Mountain stroll - Day 3 and Day 4

The last two days were more of an adventure. Trekking through the deep jungle of Sharavathy valley, getting cuts because of thorns, carrying entire load into the deep forest, was an adventure in itself. We were guided by the GPS and we lost the trail and as a result, ended up not making it to Kodachadri peak.

Camped at an unknown place, followed dried river streams and on Day 4, exited through the Chakra dam after walking through the backwaters of Sharavathy.

Thus the 4 day trek came to an end. While coming back to Shimoga, we checked out, Nagara fort built by Shivappa Nayak.

Cheers,

Beach trek ILvekodi to Bhatkal - Day 2

After we decided to abandon the beach trek at ILvekodi, we took a dip in the water. Then we retreated towards the main road, not before passing through the Sri DurgaParameshwari Temple at ILvekodi. We had told our van pickup to be at the temple entrance itself.

Our van came and we proceeded towards Bhatkal for night's dinner. Veg people chose one restaurant and non veg people chose another. Once done with the lunch, we chose to buy around 18 packets of bread and jam at a Bakery in Bhatkal. This was all opposite to the KSRTC bus depot at Bhatkal.

Finally we made our way back towards Sharavathy valley, not sure which village we chose to sleep at a helipad which was kind a flat land. Laid our tarpaulins and slept for the day. Time was around 10 30 PM

Cheers,

Beach trek Murudeshwara to ILvekodi- Day 2

Beach trek from Murudeshwara resumed at around 2 45PM. The sun was its best, but we too had now got a hang of the beach trek and proceeded quite nicely.

Non stop for around 2 hours and we made it to Ilvekodi. At this place the river meets the sea and we had to cross over using a ferry. Instead we chose to end the beach trek as it was turning dark and we wanted to take a plunge in the water once more.

Hence called off the beach trek at Ilvekodi around 10 kilometers before Bhatkal I guess.But thoroughly enjoyed the beach trek this time. It was fun fun all the way.

Cheers

Beach trek Manki to Murudeshwara - Day 2

Started the second day around 8 AM, We did not have breakfast, infact the entire team of 26 was split into two. Team 2 comprising of 6 guys would bring in breakfast for us. So me in team 1 headed out of Manki village towards Murudeshwara.

Early morning walking along the beach was fantastic. There were fishing boats, fishermen sorting out their catch, lots of colorful scenes plus the waves, it was indeed soothing.

We reached this place, where there rocks and could not continue unless we moved on to the land instead of the beach. Over here we waited for team 2 while we plunged into the water. The waves were good, had loads of fun for around 30  mins. Then the other team arrived with packed food for all of us. Had breakfast and once again took a plunge in the water. Then crossed on to the road and couple of minutes again came back to the beach.

This time we had a clear sight of the big statue of Lord Shiva @ Murudeshwara. Indeed we were nearing Murudeshwara beach. But still it was a long way and the sun was beating very hard.

It was around 12 30 in the noon when we reached Murudeshwara, since being a holiday the crowd was like crazy.

Slowly the entire team gathered in smaller groups. We tried searching a hotel to eat, but all hotels were crowded. We were lost in the crowd. Finally could locate a hotel and eat peacefully, even though it was crowded..

The next leg of the trek started from Murudeshwara at around 2 45 PM. We took plenty of rest infact!

Cheers,

Manki village Day 1 - Beach trek.

Our day 1 place of halt was Manki village. We descended through the road which lead us to the church and then to the village, The christmas celebration was on at the village, we made our way directly to the beach over there.

On the way the villagers were very curious about the new found visitors/strangers to the village. Almost everyone knew each other guy in the village. So now when our new faces entered the village, people started inquiring as to where we had come from what was our intention where we are going to sleep tonight. Most of them readily agreed to help with water and even accommodation.

We were mostly interested to sleep on the beach itself, but the waves were so high, that onlookers warned us not to sleep on the beach. But we sat at the beach for a good 20 minutes watching the wave and talking and relaxing as well.

We did not have sufficient food for all, and as a result, few people chose to move to Bhatkal highway in search of food. Rest of them ate the ready to eat food.

I was one of them and I was part of the second batch of guys who made a move. The first set of guys went and the second set of guys started late and that too in the opposite direction.

We were all lost taking the wrong route. In the end asked a stranger who accompanied us to the main road and then we could find the way to the highway. The road to highway seemed to be long. We walked around 1.5 kilometers extra in search of a hotel.

There seemed to be no hotel in the Manki village or it was shut down. Upon reaching highway found a hotel where I ate Kushka rice and few others ate Chicken Biryani. Only that was available and believe me it tasted not bad at all. All this adventure happening at night 10 30, whilst all shops were shutting down.

Found our way back to the beach and slept around 11 PM in the front yard of a fisherman's home. That  brought to an end, one more awesome day.

Cheers,