Travelogue

Introducing the driver,

                                                      

the cleaner

 

 

 

 

 

..........and the madame.

 It all started with major plans of driving the North India but again the pocket seemed to be tearing hence South India it was. But again, there was a bigger tear in the pocket so we decided to club our nephews' birthday along with the trip so covering Madanepalle, Bangalore, Mysore, Bandipur, Coorg.

The day started at 9:00 p.m. on 14th January traveling by bus to Madanepalle. A small town in AP and the hometown of a dear friend M whose parents were gracious enough to have us in. So we had two days of heavenly food and visited Horsley hills, the only hill station around that area and extremely hyped of a place considering there is nothing much to do except pack beer in a jeep and sit on top of a hill and admire the country side below. On 16th started for Bangalore to spend time with the nephew. He of course was thrilled to have us in, though the niece was not so sure about us. After a nice evening and some family time, started off to Mysore.

Reached Mysore after a brief halt at two banyan trees which are supposed to be spread across a huge area and are centuries old. One of them situated behind a famous ashram. Added a touch of the spiritual side too and met the Godfather himself. Reached Mysore by afternoon just to realize that the palace may not be open to public yet and also as usual R had his stomach growling for a loo break after the MacD's burgers we had gorged on the way and a halt to Hotel Roopa was due.

M & I couldn't resist the biryani even if it meant stuffing us up till our throats. After being fed and watered time to visit the Grand Palace. Clicked a lot of pictures but unfortunately lost all of them for reasons less known. Seen here is a distorted one I managed to click of the palace by night.

Headed to Bandipur after that just in time to catch the last bus to the wildlife. Caught a glimpse of the wild elephant and some deers and the likes. The drive awesome and the vehicle awful. We had decided to stay the night in the wild but there seemed to be nothing much to do hence we decided to come back to Mysore and stay the night there. On the way back went to get the view of the palace and gardens by night. Thereafter, Hotel Roopa it is and beer and more food time. Got stuffed yet again and dropped off to bed to wake up next morning to kick start for Coorg.

Day 5: Woke up got ready, tea and threatened R for no food till Coorg and took off. R saw a CCD and refused to drive further till he was fuelled. So breakfast time at CCD and straight to Kushalnagar en route Coorg. Kushalnagar happens to have the second largest Buddhist monastry in the country called Namdroling. It has a huge form of Buddha in gold alongside 2 other important Buddhas.

The entire settlement was huge and very serene. We spent almost over an hour there before lunch at a local restaurant with thukpa and chowmein. Some window shopping and then to Coorg.  

At Coorg we kept driving for forest flower which was deep inside a coffee plantation and a beautiful inn with wooden cottages and a tree top swing below which a stream flows. Awesome! Service not good. They did not know the word complimentary and even water was to be bought. But then again one does not stay in such places for the service; they stay for the peace and quiet that nature has to offer.

Once we settled into the place we went to the local town for sightseeing a negligible visit to Abbey waterfalls which was a bit of a joke for waterfalls, and food and some beer. Then it was chilling time at the inn and some photography and HTHT.

Day6: Dubare Elephant camp it is at 6:00 am. We got wrong information and reached there early morning but the elephants apparently don't wake up before 9:00a.m! So some timepass in the river and again food and some more timepass at the camp itself before the kings arrival. They arrive like the royals and the pompous walk can give Her Highness a run for the money. We were allowed to pet them when they get into the water for a bath and also are allowed to bathe them. My first touch of any animal and it felt weird. After the shower it was food time for them too and soon after it was time for us to take their leave. We come back to the other side by boat and then back to forest flower for a quick shower and pack up before heading for Rishi Agastya's ashram and the root of the kaveri river. The tree under which Agastya rishi sat still exists and the vibrations still feel strong. The drive itself was killing and by the time we got back to the town it was 4:00pm and we were starving. We hogged on Chicken and rotis and then started for Bangalore.

Reached Bangalore late in the night, I slept throughout the journey and don't remember much of the drive anyway, and crashed straightaway once we reached home. Next morning M left and we were by ourselves. Thus ended one of the most memorable holidays and now for Adu's birthday in a couple of days. Till then its chillax at home with the kids and enjoying the Bangalore hospitality.