Travelogue - Bangalore - Mysore - Nagarhole - Kannur - Bangalore Folks,
This is an update to the trip I made last week to these places. Here is a brief summary of the road situation. Unfortunately I dont have pictures of the road to share. As I was driving taking pictures means, me stopping the vehicle and when on such long drives short breaks eventually add up, especially with a 4.5 year onboard.. Anyway here is how it started.
We started from Bangalore on 23rd December 2007 morning at 8:45 pm from Koramangala. Had breakfast at one darshini in JP Nagar 24th main and headed to Kanakapura road. I avoided the approach to nice road from Bannerghatta road, because of the giant sized bumps and twice my Corolla bottomed. Entered the NICE road from Kanakapura and almost eventless drive to GRS Fantasy park for some water sports.
We checked into Young Island Resort by evening, freshened up.The resort is close to a tributory of Cauvery I guess and had flowing water. It is well maintained and at Rs.1500 a good deal I would say. It is in Srirangapatna. If you have your own transport, definitely a preferred place to stay. Went to Brindavan gardens that evening and nothing much to write about except the unending crowd and queues. The story is the same at the zoo next day.
Left Mysore at 12:45 PM on 24th December,for Nagarhole via Hunsur. The road from Mysore to Hunsur is extremely well laid, except for some small patches. Very less traffic as well in the afternoon. Was able to reach Hunsur by 1:30 and from there the ride got a little bad. To reach Jungle Inn, look for a fork when driving in the road to Nagarhole. The road was dug up for some pipe work at regular intervals and required a small deviation every kilometer then on. We reached Nagarhole by around 2:30 PM. Could not go for the safari, as Forest officials refused permission and elephants of the elephant camp were also moved to Tittimatti. So, could not do much in Jungle Inn. The accomodation at Jungle Inn is pretty basic, but functional.Had a campfire and nice dinner.
Left Nagarhole on 25th December by 10:15 AM for Kannur. The first target was Mannathavady, via Kutta. Kutta is on the other side of Nagarhole and has to drive through the Wilf Life Sanctuary. The road inside is not good at all and I could not go beyong 30KMPH. this is the story till you reach Kutta. Roads get much better once you reach Kutta. Then onwards you are in Wayanad area and the roads and drive is awesome. At Kutta, watch out for a sharp Hairpin bend before you enter the main Kutta business area for Mannathavady. I went straight and had to take a U- turn and head backwards. We drove through Mannathavady - Mattanur - and reached Kuthuparamba by 1:30 PM. Stopped for lunch at a restaurant and blown away. The meal costed Rs.15. For three of us it came to Rs.60, which is what I pay for a coffee at Barista in Bangalore. Reached Kannur by 3:30 PM. Checked into Mascot Beach Resort. The hotel is right on the cliff facing Arabian Sea and one can have a candle light dinner on the cliff, with sea by the side. Very nice place and unbelievable price of Rs.1200/day. Generally hung around the swimming pool and spent the evening.
Next day on 26th went to Thallassery, Muzapilangad beaches. By lunch we went to Mahe beach. There is a small water sports complex. Nothing big but they have a motor boat and few pedal boats which you can rent and ride in the backwaters. It was a nice time pass especially for the little one who wanted a boat ride desperately.
On 27th went to Bekal fort which is around 80 km from Kannur. This is the worst driving experience I ever had. The highway NH17 is a nightmare to drive. There is no concept of Right of Way and no driver seem to respeect that. I had two near crash experience with those bus drivers who have the scantest regard for their lives and others life as well. General rule of driving is if you cant see, presume the worst and dont over take. In NH 17 or drivers of Kerala believe otherwise. When you cant see, presume nobody is there, overtake happily. Twice I had to see count stars and pray that nothing happens. Imaging a Piaggio auto trying to overtake a bus, which in turn is being overtaken by another bus, and I am in the opposite direction driving at 70kmph. I had to apply all brakes, head out of the tarmac and the bus passed me at 70-80kmph and the gap was barely inches between our vehicles. My heart skipped a beat and hoped things will be fine.
Second instance was in a curve in the ghat section when a bus overtook a truck and I had to run helter skelter because neither the bus driver nor me could see each other. I am in the right lane and the bus guy was overtaking even when he has no visibility. But some how managed to escape by a whisker. In both the instances the drivers did not even have a feeling of sorry in their faces. They believe it is their right to overtake jeopardising every one else.
Left Kannur on 28th morning by 9:30 AM. Came upto Mannathavady at around 11:45 AM. Saw a board that said Mysore 109 KM, but thought it goes through HDKote I guess. was not sure about the road and hence hit the road to Sultan Bathery via Panamaram and Meenaangadi. It was longer by around 50-60 kiometers I guess. From Bathery is usual Nanjungad - Mysore. Reached Mysore by 4:00 and stopped at Mysore Palace, left Mysore by 6:00 and reached Bangalore by 8:30. Overall a very good vacation.. A gist if one wants to know the details..
Bangalore - Mysore - Nothing new.
Mysore - Hunsur - very well laid roads, could do that in 45 minutes.
Hunsur - Nagarhole - Again nice road ,except 5-6 deviations. Could do that in an hour
Nagarhole - Manathavady - Kuthuparamba- Bad road inside the WLS. Beyond Kutta nice road and awesome drive through Wayanad. Took around 3 hours
Kuthuparamba - Kannur - 45 minutes.
Return
Kannur - Kuthuparamba - Manthavady - Panamaram - Meenangadi - Sultan Bathery- Left Kannur at 9:30 AM and reached Bathery at 2:00 PM, after a stop for an hour at Manathavady for brunch. Beyond Bathery usual route.
I did not keep track of the individual distances, but intend to do henceforth in the long drives. Next drive is not too far.:-) :-)
Happy new year to everyone!!
Nainar |