing flowers :)

Day-5: 5-April-2010, Ooty - Bangalore, Trip Meter: 1424 Kms
Route: Ooty – Gadalur – Gundlupet – Mysore – Bangalore

Boy! Our 5 days got over just like that :(. Good days run at light speed man! That’s the thought I had when I opened my eyes. Got fresh like yesterday in cold water & the plan for the day was to check out Ooty-Coonoor Train journey. Got ready & headed directly to railway station by 7:40 AM. Thought it will be crowded queue for tickets but was manageable. Took our tickets & got into the queue to board the train. It was scheduled at 8:55 AM & as time elapsed, the queue got bigger & bigger. We were standing behind 4-5 youngsters & after some point of time, there were around 50 + in front of us. Phew! What the heck is this??? I casually told Sarva “How come so many people ahead of us all of a sudden???” & that’s when an aggressive response I heard from a person standing ahead of us “We have tickets for all. We have taken 40 tickets!!!” I dint know how to respond for his answer & signaled all the best. Man! 40 people family this is. Gosh! How will they manage things??? God save them.

We both were just laughing for their response & mean while had coffee too. After a wait, train came to the station & we got in with a window seat for both of us so as to capture some good views. Cool! Now all set & just go. After some distance, found the journey getting boring :(. Nothing exciting at all. In addition, we had sat in wrong side where we could see only hills & trees. Other side had some nice views but wasn’t anything special for us. But as a memory, captured few stuffs & after more than an hour, we are at Coonoor now. Oh Boy! At last, it’s over. Had few clicks at the station & got out for breakfast. It was already 10:15 AM by then. Post breakfast, back to Ooty in bus. Went to railway station to get my bike from parking lot & back to guest house. Packed our belongings & got our bags on my panniers. After settling guest house payment, it was time for us to say Good Bye to Ooty.

Got out of Ooty in no time & stopped at Pykara Falls which is around 20 + Kms from Ooty on the way to Bangalore. Parked our bikes & walked towards the falls with the hope that our luggage will remain safe when we are back. Yeah! Had to walk for around a Km & you know what?? It was worth it!!! True. Breathtaking falls in the form of steps :). Man! Now it’s time for us to give all possible poses. Captured as much as I can in my cam & got back on our bikes with Juice for our empty stomach. Gosh! It’s already 2:45 PM & still we have around 250 + Kms to reach Bangalore. Rode non-stop for long time crossing Gadalur & got into Madumalai Reserved Forest area. In no time, we were at Bandipur forest. Man! I can’t explain riding here in words. Enjoyed every moment of it. Was keeping myself at a steady speed of around 60 + Kms so as to enjoy the beauty of dense forest. While riding, we could see Deer’s & Black faced Monkeys. Got few shots of Deer’s in close up as well. Although it was burning hot, we were just enjoying riding in dense forest :). Soon after that, saw a board “Welcome to Karnataka”. Oh! Back in the state now after few days. As we were burning out, gave a break for tender coconut. After resting for few mins, got back on our wheels & rode non-stop till MTR Shivalli restaurant crossing Gundlupet & Mysore. It was a non-stop 2 Hrs 45 Mins ride for around 160 + Kms. Thought Sarva would be burning at me for riding so long without a break & yes! He was shouting at me for making him ride for so long. But my intention was to cover as much as we can before it gets dark. In MTR, my mobile showed there were around 5 miss calls all from my family. Called them back to inform where I am & continued to Bangalore after a cup of coffee. It was around 7:30 PM by then & reached home by around 9:00 PM. Dad was eagerly waiting for my arrival & all my stress ran away looking dads eagerly waiting face. Unpacked our luggage & Sarva continued to his place with a “Have Done It!!!” expression in his face :). I too felt bad that this trip came to an end so soon. Oh Man! Now there won’t be any ride for couple of months but that’s surely not the end of my journey!!!

So the Journey Will Continue again……………. :) :) :)

Empty station at morning...