Bike Ride of 600Kms covering Chikmagalur, BB Hills, Kemmanagundi

This was not a trip of Heroic deeds, but to feel the the raw intensity, brute magnetism, wild passion and to sense the unbridled power being exuded by the very air around.

For long I have been planning for this trip. Anhsu gone to Mauritius and Shankar busy with his packing for USA, I decided to do this trip with Suneet (my office mate). When I asked him he was ready in the first place. On April 12th, 2008 , we started our journey. We decided to commence by morning 5:30AM. But damm Suneet and his sleep. We could only start by 7:00 AM. I packed my tents, sleeping bag and new cramster bag in my bike. We met at MG road. Reached Yaswanthpura and started rolling towards Tumkur Road. Advice for others please try to avoid this road, instead, if possible get on the Nice Road which joins to Tumkur Road. From Neelamangala take the left turn (NH48) towards Hasan. The roads were good. We kept on driving at 90-100kph. Reached Kunigal by 10Am. Had Katte Idli in our breakfast. We started again, the sun was high and there was a sense of humidity in the air due to the recent rains. It was all green around. And riding through that was quite magnificent. We reached Hasan by 11:30AM. From Hasan the road diverts to Chikmaglur. We got little bit confused in Hasan on getting the right road. Anyway we reached Chikmaglur by 1:00PM. Had lunch there only. It was really hot by the afternoon. We tried to call the Horticulture Guest House, Kemenagundi. But it seemed all the rooms got full.

We decided to keep moving. As soon as we left Chikmaglur and reached the foot hills of Baba-budan giri the wind became really heavy on me and my avenger. But still I was able to make it to the hills. As soon as we were in the dense woods there wind got stopped. The sense of the majestic hills in front mesmerized both of us. The more we drove, the more we wanted to drive. The beauty was never ending and never repeating. There was always new to sense, feel and see. Every turn was hidden with its own splendor views. On the one side of hill it was dense woods and on the other whole moutain was fully covered wit green grasses only. The road then divided into two. The left goes to Kemenagundi and right to Baba Budan Giri. Baba Budan Giri was really really steep climb. We made it till Baba Budan Giri by 4:30PM. We decided to climb further till the Menaka Dhara. Some 6kms more from Baba Budan peeth. After we reached Menaka Dhara I made myself clear that I need to be here. It was not that I was tired of driving but the view really made me to fall in love with. When I told this to Suneet he was little depressed since he wanted to explore more and spend the night time in Kemenagundi. But I choose not to drive in the night.

We asked local shop walas and they were ready to help us with our dinner needs etc. We kept our bags and everything in the shop. Parked our bikes. And did some trekking. Man the wind was. I felt as if I had little lesser wight I could have been overthrown from the ground. It was tremendous, barbaric. The existence of only grasses in the top of the hill is very easy to understand, its the wind that doesn't allow trees to grow big. The biggest adventure in our trip was when we noticed a dead buffalo half eaten up by tiger. Suneet was on his cloud number 9. He was more thrilled to be there than me. We put our tents near the shops since the wind didnt allow us to do elsewhere. By night it grew chilly at the hill top. Asraf family took the whole responsibility of helping us. Sitting on the top of hill, seeing the twinkling millions of stars above our head and the glittering chikmaglur city lights down the hills, Mr Asraf brought cups of tea for us. Woha what else do we need. After a while me and Suneet were having our OH sessions when we met the forest ranger Lalu. He came to check the corpse of half eaten Buffalo. He said Tigers generally come back to their feed. So we needed to be little careful since the corpse was hardly one and half kms away. With the OH gulping throug our throats we heard his stories about the jungle and the tiger. The dinner was ready. Parothas, aalu ki sabji and omlettes. After dinner again a cup of tea before we go to sleep. While both of us were in tent we could sense the majestic feel of the nature. The wind grew more and both were wondering to see us flying high when we woke up :).

The next morning was inexplicable. It was superb view. Suneet was busy enjoying the scene. Mr Asraf prepared the tea. And we had idis in our breakfast. All the stuff for idlis an chatnis were grinded by hand only. We packed our stuff and were back on the road again. The breathtaking view was never ending. We were back on Kemenagundi road and driving through the dense dense forest. Some small water stream were worth to stop for a while and enjoy its chillness. Then suddenly we came out of the serene dense forest and high moutains stood with their pride covered all with grass in front of us. We reached Kemenagundi by 10:30AM. We did a trek till Z-point. It was really shocking to see Kemenagundi, my idea of Kemenagundi was similar to that of Ooty. But the place is still untouched by humans and its nutural beauty is still kept intact. By 12:00 noon we decided to get driving to reach Bangalore. We covered Kalhatti falls while coming back. We decided on taking the Birur, Tumkur NH206 on our way back. The roads are in good condition. Quite a ride we had.

Trip to Mysore with Mitin

Mitin came to Bangalore, my wing mate in college. It was really great to see him again. It was Wednesday. Remembering all those old moments and walking the memory lane, quite emotional. We decided to go for a long drive to Mysore. I got my avenger and he jugged CBZ from Moinak. The next day we were on the road. Had our breakfast cum lunch in the Maddur Tiffanys. Reached Mysore by 3:30pm. Visited Chamundeshwari Temple, the giant monolith Nandi. Then to Mysore Palace. The palace gets closed by 5:30pm so could not spend much time there. Coming back from Mysore was really great. We kept driving above 90kph throughout the road. Had break in Maddur again.

Dubare, Bylakuppe

Weekend came in with the rush in our hearts to be with nature again. On Saturday, 29th March 2008 me, Anshu and Shankar decided to get lost in jungles one more time. This time we decided to give a visit to Dubare Elephant camp and Bylakuppe(the Tibetan Monestary). Friday all three of us were late coming back home from work. So after having a little nap we hit the roads by 7am. I and Anshu choosed to be in Car and Shankar on his pulsar. We took SH17 (the Mysore high-way). Had some heavy breakfast in Maddur Tyfanys. With Maddur vada feeling our stomachs we hit the road again. From Srirangapatna we took the bypass to Coorg via Ranganatithu. Crossed Hunsur and Kushalnagar to reach Dubare. Finally we were there after a 230km drive. With good humidity in the weather we could sense the conglomeration of dense black clouds up high above our heads (not at all a great sign for camping).

We were hunting for some good spot near the elephant camp but forest officials denied that. No where to go we decided to have lunch near the camp only. There is a restaurant near the Jungle Lodges and Resort (JLR). Since no permissions were coming in our favour, we decided to camp near Cauvery in some coffee estate but without any hope again. And the clouds started pouring water. It was really heavy rain and all the place got muddy in minutes. Finally we found some good place to camp after searching a lot. The locals warned us of wild elephants who generally cross the river into our side. The advice included Good Camp Fire (oh ok with all the wet woods where to get fire), enough lights( ok we had car as well as bike headlights and some good search lights), and huge noises to scare the elephants (in this we were confident of :-P ). We set our camp by Cauvery bank.

It was an awesome feel. With the lush green Dubare forest on the other side getting reflected on the calm water was enough to mesmerize all of us. Rain welcomed numerous frogs to come out of their holes. And the whole place was full of them in just minutes after the rain stopped. We got some wood from the near by places. All were soaked in the rain. Tried to get some fire out of them but with no success. It was dark already and still we had no fire. A near by villager helped us by getting some dry logs from his house. And we were back in action. Now with some fire (which cannot be seen from 5meters away) we started having our dinner. Since we had no sleep, made us all tired. And the elephant intrusion couldn't be ruled out. So we decided that two could stay awake, while other slept, for guarding the place. Shankar went to sleep by 7pm.

7pm was like night 1am in our Bangalore life. Nothing else to do me, and Anshu kept trying to keep the fire alive. We had some cuppa noddles and OH bottles :-). It was horrible to be there that time since all muddy, thousands and thousands of insects crawling over us and tent, frogs with water falling from drenched leaves. By night 11pm I was loaded with three cans. With OH hitting the brain I could not stop myself to go to sleep. Anshu was our only hope left awoke :). I went to deep sleep as soon as I put myself in the sleeping bag.

By next morning when I woke up I found myself alive (woha no elephants, we were really lucky enough not facing those giant wild elephants). Anshu was snoring high by that time and Shankar as usual having his food. We couldn't ask Anshu to wake up so we already lost our chances of bathing and feeding tamed elephants in Dubare Elephant camp (which is scheduled to 8:30am daily). By 10:30am we reached Dubare camp. Crossed the river. We had an elephant ride and bathing in the river. Next we hit back to Kushalnagar. Had lunch there and visited the Tibetan Monestary in Bylkuppe. It was such an odd to find monestary 1000s of miles away from their original locationa. The huge 60feet structure of Buddha made us felt so small before him. Shankar, me Anshu all did some shopping. A nice memorable trip again.

Bheemeswari with Donu

Debojit came to Bangalore on 8th March 2008. Since he had other works we both could take out a day and one night time only. I decided to revisit Bheemeshwari. So I packed my tent, sleeping bag, food in my avenger and hit for Bheemeshwari. We bought chicken and beer in Mutati for our supper requirements. Me and debojit choosed a quite spot somewhere near the Bheemeshwari Elephant camp. The water in Cauvery was chilled and filled with fishes. We enjoyed watching some fishing activities by the locals. By evening we got our woods for the night camp fire. The sun was set and the sky was damm clear with thousands and thousands of stars.

The real experience of getting away from city life and staying in places far far away from human civilization sometimes really help us to know what we miss in actual life. The nature unfolds its beauty the more one gets close to it. The more one see it, the more he/she gets in love with it.

In the night time the river was calm. We were able to hear deers barking some far place inside the jungle. Sometimes a fish jumped out of the river to make thud sound. It was all dead calm with me and Debojit enjoying our beers near the fire. The moon was high in the sky to make a good reflection of the mountains in the river on the other side of calm Cauvery bank. The stars were all glittering brilliantly up high in the sky as well as in their reflections. In the dark it was really hard to separate the two world (one real and one virtual). We both were without any words for some 40minutes. The view was totally beyond what we could have wished for. Then we realized that it was late. We had barbequed chicken. Little bit of maggi. Before going to sleep we thought of keeping extra woods in stock to keep the fire alive. In that area it is must to have fire so as to get some protection from wild elephants. We walked some distance to get a good huge piece of log. While coming back it appeared as if we were walking miles and miles to reach back to camp. The more we walked the farther the tent appeared. Thats what OH session is all about :). Next morning when we woke up it was all disaster. My rear wheel was flat. And in that situation it made me felt how much human civilization we were in need for. We got hold of some really good guys who were also camping there. We got one bike to get mechanic from Halagur. We got the wheel fixed by 1 in the noon. One more great weekend to add in my list.

Bheemeshwari

(From Left to Right) Anshu, Shankar, Me, Naveen, Padmini, Souparna







on 1st Mar 2008, 6:00 am we started our journey. One getz and one pulsar. Took the Kanakpura road. Crossed Kanakpura we reached Mutati by 1pm. In the forest department there we took permission for camping in the jungle. We got a guide. Before starting our trek we had our lunch. We ate the fruits we took from Bangalore, some bread and cheese. And trek to the mountain top.. After coming down we put our tents and took some good bath in the cauvery river. In the night camp fire and OH session kept us busy :). By morning me, anshu and padmini did some fishing. Anshu caught one tiny fish after some 40minutes of efforts :).

In the afternoon we decided to make our own lunch before we leave back for Bangalore. Anshu, Naveen drove back to Mutati to get rice, chicken and some vegetables. Anshu cooked chicken barbeque. Padmini and Naveen prepared there vegetarian meal :).

Had a nice time in the wild.

Hyderabad, Nagarjuna Sagar, Ettipotala Falls

Again after a long long time, I felt to get out of Bangalore. My friend Debojit was bugging me to get to his place Hyderabad. I couldn't afford to cancel the offer of having some delicious Hyderabad Biriyanis. So I set for Hyderabad on 14th Feb 2008. 15th Feb morning i was the historical city of Hyderabad. Guess what I was in Hyderabad first time and my friend was sleeping with phone in silent mode. After giving him a call for 50 times for half an hour he finally got a nack that I might be coming to his place. :-) I had some good lunch in his house baath aar maacher jhol. After an era i was able to taste some bong food to help my dying taste buds getting alive again. In the afternoon we set off to see the historical monuments. Went to Golcund and then to Charminar. Walking those forgotten lanes of history unexplainable. The broken structures of Golcunda can easily make one getting lost in the history of its heyday. Charminar was tremendous as I had thought of before. Then me and Debojit had a huge meal of Birayani from Madina near Charminar. Man i was out of any place in stomach. The taste i couldnt forget till date... For those who love Biriyanis please try some in Hyderabad. Next I slept till late. Had again Bong food again. Then went to see a movie on colorado river in Imax. Then were off to see sunset near the Hussein Sagar Lake. The lake largness can make anyone speechless. Its not the biggest lake though but yeh seeing all sky rocketting buildings around the lake was quite fascinating. And then we decided to leave for Nagarjuna Sagar Dam the next morning. I had some little nap in the night and Debojit tried to not to sleep since he was needed in the morning. By morning 3am we were on roads hitting for Nagarjuna sagar Dam. The roads were good but the cold took our lives. All our hands were shaking in small, actually the whole body from top head to toe were shievering. We took break in every 15minutes. Finally the sunrise, the sunrise in my life which I was so desparately waiting for. I couldnt forget that. In Bangalore I have never wished for the sun to rise. And this moment. By morning 9 we were in Nagarjuna Sagar. The miles and miles of water stored by some human engineering. Did some walking near the dam. Then we set again to hit the rods for Ettipotala falls. The drive ws through the jungles and hills. Ettipotala falls is only 15km away from Nagarjuna. P.S dont venture in the water here since crocodiles are found. We had some good breakfast in the APTDC rest house. Then we hit back for Hyderabad. 500kms of drive on a single was really butt breaking. We reached back Hyderabad by 2pm. Had Biriyanis in Hyderabad House. A perfect weekend outing :-).

Debojit on his apache

Jog Falls, Gokarna

After a long halt of about 5 months I set out again. Anshu called me up for weekend drive to Jog Falls, and then to Gokarna beach. We started from Bangalore by early 5am on 30th September 2007. We took the Tumkur Highway. From Tumkur we hit on the NH206 to Shimoga. The driving was amazing since due to rain everywhere it was green. We reached Jog Falls by 12 noon.
We descended down to have the majestic feel of the falls. Since it was just after rains the falls was totally looking grandeur.

We again started to reach Gokarna. While driving through the western ghats clouds did totally covered up the view. They were everywhere even inside our cars. By evening we were in Gokarna. If you want some cheap and good stay try out to be beach shacks. The rates were not more than Rs 60 per night. And due to its existense on the beach u cant afford to loose the view. We had dinner in the shacks only Bangra fish fry n -OH sips :-). Next day morning we decided to do the trek. We started from Om Beach, covered Paradise beach and the Moon beach. The beaches are so beautiful. There were not a single other person in the beach. I felt due to inhabitance its beauty is still remained intact. After walking some 9kms through the hills we felt really tired and broken down. Then we decided to take an auto to reach Gokarna. And in the evening some nce shopping. We were back to our shacks. The food served was the need of the hour. We ate like hell and slept like babies :).

Long Driving to Mangalore, Udupi, ST. Mary's Island

Anshu called me by Friday night 11am, asked me for any suggestions on our weekend outing. Instead of deciding of hitting some particular place we did long driving. Had no plans of where to go. By morning 5am we hit the road with me, Anshu and Satya. We went to Hasan road and thought of continuing further till Mangalore. We were in Mangalore by 2pm. Noon time and being in Mangalore its hard to prevent one from having sea foods. Me, Anshu and Satya set in to have crabs, prawns in a chinese restaurant named Haoming. I can tell you with gurantee that this restaurant is among the best chinesse restaurant in India. Then we visited the summer sand beach. Then to my alma matter NITK Surathkal beach. Anshu and Satya decided to stay in Maharaja Hotel Surathkal. I decided to better be in my old hostel :-). Next day we set for Udupi and then to St. Mary's Island. While coming we decided to come via Madikere. The road was awesome while driving through the western ghats.

Trip Kuruvadeep Island (Wayanad)

Went to Kuruvadeep during 26th January, 2007.

This trip included trip to Kuruvadeep, trek on the islands. Lots of time getting drenched in the river, night camping, -OH sessions. Next day drive to Eddakal caves, steep rock climbing :)

New Year Trip to Ooty, 2006

On 30th Desc 2006, we set off for our trip to Ooty. Me, Aswini, Ankita, Ramya, Swati, Prateek were all set for the Nilgiris. on 30th evening we reached Ooty. Got our rooms, did some shopping. Next day morning we did trek to Dodabetta to see the sunrise. The roads were closed so we walked. And it was worth to do 6Kms of trekking to view the sun rising. Then we did boat rides in the ooty lake and a visit to a small water falls.

Beginning of My Journey, Hogenakkal

11th November 2006, I got offer from Indraneel Das for a trip to Hogenakkal. I was agreed in the first shot it self. By morning 7a.m on 12th November we set for Hogenakkal hitting the Hosur Road(NH-7). This was my first time when I came to know Anshu, going to be my trip mate. We started in Anshu's Getz.



The roads were good along with awesome scenary.










We reached Hogenakkal by 12:30p.m. Had some food on the way. The coracle ride was my first experience of the south indian river rafting :-).









The trip included some trekking to reach the Falls. The majestic falls :-