Thousands desires and One achievable

2009-07-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

Merrell Boots

2008-12-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

Again a new stuff to add in my trekking kit. Best during mosoon treks and rugged to used on the rocky terrains. The waterproof built does not give much comfort to use in day to day life. The shoe is best to use with synthetic socks.

For peak performance when the trail is rugged and sometimes awash. A fully waterproof light hiking boot to keep your feet dry all day. Omni-Fit™ lacing system with bronze loops adapts to the shape of your foot for ideal fit. 4mm tapered-nylon grade 4 insole for the comfort and flexibility you need to cover a lot of ground fast. Molded wishbone external heel counter for great ankle support.

Specifications:

Waterproof Construction

Waterproof Nubuck Leather Upper

Waterproof Membrane Backed with Polyester Mesh Lining

Waterproof Bellows Tongue

Injection Molded Wishbone External Counter

Asymmetrical Bronze Double Lace Hooks

Omni-Fit™/Bronze Loop System

4.5mm Anatomical Footbed

6mm Tapered Nylon Grade 4 Insole

Compression Molded EVA Footframe

Air Cushion Midsole

4.5mm Sole Lug Depth

Vibram® Phaser™ Sole/Trek Rubber

Men's Weight: 3 lbs. 1 oz.

For more info see the link:
http://www.merrell.com/US/Product/NZGP/Mens-Active-Footwear/Hiking/Mens/Phaser-Peak-Waterproof.aspx

Osprey Aether 70

2008-12-19T10:03:00.000-08:00

A longstanding requirement for my trekking desires. Gives 70 liters space and ruggedly built. Can store my 8ft by 9ft tent as well as the hugely built sleeping bag. After I bought the bag it is my mate for all the rides, trek and trips. A well built body and water resistant. It kept all my stuff dry even in heavy downpour. Planning to use it for my one month Himalayan trip.

I stuffed the bag with 20Kgs and did a mom test. As in technical field it is said a product can be hit if your mom can use the product. She did not feel a single hurt while carrying 20kgs in her back.

I loaded the bag with 25kgs stuff and still did not feel a pain in my back. Best for a 3 days trek.

Can see the specification details in the link :
http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=8&colorCode=820&tab=description

Sennheiser HD 595

2008-12-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

I am an ardent music lover. And that means continuous playbacks of my music playlists. My creative 2.1 definitely lots of trouble to my room mates. Realizing the fact I am in lookout for some amazing Headphones. The cost was not an issue.

After a thorough market research and testing most of the available Headphones I have bought Sennheiser HD 595. After an usage for past 3 months here is my review of the headphone and why I still love it.

First of all the specs the this Headphone

Frequency Response 12 - 38,500 Hz
Nominal Impedance 50ohms
Max Spl (1kHz, 1Vrms), 112dB
Weight 9.5oz
Transducer Principle Dynamic, open
Thd <0.1%

Transducer Principle Dynamic, open
Weight Wo Cable 9.5oz
Characteristic Spl 104dB
Ear Coupling Circumaural

Connector 6.3mm stereo jack with 3.5mm adapter(both gold plated) 10ft cable, (OFC), single-sided, changeable

Well first of all the specs look very technical and for laymans term does not mean much.

So here is my preview.
I wanted a headphone which can be comfortable wearing and which I can use for long time and still get the feel of stereo effects. I tried Bose, Audiotechnica, Shure before to go for Sennheiser headphones. Shure is a master in earphones and no doubt their earphones are the best in class. But still my choice was for headphone.

Bose genuinely very famous and their headphones I felt very above what I should pay for. I can feel the bass in Bose but it still missed the clarity at lower frequency. You can sense the beats but bose is not that clear with the lower frequencies like voice, background instruments. Auditechnica same effect.

Sennheiser HD595 is above them. The Audiophile series are terrific. But I could not find much difference between the HD595, HD600, and HD650. Though Sennheiser tried a lot in improving the bass effect in higher series 600 and 650 but it loses the clarity. HD 595 gives and onstage effect as said in Sennheiser website and its very true. I can feel the music is playing somewhere far away and not on my eardrums. And this gives quite a comfort to the eardrums and during longer usage. The open air ear cups are the most confortable features. I can wear the headphones more than for 5 hours. Once I slept with the headphone and did not even I realise that it is on my ear. It gives near to 0 feel over ur head and ears. The sound is of amazing clarity. I can sense the singer breathing during a pause. Also can make out all the instruments playing in the background.

From bass side this headphone lacks that a lot. But it is made accordingly. This headphone is not for those who love bass but for those who admire the clarity and want to enjoy the music for long time.

Definitely amplification improves the performance. I sense that when I try to use Sennheiser in my ipod and then use it with my laptop. With laptop the performance is terrific.

The headphone is amazingly soothing even at high volumes. Though it leaks sound but I think its an added advantage to maitain the clarity on the ears.

I would suggest this headphone for those who admire clarity in music.

For more information I would suggest to follow the link
http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/full-size/sennheiser-hd-595.php

Sheaffer with golden nip

2008-12-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

After a long time am back to fill up my blogs. I have done lots of trips and shopping during this time. In the shopping list first I bought is the Sheaffer Agio pen. I got the Black and golden model. I bought the pen from William Penn in Forum Bagalore. The nip is made of 23 Karat gold and amazing smooth. It just fits the grip. With the purchase I got one Sheaffer ink for free and 2 years warranty. The pen catches eye of everyone whenever I take it out for signing my bills. :)

615kms of ride through Brahmagiri Ranges, Irupu Falls, Wayanad, Nagarhole, Kabini

2008-05-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Some tips before I start my trip details:-

1. Its you only who can cherish n care about your life.
2. Drive safe and slow
3. Wear Helmet if riding bike or seat-belt if driving 4 wheel

As children we knew that Life was a voyage of discovery and we were invinsible. We played hide and seek, cowboys and indians. Ran away from home sometimes, we climbed, we jumped into puddles but we did sonething more than anything else we often got ourselves really meshy. Everyday was an adventure, every step into unknown territories. but then we grew older. Got comfortable, welfare, clean and tidy. Days came and go, and came and go. Sometimes we just want to escape and get into those glorious older days and want to be kid again.

After the trip of Kerala for Anil's marriage its again the time for getting out during the weekends. I was planning for an outing during the 3rd and 4th of May. Got a big biker team but by Friday night all dropped out. I was left with Naveen and my Avenger. Before we had plans to visit Kabini. Now since we were left with one bike and two people, we thought of keeping the trip simple and less adventurous. Experiencing the Coorgi food and a home stay were few plans left in our plates. Keeping this in mind we started our journey on 3rd of May. I picked up Naveen from IISc and then headed towards Mysore highway.

Maddur Vadas feeling our stomach at Maddur Tyfannis we started deciding our route n stay plans. Chiligiri Estate came out as the best option because of its proximity to Brahamagiri ranges(best view from the backyards of the estate), Irupu Falls(4kms), Wayanad(14kms), Nagarhole(22kms). Call 09448582496 for bookings. Rates were sensible--> 1000/- INR if want to stay including meals, 750/- INR includes stay and breakfast. We opted for the first option since food and hospitality was the main reason of this trip.

We started heading towards Srirangapattam on Mysore Highway. After Srirangapattam we took the bypass road to Hunsur. By around 12noon we were in Hunsur. From Hunsur we took the road to Nagarhole. Because Kutta was the place where we were heading for. But alas due to our ignorance we were stopped at Nagarhole check post. Please note bikes are not allowed inside Nagarhole due to elephant menace. The only way left for us was to take the road to Gonikkopal and then to drive till Kutta. Gonikkapal way was via Hunsur. But driving all the way back could have consumed lots of time. So we decided to drive through the villages till Panchavadi. Then head for Gonikkopal. The drive was fabulous on the mud roads. Miles and miles of no human habitation. Some villages came in between. And it was very necessary to ask the locals for Panchavadi. Hindi was quite uncommon in the area. But still we managed to reach Panchavadi. After Panchavadi roads were good with lush green, tall trees on both sides of the road. We were in Gonikkopal by 2 noon. Then from Gonnikopal to Kutta the drive of 30kms all through the hills, quite satisfactory to fulfill our thirst to see and be with the nature. The road to Kutta leads via Ponnampet, Hudikere, Srimangala. Some 4kms before Kutta a right turn to Manchali leads to Chilligiri Estate. But there is a small sign board. So keep the eyes open. We missed the spot twice. But finally we were lucky to notice board.

We both were welcomed with hot cups of coffee. A fast clean up and we were set to explore the backyards of estate. Hardly 500metres walk and Brahmagiri ranges stood majestically in front of ours. Half of the montains were covered with clouds. Some good variety of birds to watch through . Walking those calm, tranquil, beautiful trails made us both mesmerized. We were back to Chilligiri after a long walk. Home made wine was need of the moment. And a wine served with black fresh coffee brought us back to senses. By night we had our dinner, a connoisseur's dream and hunger's requirement. Then a good sleep completed our first day.

Next day morning I woke early to decide on our route plans. By 5:30am hot bed coffee woha... It was dense fog all over the place so we couldn't start untill sun was up. By 7:30am we geared ourselves and went straight for Wayanad. We were in Kerala. Some great moment for both of us to cover all the way till Kerala on single bike. In Wayanad we did safari but against our wishes were unable to see any animal.. Except few herds of spotted deers and some langurs. From Wayanad we drove back to Kutta then all the way till Nagarhole checkpost to explore the places. Then again drove back crossed the Manchali board. A drive of 1km more and we were near the junction of Irupu Falls. There is a sign board easily unnoticed. The sign board leads to Irupu Resort and the falls. Some winding roads, rode 3kms and we were in Irupu Falls. Parked the bike and walked 700metres to reach Irupu falls. The walk was through dense woods. Calmness and coolness was all around the air. Walking down the trails we watched some beautiful butterflies endemic and specific to the region. The Irupu falls was marvelous. Chill water gushing down 98metres. For people who love calmness and tranquility come early to escape from noisy late visitors. We missed that opportunity as we were late. Got some good photographs and we decided to drive back to Bangalore. While coming down the Irupu falls visited the Rameshwara temple. Myths are that the idol was established by Ram himself. We were back to Chilligiri Estate. Had our delicious lunch. With stomach filled we decided to drive on the other way round. Ride via Wayanad till Kottikalam then take the diversion to Mysore. This road leads via Kabini. So we hit the road. The roads were really in good condition. In Kottikalam we took Mysore road. As soon as we entered Karnataka again the road turned horrible. 30km of road section was full of potholes. Infact there was hardly any roads except potholes. (Whoever is taking this section of the road please keep in mind it is hard to find any person in this area, not a single village. And the road is all through the jungles. So keep the gears ready. Its better not to take this road if you are not extreme level of nature lover). In this section we saw only 3 vehicles which crossed us. We saw some really wonderful birds on the . The place was so inhabited that birds were not scared of us.. We took 2hours to cross that 30kms. Reached Kabini. Took some photographs. And were set for Mysore again. After Kabini road was really good. Reached Mysore by 5:30PM. Quite a relief. Had maddur vada again to fill our tired stomachs :) while returning.

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

2008-04-25T02:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T04:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

(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

2008-04-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

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)

2008-04-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-19T11:24:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-17T01:40:00.001-07:00

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 :-