Kurthkoti - on the way to Gadag from Hubli....

I started from Hubli to Gadag, late in the afternoon. That day, did not have lunch. After attending the marriage, headed straight to Hubli CBT, there was no time for stopping for lunch.

So finished the work my parents had at HBL / CBT, took almost 1.5 hours, and I was waiting in the car, which I had parked on a narrow narrow road !.. Then started towards Gadag. The road was in too good shape. There were few potholes, and I enjoyed driving in the Sun... O yes, most of the days, I drove in peak sun, during harsh afternoons, and it was too good a chance to be missed.

I had seen the map before proceeding, and I knew, there would be a deviation which would say Lakshmeshwara 30 kms. I told my parents that we could go to Lakshmeshwara and come back to Gadag on the same day. Somehow, they did not agree.

I had to go to Gadag, and somehow abandon the idea of going to Lakshmeshwara. But on the way, I saw there was a deviation to Kurthkoti. It was about 6kilometers. Kurthkoti is my maternal grandmother's place. My mother was born there. It was kinda proud moment to drive to that place.

Since it was only 6 kms and based on one guy's opinion on the condition of the road, I decided to go to Kurthkoti. Believe me or not that was one of the best laid out roads. I heard Kurthkoti is the birthplace of many freedom fighters (I did not know this earlier. Sad). Salute to them.

I visited the Lord Hanuman temple over there. My mother was visiting this place after many many years. So she was kinda recollecting how few of the houses of the, then landlords used to be. Now most people have vacated Kurthkoti.

But all in all, I loved the place. Less people, less crowd. Fun!

Then headed back out, directly to the main road. I think it was after Kurthkoti deviation, there was one more deviation towards Binkadakatti. It seems to have a sanctuary. No more interested in seeing caged animals these days, I was hesitant so did not stop over here and headed into Gadag..

On entering, Gadag, I saw a board which read,
--> Lakshmeshwara 26 Km
--> Bangalore - 430 km.

Gajendragad 57 km
Badami 107 km

I now had a return route in my mind.. and what happened on the return journey, I have already blogged.

Some more to write on what I did in Gadag, which is altogether a phenomenal place..

Will do it shortly..

Cheers,

Gadag To Bangalore, 430 kms / 12 hours ... by car... Part 3

Part 1 - http://sandeepskulkarni.blogspot.in/2013/03/gadag-to-bangalore-430-kms-12-hours-by.html

Part 2 - http://sandeepskulkarni.blogspot.in/2013/03/gadag-to-bangalore-430-kms-12-hours-by_10.html

Continuing from my previous two posts, I would like finish off the series, with this one.. Let me see.  As I started my journey on this road, whose condition which I was not sure, the traffic got more and more less, there were few people around and even fewer vehicles. 

Hardly any vehicles to overtake, I still was ready to take whatever condition of the road, it may turn into.  So after few kilometers, found a nice place to take a picture, and here is what I captured.  I enjoyed stopping and parking my vehicle on the road in order to take this picture and enjoy this moment. 

After this I proceeded towards Laksheshwara, but somewhere on the way, I saw a signboard which read Magadi. Suddenly I remembered, this was the same place on the wikimap, which said there were migratory birds which could be found. So I took a left turn to head into this place to catch a glimpse of these birds. Infact they can be seen at a distance from the main road only. But in order to get a much closer look I proceeded towards the lake which is about 0.5 kms from the main road, to the left. What I saw there was just mesmerising.. So many birds, making such huge noises. Though my 105mm lens could not capture much because they were at much larger distance, but I did what ever I could.. 

I enjoyed every minute I spent next to the lake. Finally headed towards Lakshmeshwara. Over there saw the centuries old Sri Someshwara temple. Felt so so good, to be amidst history. Als o it was my grandfather was from this place. I was feeling so so good, just to be associated with this place in some way or the other. After sometime may be 45 mins, we decided to proceed towards Bangalore. 

Since there were not much signboards available, I started to asking villagers and whomever I found on the way on directions to Bankapura. Finally after 70+ kms from Gadag, I could actually see, NH4, where it cuts the road which leads to Bankapura. I felt so so relieved to have made it without any punctures till here. 

Oh, by the way, I did not tell about the condition of the road, it was just great, there were potholes in few places, but not that deep, and the tarmac was in a decent decent shape.

I then realized I had to visit Sri Nagareshwara temple in Bankapura, as well as the peacock sanctuary. My parents were hesitant on visiting another ancient temple, instead told me to check out the Sanctuary only instead. I was hesitant too, to see the ancient temple.

When we entered the sanctuary, we asked the few people over there about the way to the sanctuary, they told the location, but instead we reached the Sri Nagareshwara temple instead. I loved it, knowingly or unknowingly I got to see one more ancient temple. 

Then after asking locals on where to find peacocks, I went about couple of other roads, but was unable to locate any and since it was getting close to 1 pm I had to start my journey to Bangalore and decided to call it quit.

It was time for lunch and after driving few good kilometers, found the Kamat hotel, behind a Reliance Petrol pump. Had lunch and then proceeded towards Chitradurga.

It was getting hot, but I was enjoying the drive very much. Sometime, it seems there is so much of fun in just doing things extreme, driving 1000kms all alone, driving in the afternoon, with sun rays hitting ur face through the window, driving with very few vehicles on the road in the afternoon, so many things which I enjoyed.

Then once I reached Sira, took a break for coconut water, and then proceeded towards Bangalore, but it was getting late, and the traffic pile up on Tumkur road towards Bangalore, was just way too much. Had tough time driving amidst huge number of trucks, finally made to home via NICE road and Kengeri at around 8 45 pm.

So all in all it was 12+ hours of driving, what a sweet feat !

Cheers,

Gadag To Bangalore, 430 kms / 12 hours ... by car... Part 2

Continued from

http://sandeepskulkarni.blogspot.in/2013/03/gadag-to-bangalore-430-kms-12-hours-by.html

I had slept after taking an antibiotic the previous night. I was pretty afraid, what would happen the next day. I woke up around 5 20 am that day and checked the condition of my throat.

Believe it or not the throat infection had gone almost 85-90%. Everything had cleared off. I was so so happy that, I started singing a Kishor Kumar song early in the morning. Indeed, why shouldn't I? I was so so happy, that I could enjoy my 400+ kms drive that day, instead of worrying about the sore throat.

After thanking God for the turn of events, I got ready to check out of the hotel. So by 7 15 am I was on the move, my parents felt better as they no more to worry about the my health, they felt now I could drive safe.

My parents had thought, the travel from Gadag to Bangalore would be so lengthy that, they had advised me to vacate the room previous day and move to a different hotel in Haveri so that we could cut the last day travel distance by 70-100kms. I was very hesitant. Somewhere down on wiki map, I had read there were couple of places which I could visit on the way to Bangalore from Gadag.

If I had vacated the room the previous day evening, it would mean, I would no longer, get to see them. I was very hesitant and my adamancy paid off. Not only did I get to see the places, I got hold of the medicine too.

Then came a series of other challenges along with it. First thing is reaching Bangalore before dark. The other challenge was the condition of the road. I never knew how the road was, after my experience in the bad Thiruvalanamalai to Krishnagiri road (NH 66), I was ready for anything. Considering the fact that my sore throat had even subsidized, I simpy said, bring it on!

After having breakfast, I prepared myself mentally for the journey. Opposite to the hotel, there was a petrol pump, I went there to get some more DIESEL and air. But the guy told me there was no air available. He told me to proceed in the road which leads to HUBLI, there would be more pumps available there.

But I was hesitant to go that way, I could see a road opposite to the petrol pump which led to Bankapura and there was no need to go to Hubli at all.

There are couple of roads which go to Bangalore from Gadag.

1. Gadag > Hubli > Bangalore
2. Gadag > Laksheshwara > Bankapura > Bangalore.

We came to Gadag using option 1. But I was hesitant to go by option 1 again. So I asked this guy, the road condition of the option 2. He told me its terrible, why do you want to take a chance better go to Hubli and then Bangalore. I just told him I want to go that way and left the petrol bunk.

I felt quite confused, because I did not want to encounter any punctures this time. But at the same time, I did not want to go to Hubli and then to Bankapura coz it simply would mean an extra drive for about 30 kms and moreover there was nothing there to see too !

Instead I chose option 2. But after confirming with one more person. Once I came out of the petrol pump. I saw a taxi (yellow board vehicle with a registration number of KA 26. Gadag registration). I thought this was my only chance. This guy might know the road condition. And indeed he knew. He told me the road is bad in a couple of places but rest all its fine.

I felt relieved.. And there after I started my journey to Bangalore..

What happened next.. Well will post it in part 3.

Cheers,

Gadag To Bangalore, 430 kms / 12 hours ... by car... Part 1

I travelled from Gadag to Bangalore, on one Saturday during the month of December 2012, precisely 2012 December 1st. I was through with all the stuffs I had to do on my Hubli Dharward Gadag trip.

The list included,

> Attending a marriage in Dharwad,
> Meeting some person in Hubli near CBT.
> Going to a relative's home in Gadag.

Apart from these, I even visited couple of temples in Gadag, and Lakkundi as well. So I was through with my goals for the trip. Now was the time to head back to Bangalore. Loads of stuffs awaited me in Bangalore. But let me tell you about something which happened previous day.

The day before I was about to catch cold and had a severe throat infection. I tried hard but my throat just gave up on Friday, the day before I was heading to Bangalore. Also signs of cold / flu was starting to show. I got pretty scared. I had to drive 400+ kms, I was the only driver, and taking cold tablets would induce sleeping while driving. With no option to endure the pain, I went to Gadag market with my parents to buy some vegetables. We also purchased some beetle nut and some stuffs which I do not recollect at this moment. We also purchased GHATE.. (phapda ? as per Jethalaal of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah chasmah )/

I was finally looking for a medical store somewhere in Gadag Market, but was unable to find one easily. Finally I found one and believe me, it was something which I will remember for the rest of life. What happened there will be etched in my memory for years to come.

I went to the medical shop and told him I have a throat infection and needed some antibiotic. He asked me whether it was severe or mild. I told him its very bad. He gave me a tablet called Azbest (500mg dosage). He asked me if I have signs of COLD / FLU. I told him I have, for which he gave a tablet called SUMO Cold, which was a huge capsule. After telling him to make a reciept for these tablets, I told him my side of the story that I had to drive all the way to Bangalore the next day, and I was the only driver.

He listened to me and suddenly reminded me to take only half the tablet of Sumo Cold, because, it would make me drowsy while driving. I told him I would and when I got the bill, I was suprised,
3 tablets of azbest 500 + 3 tablets of Sumo Cold costed me 75 Rs. (Azbest was Rs 20 each).

I took a tablet while having my evening dinner, (I ate 4 idlis that night), in a hotel very much opposite to the medical store, and I still remember, I brought 10 packets of RAJU SUPARI that day for Rs 5.

My parents thought I was crazy but somehow I justified my purchase. So then I came back to the hotel room and slept off praying to God to give me strength to drive the next day. I also told my parents, whatever happens tomorrow I am going to drive, there is nothing stopping me, for which they replied, you are the only driver and there is no other option !.

What happened next is another story continued in Part 2

Trek to Thadiyandamol Part 3

The second day just all about relaxing and having fun.. Early morning we took a walk along the estate within which the homestay was located. Then after having breakfast, we went to visit Cheluvara falls.

There took a dip in the waterfalls, it felt like heaven. Enjoyed it the most, We was there for around 2 hrs  then headed back to the homestay. We then packed our belongings and set out towards Bangalore. Before that we thought of having a good old Coorg meal and stopped at a hotel in Virajpet.

The food was great, the location was great, in the heart of Coorg, the feeling was just awesome. Then we started from Virajpet towards Bangalore. All through the journey we were chit chatting talking about loads of stuffs. I ended up talking with almost all people in my cab also the neighboring cab, including drivers. So all in all it was great.

For tea we stopped at Maddur tiffany;s and then it was my drop at Kengeri around 7 30pm..

The two days went like a rocket. Met loads of new people which was the best part and walked few kilometers, which was even more fun.

Cheers,

Trek to Thadiyandamol Part 2

Continued from post 1

I was asleep after 2am in the morning, and was awake around 5 30 am. The reason being we had lot our way. Incidentally, the road which the co-ordinator used to take to reach the home stay was dug up for repairs and we tried taking alternate roads, but landed at the same place everytime.

But with the help of GPS, somehow we could track down the homestay finally, at 6 15 am.

We all introduced ourselves and one by one, everyone got up to freshen themselves. Finally around 9 am everyone was ready, finished our breakfast, which was some Kodagu food, the name of which I hardly remember and we started after having our packed lunch. Since the trek starting point was around good 5-10 kms from the homestay, we travelled by the van.

The trekking group was kind a fun, we had people from all age groups from 11 year old to a 50 year old. There were two instructors / co-ordinators.

The trek to Thadiyandamol was kind of fun, initial stretch was a plain road with no inclines. I had carried my D90 on this trek, and believe me it was a big big distraction while walking. In the month of december with lot of dry areas, there were no good photo captures (as usual). But all way long, I was lagging behind, just because, I was trying to take photos every now and then.

After 3-4 hours of trekking we reached the peak. It was kind of nice achievement, because the last time I went to trek was almost a decade back. I do not even exercise regularly. I really thanked God, that the trek to KP was cancelled, else I would have suffered.

And we came back the same day to the homestay and evening was kind of total fun. On the way somewhere in Virajpet couple of guys got down to get tapioca chips. It was tasting too good.. Bad that I did not get some.

Once we reached the homestay, we had tea coffee, cakes, and other delicacies.

Needless to say that day, I ate as if I had not eaten in generations.

And then there was campfire. That day, I slept in the open on the homestay terrace and under the starts. It was too good. The gates of the homestay was open, anything could have come onto the terrace. But still I was hesitant and slept in the open. 5-6 other guys too slept in the open..

Then next day woke up at 6 am and the rest part, I will post it sooon as part 3...

Cheers,

How I reduced my Facebook usage and saved countless hours.

Disclaimer - This post is all about MY usage of a Social Networking Site and it is not meant to offend anybody.

The year dates back to 2010. Before 2010 I was using orkut. I did not take much interest in facebook till then. The story starts in the month of July 2010, I was in Singapore, I had accepted an offer from a company over there, and one of my house mate told me, facebook is more popular than orkut these days. I simply said ok and told to myself, let me have a facebook account myself.

Within couple of months, I had accepted loads of friend requests, though I was kind of hesitant to send a friendship request to anyone, and to this date I am still hesitant. Then I started to travel within Singapore and started posting many pictures and also started going through what other people are doing via Facebook.

Through the next one year till August 2011, I started using more and more facebook, the primary reasons being.

1. Internet was kind a cheap in Singapore and I had no restrictions on my usage.
2. I had countless number of hours to spend, as I was alone, and each day, I needed some company in the form of Internet / facebook / blogs.
3. I found friends to chat on facebook and many people were like me, who stayed in different countries away from family and they too needed to kill time. It was a perfect match.
4. I was more interested in kinda boasting by posting different pictures ( I guess human tendency ).

Finally in the year August 2011, when I thought I had enough of working in Singapore, I left my job and came back to India. Initial two months, I did not check facebook. Coz I had no job and people knew I had relocated to Bangalore. In order to hide myself, I stayed away from Facebook.

Then once I found a job in Bangalore, I was again back on facebook, and this time I had enough enthusiasm to travel to many places in and around Bangalore, I started posting updates pictures etc etc.

But soon I tried to communicate with few of my older engineering classmates on facebook by leaving them a message, pinging them on chat etc etc. It was by the way after many many years. These are the same guys who had sent me a FB friendship request and now did not even reply to my messages.

Then I realized, all this is social networking is a gimmick. I wanted to shut down my account and never visit it. But I had seen couple of guys who deleted their account and within a month they were back.

So I had to do something where in I still had my account enabled, (because, I had many many photos uploaded into it. ) and yet spend lesser time on it.

The main reasons which told me to use lesser facebook are...

1. I had loads of other things to do in India, playing PC games, watching TV, listening to radio, movies books, cleaning my room, coding etc etc. So chosing FB over these was like letting myself down.

2. Internet in India is slow, and is priced. I still have a restriction of 1GB download limit. So I had to stop.

3. I was no more alone, I had loads of people around me, spending time in virtual world was no more necessary.

So my goals were these.

1. Retain my FB account -
    coz of loads of pics uploaded, I had loads of travel plans, I wanted to show atleast few people know about my photos if not all..

2. Spend lesser time on FB.

So I went about thinking what to do, and found out the main reason I spent more time on FB was because of other people's posts, their updates, their photos. If I could cut them out on focus on only a few people's updates, I thought I could save time and indeed I was right.

Out of the 100 friends I had on FB at that time, I put 85+ of them on RESTRICTED LIST. So that they do not get my updates.

On the other hand, I unchecked their news feed, so that my wall gets lesser posts, lesser downloads and lesser time.

It worked. I no more had to see other people's updates, and I no more had to tell them what I was doing as I was least interested (Remember, they did not reply to my messages on FB). My Facebook WALL is CLEAR !

All in all its a win win situation. I spend may be 10-20 mins each day on FB checking on updates of my trekking group , and other few people who share similar interests, may be 20 odd. For rest all its like bye bye . And believe me, its almost more than one year, till now nobody has asked me, " why don't I get your updates. ". Cheez I am happy.

Cheers.

Trek to Thadiyandamol Part 1

My trek to Thadiyandamol Part 1

I love to go for a trek. All these years I was never serious about it. Though I enjoy being on the road (esp on highways), I even enjoy being in the wilderness as much. So having loads of thoughts on going for a trek since the year 2010, it took quite a while to materialize.

I had plans to go for a trek in the month of July 2012, but things did not materialize, and one person whom I trusted to join me during the trek just said no. I did not take his NO that much seriously, but the fact is he went with his family for a weekend trip, while I was at home waiting for him to join for a trek, hit me way tooo hard.

I decided, hence forth there are no friendships involved in trekking, its only me all way and the trekking group. My parents were concerned how I would go for a trek with strangers, without me knowing anyone. But I was hesitant.

I registered for a trek to Kumaraparvata, and did not worry about who comes for it or not.How I registered for the trek is another story, which I hate to write, coz it will be kind of exaggerating to write about events what happened.

The day after registering, I did not get proper updates from the trekking group about the trekking registration. Finally on the day we were supposed to leave Bangalore, I came to know that, the trek to Kumaraparvata had been called off, due to lesser number of people of enrolled. Instead they asked me if I was ready to go join the Thadiyandamol trek, instead of KP. Unwillingly I accepted, but it turned out to be the best decision I made during the year 2012.

So we were supposed to leave on Friday and since we proceed on Mysore Road, I opted to have a pickup at Kengeri instead of some place within the City. I chose to stand in front of the Kengeri bus stand. That day there people digging a borewell in front of the Kengeri bus stand, I reached there around 10 15 pm and came to know that the pickup would be around 11 30 pm. I waited and waited watching people pass by and also watching people digging a bore-well.

The cab finally came sometime after 11 pm. There were all strangers in the cab. I did not speak to any of the fellow trekkers till the next day. Initially I occupied the last seat. Since the windows were sealed, I chose to move to the first seat instead. Sat next to the co-ordinator and behind the driver and then all through the night, kept on speaking to them, finally after 2 am in the morning found great sleep, I was snoring sitting in the front seat, which was kind of funny.

Also sitting right next to me there was one guy whose name I could not pickup even after  4 times of him repeating. Never mind, started speaking with him too. Told him, about my crazy road trip which I took to Goa, during the year 2011 December. I spoke about all the things which we did in Goa, just to realize he was a native of Goa. What a co-incidence I thought.

Then after I found sleep I was woken up around 5 Am when we lost our road. Incidentally, the road which was supposed to lead us to the Home stay was dug up and even our co-ordinator was kind of clues less on which road to take and it was pitch dark.

What happened next.. I will continue in the next post....

Cheers,

Things to write about !

Though I told myself, I would write about 25 posts, during my 2 day weekend, of 9-10 March 2013, I haven't been able to do so. One reason being I could not get enough things to write about, the second being, I sat down to watch the movie Forrest Gump today and after which I slept of totally.

But before that, I have listed down few stuffs which I would love to write about.

1. Trip to Hubli Dharwad and Gadag. November 30, 2012.

Though I have already written couple of posts about my travel to Hubli, Dharwad and Gadag, I still feel I could write more. I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the trip and Gadag was one awesome place to be. Far far away from Bangalore crowd, I felt harmony, peace over there. Hence want to write some more stuffs.

2. Trip to Vellore Golden Temple September 27, 2012.

I went to my neighboring state of TamilNadu to visit the Golden temple at Sripuram, Vellore. The trip was indeed fun.

3. Trip to Kasargod, Coorg December 2012.

Would want to write couple of more stuffs about this trip as well.

4. Trek to Thadiyandamol. December 2012.

My first trek after planning for more than 3-4 months.

5. Trek to Kumaraparvata February 2013.

Some amazing events and lots of walking !

6. Series on IT industry Tamasha to be continued..

7. My Indica Vista TDI
On owning one for 3 years period out of which I was out of India for about 1years 2 months.

Cheers,

Now its time to go back sit, and write few lines in my notebook and come back and type in over here.!

Things to do or learn this year !

There are loads of things which I have on my list of things to do.. Not sure if I can call them bucket list, but yeah...happy to have a big list.

So here I am trying to list down few of them.. along side topics of posts which I intend to write in the next couple of days..

I am two down,, #23 posts pending 48 hours remaining !

Without typing any more unwanted trash, let me start writing actual stuff which I intend to write.

On thing which I wish to do in the new year

1. Travel -
       Though in the last couple of months there has not been much interesting related to travel, I still have the    entire year open, and I am pretty much optimistic about it. Though I am not keen on travelling out of Karnataka, coz it takes longer duration, I am still open to it. Also keen on travelling with cousins and relatives.

2. Photography -
      I have been taking photos for quite a while now, I have been using my D90, wherever possible, but I still end up with crappy photos most of the time, and it leaves me embarrassed all way along. So I wish to improve my photography skills.

3. Drive -
    Driving goes hand in hand with travelling, but sometimes I travel using hired vehicles, so keeping this option as a different point. My love for driving has increased by many folds once I did my 1100km drive to Hubli Dharwad and Gadag !

4. Photography editing.
    Photography not only deals with taking pictures, but also editing them. I have installed GIMP since long time, but kind of not getting interest or time to invest into it. I have loads of plans to modify pictures which I have already taken to make them better. I get very jealous when people use all kinds of tricks just to get one photo right ! When they can do, why can't I ? Well, may be I have pretty much other stuffs to look into !

5. Read some books.
   Have almost not read any book to completion in last 6 months. Started couple of books, but could not complete them, somewhere in the middle just lost interest in them.

6. Learn something new technically.
    Love to learn ASP.NET MVC / Ruby on Rails and something using which I can build a website. So this includes stuffs apart from my routine office work.(Javascript, REST, some more web related stuffs is my priority).

7. Write proper code professionally.
    Though I have been writing code since quite a while, still not satisfied with quality of code I write. I am realizing this after interacting with a European counterpart and finding it difficult to get 30 lines of code pass through review. Actually would love to scrutinize each line of my own code in future, instead of unneccesarily putting in few kilo lines which in the end will never reach production.

8. Join a new organization.
   I currently work as a consultant to a company, so one of my priorities would be to join an altogether different company. For years I have been evading and trying not to become a lead (team lead / tech lead whatever crapola) but looks like now, its inevitable. Wish me luck !

Cheers, will update the list as and when I have more points !

First post for the year 2013.

After a casual discussion with my friend at workplace, thought of writing some posts over here. So here I am writing the first thing for the year 2013.

As usual I do not have any strong content or opinion to write for in the year 2013. Just its the usual crap / cribbing etc etc.

I see, I have written only 25 posts in the year 2012, though the year had loads of charm, both work wise and travel wise. This year, its started out on not such a great note, with not much travel in the first couple of months, but I would not mind, there are 10 more months left.

I wish to write 25 posts in the next couple of days, not sure if I can achieve that or not. But I am already 1 down.. Let me take a notepad and list down what to write, so that I can get it up and running phast.!

Cheers,