Monsoon Road Trip Chennai - GOA - Chennai

கோவா - எங்கள் கனவு பயணம்..பயணம் சொல்லி கொடுத்தது பல..அதில் இங்கு சில...

Its been a dream come true for us. Myself and Priya planned for vacation to Goa by train. After spending time in internet for few days, i found that other then Goa there are lot many interesting places to visit in and around Goa and in Karnataka. Karnataka is like a real heaven with interesting landscapes, water bodies, sea shores, wildlife. Karnataka can be defined as "One State many Worlds".


So we dropped the plan by train and thinking about alternate transportation. When searching the blogs many buddies done Bangalore to Goa. It gave me a idea, why cant we do a road trip from Chennai - Goa? I done long trips in my Swift Dzire, but not like this!!. We calculated the total distance and it comes around 3000!!. I asked my close buddy Olani Mohan (now working in Chennai, previously in bangalore!!) to join the trip. He asked me some time for deciding but i know for sure he will join this trip..



He has a hands on experience on Driving and good geographical knowledge and atlast we have a good rapport among us. So i want him for my trip, and he replied with a big "YES". So now the trip comes to a shape by deciding the transportation by Car and at present we are three. I want Meithilli ( my close friend) also to join the trip. She also agreed and her Sis ( Vinitha) also wants to join our club. I am happy to see the team as Priya gets proper company even i am!!



We decide to start by Sep 26th of 2009 and ends by October 4th of 2009. Prepared a pakka trip chart. It follows as

September 26 ( Saturday) - Travel Distance 365Km.
Leaving from Chennai to Bangalore. ( Around 5 in the morning)
Reaching Bangalore by afternoon. Night halt in Bangalore.


September 27 ( Sunday) - Travel Distance 425Km. approx.
Leaving Bangalore by 3:30am in the morning towards Jog Falls
Reaching Jog falls by around 12 in the afternoon.
Sight seeing Jog falls and Sharavathi Valley.
Night halt. Reservation booked on Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa (KSTDC Property)- Jog falls

September 28 ( Monday) - Travel Distance 254.91 Km approx.
Starting from Jog falls around 6 in the morning to Goa.
In between Sight seeing and reaching Goa by afternoon
Lunch. Sit back and relax for few hours.
Evening sight seeing.
Goa Stay arranged in Santana Beach resorts, Candloim ( yet to reserve!!)

September 29 (Tuesday) - Travel Distance 100 Km approx.
Local Sight seeing - Goa


September 30 ( Wednesday) - Travel Distance 100 Km approx.
Local Sight seeing - Goa


October 1 ( Thursday) - Travel Distance 140.43 Km approx.
Leaving from Goa to Dandeli. Starting by early in the morning around 5am
Staying in Horn bill Resort - Paid Advance for two tree houses.
Adventure activities included in the package. Enjoy those things and night halt in tree house.
All meal included only in Dandeli Resort and not in the above accommodations.


October 2 ( Friday) - Travel Distance 100 Km approx.
Leaving Dandeli by afternoon to Udupi (Just for night Stay, breakup journey towards Bangalore.)
Stay in Udupi


October 3 ( Saturday) - Travel Distance 518.13 Km approx.
Udupi to Bangalore. Starting by early morning 5am
Reaching Bangalore by evening. Halt in Bangalore.


October 4 ( Sunday) - Travel Distance 365Km.
Starting from Bangalore to Chennai by early morning 4am
Reaching Chennai by afternoon.



Even though the plan seems to be clear, we desperately changed the final two days plan because of floods in Karnataka. We changed the destination from Udupi to Hubli. The We returned back from hubli to Bangalore and from Bangalore to Chennai.



Day 1: We reached Bangalore in the late afternoon and i stayed in Mohan's room, as Priya and Meithu stayed in Vinitha's room. Vinitha is totally helpful and she is ready to volunteer in all kind of work fundas. I felt safe as my team looks very stronger. Mohan will be my mental stamina, Meithu, Priya and Vini took care of food and other snack fundas.


Day 2: We started very early (2:30am) and reached first tumkur. had a tea and again proceeded to jog falls. Ghat section starts immediately after tumkur and throughout the trip we faced beautiful ghat sections. Amazing views and everyone has to feel it!!! Reached Jog falls and felt little disappointed with some less water flow and high crowd. We stayed there over night. But our disappointment changed to surprise the next morning!!!



Day 3: Every sunshine has its own beauty and tone of color. Water flow drastically increased in the water fall and it gave us a very good view and we took plenty of shots from various angles of the water fall. Food was ok there and Myura stay is worth for the money. Clean basic rooms with all facilities. Kudos to Karnataka tourism. Started from Jog falls and proceeded towards Goa.



Afternoon we had our breakfast at Honovar and lunch at Karwar. Visited Om beach in the intermediate and it been a long drive in the ghat roads and reached Goa by night. Rain was our one more co traveler towards the trip and gave us a pleasent mood towards our travel. We stayed overnight at Santana Beach resorts.


House keeping and Manager were so kind and they upgraded one our rooms to deluxe from ordinary without any extra fare!!. As usual girls took that room. Everyone felt so tired especially myself. I drove the vehicle all along the way from Chennai, as Mohan got some ankle injury in his leg. But he guided me through out the way and we listened to good tracks of Illayaraja, Yuvan, A.R.Rehman and few Hindi tracks too. Mohan's Song collection is simply superb and even today i kept it safe as a treasure.


Day 4: Local sight seeing in Goa. Since its monsoon all the water sports got closed and we enjoyed the rough sea shores with drizzling chill weather. Food items seems to be bit costlier but don't miss the sea foods. We strongly recommend RITZ CLASSIC hotel for perfect goan foods. Do not go for "Delhi Darbar". Poor hospitality with high menu rates. In the evening went for Cruise ride



Day 5: Went to Anjuna beach and Fort Tricol. Its a real nice expeirnce driving to Fort Tricol. Its been a 1 hour drive from Panjim and we have to board our self with the Car in the ferry.


The fort was tiny but the view of the shore from the Fort is tremendous.





Day 6: Said a bye-bye to Goa and had a very tough drive towards Dandeli - Kali river. Roads are really bad near the borders. Real tough time gives us some frustration. One more reason for some frustration is because of heavy monsoon Water rafting been closed in Dandeli. We expected a lot but after some instances we are ready to enjoy with what we are having. Stayed in Tree house of Hornbill resorts.



Really awesome experience staying a whole night in a tree house. Our girls got scared initially but We have no other option there and made up our mind to enjoy the mother nature. Done boating in kali river, Natural Jacuzzi id reaaly good at a point of Kali river. Enjoyed and had a great dinner. Next day early morning went for animal safari also. Able to find some deers.




Day 7: The day is very important in our life. the whole day is sitting in the corner of the seat and watching a horror movie or a disaster genre movie like "2012". We started from the with real happiness and proceeded towards Udupi. Planning to have lunch in Honovar and want to take ride towards Coastal roads of Karnataka. While we started we had a sudden decision to visit Sindheri rocks near Dandeli, so we had a deep diversion and the roads are very close to nature and the forest is very dense. We took some shots in Sindheri rocks are planning to return back to Karwar first. We again got a road diversion to Karwar and reached some how around afternoon.

We heard the shocking news that Coastal Karnataka was totally under flood and we are not able to cross a single bridge in Karwar. All the bridges been flooded with water and gave us a scary shock in our hearts. he remioanig plan was screwed up and now we have no option of retuning back. Rain was hitting real hard and making the scene more scary. A driver in Kadra dam project guided us to stay for few hours in their Inspection bungalow and he arranged for some hot rava uppuma. It is like motherly care and i still have hope that nature will not create any problem to us. I love and care nature up to my extent and i am in a confident level that it will reciprocate good things to me.



After our lunch we got a alternate route to reach hubli and catch NH-4 to Bangalore. Everyone made up our minds to cancel the Udupi visit (not only Udupi. We wished to visit Murudheswar, and want to cover the Mangalore - Bangalore ghat section!!) and re route to Hubli. We had to get permission for the alternate route from the Police station , since the route is been very dangerous ghat section and been a private road used by the forest officials. We got the permission by giving our identities and they provided their phone numbers for emergency. I drove the car like anything and the ghat section is full of dense forests and in the day time itself there is no sunlight. i never saw a ghat section like that!!!!.


Its been a scary 3 hr drive and we got the highway to Hubli and stayed there overnight in a hotel.

Day 8: Its been a clear sunny day and we started our drive to Bangalore. The highway is good at parts and totally damaged at most parts. We informed our parents that we are safe!!. Mohan drove the car and reached Bangalore in the evening. Refreshed and went to "Forum Complex" for dinner. Had a real good dinner and stayed over night.


Day 9: Started early to Chennai and reached Chennai by afternoon.

Its been a life time experience for us. Road trip taught us Courage, Planning things, Driving skills, Team coordination etc. Since we are five we are totally dependent with each other. Thanks to Meithu and Priya for their hindi speaking skills. Thanks to Vinitha for coordinating the stuffs especially in Bangalore. Thanks to Mohan for the mental support and at last i that my Car for providing us safety, comfort etc.



Some Hotels for Staying with budget accommodation:

Udupi Accommodation:

HOTEL SWADESH HERITAGE
Maruthi Veethika,
Udupi - 576 101
Karnataka,
India
Ph. No.:+ 91 820 2529605 / 2529705
E-mail: udupi@hotelswadesh.com

Goa Accommodation:

Santana Beach Resort
www.santana-goa.com
Dando Beach Sinquerim Road
Candolim, 403515
0832 2479556

Dandeli Accommodation:

Horn bill Resorts
Address
Ganeshgudi-Joida Taluk
Near Super Dam
Dandeli
Karnataka - 581362
India Telephone No: 0 - 9880683323
District: Uttara Kannada

Jog falls Accommodation:

KSTDC Mayura Gerusopa
Address
Jog Falls
Sagar Taluk
Karnataka - 577435
India Telephone No: 08186 - 244732
Website: www.kstdc.nic.in
District: Shimoga

Approximate Distance Coverage

Ø Chennai to Bangalore – 350Kms
Ø Bangalore to Jog falls – 393Kms
Ø Jog falls to Goa – 360Kms
Ø Goa to Dandeli – 240Kms
Ø Dandeli to Hubli – 315Kms
Ø Hubli to Bangalore – 490Kms
Ø Bangalore to Chennai – 350Kms

Approximate Trip Expenses:

Ø Vehicle fuel & Maintenance – 6500 Rs.
Ø Hotel Stay – 25600 Rs. ( Jog falls, Goa, Dandeli and Hubli)
Ø Food & Snacks – 12000
Ø Water Rafting – 6000
Ø Other Accessories (Medicines, Water, Battery Cells etc.) - 500

Total Expenses per head: 8000/- ( All Expenses from Chennai to Chennai)
Days Covered: 9 days ( Sep 26th to Oct 4th of 2009)
Road Conditions: 70% good and 30% totally bad
Driving Skill difficulty: Difficult but its heaven.

"NO PAIN NO GAIN". See you guys in my next post with lot more interesting places!!

Parvathamalai Trek

Parvathamalai trek - Its been one of the treks which blended with nature and religious beliefs. Myself, Paa and Vijay started friday night of August 15nth weekend. We took the bus at Koyembadu and it heavily packed and Paa boarded the bus in tambaram. We have only two seats for three and managed some how and continued hectic six hours journey to Thiruvanamalai.



We refreshed there in a small Lodge and went to the bustand for picking the bus to Parvathamalai. We missed the first bus and we got the second one and reached parvathamalai by around 9 in the morning. Its been one hour travel from Thiruvanamalai.

While started climbing some devotees suggested us to continue the trek without slippers, since the hill is filled with Medicinal herbs and high decibel devotional factors. So myself and Paa continued without slippers and Vijay continued with Slipper. Vijay had a little tough time in the intial stage and managed some how..



The hill terrain is divided in to different stages and the final stage is the kodali padhai or vayu padhai. It seesm to be scary but quiet intresting one. The mountain is steep to 90 degrees and we had to climb the mountain using kodali that is plunged in to the rocks.

After 3 and half hours we reached the top. In the top there is a small mandapam and temple. We got some real refreshners in the intermediate path like lime soda, buttermilk etc. The wind is wild in the peak and the whle hill is filled with some kind of devotional values. It seems Gods waves are spread ed throughout the mountain.


Some devotees told the climbing will be very good in Pournami of every month. Climbing in moon light with wild cold wind will surely make the trek wonderful. Want to try it once, but don't know when?


Climbed down with some pace to catch the bus at Thiruvanamalai in the evening. We got the token for the A/C SETC bus operated from Thriuvanamalai to Chennai ( Time of the bus is 5:00pm). But the service of the bus is completely nucking futs!! (I don't want to tell the word!!). A/C is not working completely and we had a fussy trip to Chennai.





Parvathamalai is worth a trek / trip for a one day Program. See you guys with my next trek experience. Every trek has something to teach us. The pain gives a small smile after finishing the trek. Some times pain gives us frustration, but the passion towards nature and exploring things change the frustration to fulfillment in the heart.



After every trek heart use to tell me.....Whats next?? You done nothing!!


Total Trek Distance: 12Kms approx.
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium ( Because of hot Summer!!)
Total Expenses: 400Rs/- Approx from Chennai to Chennai.

Thadiyandamol..Highest Peak in Coorg

This is the first time we guys from Fatpipe went for some serious trek without knowing it!!.We done Thandiyandamol by 7hrs. Actually we went in a mood of leisure trip to Coorg. After sight seeing for two days we got a little bored with usual sight seeing places and not very much interested with shooting polluted and clumsy tourist spots.












Our resort was like a heaven and all the pre arrangements are done by Uma and Ashok. Second day we made up our mind to do Thandiyandamol. It been a first trek to most of my colleagues. But after Thandiyandamol we climbed Parvathamalai, Sakleshpur and few minor treks.




We reached the base camp without any prior arrangements or mind set and started to climb with a simple map. The map is simple but very clear. After certain distance, hopefully after reaching 4.5kms 2 guys from our team left behind and went to base camp, since one of them had sprain injury in the leg and the other went behalf of him.

Since its summer and we didn't had water bottles for the trek, we suffered with dehydration in the middle. Managed some how and reached the top around 3:45pm in the afternoon. Started the trek by around 10:30 in the morning.





No words to explain the beauty of the peak. In the total dehydration and pain our only relief is the cool wind in the top. Some other professional and pre-cautious trekkers provided us some glucose, tang and water.




We were able to see some tents, and really we missed the camping at Thandiyandamol. But we done it in Sakleshpur. Missing and failures are just one step ahead of victory. I like that people who have failures and missing in their life. I don't follow the foot path of a Successor who didn't have a single failure.





The total trek gave us mental energy and it taught the preparations for the trek. Experiences make people perfect. Love Nature and please do not spoil it.



Total Trek Distance: 12Km (Up/Down)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Best time to Visit: After Monsoon ( Nov-Jan )
Trek we done: August
Expenses: Around 2000/- per head from Chennai to Chennai

ECR Cycling Chennai to Pondicherry

This time i planned for a lonely Cycling trip from Chennai to Pondicherry. I discussed this idea with my kootukaran (friend!!) Paa. He also showed interest with the trip. Also Praveen and Sathish (Paa's close kootukaranga!!) want to join with us.



Initially we planned the trip on Dec 19nth & 20th. But due to Charu's book release function we pre poned the trip to Dec 5th and 6th. Everyone decided to put the Cycles in Praveen's home in Tambaram. One week before the trip everyone dropped the Cycles in Praveen's home.




December 5th morning everyone assembled sharply on morning 5:45am and started thr trip around 6:10 in the morning. We cruised through kelambakam and reached mayajal and had a fresh tea with some biscuits. Then we planned to put the next stop in Mahabalipuram, but everyone got a little bit tired and put a break in ECR view point.



Again we started and reached Mahabalipuram around 10 in the morning and had breakfast in a small house/hotel!!. After breakfast our real tough time starts because of the hot sun. The main problem is the cycles we have. Everyone's cycle is around 10 to 15 years old. Only with a thought of reaching Pondicherry we started the trip with real enthu. By 10am to 1pm we struggled and reached a place after Kalpakkam. (We packed the lunch in Kalpakkam, egg briyani with some bananas.





After lunch we had a deep sleep for 30 minutes under the tree shadows. Around 2:30pm again we started the cycling. We reached Kadapakkam around 4:30 and Marakannam around 6:15 in the evening.







In the intermediate Paa's cycle chain broke in to pieces and fortunately we got c aycle workshop and cleared the issue. We had a tea in marakannam motel and planned to go fast, since evenings are bit cold and soon it becomes dark.







Survival instinct tells everyone to pedal the cycle fast and we reached the toll gate at sharp 7pm (around 15kms in 35minutes!!). We have no light, no proper reflectors and not even protecting helmets. And reached Pondichery entrance at 7:45pm. Everyone had a victorious smile with pain all around the body.





The unfortunate thing is from Pondicherry entrance my home is around 17Kms!!. Praveen got exhausted even the other members. At last we used our total backup energy etc etc..to reach our home. Reached around 9:30 pm in the night and my maa waits in the road for us. (Sure she prays all the gods for everyone's safe arrival!!).

We had a Pakka Dinner in our home (Rice, Ghee, Sambhar, Rasam, Fried Eggs with other three vegetables and finally sweet aval as the desert). Praveen and myself feels some what feverish because of exhausted body energy and everyone in our crew applied Winter green oil and had a very sound sleep.




Next day after delicious breakfast started by afternoon and put the cycles in Bus top and had a return journey to Chennai. Praveen, Sathish and Paa got the cycles in Kuduvancheri and i got the cycle in Koyembadu.

After every trip our souls are restless and searching new things in the world. We are not legends, or high adventurous guys to make the impossible things possible. But i am sure our souls need something to do along with the nature. Pain is there but the experience, the blog is not enough or we have no proper words to descibe. Feel it enjoy it. You will be automatically taken care by the Mother Nature. Do not spoil it please.

Total Cycling Distance : 165Kms
Time Taken: 10hrs Cycling and around 4:30hrs break
Date Covered: 5th December
Total Expenses: Around 400Rs/

Kodai to Muunar Trek - Not exact "Escape Road Trek"!!

Kodaikanal to Munnar!! Its one of my dream come true trek. I bet you cannot see these kind of landscapes, valleys in any of the treks. Priya went to Delhi to meet her parents and i am all alone in Chennai for 3 weeks. According to me December is the month the whole world is beautiful and climate will be cold throughout the world. For trekking its the best time and i don't want to miss December month and when searching internet i got the idea of trekking Kodaikanal to Munnar.

But i didn't have a proper company to join along with me and i contacted Guide Mr.Mani in Kodai regarding the cost for the trek. He quoted little bit higher and i am not in the position to spend that much money. He says if you guys come along as group i will give reductions. I got the reduced price from him and in the mean time i searched company to trek along with me. One more sad thing happened was the date we asked Mani was already booked by a group. My friends also not interested i thought the plan was going to drop.

And i made up my mind to trek alone and negotiated again with Mani and got a good quote of Rs.2200/- for 5 days trek along with food and sleeping bag!! :) :). But one condition is i have to trek along with a the group he already committed. I said a great "YES" and i covered Christmas Shift in my office and started my journey towards Kodaikanal on 25th night with lot of dreams and questions!!.  I did not know any one in the group, even i am not familiar with the place or guide!!. Landed in Kodaikanal around 8am and refreshed in a Hotel's restroom and called my guide. He told the trek is going to start from Kodiakanals Youth hostel and i came to know the group which he is going to lead is from Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI).

When i reached there the lead of YHAI said No to me to join with the group and he is keep on telling about the rules and regulations of YHAI. Mani who is very close to the forest officials supported me and he says i am to going to join the trek as the treks volunteer and finally he got permission for me. Thanks to Mani!!.

While these drama is happening the trek is been started and they climbed down inside the forest. After 30 minutes i joined the trek and everyone was new to me and i got introduced to everyone before the lunch break.

The trek plan is :

Day 1: Kodaikanal to Berijam lake
Day 2: Berijam Lake to Kavnji
Day 3: Kavunji to Mannavanaur
Day 4: Mannavanur to Kadavarai
Day 5: Kadavarai to Top station and i trekked from Top station to Kurangani (to catch the bus from Dindigul to Chennai, i done the last part of trek that is from Top stat. to Kurangani)
   

The first day trek was good, but simple and we reached Berijam lake for staying the night. Nights are cold like hell and we are not able to resist the chillness and slept for 2 hours hardly. Berijam we saw bison's roaming like goats.

                                      

Next day morning we started towards Kavnji and its been trekking towards Shola reserve forests and we had a nice break in Konalar. Trekking is been medium for the regular trekkers and the only problem is leeches. It screwed the happiness of first timers and regular trekkers we had a smile at leeches. Kavnji camp is better and it accommodates all of us. that is around 46 members. We laid tents also and managed the night with as usual songs by girls and we used to listen and enjoy it!!.

Third day trek is through grass lands and we received rains while trekking and we are all wet and finished the trek to Mannavanaur around 4 in the evening. IN the shivering cold we had few cups of tea and a hot dinner made by the volunteers.

      
                           

Fourth day trek is been from Mannavanur to Kadavarai or Killavarai and its been a total climb and stayed in middle of the forest. that is at the check post of Tamilnadu and kerala. that road is previously used by British soldiers and called it as "Escape road".

Fifth day the trek starts from kedavarai to Top station and its been a 2 hours hectic climb and 2 hours easy trek and we reached Top station. And i said a big bye bye to the trekkers and i rushed towards Top station to Kuarangani. Its been a 2 and half hours trek and i am the hurry of catching the bus at dindigul. The other trekkers went to Munnar from Top station ( by bus) and finished their trek.

Finally i reached Kurangani and got bus to Bodi and from Bodi the Theni and then from Theni to Dindigul and reached Dindigul at 8:30pm. My bus is at 10pm, so had a nice dinner and got in to the bus. Slept like anything and the next few days my legs pains like hell!!. But the things i experienced is heaven.

I am sure this blog is not enough to share my thoughts i gained in this trek and personalities i met during the trek. The whole team is very friendly and i had pakka fun with them. Lovely couple Alpa and Jay, Brave and sweet advocate Nassem, friendly Anand and his pakka team from Bangalore, Always smiling Radha and Padmini :) Aunty, brave souls Apurva and Priyanka from Sangli, Our helpline and "dynamic" Vijaykumar and priya from Thirupuur, My favorite Chennai team that includes Mega, Sarvana, Gnana and Srini, 45 year old eligilble bachelor Kothari, So sweet Madhu and Sachin from Managlore, Aparana an environmental advocate, Real trekker Prashanth from Karwar and etc..etc..I apologize if is missed some names and i am thankful to Volunteers who helped my guide Kodai Mani.

I lost three kg during this trek because of less intake of food and water. Climate makes us mad and a final thanks to YHAI and we guys in Fat pipe are going to join YHAI for doing Sarpass and some himlayan treks in future.

See you guys in my next blog with lot more interesting places.

Trek Details:

Date: Dec 26th to Dec 30th 2009
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium

Distance Covered – 38 kms approx

Contact Details – Kodai Mani, Phone no : +91 9894048493

Trek Start Point – Kodaikanal Youth Hostel

Trek End Point – Top station, Kerala

Total Expenses: 3300/- Approx including Transportation from Chennai to Chennai