....Continuation.
Woke up to chirping birds at 6.30 am after a dreamless slumber all night.
My wife wanted to sleep for some more time, so I went off alone to get some pictures.
During the last visit we were told of a beach like place by the river where one could venture into the water, so off I went looking for this place. I discovered paradise in the form of a clean secluded beach with only egrets and kingfishers for company. The whole place was bounded by wild bamboo with colourful birds flying around.
The "Beach"
Moonset
River tern
Another view of the river
I then took a walk in the arecanut plantation clicking snaps.
A parakeet
Reaching for the skies
A view of the canopy
The Arecanut Plantation
Road to Paradise
Bird on a wire
The Holiday Retreat
Came back to a good breakfast spread of bread and omlettes along with 'Akki' rotti. Tucked in quite a lot of the tasty stuff and went for my bath. Soon it was the dreaded time to start back into the real world.
For the return journey, we decided to explore a new route and with the help of the owner of Vihangama we charted out a route through Chikmagalur. Left Vihangama at 10 am and started off towards Koppa.
The advantage of this route is that we are in enchanting Malnad hills throughtout the journey till Chikmagalur, with hardly any traffic. We experienced some of the best sceneries which is typical of this region of Karnataka, the pictures don't do justice to the views one gets.
On the way to Koppa
Enroute Balehonnur
Near Aldur
We reached Chikmagalur by 1pm and called in on my cousin who is a doctor there and had lunch with his family. We left Chikmagalur by 3 pm and were on our way to Belur.
Enroute Belur
After a short scenic drive we reached Belur and turned left onto the Belur-Hassan road, this road is among the best roads in Karnataka, this 37 km stretch is a pleasure to drive on, excellent visibility, well marked and in top condition.
Belur -Hassan Road
Windmills on the Belur-Hassan Road
Windmill of the Gods??
From Hassan we got into the mad bustle of cars returning to Bangalore after the weekend.
It was worse than Mysore road on a weekend, to make matter worse it started raining cats and dogs just before Bellur Cross and had to undergo bumper to bumper traffic and compete with highhway racers who want to overtake you at any cost with scant regard to oncoming traffic. Reached Nelamangala cross at 7 pm. The nightmare continued till Peenya and it took us one hour to negotiate the 25 kms to our house. Reached home to a tripmeter reading 703 kms.
Roadhog-"Coco"pine
Journey Details:
Car : Optra 1.6 petrol
Passengers: 2 adults
Fuel consumed : 54.5 litres
Total Number of kms travelled: 703 kms
Fuel Efficiency: 12.89 kms (95% ac)
Route details: Onward:
Yelahanka ---Doddaballapur---Dobbspet---Tumkur---Gubbi---Tiptur---Arasikere---Kadur
----Birur---Tarikere---Bhadravati byepass---Shimoga---Thirthahalli
Return:
Thirthahalli---Koppa---Jaipura---Balehonnur---Aldur---Chikmagalur---Belur---Hassan---
---Channarayapatna---Yediyur---Kunigal---Nelamangala---Yelahanka.
Best time to vist Malnad:
Post monsoon, October to February.
Vihangama Holiday Retreat Contact: Mr. Dayananda
.:: Vihangama ::.
Phones: 08181-228211
9448105125 (Kaneena Kadidal)
Warm Regards,
Hari.