Weekend driver,

These days, I am turning out to be a driver on weekends. I need to take my parents here and there. Like today had been to Basavangudi, Gandhi Bazaar to buy couple of stuffs.

But I remember 3 weeks back I had a long day out as a driver. Started out at 8 am and ended at 3 pm.

A friend of my mother had come from Dharwad and was put up at JP Nagar. so had to go pick that person up and bring her to our house, then drop that person back to JP Nagar.

After which I drove all the way to Kormangala to get some personal work done, then came back to Jayanagar 4th block for some other personal work.

Then finally reached home. Around 70+ kilometers of city driving through 35 degree temperature can only leave you scratching your head. Luckily I got a good sleep in the evening plus it rained that day which brought some relief.

Cheers,

Used Toyota Innova

I travel to office by office shuttle. Few months back we had a Toyota Qualis doing duty. I used to sit all alone in the last seat (baby seat) and sleep come what may!

But after few days, the 2002 model Toyota Qualis just gave up, because of engine oil leakage and various other reasons. It was an sealed, unopened engine which had done duty of almost 8 lakh kilometers. That's a Toyota for you, respect!

So we got an upgrade to Toyota Innova, though it was priced per kilometer at the rate of Qualis. After travelling in an Innova close to 2.5 months, my mind is all set to buy one. A used one though.

I cannot afford a new one. Even if I manage to buy one, I will be simply standing in front of the house like my current car. So the plan is to buy a used one. ( Plus keep my current car which is also a diesel )

Reason for Innova, one being the reliability. Other being, the passenger comfort it offers, is parallel to none. Indica Vista with air suspension comes close, but the semi leaf spring soothing suspension of Innova is difficult to match. Also its a rear wheel drive, what more can you ask for!

Plus the 2.5 L Crde engine, I can drive all day long, yet not get tired. Also the main reason being, I plan to drive to Pune with my parents. I want them to feel comfortable. Plus it provides tremendous mileage, I mean miles per gallon / kilometers per litre. Though people say its underpowered 102 Bhp, 200 Nm torque, and makes loud noise over 3k rpm, I would never mind. I tried out the engine, which had run 2Lakh kilometers, I could feel the grunt. But after driving a TDI engine, I can sideline the engine noise :)-

I told my plan at home, they did not react at all, which meant kinda partial yes!. Now I am searching for a used Innova. Someone please sell me one at a nominal price!

Cheers,

Charmadi trek June 2014

Even before the Nishani Trek happened, we went for a 2 day monsoon trek to Charmadi Ghats, Yerkallu, KodeKallu, Balekallu, JenuKallu it was.

This was a complete 2 day trek, day 1 was moderate, day 2 was bit tough incline.

The territory was full of leeches. We camped in the big hall at the Mattur PanchaLingeshwara temple located at the Charmadi village. I could write more about what happened over the two days, but believe me, its not worth that effort.

PS - this was very close to Dharmasthala, infact we freshened up at Dharmasthala only and had breakfast at Ujire, Hotel Guruprasad, remember my 10 temples trip!