Chikmagalur | New year 2011

Travel Date – 31 Dec to 2 Jan 2011

This time I got excited as my vacation was rush-free as it ran for continuous 11 days. Started to India on the eve of Xmas and managed to pass through customs with Krish’s TV. Next day spent a good 2 hours in the shopper’s stop at Chennai. Later that day, promptly got picked by Uma and Kannan and went to Shiva’s home. Had enough snacks and talked a little.

Uma drove to a nice beach which was decent and it was somewhere near to the way I fantasize a beach. There we finished couple of DairyMilk chocolates (thanks to Kannan). Couldnt believe my senses that the breeze was between cool and cold at Chennai. Lucky me, I guess. Later with couple of stunts to reverse the car from the parking lot (by meand me ;)), we headed to Cream Center restaurant in Alwarpet. Food is quite delicate? and tasty here and draws enough from our wallet for that.

Next day, myself and Thenmozhi reached my home in Krishnagiri. After spending a couple of days she headed to Chennai and I headed to Bangalore.

N E W Y E A R T R I P – 2011

No matter what, there are some pullouts at the last moment and some suprises. I knew these and that is the reason we go on a dinner meet before starting any trip. This time Vijay, Krish, Senthil, Arun, Kavitha, Praveen, Zinia (Arun’s daughter), Kasturi(rangan), Guru Kishan (Krish’s cousin), Uma and myself made it to the trip. Guru and Uma are new to join the trip but got mingled easily. Vinoth, Kubhi, Ramesh, Dinesh, Selvakarthik were really missed in this trip. As usual our vehicle (a Tempo traveller) came late after 11ish.

There it started..

Driver was with full energy we guess, our guys commented that he drove the vehicle at 80 km with the first gear. We offered some prayers at a temple in the outskirts of Bangalore for a safe trip.

Praveen and Krish took turns to accompany the driver and Krish was happliy sleeping with his legs spread, on his turn. I got firmly sandwiched between Krish and the wheelhump in the last seat, still managed to close my eyes for sometime. After a couple of tea stops, we reached Mudugiri (Moodugiri) with the sun rising up. This side of Karnataka has got superb terrains and very notable peaks. Kudremukh is one of the famous trekking peak (which am still thinking to make it). Mudugiri is one of the taluks in Chikmagalur district, still far from the chikmagalur itself. This district is known for its beautiful peaks, coffee plantations and ice-cold falls.

This is not the first time we came here, however we ensured not to visit the places we visited earlier. We stayed at Nature’s abode homestay .

I should be spending enough time to write on the homestay. Nature’s abode is a tastefully built estate bungalow at Sri Veerabadreshwara estate near Mudugiri. This sits on top of a half-hill (or a meadow). As no exception, this place has plenty of concrete floorings which had a small basket ball court, a badminton court and for more, during the seasons,used to dry coffee beans alongside. On all sides of this Homestay, flows coffee plants which give really pleasant views. The bungalow is beautiful by all means which has 2 huge bedrooms, a guest room and other typical rooms. For the homestay standards, this sets a luxury example. vibes are too good here.

We were greeted by Veeresh (owner of the estate) who gave enough information and left the bungalow all for us to Bangalore. We had Mahesh and 2 cooks who looks after the estate in this quarters and to help us. Mahesh was extremely polite and always available for every need.

On the very first look, I liked the bungalow very much. It was misty by the time we reached and it added more dramatic features. After a coffee (not the best one), our guys went out and started playing their favs. While Zinia (aged 1.2) paired up with Kavitha for the basketball, rest of us hooked on to the badminton. I played for district in badmintonand still lost both the games( with an applauding score of 1-Game) I played opposing Senthil’s team. I can escape by blaming wrong partners. 😛

Though it was misty, soon weather changed to a bright mood. It gets hot by noon here even during winters.

After a nice breakfast, we went to a nearby stream in the estate itself which is at a half kilometer walk. Stream should have looked beautiful during monsoons, but now, not much. Stream had a foul smell of stagnated water. Without many complaints, we spent little time there. Praveen got a tadpole and Arun got a shrimp(the smallest I have ever witnessed).

We went back to the bungalow and few happily ran for a nap. Am wondering what I did. Anyhow, by lunch, we pushed everyone to the dining hall. Later for the day, we drove to Dever mane gudda which was a 30 mins drive from the bungalow. There was a small ruined temple and a calf which loved eating the rubber mudguards of our vehicle. On our way back, we requested the driver to stop midway where we could climb till the peak. Here, most of the peaks were tree-free. It would have simulated a breathtaking view during a clean-sky monsoon period.

There was an observation tower (I guess) at one of the peaks and we wanted to conquer(??!!) the peak by walking. We got down from the vehicle and the cool air embraced us. It didnt take more than 7 mins to reach the peak. Surrounding peaks offered a nice view. With lots of photo sessions and calls (cell phone coverage was available here), we went back to the resort.

Surprisingly, Kasturi got a cake from Bangalore for the new year celebrations. Good presenece of mind.. 😉 Except – he forgot where he kept his camera.

We decided to have a late dinner by 10:30. Post dinner, Mahesh arranged the Campfire and we were ready to talk. With my hearty thanks for joining the trip, The-talk started. We discussed about what we achieved in 2010 and what we would like to in 2011, individually. This time, talk was dominated by career opportunities and related. I was little worried, but later, thought things will be alright once they are married.. 😛

It was 12 and we wished every other a happy new year.. After that, Senthil got lucky to cut the cake. With cakes, beers, alcohol or the tiredness gave all of us a deep sleep.

1st Jan 2011

But we were up in the morning on-time (really) and got ready to explore the day. We kept a temple, and Mulyanagiri for the evening – as the plan. Belur, Halebid, and Pushpagiri for Sunday. Surprisingly, after 2 hours of journey, the driver took us to the Belur temple and up on asked, he said this will help us to cover the Halebed for tmw.

Belur and Halebed were the most notable twin towns of Hoysala empire and I have no idea how they mastered the art of Sculptures. They didnt leave a bit of stone as it was. Every stone was carved and all were unique. Including the 647 elephants in the base.

I wanted to go for a guide to get the better picture, but Senthil was against the idea and suggested we take one at the Halebidu. After some naggings, we went without a guide and tried to cover the temple with our eyes and stealing few comments from the other tourists’ guides, of course free of cost ;).

This temple was built in the 11th century and I cant believe my senses that they were carved not moulded. After praising the workmenship a lot, we came out of that temple.

I bet or swear, Tourism board of India can do a better job here for shelter/roof, better toilet facilities and what not. For God sake, this site is being proposed for Unesco heritage collection and should deserve a better treatment.

While we waited for Krish outside the temple, he came out bluffing that he was waiting for us inside. With few kicks, we got in to the vehicle.

We had a nice lunch at Hotel King in Chikmagalur (Non-Veg), and headed further to Mulyanagiri peak. Actual plan was to climb the Mulyanagiri peak (2 hours), however, Karnataka Govt was kind enough to lay a road (just not for us.. :-P).

Road to Mulyanagiri from Chikmagalur was good and plastic-free (trust me!!), and the last 10 KM stretch was the most dangerous to drive. One with half-baked-skill (like me) with the cars, should not even think about driving.

But the views are awesome (or fill a better word here). I swear, it would look nothing less than heaven during monsoons. Recollect, I wish to see the grass at the greenest color it can offer.

Last couple of minutes of drive will give a clear picture of Mulyanagiri which has a small temple at the peak. After parking our cars, we had to climb around 600 steps to reach the peak. We reached by 4pm. The air was cooler when the sun was gazing at us and colder when it wore clouds for the party.

This is a unique peak and no wonder why this was loved by the trekkers. This offers a very good 360 degree view and on a clean day, people claim that one can see the Arabian Sea. Temple at the top was even colder but not much crowded if you are there in the evenings.

There are two small caves below the temple (2 mins walk) and one can sit comfortably to escape that killing cold breeze.

In no time, may be in 10-15 mins after we reached the peak, it changed totally from a sunshine place to a fog clouded one. And the visibility got reduced to 10-15 feet. We enjoyed both and wondered at the beauty of the nature. The bath towel I carried from the homestay helped to escape the sun at Belur and the cold here. I wish I had a tent and enough number of days at hand.. 😉

After some 2-2.5 hours of journey we reached back to the homestay.. We got the Karnataka speciality Akki rotti for dinner and few other drooling items. After enough fillings, we called it a day and lost in one of the dreamless night sleeps.

2nd Jan 2011

We got up late and managed to checkout by 11. Next stop was at Halebidu after passing through the worst of its kind roads. This is larger than the Belur and relatively less crowded as it’s not worshipped (as a temple) anymore.

We got a guide who was very professional and proud of what he was doing and even reluctant to accept the Tip. He explained individual statues and the stories behind that. Most of them were self-explanatory and few were raising our eye-brows for the details present in the sculptures.
1) Hats-off to them,
2) hated colonial period british govt for moving the best statues to their country,
3) worried that they are getting eroded.

.. best part is, I can do nothing about it except dropping my mouth for their masterpieces. Here people sell things which can adorn our abode too and it was nice to buy with someone giving in for our bargaining skills.

After that, we went to the nearby hill called Pushpagiri which has a very small temple (5 kms from Halebidu – easily skippable). With few default prayers, we were looking for lunch as it was past 3 in the afternoon and even the skinniest were groaning to grind..

Around 4, we got a road-side Dhaba and I requested our guys to order food at one stretch so that we can leave the place quickly.

… and we took nearly 2 hours to get out of that place.

Somehow I managed to stay awake for the rest of the journey while others snoozed here and there. My mind was on the thinking-mood and worried a lot about the future in India.

Unsure what its gonna be, but what am sure is, there will be another entry here for 2012 new year trip.

.. now enjoy the pics.. 😉

Download New Year pics slides here (better quality)

Krish’s Pics first

Senthil’s Pics

Raj’s Pics