Sakaleshpur!!

Nov 21 : Sakaleshpura Trip

After the Covid period (almost one and a half year) of being at home, we went to a small family trip. Starting from Gaganachukki/Bharachukki falls - we reached Mysore and the next day to Periyapatna for farm visit. Later we started to Sakaleshpur - Bhattara Mane home stay. The accomodation wasn't good - but the place was really nice. On the way we went via KRS backwater and then RamDevara Dam on Hemawati river. The day we reached the place (Maragunda/Mekana Gadde) - we have been to one of the very old temples - Bettada Bhairaveshwara on the foot hills of Pandavara Betta. The next day, after seeing the coffee plantation, we went to Nanyada Bharaveshwara, this on the foothills of Ettina Bhuja mountain. Both Pandavara Betta and Ettina Bhuja are very nice to trek. There were a couple of small water streams and enjoyed the falls as well. While coming back had been to Manjarabad Fort built by Tipu Sultan (its an 8 edge star shaped fort). This trip we also went to Planet Earth Aquarium where I held one Iguana (really large one) and then to Railway Museum - a nice one. Though a short one - had some good relaxing time with family. 

Ooty!

May -2018: 

Again after a long time, we quickly managed to plan an outing this summer to ooty. We stayed at ‘Royal Palace’ by Wadiyar group. This was the summer place where the king used to stay, now converted to multiple suites – a nice stay. The location and view from this hotel is really nice, but may be now the royalty is fading and we might prefer the modern amenities. This was the first time in a resort we had ‘jacuzzi’. There we played football, chess, carrom, bicycle riding..

This trip reminded us of our previous visit to ooty almost 10 years back – as such nothing has changed except population. Though we went on a weekday, everywhere we could see lots of people. The bus-stand is as dirty as it was then. The autos are costly, no local bus transport – it is there but better to avoid it.  Once we were in ooty, we ate carrots, plums, did horse riding, boating, been to a tea plantation. On the way to ooty – via bandipur / madhumalai – we saw eleplants/ bisons/ deers/ peo-cocks. Also when we visited the tree plantation, we saw a herd of bisons.

Overall a well deserved break.

Mekedatu!

Aug 2017: This was an unexpected visit to Mekedatu..while going to Mysore via Kanakapura road. We saw the signboard and all of a sudden decided to go there. As we had started very early from Blore - that was not an issue and also at that time, there were not many people around and no traffic. We crossed the river by theppa and then took the bus towards Mekedatu. No Monkey, no heat, no rain.. not many people around and a beautiful place. The vally at mekedatu was very scenic and we could enjoy the river at Sangama. What else do we need!!  Worth a few hours!!! 

Gokarna!

(10/10/16) - Since a long time I had not seen such a beautiful place as Gokarna!! Kudle beach and Om beach are just awesome - we went to beach almost daily - afternoon/evening. Our stay at gokarna was excellent and may be thats why overall trip was wonderful. Been to Idgunji, Murudeshwar, Mirjan fort, Yana and Vibhuti falls as well. They are nearby places - where we go via nice scenic route - complete western ghats. The local travel on bike - the narrow roads, temples, beach walk, the foreigners, priests, the cashew factory, small shops, beach side cafes - excellent!!! A small town - for a nice family outing.

Lepakshi Temple!

( 25/3/16): Lepakshi is a small town in Andhra Pradesh (near to Bangalore) is famous for Virabhadra temple built in 15th century by Vijayanagara kings. The sculptures in the temple and paintings on the ceilings are worth watching. The guide gave wonderful explanation with some local stories about the temple construction. But still as we went in hot summer, its difficult to walk that big temple which is one a small hilltop.  Overall a nice day outing – away from Bangalore.

San Jose Visit

(Jan 2016): This was just a two week visit to San jose - some office project/meetings - have seen the tasman drive where there are many cisco buildings on both sides of the road.  This time I had been to SFO - a different kind of city. Its all ups and downs - the entire city - totally hilly area. But was able to visit both SFO bridge and the bay bridge - the aqurium/cruise at pier 39. Also been to santa cruz - the mystery spot and the west cliff drive. 

I was away from family for two weeks - but was able to meet some of my old friends. I met some of them after almost 12 years.. a long time.

Beautiful Malnad!

Malnad (Dec 2015): This was a well planned trip to malnad area where we had booked a wonderful home stay for a few days - just 8km from jog falls.  The food was nice veg food and it had nice plantation as well. There were many places which were around 30-40kms from this place. Most of the places are temples – but the best part of that is the drive and also the places are very scenic. I had been to many religious/historic places - Hosagunda, Varadahalli, Ikkeri, Sigandur, Shashastralinga, Sondhe and a few water falls like Unchalli and world famous Jog falls. There is not much water in this season in Jog falls – but Unchalli had some water and drive was excellent. This place is some 26 KM inside and not a regular/busy tourist place - but an amazing view.