When 500 kilometers took 12+ hours by road - TTTT 7

This one is like a continuation from the previous TTTT post. We had completed our beach trek, night dinner and were about to start to Bangalore by road from Gokarna. The bus chosen was a 22 seater. It was a nice group.

We reached Bangalore around 10 30 AM the next day, though we had started at 9 15 PM the previous night. There were few reasons:

- The route we had chosen, we had decided to come to Haveri and then hit NH4 and then to Bangalore, instead of the usual, Jog Falls, Shimoga road. Reason being 4 lane versus 2 lane.

- The vehicle which we had chosen had a front wheel wobble after or at 80 kmph. So the moment we touched 80, it used to wobble so bad that we had to cut down speed.

- We were driving at night, plus the driver had not slept properly for the last 2 days, reason being humidity along the coastal areas.

- The driver stopped at Chitradurga for some 1.5 hours. He just dozed off after stopping. So he was actually running short of sleep.

- Once we reached Tumkur, we stopped for a hotel at Kyatasandra. So this took around 45 minutes more! People were so fond of breakfast, considering, we would anyways be reaching Bangalore late, we could rather make the most of it, by eating yummy breakfast. Well that's what people thought!

Here we were, needing to reach office and there you go, reaching Bangalore was like an epic on this vehicle. I was like sitting close to the driver in the cabin, reason being, it was extremely hot and no one was ready to open windows in the vehicle.

The whole night, I was like gawking at the oncoming traffic on NH4, but one thing is for sure, it was not scary as we presume. Night driving on NH4 is surely possible.

Well, there goes one more tale! Couldnt reach office that day instead to chose to Work From Home!

Cheers,

When we ate free food after the trek - TTTT 6

This happened during November 2013, yep, almost 2 years back. We had completed our Beach trek, from Honnavara to Gokarna. We had one round of play in the backwaters of OM Beach.

The time was around 6 PM. It was time to get a fresh water bath and then head back to Bangalore. Instead the group chose something else. A visit to Gokarna Lord Shiva temple. The time flew and it was around 8PM. We thought, let us complete the dinner (prasadam) which was being served very close to the temple.

We completed the dinner and started towards Bangalore around 9 15 pm. Reached Bangalore around 10 30 am the next day.

Well, that's loads of time. The reason being, well, it can fit into another tale (blogpost) after all!

Cheers,

When we crossed state borders to pee - TTTT 5

During our weekend trips, we do many a time cross state borders, meaning we enter other states.  Entering other state by road requires vehicle permit for taxi segment vehicles. There have been couple of occasions, where we had chance to cross over to other state via the forest by walk of course!

The forest has no boundaries, but if we are caught in other state forest, we could get fined unless we have proper permission. Yes, unfortunately the forests too are demarkated, saying which part of the forest falls under which state.

During this trek, we started our road journey from Karnataka, crossed over into TamilNadu, then started the trek. During the trek we crossed over to the Kerala side, and then we completed the trek. We had to take a jeep ride from Kerala to TamilNadu border.

The jeep crossed the Kerala side and entered into the Tamilnadu side, and then stopped. It was over here at a distance of 0.5 kilometers, that our vehicle was parked. So before we could locate where our vehicle was, we thought of relieving ourselves.

Considering there were many people and checkposts in the Tamilnadu side, we thought it would not be a correct idea to do so. Ahead there were many street lights because of which we turned down.

So now only option left was to go back to Kerala side of the road which was a bit dark,

That is how we crossed the state borders just to pee!

Strange things do happen while travelling, its just about making them happen and recollecting them!

Cheers,

Shuttle driver #14 - Driver who drove the same car for 11 years and still counting!

Finally the jinx was broken. We had a good Toyota Innova cab doing duty for the last 5 months and now all of a sudden due to cost cutting, we have moved back to Non AC cabs, like Indica Sumo.

The Kengeri route shuttle ever so remains so skeptical, that, we wonder each day, whether it will be a 4 seater or an 8 seater.

Each day a new cab, yesterday was no difference. We had a cab and finally talking to the driver, we came to know, he was driving for the past 25 years!

Starting from truck/bus/Tempo traveller, now to a 4 seater cab. The thing he said was he was the single owner/driver for the vehicle, which he had since 2005.

Yes 11 years, driving a single vehicle. I asked him, did you not get bored driving the same vehicle, wanting to move to a higher capacity vehicle.

He replied saying, he also owned a Tempo traveller, which he would drive once he got bored, next weekend he had a tour Kerala side!

So asked him about vehicle engine repairs in the last 11 years, for which he said, engine was re-bored, with piston changes, engine head, camshaft changes after 5 Lakh kilometers. The car had done, more than 8 lakh kilometers in the last 11 years.

The driver told, whatever he had earned today,was because of this vehicle. His savings in the last few years were all attributed to this vehicle. The way he said was very emotional indeed!

By the way, I forgot to mention which vehicle was he driving. Do I need to? It was a Tata Indica of course!

Cheers,

Top respect #Mahindra

There have been multiple occasions when I have taken jeep rides on non existent roads. Meaning on pathways littered with stones rocks, or paths where your normal cars/two wheeler refuse to ride.

On each such occasion, I have traveled in a Mahindra jeep. I have always been a huge fan of Mahindra vehicles, its sad that I could not afford one, 6 years back!

So after our Sunday's jeep ride from some forest out of nowhere near Munnar to Kerala-TamilNadu border, I just thought, about what real toughness is all about.

I guess thats what Mahindra vehicles stand for esp Mahindra Jeeps, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra MaxR. I'm not counting in Scorpio/Xylo/XUV in this list, because, I have never seen them being driven over such pathways.

It has always been bare basic jeeps, if not Bolero/MaxR/Pickup truck.

Its one department, where Mahindra wins easily with no competition. Many reasons exist, so let me list  them

- One cannot ride Range Rover over such roads. the cost of Range Rover parts to the cost of Mahindra spare parts differ by leaps and bounds.

- Weight - Mahindra Jeeps especially, weigh very less, they carry no weight by themselves apart from their subframe and a bare minimal body and top. They literally have less weight, where as other vehicles weight tonnes.

- Technological advancement - Many other off-roaders come with so much technological advancement, electronics that, it hurts to pay for these gadgets to run them in the wild. But Mahindra runs with bare minimum technology even with the engine. So cost of buying one is extremely less especially, if you want to ride them where there are no roads.

- Repair - Repairing them is simple as each part is visible to the naked eye. Unlike other vehicles, where many parts are hidden within a fort of body work, Mahindra jeep has most parts reachable by hand, even electricals, (btw are there any electricals, yes there are).

- Engine - DI Engine (no fuss engine 2.5L / 3.2L), every hard working man's dream (including mine). Loads of torque, grunt and able to take tonnes of load. Can newer technology replace this one, I doubt! Simple parts, can be repaired by village mechanic, no add-ons in the form of Turbo, intercooler. All power / torque by natural aspiration, not by shitty forced induction!

So here is one such post dedicated to Mahindra expressing gratitude for all those jeep rides which have taken us away from civilization into wilderness and brought us back to civilization and also to loads of other people who earn their livelihood because of these hard core off road Mahindra vehicles.

And if you want one example of "Make In India", you have it in front of your eyes, since 50 plus years, even before " Make In India " concept was born.

Its sad to see each individual is hesitant to buy a Mahindra (though being Indian) because they just cant accept the fact that its built so tough, instead choose cheaper Japanese/Korean alternatives! (quoting escape reasons such as niggling vehicle issues, back-pain etc,which leaves me giggling)

My only regret is I could have taken additional loan and brought a Mahindra 6 years back, that's another story, but I would have dearly missed falling in love with a TATA.

I can tell, my regret gets nullified though. Someday I hope to own a Mahindra Bolero XL Plus, a 7+1 seater, with a good engine, preferably a CRDE preferably with a Turbocharger and intercooler. (MEagle engine I mean).

Considering, that spec is not available for production(my guess), I am not thinking about buying one though and after driving and being driven around in an Innova, I guess, I am in a dilemma.

Cheers,

When we got invited for free food - TTTT 4

This was during one of our recent treks. We were along the coastal side, very close to Honnavara at a place called Gundabagal. So there is this temple of Goddess Lakshmi Devi where we were visiting. There was a wedding happening at the temple courtyard. So preparations for a huge dinner was on the way. May be for even an evening snacks.

We had completed our trek and had cooked an afternoon lunch. Seeing this mega dinner preparation opened our eyes. I exclaimed to one of my friend, only if someone would invite us for this feast. My friend was also of the same opinion.

Two of our team members were from the coastal region only. So there was this place behind the temple where Yaksha Gana was being performed every night. They went to inquire about the same. In the process they started to speak in Tulu and were guided to the exact place where Yaksha Gana happened.

While me and my friend were happening to be seated at the entrance of the temple, this person with whom my friend's had spoken in Tulu spoke to us too. Apparently, he was the uncle of the girl who was getting married. So after a round of introductions and some more insight into the happenings of Yaksha Gana, guess what happened?

He invited us for having some snacks and then leave for Bangalore. It came out of nowhere, our wish had turned into reality. Since we were so far from Bangalore around 440 kilometers and had to reach Bangalore by 5 am, we turned down the offer, considering snacks would be served a bit late.

Cheers,

When a tadpole turned out in drinking water - TTTT 3

It was one other trek with a different group. The year was 2013, month was November. It was a beach trek. We had started the trek from Kumta to Gokarana. It was walking along the beach stretch.

It was mid afternoon we had run out of water and we could locate a fisherman's house opposite to the beach. We went there and asked for water. There was a fresh water well from which water was drawn manually.

Then we started to fill our bottles. And there you go, I got my bottle filled up too with water. When I looked inside it for mud or dirt, I found out there was a live tadpole within it. (Atleast that was what I thought of the live creature)

And what did you think I did, I just dropped few quantity of water back into the well and started drinking the water!

Cheers,

When I was left behind in a trek - TTTT 2

I was never good at physical activity, well that was pre 2014, at-least. I was pathetic on all counts. I could not run for a distance, could not perform physical tasks at one stretch.

I had already spent years working, years sitting in front of the computer, trying to work myself up on the corporate ladder (rather craporate ladder), now all of a sudden I realized, I was getting older, life was just running by, and I felt I was doing nothing.

So this idea of doing treks came to my mind. I was fit mentally but physically it was a long way away. But never mind I tried my hand at treks.

One such thing happened during one of the treks. This was the year 2013 July. Well years back. I was a part of this team which was about to trek Mullayangiri and BabaBudangiri. We had managed to climb Mullayangiri and all of a sudden weather turned worse. It started to pour on the hill plus heavy winds.

So as we were about to commence the second half of the journey namely BabaBudangiri, the trek organizer, felt only those guys who were quick should attempt the second half of the trek. Unfortunately, I wasn't, I was left behind. I pleaded I would manage the same, but it went to deaf years.

I felt very awkward, very bad for myself, but I had to accept the fact that I was slow. This was very de-motivating, now when I look back at this and few more insulting incidents, I feel like laughing at myself!

These kind of insults sure led me to making a comeback, a serious comeback, which I can attribute to my teacher,parents and God. Now when I look back at the last year and half, I feel, I have lived a dream!

Cheers,

PS - Its been quite a long time, I have met that organizer, life has just  moved on. I no more trek with that group not because of the incident, but because of expense and I have made other friends who themselves organize treks, so no need for me to join this group again!

When a stranger spoke to me in McLeodGanj - TTTT 1

We had completed our trek and we had two more days to spare in Himachal Pradesh and chose to stay at McLeodGanj. So it was there we got to visit the Dalai Lama temple.

While at the temple one woman came and struck a conversation with me. It was all of a sudden. She asked me where me and my friend were from. We told about Bangalore/Karnataka.

She seemed little surprised. The reason being, she was born and raised in Bylakuppe, Madikeri. She had married a person living in McLeodGanj and had started living here. Infact she told me, she was due to travel for Mysore in couple of weeks.

It felt very nice, since she spoke in Kannada, co-incidences do happen. She spoke about couple of good things about people of Karnataka over Himachal people. She also told about how she had got to meet His Highness Dalai Lama.

So all in all, a good day!

Cheers,

Tales from trek tours and travels (TTTT)

I have still not completed writing about our office shuttle drivers (to completion), I got a thought about writing on some other topic.

I have been travelling/trekking/touring actively since last 2-3 years, that I have got or rather encountered quite a bit of fascinating people their tales and stories which have happened during these times. So thinking like blogging about them too.

What is the point in simply remembering them, recollecting them or telling them to everyone, eventually to be forgotten after few months.

So here goes another attempt to recollect them and relive them for years!

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 16

Landed in Delhi in morning.

Freshened up at NDLS metro station, put luggage in cloak room.
Took metro to some station then went to Purani Qila
Then to Connaught place for breakfast.
Then we went to some place for sweets Bangla sweet shop.
Then went to Karim's near Red Fort where few of my friends had lunch. I did not, I had a huge mug of Lassi which bloated my stomach.

Came back to NDLS railway station. Took our belongings and started towards T3 terminal.

My Flight was at 6 40pm and there you go I came to Bangalore at around 9 20 pm.

Cheers, Trip has come to an end!!

Thanks for God, my parents and my teachers, Cheers once again!

Himachal Journey - Day 15

Morning breakfast - Something in Kunga cafe dont remember

Morning visit to St John's Church. Sat near McLeodGanj circle doing nothing for 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Then went for lunch. Started reading a book at Kunga cafe.

Evening strolled around Dalai Lama temple had 2 cups of tea.

Late evening time for our bus to Delhi.

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 14

Breakfast - Roadside momos, bun sold at road side. Tibetian kinda breakfast at Kunga Cafe.

Events -

Morning - Visit to Bhagusa Nag temple, did some shopping. came back, went for a shave. Then moved ahead for Dalai Lama temple.

Afternoon / Evening - Moved ahead to Dharamsala, stood in queue for free food. Visited Kangra museum. Then started towards Palampur Baijnath temple. Full evening spent in Baijnath. Came back to McleodGanj around 9 45pm.

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 13 Part 2

Second half of the day, was more of travelling. Travelled from Bir to Billing, then hired another taxi to take us from Billing to McLeodGanj.

The route went through Palampur, saw Baijnath Temple, did not visit though.
Even saw Chamunda Devi temple as well.

This drive felt awesome, knowing that we had completed the trek and then were free birds. Sometimes its so much fun wandering like a mad dog, no responsibilities, I wish life was simple.

Reached McLeodGanj around 7 pm and started lookout for rooms. Found a room refreshed, came out for dinner and then day got to close.

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 13 Part 1

Final day, finally we were done with the trek.

Day started casually, ended casually. Reached Bir by afternoon. Preparations were on for world paragliding championship over there, so enjoyed few moments there, then it was a taxi ride to Billing where our team members who paraglided just would have landed.

We said goodbye to our guide and horsemen at Bir and then it was our team, thats it.
Trek was over. We had reached civilization, 12 days of wilderness was done!

Wow, as I recollect while I write this, it was an out of earth experience.
Wish I could do the same trek again and again!

Cheers,

Breakfast - Chole Bhature + egg.
Lunch - Apple + 5 star + froot=

Route was pretty straight forward, walking along side a mountain trail all the way to Bir.

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 12

Today was one more epic day.
- We were about to reach Rajgunta.
- We were about to get mobile signal after 11 days.
- We were on the last but one day of completing our memorable trek.
- We would meet civilization.

The whole day was wrecked with bad weather.
We had trekked in rain, but never trekked in hail storms. Today was that day to meet our friend hailstorm.

It hit right on our face. We were drenched. Our shoes were wet, gone, saggy dripping, but we had no option but to continue in the rain rather hail storm.

Finally after 2.5 hours of walking in the rain reached a shelter where we could escape rain. Put a fire started drying ourselves, though we were shivering.

Finally after 1 hour of waiting we were ready to go again. Meanwhile finished dinner over there too.

Then in the late evening,weather turned out to be extremely fine, we reached Rajgunta and then it was evening. Got an accomdation instead of staying in tent because we had reached civilization. Tomorrow we would be completing the trek, 12 day of wilderness thus coming to a close.

We got mobile coverage and called up homes got data as well checked stuffs.

Cheers,

Breakfast - Poha + Egg Burji + Omlette + black tea

Lunch - Chapati wrapped with vegetables + frooti + apple + egg + 5 star.

Evening  - Tea + chocolate cream biscuits

Dinner - chowmen + fried rice + pasta + cake - success party.

Himachal Journey - Day 11

We had to cross Thamsar pass today. Early morning few people who had started from BaraBhangal yesterday came around the kitchen tent too. They were fed and given tea breakfast and then they proceeded with their journey.

We had other company around 30 horses carrying ration from Barabhangal to Bir. So today we were not alone after all.

Breakfast - Porridge + Pancake + Black Tea

Lunch - Egg + Kichdi + Frooti + diary milk + Apple.

We continued on the rocky trail and somewhere we met the villagers of BaraBhangal. We finished the rocky trail and then reached snow. Pass crossing was slow and around 12 30 we were at top of Thamsar pass.

Descended the pass and finished lunch near a lake.

Finally with more walk we reached around campsite around 5pm. It was getting late, foggy and managed to reach the campsite before dark.

Dinner - Rice + Roti + Black Tea + Plain Dal

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 10

- Today we were starting from BaraBhangal village.
- Our dream of spending one idle day doing nothing at BaraBhangal was not possible.
- We had a tough path ahead today and the day was long.

Breakfast - Methi Parota + corn flakes + tea

We said bye to all of the villagers and then started. Crossed a bridge and boy then there was one huge climb all the way parallel to the waterfall. It was a tough day. Sun was hitting very hard. Meanwhile the food and other rations had come down and one of the horseman was riding on the horse instead of walking.

Lunch was alongside a waterfall consisting of,

Salted Potato + apple + 5 star + frooti + Egg.

We started again along the rocky path. It was a tough climb. Completely exposed to sunlight along a quarry of stones we made our way thorough it.

Finally reached evening campsite around 4pm.

This was another day to remember,

- We stole wood stocked up by the shepard and lit a campfire. First one at 13k Feet.
- Guide and horseman were very happy since weather god's had permitted us to come this far.

Dinner - Masoor dal + Rice + roti + tuna fish + vegatables (Potato+ cauliflower+ carrot)
Sweet- custard.

Cheers,

Himachal Journey - Day 9 Part b

BaraBhangal village was an awesome place. The moment we entered, we were greeted by a farmer, who was cultivating Rajma. After 8 days, what a fun in meeting people civilization.

- BaraBhangal is a village closed for 6 months of the year, due to the too much of snowfall it recieves.
- People stay and grow crops during 6 months and next move to Bir/Billing.
- The school too functions 6 months over here, 6 months in Bir.
- We had a chance to roam around the village.
- Pluck apples, Yes we were in Himachal Pradesh after all :)-

Once we reached our campsite, we were greeted by a gentleman who turned out to be a government doctor stationed for this village. Since half the team had not yet reached, me and horsemen got up to pitch the tents

Almost after 1 hour rest of the guys who had lost their way arrived. We had freshened up then, quickly it turned dark. Few people had gone to make a telephone call home since there was a satellite phone available. But that was operating on a solar battery which too out of charge!

Then it was dinner time. Next morning I got to take a walk around BaraBhangal, the temple over there, small shops over there etc etc. Then it was time to packup. Big day ahead of us, since we had to start since weather was getting bad, villagers had advised us, not to stay a day more!

Cheers,

A video which I took in BaraBhangal village. 

Himachal Journey - Day 9 Part a

I remember this day way too well. It was an epic day. The reasons being,

- We were reaching BaraBhangal village
- After 8 days of wandering all alone in the hills we would hit civilization.
- Team members felt they could get hot water for bath.
- Guide thought we could refill our supplies of potato + korn + rajma for next leg of the trek.
- Meet people greet people wander around Barabhangal
- Satellite phone.
- Possible bear sightings.
- A day where lots happened.
- Our planned stay at BaraBhangal was cut short by our utilizing the spare day in betwen, now we had no option but to move ahead.

Breakfast - Carrot + Meti parota + omlette + oat meal porridge + black tea.

Day started with a great hope and ended in a brilliant way. Somewhere in the middle we reached a water fall for lunch and then our team decided to split, one team which would go fast and reach the village quick and the other one, would go slow at their own pace.

Lunch at the waterfall - Mashed potato + egg + apple + frooti + diary milk.

The guide told the quicker team to follow the horses, instead they ran ahead in front of the horses and lost their path. Where they had to climb they descended into the valley.

And as a result, we reached Barabhangal village before the quicker team which lost their way. In the middle the horsmen had a sighting of bear and believe me, we four guys of the team were all alone. Luckily we did not sight any bear over there.

Reached BaraBhangal village and there you go, 65% of the trek done!

On reaching campsite we had Tea + Parle G biscuits

Dinner - Rice + Dal + vegetables + roti + jamoon + Soya Chunks

Cheers,