The journey so far - 7 - Bylakuppe

Destination:  Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement, Karnataka.

Distance from Bangalore: about 220kms.

Route:  B’lore – Mysore – Hunsur – Periyapatna –Bylakuppe (Take left).

To Do: The Tibetan Monasteries and monks clad in deep red and yellow clothes are the face of Bylakuppe. The settlements were established on land leased by the state government to accommodate some of the Tibetan refugees who came to resettle in India after 1959. The main attraction of the town is the Golden Temple (Namrodoling Monastery).

Stay: Kushalanagara & Madikeri, other two famous towns are few kilometers away.

Food: Kushalanagara at 6kms has good hotels.

Highlights of the place:  Look out for the lifestyle of the Tibetan monks. Their rituals, schools, hostels, holy scriptures, carvings etc are a treat to watch. The huge idols inside the temple are worth a visit.

Best time to visit: Holiday season will be overflowing with visitors, change your plans if you seek solitude.

Places nearby: Coorg, the Scotland of India.

Things to remember:  The place you visit may be a tourist place for you but it’s a place of worship for the Tibetans. Maintain the sanctity and calm when you are around.

The journey so far - 6 - Romancing with greenery

Clad in the lush green tea estates and surrounded by evergreen forests & majestic hillocks, this tiny hill town is a real retreat.

Destination:  Amidst the clouds!

Distance from Bangalore: approx 650kms.

Route:  Straight until the foothills and then up above the world so high!

To Do: Admire, admire & admire the marvelous nature. Once you are done admiring, start admiring again! This is a hardly commercialized, tiny hill town with very few hotels & facilities. But the picturesque land can charm anybody. Cool weather, flowing waters and lush green teas wherever you see. At 11AM in the morning, we were standing right in the centre of a passing cloud & by 3PM, it looked like end of the day!

Stay: By the lake, among the tea plantations wherever you feel!

Food: Fresh air, lush green green greeeeeen!

Highlights of the place: The green green tea plantations, picture perfect streams flowing in between the estate, cattle grazing to add effect and the clouds that make you feel as if you are at the gates of heaven!

Best time to visit: Should be anytime for sure!

Places nearby: Quite a few but who would want to leave this place!

Things to remember: Please ask the person to keep the place intact if in case you refer this place to anyone!

The journey so far - 5 - Chukki & Talakad

A waterfall & a historic temple village with lots of myths & legends around it!

Destination: Shivanasamudra & Talakadu, Karnataka.

Distance from Bangalore: approx. 120kms

Route: Bangalore-Kanakpura-Malavalli-Shivanasamudra

Bangalore-(On Mysore highway) Maddur (Take left at Blackbird apparel store)-Malavalli - Shivanasamudra

To Do:

Shivanasamudra in Chamarajnagar district is one of the two major places where the Jeevanadhi (river that sustains life) of Karnataka, Cauvery, takes a plunge into the gorges en route its journey to join the Bay of Bengal.  River Cauvery having flown all the way from Talacauvery, 230 kms away in Kodagu district, splits here into two segments forming the island of Shivanasamudra. The east & west segments of the river decide to take a drop before joining again and results in the famous Bharachukki & Gaganachukki falls of Shivanasamudra respectively. The segmented waterfall drops from a height of 322feet into the rocks and bushes creating a marvelous view. Gaganachukki is 2-3kms away from Bharachukki and can be best seen from a watch tower located here.

This place houses the first ever hydro electric power plant in Asia, The Bluff or Shimsha power plant, estd in 1902. Power was supplied to Kolar Gold Fields making it the first city in Asia to be lit by Hydel power.

Talakadu is an ancient village located on the banks of Cauvery, at about 15 kms from Shivanasamudra. This place has many famous legends and myths associated with it. Adding to all the stories, one can see vast area covered by sand and many temples are believed to be buried under them. The archeological society has been excavating temples every year and they are being reconstructed. But the curse in the stories about Talakadu says Talakaadu Marulaagali (Let Talakadu be filled with sand dunes) and co-incidentally sand keeps filling and the excavation needs to be repeated every year.

Stay: Cultural capital Mysore is approx 45kms from Shivanasamudra.

Food: Local eateries available. Talakadu has a hotel under a banyan tree. Food is average but highlight of the hotel place is how quick you can finish your food before the moneys grab it! Maddur has prominent hotels.

Highlights of the place: Care to hire a guide at Talakadu to listen the interesting stories of the site as you tread over the sand dunes. You might be just walking over another temple buried beneath. Coracle rides are also available in the nearby Cauvery River.

Best time to visit: Post monsoon, as the falls will be at its maximum power and also the walk around Talakadu would be a calm and cool one.

Places nearby: Mysore is 45kms and Somnathapur, another temple town is just 25kms away. You would not want to miss the panoramic view from the Muduku thore temple on the way to Talakadu from Shivanasamudra. A moderate climb on the stairs takes you atop the small hill and you can see the split Cauvery taking a steep turn at Talakadu.

Things to remember: Water bodies always have warning boards planted nearby but hardly anybody minds it. Cauvery is known to have swirls at this part of its course, take good care of you.

There are hardly any shops near the falls or any good ones near Talakadu. Carry food & water bottles if necessary.

The journey so far - 4 - Yercaud

Yercaud, the hill station on the outskirts of Salem, is also called as poor man’s Ooty. This is one of those not so developed/ commercialized hill stations which have a few great places to offer.

Destination: Yercaud, Tamilnadu.

Distance from Bangalore: 240kms (via. Salem)

How to reach: Buses ply between Bangalore to Salem and Salem to Yercaud.

If travelling on your own vehicle then reach Salem and ask directions to Yercaud. The 40 kms of ghats section climbing up to Yercaud may need skillful driving.

Stay: If travelling from Bangalore then Yercaud is a picnic away. Few good hotels are available in Yercaud if incase you wish to make it a tour!

Places to visit:

Shervarayon temple is an old temple at the top of a small hill, which is said to have a tunnel that connects to Mysore. Your vehicle can take you till the top and the viewpoints around this place are scenic. While climbing down to Yercaud junction, you cross few other temples and a beautiful orange estate. Look out for freshly plucked oranges being sold roadside. The rose garden, children’s seat view point and lady’s seat view point are other attractions at Yercaud. It also has a lake which offers pedal boating and other services. Montfort school is an educational institute established by Christian missionaries. It has gothic style constructions and architectural vistas to offer. Public entry is allowed on Sundays only.

Eat: Good number of veg and non veg eat outs are available at Yercaud. If interested then buy products like honey, fruits, flowers & other forest products.

Highlights of the place: If you have moderate stamina then trek to the base of Kiliyoor falls which is a beautiful waterfall atop the hill. Moderate trekking for 2-3 kms will take you to the base of the falls. Make sure there is enough water before you set out.

Do not miss the sun set view from one of the view points or while climbing down the ghats!

Places nearby: For the ones who have to make it a tour, Hogenakkal is 120 kms away.

Things to remember:  It’s a tiny town so do not expect much of the facilities. Keep cash and other necessary things handy.

Drive carefully on the ghats and look out for blind curves. Make way for vehicles climbing uphill.

Keep it clean!

Happy & safe Journey,

Sam

The journey so far - 3 - Kovalam

Kovalam is the one of the most sought after beaches along with those of Goa in India. A large number of foreign tourists arrive here every year and stay for months together.

Destination: Kovalam, Kerala

Distance from Bangalore: Approx. 800 kms (Via. Salem and Coimbatore)

Travel: Few buses are available from Bangalore to Kovalam/ Trivandrum but the best option would be train, if you aren't planning to take your 4 wheeler for a long drive!

Indian Railway operates many trains between B’lore and Trivandrum (Please check the timings with railway before you plan your travel.) Regular buses ply between Trivandrum & Kovalam, which is at 15kms.

Stay: There are rooms available from cheap beach side shacks to Leela Kempinsky. So it’s your call on what to take. Ask for home stays with road side hotel waalahs, you might strike a nice deal like we did!

To Do: Eve’s beach, Coconut grove and Light house beach are the main attraction.

The natural stone structure that stretches into the sea & occasional sights of dolphins are few attractions. The light house is another main place to visit where you can climb the spiral staircase to the top. The experience on the top of the light house is one of the best I have ever had. Wind blowing from the sea that seemed like throwing me down, people on the beach looking like tiny ants, Coconut tree palms fluttering in the wind, waves thundering against the beach and stone structure, a mosque at far away distance overlooking the sea and eagles floating & enjoying themselves in the speedy wind! It’s a really windy experience.

Food: Kovalam has many beach side hotels serving all types of cuisine. Try at your luck!

Highlights of the place: Eve’s beach in Kovalam has the clearest waters among the beaches I have visited so far in South India. The clean & clear waters make an enjoying experience while you are in water. It does not even stick or itch with sands when it dries down after getting out from the beach!

Places Nearby: If you are visiting Kovalam then you are in Trivandrum also. The capital city of Kerala is very close and has the famous Spiral Indian Coffee House, few nice beaches, museums & historic places in its list. The southern special Kanyakumari is approx 100kms from Kovalam.

Poovar is another small place very close by where one can see a magical combinations of backwaters, river, sea and a lake coming together. Govt of Kerala organizes a boating service in this river, please make necessary enquiry before approaching.

Things to remember: Kovalam does not have a great night life like Goa. So be home by 10pm if not to be warned by police.
Do not leave your valuables unattended on the beach side. If the thieves do not reach for it then the waves will!
Light house in Kovalam and museums in Trivandrum have timings set as 9am to 5pm. Please check before planning.
The coast guards have planted a red flag in the water at a distance from the beach, red means danger as everywhere!
And as always, boat house or sea please keep it litter free!

Happy & safe journey,
Sam.

The journey so far - 2 - Alappuzha

The finishing point for Nehru Trophy boat race, Allappuzha

A sight of the Vembanaadu Kaayal

Land of Kera (Coconut trees)

A typical boat from the backwaters

The famed boat house of Allappuzha

Destination: Aleppey (locally known as Alappuzha), Kerala.

Distance from Bangalore: Approx. 600 kms by road (Via. Salem and Coimbatore)

Travel: Few buses are available from Bangalore to Alleppey but the best option would be train, if you aren't planning to take your 4 wheeler for a long drive!
Indian Railway operates a train that departs from Blore at 5pm & arrives at Alleppey by 5am (Please check the timigs with railway before you plan your travel)

To Do: Alleppey almost rhymes with Houseboats! or atleast thats the picture anybody gets first to mind. The backwaters of Punnamada Kaayal, Vembanaattu Kaayal etc. are delight to anyone. So when you are at Alleppey, the first thing you do is get to the boat jetty, or the place where boats are anchored. Plenty of buses ply from railway staion to boat jetty.
Like anywhere else even here your bargaining skills can save few extra bucks! The house boat rides are of 2 types, one is a day ride where you board the boat at 9am, cruise through the backwaters of Punnamada & Vembanaattu and alight by 5.30pm. Second one is the overnight package where your ride starts from boat jetty at 12pm, cruise through the backwaters and anchor amidst the backwaters by 5pm. Spend your night on the boat house with sumptuous Kerala style food. Cruise back to boat jetty in the morning to alight by 9am. Both rides include tea & snacks with mouth watering sea food/ veg lunch for every person on board. Overnight cruisers can enjoy a glorious dinner and alight after the morning snack!

Best time to visit: Houseboats are available round the year, Aug - Sept, Dec -Jan & Mar-May being the peak time. Nehru trophy vallam kali, the famous annual snake-boat race takes place on the second saturday of August and is a large crowd puller. Enjoy the monsoon showers on the deck if you are of the poetic types!

Stay: Why would anybody want to stay in a hotel room while they are in Alleppey? (Though there are few good hotels available). When I reached Alleppey railway station with my friends, we headed straight to boat jetty, fixed the deal and boarded the houseboat. Something missing?? Yes, the houseboats have complete facilities like the ones you get in a hotel. Air-Conditioned bedrooms with attached tiled bathroom and toilets, large dressing mirror, walk ways with windows into the backwaters, hot water supply, kitchen, dining hall, TV (odd man out!), sofas and seatings etc. Houseboats are available ranging from 2BHK to 7BHK! Board the boat, finish your daily chores, freshen up and relax on the deck! So in case you are planning to stay back at Alleppey then what better place than swaying waters!

Food: You would not want to relax hungry on a boat deck, I mean, who would even call it relaxing! So, here's your cook in the boat house serving you hot coffee/tea with snacks. If incase you need a heavy breakfast then please inform them before boarding. The houseboat cook serves mouth watering sea food and other curries for lunch and dinner (please inform if you have exceptions or need vegetarian). The boat even stops at small hotels on the banks where you can enjoy the Naadan kappayum meenum - Kallum, Tapioca dish with fish curry and toddy! It's Kerala boyy!!

Highlights of the place: Enjoy the cruise watching the lifestyle on banks of the backwaters, where water stretches right into the veranda of the houses. People here depend on water for anything and everything. Do not be surprised to see women rowing small boats, because like we have 2&4wheelers, here every house seems to have a boat. Build a rapport with your boat driver, who can explain you the history of place (Malayalam interpretor might be handy!).
Alleppey is one of the very few places in the world where paddy is grown upto 4ft below sea level! If you see pipes pumping water out of an enclosed area then thats the field being carved out of backwaters by emptying all water and building a bund to stop water entering into it. Later soil is filled into it to make it ready to cultivate. Interesting, I know!

Places nearby: In Kerala, you are never too far from a tourist spot! Alleppey has other beached like Cochin, Kovalam, Kollam, the famous waterfalls of Athirappilly , hill stations of Munnar and Thekkidi all at almost same distances but on different directions! Nearest tourist spot is the scenic Alleppey beach itself!

Things to remember: I would suggest you to bargain and fix a deal when you are at the boat jetty than doing it online and over the phone. Because you get to have a look at what you are travelling in and not get shocked by just another boat, when you land there.
Again, its a waterbody so please take extra care, especially of that naughty kid of your's!
Veggies might have minimum options, so please carry if you are particular with something.
Last but not the least, dispose your trash responsibly.

Happy & Safe journey,
Sam.

The journey so far - 1 - Hogenakkal

I am a late comer when it comes to blogging my travelling experiences, hence I have not accounted for any of my travels till the last month, Sept 2011. But that's one of the reasons why most of us carry those instruments called Camera ranging from tiny, slim (as size zero is the fashion now for cameras as well!) digital cameras to heavy, big looking SLRs & DSLRs. Whatever it may be, this one wonderful instrument is unavoidable in most of our journeys and I do not have to mention this to few of you who travel only to click :) Well, its the same for me too. Camera is a must!!
Firstly it was friends' digital cameras then came my own SONY W180 Digital camera, the one which actually helped me find the fun in clicking that trigger!! This has been my permanent companion in most of my travels so far.
Coming to the point, memories get rekindled when I see the photographs from those wonderful trips..So here I am making a photo book of my personal favorite clicks from those travels. A humble attempt to show what I found appealing and eye-pleasing over there!

A oarsman carrying his coracle, Hogenakkal

At the dusk

The road that leads from Palakkode to Hogenakkal is a sight to behold

Holidaying children

Catch me on FB for more pics... here I am..... !!

Destination: Hogenakkal, Tamilnadu.

Distance from Bangalore: 130 kms.

Route: Bangalore - Hosur - Rayakottai - Palacode - Pennagram - Hogenakkal.

Best time to visit: If you need to see the falls in its full majesty then head out during or just after peak monsoon. During other parts of the year, water will be low and one can enjoy the coracle rides.

Stay: If you are travelling from B'lore then stay over is not required, its a one day trip. Others can try the few options available at Hogenakkal or head out to Dharmapuri for a better result.

Food: Fish is the speciality of the area but make sure you try it from the right place. Veggies try the hotel on the right hand side when you walk towards falls from 2wheeler parking area.

To do: Hogenakkal has a falls view point and a rope bridge that stretches across the falls. Enjoy the coracle ride that takes you right under the falls (Yes, you do get the water to fall on you!) and spend some time on the small sand island enjoying fried fish. Try oil massages by localites at your own risk.

Highlights of the place: Walk to any Coracle oarsman and enquire about the 8km boat ride from shooting spot (further up the falls) to the falls. The oarsman takes his coracle with you in a goods auto (!) to a spot 8 kms from Hogenakkal and you can have your parcelled lunch there on the river banks (PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!). Later spend some time in the water (waters are shallow here but can be too fast flowing!) and set out for the 8km long boat ride backwards. The boat ride is scenic and you can do some bird watching (I literally mean!) and crocodiles if lucky! Once you are at the falls area, you got to alight from the coracle and climb the steps down with the oarsman for another ride under the falls.
Bargain well and strike a deal that includes boat ride, falls view and the goods auto fare also. Talk to him about the time you need to spend in water. Your bargaining abilities can save some bucks for sure!
You may spot some kids jumping from top of the rocks into the falls. Do not panic, thats just another show to earn few bucks. They come swimming to your coracle, take the price for their show (5 or 10 bucks) and climb back the rocks in few minutes.

Places nearby: Hogenakkal does not have anyother tourist places within close proximity. But if you are travelling from long and wish to take the complete worth of your trip then you may check out the hill station Yercaud near Salem (approx 120kms).

Things to remember: One always must take extra care while near a water body. Do not plunge into waters.
It might be more than humid out there so carry your sunscreens if you are one of those skin-freak types.
The foremost, the waterfall is already polluted to the maximum. Please do not add your bit into it thinking that does not make any difference. Please carry your trash.

Happy & Safe Journey,
Sam