Swifted : Coorg

MileCruncher · 2nd September 2009, 14:40

@ Lalu: If this you had gone to Leh in your Swift, would the travelogue be titled " Swiftly Leh'd "

Dhar's · 2nd September 2009, 14:42

@laluks
Nice pics. I never knew of a monastery there. Thanks for sharing.
Awaiting more scenic pictures.
Happy tripping!

laluks · 2nd September 2009, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Lalu good pictures, which camera do you use BTW?

Camera is basic - point and shoot Canon powershot A80, with a wide angle. Also a Nikon L19 (a big mistake).

Quote:

Originally Posted by prince_pervez

Great trip. Nice photographs. Waiting for more. Looks like I have to make one more trip to Coorg, following your route and leads.

Thanks. I just took on to Coorg as a whole and did not restrict to Madikeri alone. It is a wonderful place to drive around and enjoy the greens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

laluks, you are definitely the envy of the forum right now, with all the tripping you are doing non-stop

Looks like you gave your swift a chance this time. How did it handle the bad roads? The last time I took my swift on the Kushalnagar-Madikeri road, it returned with a lot of rattles.

As always, lots of info in your travelogues. Waiting for more pics

Thanks. Mine is an ZXi swift, the larger wheels takes the roads comfortably. I did not Kushal nagar this time - so haven't got a chance to see the infamous road stretch. But Swift was rattling from Day 1 and we consider it as addition to the music played.

The doors and the plank at the back are hopeless. We tried several times to arrest the rattles, but it is hopeless. But nothing other than these to the car as a whole mechanically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannan666

Nice travelogue and pics to go with it laluks, eagerly wailting to read about Day 2 now !

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

Nice photos there laluks

. That foggy weather is so tempting

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pulsar56

Wow.. That Hunsur road & Golden Temple road pictures are so inviting!
Nice pictures and crisp details.
Keep it coming.

Thanks guys. I'll update soon.

Lukeskywalker · 2nd September 2009, 16:51

Wow, Lalu the man on the move.
Nice pictures, very tempting. I envy you for the number of holidays you manage to wrangle out of office. More pics pls.

laluks · 2nd September 2009, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

@ Lalu: If this you had gone to Leh in your Swift, would the travelogue be titled " Swiftly Leh'd "

No, it would be "SwiftLeH". Anyways that's not going to happen any time soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dhar's

@laluks
Nice pics. I never knew of a monastery there. Thanks for sharing.
Awaiting more scenic pictures.
Happy tripping!

Thank you.
I do not know how and why they chose Bylakuppe for their settlement, which is quite far away from Tibet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

Wow, Lalu the man on the move.
Nice pictures, very tempting. I envy you for the number of holidays you manage to wrangle out of office. More pics pls.

Thanks Hari. Last two years I had taken only minimal leaves. This year I am just compensating that

Further the Club Mahindra membership just leaves me with no other choice than to keep going somewhere

laluks · 2nd September 2009, 22:28

Day 2, August 29th, 2009
Madikeri Town

This day we planned only a short town visit and lazing back at the resort.

Madikeri town has only a few places to offer.

Rajas Seat - Madikeri Fort - Omkareshwara Temple - Rajas Tomb - Abbi Falls

Rajas Seat
This was the place where kodagu kings viewed sunrises and sunsets. Since we had seen many sunsets here we visited in the noon this time.

The toy train at the Cauvery Patna station.

Madikeri fort
It has an old church which now functions as a meuseum. It also has a palace which functions as the DC's office. There is also a central prison and a temple.

The palace which now functions as the DC's office

The church, which is now a meuseum

Omkareshwara Temple
It has a mosque like style, with a central dome and four minarets. The entry was closed when we went there. So no pictures. Was not very impressive too. There was a large pool also.

Abbi Falls.
This around 5Km from madikeri Centre. The falls is in a privately owned coffee estate. 20Rs for the car park.This was written near the falls."The madikeri stream also called muttaramuttu falls 21.3 m between the huge boulders to a deep rocky valley to form the picteresque Abbi falls. The British called it Jessy falls, in memory of the daughter of Madikeris first Chaplain"

Coffee beans

After Abbi falls we got back to the resort and lazed around. There is a hockey stadium on the way to the resort. Some one told me a coorgi is born with a hockey stick in hand.

Some pictures from the resort.

Communist Green - this used to be on the road sides of Kerala and for any wounds by fall from the cycles, football games etc. we used to take the juice from its leaves and apply. It used to heal fast. Nostalgic when i saw this guy!!

Oranges!!

Is this lavender? Smells heavenly.

Any one know this flower? It smells good.

Kids played around the activity centre. There were clay modelling sessions this time.

Dinner was a disaster. Coorg's famous "Pandi" curry was not available. Because of swine flu fear the resort did not risk serving pork. So we tried some other coorg stuff to end up in a disaster. Heard my wife giving feedback to the guys directly - "Please taste what you make before you serve".

laluks · 2nd September 2009, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

I hope you are fully prepared for September. BTW is there a Club Mahindra there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

Are you sure he asked for the resort availability in spetember

Well guys it took some time

.
Seems there will be another Club Mahindra for sure

laluks · 3rd September 2009, 07:10

Day 3, August 30th, 2009
Madikeri - Chetalli - Sidapur - Pollibetta - Ammathi - Virajpet - Kadanga - Kakabe - Madikeri

This day is dedicated to Swift. If you are not sure about the roads, forget it if you have a Swift. I can say this is the best hatchback to take on any terrain. Confidence it leaves makes you want to do more.

We just needed a drive through the mountains with no other intentions than to watch the beauty of the nature. It was indeed so beautiful, that words cannot explain anything . It must be experienced. The air was refreshing, sights motivating to say the least. It's as if your energy levels get charged up by seeing the nature at its best.

We started from the resort around 10.30AM and took the road to Virajpet via Chetalli. This is SH88B. You will reach Sidapur, and you can go via Ammathi to Virajpet or you can go to Pollibetta, Titimati, Gonikoppal, Periyambady, Virajpet. We took the Pollibetta route. We reached Kakabe by noon, and continued on to Madikeri and reached Madikeri by 2.30Pm.

Chetalli means village of the greens.There are many central research institutes on plantations here. Sidapur is Coffee plantations all around. It is here you have the Orange county resort and Plantation Trails. Orange County has helped Coorg by putting it on the tourist map. At Kakkabe, we did not go to Nalnad Palace, nor try the trek to Tadiyendamol. Tadiyendamol is the highest peak in Coorg and second highest in Karnataka.

See some random pictures clicked.

A stark reality was evident during the entire drive. Unlike in all places of interest or not, elsewhere in Karnataka you have this tourism boards in yellow every where. Coorg seems not to have any except for two in madikeri. Seems from a first thought Karnataka is not interested in promoting Coorg as a destination. Well that is my thoughts and impressions. may be the information I have heard of a Kodava land and separate state makes me think so.

A total drive of 140km through the hills.

For Dinner we tried Kadumputtu. Since they worked on their previous feedback the food was better.

A picture from the resort after dinner.

mjothi · 3rd September 2009, 08:16

Aree, what is that?Rasagulla with some fish curry?

Quote:

Originally Posted by laluks

Well guys it took some time

.

hehe, just kidding. After all those food and fun, I think it was too fast.

NIP · 3rd September 2009, 09:18

Nice writeup ! Thanks for sharing. Btw...thats kadambittu, best 'thrashed' with spicy pandhi curry

MileCruncher · 3rd September 2009, 09:22

Your narration and pictures make me want to do a Coorg Trip again. May be soon....

SkyWalker · 3rd September 2009, 09:29

Lalu -another trip! Where do you work? How do you get these many holidays? Do they have som job openings?

Keep writing. Nice to see this time you are on the Swift.

princezahed · 3rd September 2009, 10:28

Lalu- The sweet smelling flower is a flower from the Coffee Plant. They are white and very sweet smelling.

muralisk · 3rd September 2009, 10:31

Great snaps and very good narration. I really like the links to the previous posts as well.

laluks · 3rd September 2009, 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

Aree, what is that?Rasagulla with some fish curry?

Well you got the answer from NIP. It was not fish, but Mutton. Best is with pork.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIP

Nice writeup ! Thanks for sharing. Btw...thats kadambittu, best 'thrashed' with spicy pandhi curry

Swine flu

. So no Pandhi curry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

hehe, just kidding. After all those food and fun, I think it was too fast.

I thought i was too slow, took a day to think over it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Your narration and pictures make me want to do a Coorg Trip again. May be soon....

Hey, I guess not in September

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyWalker

Lalu -another trip! Where do you work? How do you get these many holidays? Do they have som job openings?

Keep writing. Nice to see this time you are on the Swift.

That's my secret. I'll not tell you.

Thanks for the comments

Quote:

Originally Posted by princezahed

Lalu- The sweet smelling flower is a flower from the Coffee Plant. They are white and very sweet smelling.

Aha! So it would be heavenly in March April time when these fellas bloom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muralisk

Great snaps and very good narration. I really like the links to the previous posts as well.

Thanks murali

2nd September 2009, 14:40	#16
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,334 Thanked: 891 Times View My Garage	@ Lalu: If this you had gone to Leh in your Swift, would the travelogue be titled " Swiftly Leh'd " Last edited by MileCruncher : 2nd September 2009 at 14:43.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2009, 14:42	#17
Dhar's BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: QLN/TRV/DXB Posts: 420 Thanked: 628 Times View My Garage	@laluks Nice pics. I never knew of a monastery there. Thanks for sharing. Awaiting more scenic pictures. Happy tripping!
	() Thanks

2nd September 2009, 16:51	#19
Lukeskywalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,397 Thanked: 1,243 Times View My Garage	Wow, Lalu the man on the move. Nice pictures, very tempting. I envy you for the number of holidays you manage to wrangle out of office. More pics pls.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2009, 22:28	#21
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,442 Times	Day 2, August 29th, 2009 Madikeri Town This day we planned only a short town visit and lazing back at the resort. Madikeri town has only a few places to offer. Rajas Seat - Madikeri Fort - Omkareshwara Temple - Rajas Tomb - Abbi Falls Rajas Seat This was the place where kodagu kings viewed sunrises and sunsets. Since we had seen many sunsets here we visited in the noon this time. The toy train at the Cauvery Patna station. Madikeri fort It has an old church which now functions as a meuseum. It also has a palace which functions as the DC's office. There is also a central prison and a temple. The palace which now functions as the DC's office The church, which is now a meuseum Omkareshwara Temple It has a mosque like style, with a central dome and four minarets. The entry was closed when we went there. So no pictures. Was not very impressive too. There was a large pool also. Abbi Falls. This around 5Km from madikeri Centre. The falls is in a privately owned coffee estate. 20Rs for the car park.This was written near the falls."The madikeri stream also called muttaramuttu falls 21.3 m between the huge boulders to a deep rocky valley to form the picteresque Abbi falls. The British called it Jessy falls, in memory of the daughter of Madikeris first Chaplain" Coffee beans After Abbi falls we got back to the resort and lazed around. There is a hockey stadium on the way to the resort. Some one told me a coorgi is born with a hockey stick in hand. Some pictures from the resort. Communist Green - this used to be on the road sides of Kerala and for any wounds by fall from the cycles, football games etc. we used to take the juice from its leaves and apply. It used to heal fast. Nostalgic when i saw this guy!! Oranges!! Is this lavender? Smells heavenly. Any one know this flower? It smells good. Kids played around the activity centre. There were clay modelling sessions this time. Dinner was a disaster. Coorg's famous "Pandi" curry was not available. Because of swine flu fear the resort did not risk serving pork. So we tried some other coorg stuff to end up in a disaster. Heard my wife giving feedback to the guys directly - "Please taste what you make before you serve". Last edited by laluks : 2nd September 2009 at 22:39.
	(1) Thanks

3rd September 2009, 07:10	#23
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,552 Thanked: 16,442 Times	Day 3, August 30th, 2009 Madikeri - Chetalli - Sidapur - Pollibetta - Ammathi - Virajpet - Kadanga - Kakabe - Madikeri This day is dedicated to Swift. If you are not sure about the roads, forget it if you have a Swift. I can say this is the best hatchback to take on any terrain. Confidence it leaves makes you want to do more. We just needed a drive through the mountains with no other intentions than to watch the beauty of the nature. It was indeed so beautiful, that words cannot explain anything . It must be experienced. The air was refreshing, sights motivating to say the least. It's as if your energy levels get charged up by seeing the nature at its best. We started from the resort around 10.30AM and took the road to Virajpet via Chetalli. This is SH88B. You will reach Sidapur, and you can go via Ammathi to Virajpet or you can go to Pollibetta, Titimati, Gonikoppal, Periyambady, Virajpet. We took the Pollibetta route. We reached Kakabe by noon, and continued on to Madikeri and reached Madikeri by 2.30Pm. Chetalli means village of the greens.There are many central research institutes on plantations here. Sidapur is Coffee plantations all around. It is here you have the Orange county resort and Plantation Trails. Orange County has helped Coorg by putting it on the tourist map. At Kakkabe, we did not go to Nalnad Palace, nor try the trek to Tadiyendamol. Tadiyendamol is the highest peak in Coorg and second highest in Karnataka. See some random pictures clicked. A stark reality was evident during the entire drive. Unlike in all places of interest or not, elsewhere in Karnataka you have this tourism boards in yellow every where. Coorg seems not to have any except for two in madikeri. Seems from a first thought Karnataka is not interested in promoting Coorg as a destination. Well that is my thoughts and impressions. may be the information I have heard of a Kodava land and separate state makes me think so. A total drive of 140km through the hills. For Dinner we tried Kadumputtu. Since they worked on their previous feedback the food was better. A picture from the resort after dinner.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 09:18	#25
NIP Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,180 Thanked: 152 Times View My Garage	Nice writeup ! Thanks for sharing. Btw...thats kadambittu, best 'thrashed' with spicy pandhi curry
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 09:22	#26
MileCruncher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MH01 Posts: 4,334 Thanked: 891 Times View My Garage	Your narration and pictures make me want to do a Coorg Trip again. May be soon....
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 09:29	#27
SkyWalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,531 Thanked: 136 Times	Lalu -another trip! Where do you work? How do you get these many holidays? Do they have som job openings? Keep writing. Nice to see this time you are on the Swift.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 10:28	#28
princezahed BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bangalore -> Coorg Posts: 281 Thanked: 55 Times	Lalu- The sweet smelling flower is a flower from the Coffee Plant. They are white and very sweet smelling.
	() Thanks

3rd September 2009, 10:31	#29
muralisk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hyderabad, Bangalore Posts: 711 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Great snaps and very good narration. I really like the links to the previous posts as well.
	() Thanks