3 friends, 5 states, 2500kms, 8 days, 1 car.
Pune - Mysore - Bandipur - Ooty - Coonoor - Pyakara - Wayanad - Coorg - Murdeshwara - Karwar - Goa - Pune.
Mandatory- Got our RTPCR done to avoid hassle at borders from Sahyadri hospital, Hadapsar as they give report on the same day. 650/- per person.
A trip to explore the hill stations, coastal route of South - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Goa.
We started from Pune stopped at Kolhapur for dinner. Showed our RTPCR at Karnataka border even tho the cop was not interested just for show off and drove to Davangere for a night halt. Had the super delicious and fulfilling Benne dosa for breakfast. CNG pump available at Davangere. Silky highways karad onwards and can easily do silly speeds of 100+
1st stop - Mysore: The heritage city was dolled up in lights and we vistied the Mysore palace , Philomena curch , Chamundeshwari hill and temple and did loads of shopping . Stayed at B.S international as it is 1 km from the palace. Heavy visitors and crowds on Sundays. Try to avoid weekends. CityTraffic due to visitors is a nightmare. Topped up CNG here.
Drove Enroute Bandipur tiger reserve with lots of deers and some peacocks and elephants visible on road. Entered TN border check post who shuffled our luggage thoroughly but couldn't find anything so left us. Carrying liquor is banned is what the cop told us.
2nd stop - Ooty : Reached the queen of hills crossing 36 hairpin bends with Lovely scenic ghat drive from Mysore . Took us 5 hours to reach with some stops for photography and tea breaks. Whatta lovely hill station! We visited the beautifully maintained Botanical garden, Rose garden, lake and view points.
3rd stop - Coonoor :This tea estate of Nilgiris is lined with eucalyptus trees is just an hour's drive from Ooty has an air of it's own with awesome roads and views and a photographers delite. Visited Valley view, Wellington golf club, Highfield tea factory, Sim's park and dolphin nose. Shopped for wine , tea , chocolates and Spent a full day here and left back for Ooty to retire in our room to leave for Pyakara...
4th stop - Pyakara to Wayanad: Had a sumptuous breakfast at Ooty and left for Pyakara enroute did lot of photography of the awesome views to visit a lake and did boating in the serene lake( worth 100/- per person). Had hot puffs and coffee and left...dined at Wayanad but sadly had to cut short Kerala due to heavy rains which was a spoiler. Left for Coorg which is a 4 hours drive from Wayanad. Restos in Wayanad close at 8 pm , luckily we found one at 9 with pathetic food but had it just to fill our hungry tummies.
Reaching Coorg was thoroughly adventurous. Drive cautiously ...We encountered lots of elephants that late evening on the highway and had to stop for them to give way and then reached Karnataka border where the rude border police hasseled for RTPCR but gave them my piece of mind in Kannada (yes, I know the lingo!) and they let us cross the border.
5th stop - Coorg: Slept dead tired and Woke up to a refreshing Coorg coffee. Had our pongala and vadas , ofcourse with coffee again and left for sightseeing. We visited Coffee plantations, Dubare Elephant park(90 bucks per head) , did river rafting (600 bucks per head) , Nisarg dham and headed back to Coorg to see Raja's seat and fort ( nothing much to see in fort..can be given a miss). Luched well at Udupi pure veg. Headed to Abbey water falls.
Left from Coorg to Murudeshwar. Had a nice sapadam at Kundapur and slept at a highway Nagu lodge.
6th stop - Murudeshwar: Started at 9am after having Idli , vada , dal vada and tea and 12 kms later the mesmerizing sea face road appeared where we took some photos and chilled on the sea facing highway. Left for Murudeshwar temple and saw it's magnificence. The 18 floor Gopura has a lift wherein one can take pics from all four sides of the sea and Shankar temple. Seeked blessings of lord Shankara and Murdeshwara and left for ....you guessed it right...Goa !!
Enroute stopped by at Karwar for a tea break , naval museum and photography of the beach.
7th stop - Anjuna : How could the trip be complete without visiting the party capital of the country. Took a relaxing massage and chilled at the beach on Lilliput shacks with beers and chips. Topped up CNG.
Headed back home with our conversations, thoughts and memory cards filled with this awesome journey.
Reached home having lots of stories to tell the family
Accessories: Nikon SLR , card reader , laptop , extra batteries, 3 battery banks for mobile. 1 mobile always used for GPS, 1 for photos and selfies and third for calling. Range is an issue as there are many ghats.
All pics shared are shot on one plus 6.
Car options: We friends own a Honda city auto- ruled out due to ground clearance and fuel efficiency.
Maruti Brezza diesel our first choice ruled out as service was pending and worn tyres.
Finally took our Wagon R as it was recently serviced and it had CNG!!