Shishila Hills-Mudigere

This was the first trip planned to outstation after the lockdown, It was damn boring at home during lock time, Covid pushed our life to the down and tested us so badly. 

I was searching for the homestay which should be adventures and should get lost in the woods of forest. We have finalised the place called Shishila Jungle Stay, near mudigere. We have four people, my and my wife and two friends joined us. 

We started our journey on Saturday morning as usual @ 5AM and picked my friends near Bommanahalli.It was really feeling relaxed  after so many days we went outside. We had breakfast on the way to Hassan. We reached the Shishila hills at around 1 PM in the afternoon. The road towards this jungle stay was off road, my swift car really amazing and road condition is bad for about 2kms, it was completely off road, so many stones, up and downs. etc, but it was really fun and adventure. 

Road towards Jungle Stay

After reaching there, we had nice lunch along with few drinks, It was raining and u know when you are in mid of forest, drinking when it rains, it feels really so excitement. Food was really good, we enjoyed it. After the lunch, we went to nearby place where we can see the astonishing views. View points are really awesome but it was raining continuously. We enjoyed a lot under the rain. 

My daughter Nishita Roy

Nearby Hills View Point

In the evening, while we finished our drinks, we went to have dinner to canteen at 11:30PM , It was crazy chilled weather, I couldn't tolerate that much cold. Myself and Girish took the food in the plate by that time it started raining. There was 40 meter distance between my room and canteen. When we started running towards toom along food and umbralla, I slipped and my leg was stuck in the wood which was lying across small aqueduct. It really hurts a lot then somehow I removed my leg and went to the room. 

Then morning, we thought of going to the trekking to the nearby hills( Karadi Gudda), This was very good of adventure trekking I can say as my daughter also came with me and I had to put her on my shoulder all the way to peak of of the hills. This sounds crazy as hills path is so slippery as it was raining heavily. The wind was so much across the hills, we could not walk properly. We went to the top of of the hills then rain started coming heavily and spent 10 mins holding umbralla and started climbing down. My Friend Girish got hurt from stone while coming down. This was kind of really nice but also got hurt from this adventure things

Me and My Friends in the Karadi Gudda Hills

Trekking towards the peak

Home Stay-Megur Kelagur

We went to the homestay called Megur homestay on 27th July 2019 after searching the best homestay in the horanadu direction. Horanadu region is deep forest and will be having to many curves and hills upside and down. 

We went along with my colleague family to the Megur homestay. We departed the bangalore morning at around 6AM and reached  home stay @ 12:30. The road about 3 KMs which leads to homestay was very beautiful and Scenery. The rooms we very clean and beautiful bathrooms made my day very happy. The location is extraordinary and beautiful.  We got some drinks and had some beers in the afternoon while having some starters. Having chilled beers in the chilled weather will be awesome. The service is exceptional , they listen to you anything you need during the stay.

After having a lunch, we went to the near place which had beautiful views but we could not spend time since it was rainy season and rain started coming heavily. Our car could not go till end of hills, we had to walk down from about 1 Kms. It was beautiful walk midst of forest. The crazy thing was that, we did not have umbrella despite kids were with us. We did not take precautions and realized that we should take care from next time onwards.

We returned to the homestay and had firecamp which was so good to experience the fire in the chilling nature. I really like firecamp during winter or rainy seasons. After having dinner, we went to the sleep.

The next day we explored into the tea estates and got some clicks and then  visited the "Devaramane" which is beautiful hill station with so much foggy and clouds passing on you. The fog was so much it was pushing people around. Then we departed the place and reached bangalore in the evening

Go Goa Days

Date of Travel: 09 May 2019

Goa is one of my favorite places I will be visiting every year from 2017 onwards. I am unable to go in 2020 since pandemic of corona has created worldwide thus resulted collapse of tourism across global. Hence there was lock downs, Restrictions  between states ,  territories etc.

Coming to this trip, In our group, we had always planned for Goa and wanted to enjoy a lot on beaches etc. The beaches are beautiful in Goa , I don't see such incredible beaches around in India. We took flights to avoid the overnight journey and stress during the night travel so that we can enjoy in the Goa happily. 

 

We took the flight early morning and reached hotel which is North Goa. The hotel was good and beautiful. We had delightful breakfast at this hotel. Food is awesome and tasty here. I really loved it. 

Hotel we stayed

We went to near town where we had boozing along with fish curry. This was really yummy and we all four(myself, Dhivin, Giri and Jack) liked this curry a lot. Goan Fish curry is one of my favorites. I never miss this cuisine when I visit Goa.

We visited the Mandrem beach in the evening. Not many people you find here because this is 25Kms  away from Baga beach ( which is commercial beach). North Goa and South Goa are peaceful beaches where you can enjoy the cleanliness and privacy. 

Mandrem Beach

Next day, we visited the Baga beach where we had parasailing and other sport rides.  Enjoyed a couple of drinks in the noon. We hired local scooters for two days. It is cheaper than taxis. While coming from Baga beach to hotel back, we were caught with Goa Police and they did not let us go unless we paid some fine to the Police. I know drink and drive is not advisable at all. We were in very limited. But jack eyes became complete red and hence they thought we are drunken heavily  

Parasailing

Jack and Dhivin in Baga Beach

Baga Beach in Night Mood

The same day evening we came back again to the Panaji for casinos but we could not go because of the cost. We spent the overnight @ Baga beach. Third day morning, we went again to the near town bar where we had boozing. Three days were completely in boozing mood and enjoyed food and drinks. The we visited fort, Churches in Goa for the rest of day. 

Sea from Aguada Fort

Church in Goa

Home Stay-Watehalli Sakaleshpur

Homestays are wonderful, amazing place where you can experience the nature truly. you get home cooked food, yummy chicken, Shavige with Kayi Rasa, Yummy fish curry, Akki Rotti, etc.. These dishes are native of Malnadu Region. Malnadu region covers Uttara Kannada Chikmagalur Shivamogga Hassan Kodagu in Karnataka District. 

I would love to experience homestays often with friends and families. You get relaxed and get away from city's noisy and pollution. 

Home stays are different kinds of properties you will see.. There several home stays you can find in google across Madikeri, Chikkamagaluru districts. 

We went to the homestay for the first time in July 2019. Below is details of the home stay

Watehalli Homestay Sakaleshpur: Visited on 04 July 2019 during rainy season, departed Bangalore morning at around 6AM and reached the home stay at around 12-1PM afternoon. The location is surrounded by coffee estate, you have to reach the home stay thru off road about 1KM. The owner of the homestay is very kind and service is very good. You have plenty of space is available for the parking and playing cricket or shuttle cock. We had good fun over there and some activities such as walking on the rope between trees, etc  you are interested , you can play. Food is delicious and my daughter really enjoyed.

Location of the homestay: 

https://goo.gl/maps/qaQkSGUxJcYxvUeK7

There is small stream where you can go and have some fun. and the next day, we went to Belur Helebidu temple. These temples are beautiful and structures are very nice. You are blessed to experience such structures. There will be separate blog on Temples situated in Hassan Dist you will get more details. Below is pics of this stay. 

View from Balcony

Plenty of Space infront of Homestay

Yummy Peanut masala

Walk towards Stream

Morning Tea during rainy season

The Journey to Hyderabad

Date: 05 and 06 Jun 2015

This one of the first places we have visited in Telangana. Me and my wife visited this plan after our marriage. We went to the munnar as part of our honeymoon trip. We choose the hyderabad as part of my wife birthday celebration. 

I went to the Nagpur for the business meeting on Thursday and asked my wife to come to Hyderabad on Friday morning, So that I could also come from Nagpur to Hyderabad. I went to the Nagpur by flight, which was first time experience and was thrilling. After the meeting, I departed the Nagpur in the night and my wife departed the Bangalore by bus. My wife was new to the bangalore and booked a ticket in private bus, but the bus had mechanical issue hence it could not come on time and did not arrange the alternative bus as well, this was frustrating for sometime, after 2 hours, they arranged the alternate bus. 

The next day morning, we both reached to the common location and went to the hotel. We began our day with having breakfast and thought of visiting the Ramoji Film City by the public transport as we know Telugu and we thought we could manage but most of hyderabadis especially Auto drivers, Bus conductors speak in Hindi/Urdu to the tourist people. We somehow reached the Ramoji Film City. That was the day pass and enjoyed the overall experience of the City. This has been built beautifully and people can spend even two days here without boring. I liked this city very much. I captured the beautiful photo of butterfly in the park. 

Butterfly

We had nice hyderabad biriyani,Ice creams,evening snacks etc. There was summer event for classical dance function organized in the evening and it was really fun. 

My wife at Ramoji Film City

We came to the hotel which is located in Banjara Hills, and have dinner in the night. The Food is really amazing in Hyderabad. I love the food in this city. The Food quantity is better than Bangalore hotels. They give higher portion , quality and taste wise, Hyderabad is better than bangalore always. 

The next day, the plan was to visit the places in Hyderabad. We first went to the Charimnar, then Golkonda hills , Qutb Shahi Tombs, and then NTR Gardens near Hussain Sagar. All these places are beautiful as the names. The Charminar should have maintained better, this is in old city hyderabad and congested to visit this place. Shopping in hyderabad is ok , some items are cheaper and some are expense than we think. 

Charminar

Golkonda Forts with Hyderabad City

Golkonda hills is you have to hike for 2KMs to the top, all you are going to experience the rocks and fort ruins along with the trail. We could not go to the top of hills as we had heavy baggage which we couldn't carry. NTR Gardens are beautiful and spent some decent time in the evening , There was also celebrations going on as part of Telangana Formation Day . We headed back to the hotel in the evening. 

Celebrations near Hussain Sagar

The next day morning, we booked flight from Hyderabad to Bangalore. We went to the Airport by Auto and spent some time in the afternoon in the airport and also had delicious sandwich at restaurant. We boarded the flight, that is first experience to my wife. It was great journey overall and worth visiting the hyderbad for 2-3 days vacation. 

Bandipur and Ooty in May 2014

Date of Travel: 19th and 20th May 2014

Yash arranged the Tempo Traveller ( TT) but that TT was higher at the cost of travel. We all got inside and price of TT was gone beyond limits hence we decided to have other TT. We all were on the road midnight 12, waited for TT to come. We got TT then as usual we had some drinks during night journey.

We reached Bandipur home stay at around 7AM in the morning. We had breakfast and thought of going to OOTY as we had to spend some time. So we went to OOTY town, It was very chill and I liked the weather awesomeness's. We went Ooty lake for boating, had rafted there some time, went to shooting point which was landscape and beautiful. We took some beautiful shots for facebook.

We were back to our home stay , had some buzz, this trip is like buzzing trip as we had buzzing throughout the journey. We had fire camp and had drinks nicely. Next day early morning again, our dirty friends started having drinks. We went to Gopalaswamy betta nearby there. It was very good in nature. Road was pathetic , They should repair well .

After having Darshna of this temple, we came back to Bangalore on the second day.

Cheers

Arjun (Techz)

Madikeri and Mallali Falls

Date of Travel: 19th and 20th Apr 2014

I am very passionate about Travel that too Madikeri is one of my favourite places. We all four left Bangalore at around 10PM on the 19^th towards Madikeri. On the way, we picked up some drinks and as well as other friend (Yash friend)  in Mandya. Through the night, was talking the stories of past childhood and schooling stories. Yash and Yash Friend were busy in talking all those stories, off course he was driving , he is only the one who drives.

We first decided to go to Mallalil Falls located in Somavarpet Taluk. On the way to this falls, we found beautiful landscape, got some shots here. Then headed to Falls. Surprisingly no people were there. In mid of the forest, we only five had to go there. My friends cursing me for recommending this place. There is water in the falls. We went in the wrong time probably. This falls is one of best falls in rainy season.

While coming back to Madikeri Town, Yash was driving, getting us into great trouble as he was tired of driving whole night and day as well. Took some rest and headed to Madikeri Town. We had lunch in the city of Kushal nagar, We came back again to Madikeri for the overnight stay. 

We planned for staying in Cottages in the coffee estate on the way to Madikeri from Kushal Nagar. We stayed there overnight it was beautiful and good to stay as well. I love madikeri pork. We took some drinks and I had pork and my other friends liked Neer dosa and chicken curry.

The Next day, we just came back from madikeri to mysore , had plan of celebrating the Giri Birthday. We did on the way to bangalore road from mysore in the resort.

Finally this is one of memorable trips I had been.