Grand Southindian Ride
A ride that lasted for
30 Days
7500 wonderful kilometres
7 Indian States
1 Union territory.
The best way to explore a new place is by a combination of bike and foot. That’s what i had done to create the memory which took just 30 days. This blog won’t have any poetic words or paragraph, it’s justan expression of my memory which i managed to collect it during the ride. First of all would like to tell you how this ride was planned. A year before i went on a solo ride mumbai to ladakh and back. After completion of this ride i planned at least one ride every year. So already been to north of india for the ladakh ride and finalized south for the current ride. Initially it requires a lot of planning regarding to route to take, places to visit, things to carry,etc. The plan was to create a V shape in the map covering the costal route from Mumbai-Goa-Karnataka-Kerala-Tamilnadu-Andrapradesh-Telangana-Mumbai.
Then thought there are so many places in the south to be explored which till date i have heard from
people or seen in television. And then the detailed exploration of the south was planned. The best time
to visit south is immediately after monsoon. Also during monsoon it’s good, but it needs more
precaution and attention while riding a bike. For the first time one of my friend Mr.Mateen wanted to
join me for the ride which i still wonder how did that happen. Because most of my rides became solo not
because it was planned such a way, it’s because most of my friends would turn down their decision for
the ride at the end moment. So it was fixed 2 riders on a mission to explore the south on their machines
South india needs no introduction for it’s beauty ,though my whole country is beautiful. So we were on a
mission to explore this beauty for the coming 30 Days. After changes in dates twice,we fixed it as 1 st of
November. Servicing the bike and making it ready for the ride got it the schedule delayed by a day, also i
had brought a 11inch laptop few months back so that i can copy all the sports cam video’s
malfunctioned 2 weeks before ride and they informed that it will take a months time to service it. But
luckily i got it on 1 st November evening. So it was all set now.
Day 1:- Mumbai to Kolhapur
Initially it was NH17 which was decided. But the condition of the road was bad so we chose the kolhapur
route. Time was scheduled as 7 am. But when i got the laptop from the service center yesterday forgot
to take the charger from them. So had to wait till 10am for them to open the store. Everything was
packed and neatly arranged. By the time my best friend Navin came to see me off. So we both picked
the luggage and proceeded towards my machine also my mom and sis came down. Loaded all the
luggage on my White tiger ( name of my himalayan). All the safety riding gears were on. Finally sat on
my machine clicked few pics and said bye to all and left for the most epic and scenic ride. First task was
to collect the charger from the service center and then proceed towards mateens house. Finally around
11am reached mateens house. His dad wanted to meet me as this was the first ride for mateen, so he
was little concerned. I assured them everything will be fine and left around 11.30am. Both were super
excited about the ride and coming days. Though it was a delayed start i knew the roads ahead were
good. Mateen said that some of our friends were waiting at nerul to meet us. We met them at nerul
clicked few pics and explained them about our ride. And you won’t believe the meeting went on till
1.30pm. We realized that we are super delayed and proceeded and took a lunch halt at lonavala. Once
done with lunch we took the old pune route and then proceeded towards kolhapur. Within hours we hit
the kolhapur road. It was too good for start smooth 6 lane highways with no potholes anywhere. Though
we could have hit high speeds but restricted ourselves to 80kmph as we were on a ride not race. Now
everything was coming into place after a delayed start. It was 5pm and we decided to halt for some
snacks and tea. So we stopped at vittal kamath. Kolhapur was still too far from there and it already
started becoming dark. We resumed our ride and took break occasionally. Around 8.30 we halted at a
place and had some tea and snacks. People there started asking about the ride some took photos with
my bike and Mateen was like someone click pic with my bike as well. We knew it would take another 2
to 2.30 hrs to reach kolhapur. During a ride there was a dark patch on the road and at the same time
there was little fog, we were at our normal pace, suddenly a few feet ahead there was a truck without
tail lamps and it was mud stained. Due to which it was not visible when it came close to us, we somehow
managed as taking a sudden right for changing the lane at high speed can be fatal if there a vehicle
approaching from behind. So i instructed mateen under such situations never suddenly change the
lanes. After few hours of ride it was 11pm and we reached kolhapur so we sat for dinner at a hotel and
used online apps to book a hotel. We found one at our budget and booked it and then we found that the
hotel which we booked was right opposite to the hotel where we sat for dinner. Finally we had some dal
khichidi and aloo mutter. Went to the hotel did the entry formalities, went to the room , freshened up
and crashed on the bed.
Day 2: Kolhapur to Goa
We got up by 7Am as we slept little late yesterday. Was feeling good because our destination was Goa. We took our own time at a normal pace, As the distance to be covered today was far less than yesterday. Went down had some kanda poha and tea for breakfast. Came to room put on all the gears and took all the luggage and did the exit formalities. Loaded our machines. And started our ride for the day. Stopped many times for clicking photos. Then resumed again. Finally we had to leave the 6 lane NH48 highway and take a single lane road which leads to amboli ghat then towards goa. So at the entry to the amboli ghat road we decided to take a small snacks break and we halted at a hoteland while leaving i noticed a MH02 bike at the parking close to our bike as we were checking it suddenly the owner of the bike exclaimed hey jagan, i wondered howdid he know my name. As soon as he removed his balaclava, it was my friend Mr.Kris from mumbai. We hardly met when we were in mumbai. And now we met nearly 500km away from home. He suggested another route instead of the amboli route for goa. He said that route runs through a sanctuary. As soon as i heard it runs through a sanctuary. We decided to go through it. We clicked a photo with him and left. On the way we came across a beautiful waterbody. This time without me signaling mateen and i stopped as the place was too beautiful. Even here we clicked few pics and met few youngsters who started enquiring about ride. They wanted to click photos with us. So took some photos with them. They were on their way to goa,that’s what they said. As they were 5 very young guys on 2 bikes without helmets and necessary gears.We then continued and rode till belgaum and took the route that runs through bhimgad wildlife sanctuary. Believe me it was one of the awesome of the awesome road in this journey. It was too good feeling to ride through the jungle with lush greenery and picturesque scene on both side.By evening we halted for a tea break within the sanctuary. We continued as we were little far from goa. We were expecting some wild animals would cross the road. But didn’t find any. Few vehicles slowed down suddenly, as there was some animals ahead i thought it was bison and finally saw some wild animal. But we got closer found those were cows. Anyhow we had to cross many sanctuaries in our coming days so we left the animal sightings for then. We entered goa. Mateens friend Mr Muntasir was staying there and we were going to stay at his house. So we called him and proceeded towards his house. We met him and freshened up and by 8 we went out to explore goa with him. Initially we rode through some interior roads of goa.We had a good dinner all the dishes were too good. Then he took us to a harbour where few big ships were stationed there were many fishing boats many getting ready to sail for a catch as there were loading the fishing nets and some arrived with their fresh catch. It was first kind of experience. Then we left to a small private island. It was too calm and we sat there for nearly an hour. Next stop muntasir took us to a private property which had a house few coconut trees and next to it was sea. Now from here we finally left for his house and called it for a day.
Day 3:- Goa
Today’s plan was to explore goa.Muntazir couldn’t take a day off so he said he will join us in the evening .so i and mateen went ahead. I had already seen the most of the popular beaches of goa like baga,calangute,anjuna,vagator,etc several times, so decided to skip all these and see the places which i had not seen. So we decided to see a port nearby where we were staying. We went there as there was many ships which come for minor repair work, clicked few photos and started towards chapora fort. The one which was seen in dil chata hai movie. Meanwhile i got a call from a school friend who was holidaying in goa. So we decided to meet for lunch after visiting chapora fort. It didn’t take much time to reach the fort. We had to park the bike at a distance and walk till the fort. The way to the fort was accent it was a sunny day which took a considerable amount of energy. Once inside the fort which has only the walls. We tried to take a photo in dil chata hai style. But there was two problem we were 2 people instead of 3 in the movie and other obstacle was crowd. For the first time we took few pics using Dslr after which i never used it in the whole trip. We started to descend. I heard someone calling by my name from behind but mateen was ahead of me. So i continued to walk. I heard someone calling again, i didn’t pay heed and continued. For the third time i heard my name. This time i was sure someone is really calling me. When i turned back it was my school friend kiran who had come to goa with his friends for partying. We chatted for sometime and took a pic and left for lunch asmy other school friend were already waiting for me at a restaurant at baga. We met there had lunch and they had to leave for airport to catch a flight for mumbai. So they left and we called muntasir to check where he is, as he told us he would join in the evening. He asked us to wait in baga beach and he came there in an hour. We then explored few places and private resorts and sat down at a beach side resturant called curliez near anjuna. We spent around 2 hours there. It was a good feeling to sit in beach and stare at the sea. From there we left by the evening 8pm and he took us to a spot in dona paula where a fight scene in singham movie was shot. It was already 9pm so we had our dinner at a khau galli on the way. Before we head towards home which was 40km from there i wanted to go to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. Though i know it would be closed i just wanted to take a pic of my machine in front of it. Luckily it was on the way so we went there took some pic and now finally left for the room.
Day 4:- Dudhsagar Falls
Today’s schedule was to visit the dudhsagar falls. This falls remain closed during rainy season. Due to the excessive flow of water it becomes nearly impossible to cross the rivers to reach the foothills of the falls. But you can visit by the railway line. For that you need to walk several kilometers. Which was not possible according to our schedule. So we choose the first option. It was hardly 70km from the place where we were staying. So there was not much extensive ride for the day.So we left and reached there hardly less than 2 hrs. Once we reached there we parked our bikes in pay and park which charged some 10 to 30rs. I had a top box on my bike so all my riding jacket, knee guard and mateens jacket was kept inside it. We handed over our helmets to them. Within minutes i remembered that i forgot to remove the sports cam from the helmet. So went and removed it. It was 12 by then so we thought will have lunch and then proceed. As we were not sure that we will get something to eat ahead. We had a good fish thali. The falls is 9km from the starting point which has to covered on a mahindra bolero. Rent of it is 2800rs per car and they take max 8 person in a car. But we were 2. So we waited for sometime and they gathered 2 more couples. We were allotted a car and the 2800 was divided between 6 people. Also they charge 30rs for the life jacket which is compulsory. The ride began it goes through the forest area and you could only see mahindra bolero. You will have to cross several rivers to reach there. The whole way is scenic going through jungle with occasional river crossings. The lane is a single lane muddy patch. It took 45minutes to cover 9km. Once we reached there the vehicle in which you went will give you some time for you to explore the place. Say around 2 to 2.5 hrs. You will have to walk some 800meters to reach the falls. But you will enjoy those distance and it’s easy to cover. We were still wondering why they said life jacket is compulsory till we reached the falls. When we reached there the view was so stunning. The water from the falls has made a pond beneath it for which we required the life jacket. But unfortunately we didn’t carry any clothes for changing so we couldn’t get into the water which was the sad part. The view is so good that you can spent more than a hour sitting on the rocks. Wanted to click the scene with a train passing by. Within few minutes a train passed so we clicked few picks there. We have to carry water and other snacks and there is no provision there. Only a small store where you get tea and water (only in glass not bottle ) at the place where the vehicle leaves you near the fall. I was happy that for many days i was thinking of being there. It became true. We came back to our car. So it was other 45minutes drive back to the place outside the jungle. We had some snacks and left for the day. By evening we went out to have a good biriyani for dinner. After which had some fruit juice. Mateen wanted to buy some cashews, as we were traveling for another 25 days i didn’t buy one, he brought it. Then we went to a beach where there were no people. Sat down in front of the sea, the waves were rough.A small bridge like way was being constructed there over the sea, upon enquiring they said that there will boating facility for tourist in future from there. It was around 10pm so we left from there. That’s all for the day.
Day 5:- Goa to Jog falls(karnataka) via Gokarna.
After exploring enough of goa. It was time to cross the state now. Todays plan was to go to jog falls, which is known as the second tallest waterfall in India It was a single lane route. By looking at which we were not sure it leads to gokarna. But it does. We got a ariel view of kudle beach. Took some nice snaps. We came to om beach. It was quite a calm beach with good scenery. It was getting darker so went towards kudle beach but found that it could be reached only through a resort. We returned back and few meters from there it was an awesome view to see the sunset so again it was time for photo shoot. Finally we left and we had to cover 20km back again to come to highway. By the time we reached there it was totally dark. We had to cover honnavar which was 50km from the highway. At times we had to follow other cars as it was dark. By 8 pm we reached honnavar from there we had to take a single lane route for the next 60km to reach jog falls. We had some refreshments and started towards it. As i said it was a single lane road and it had rained heavily before we reached there so the whole road was wet. This road passes through a dense jungle. We continued as we had to reach our destination. The condition of the road was poor as it had many potholes. Now we had to face darkness, jungle and wet road with potholes. There was no lights on the road and hardly any village. While riding on the road i saw something moving on the road and it was some 1 feet height. From a distance it seemed like a baby crawling and the very next moment i realized that were no houses nearby then what it will be. So flashed the upper light and found it was a huge porcupine. As soon as the light fell on it , it raised it quills which are like needles so its height grew even more but it soon crossed the road. Now i was in doubt that what if a tiger comes in the road. Anyways we continued further in the pothole laden dark road. We couldn’t speed because it was dark and the road were wet and had potholes. We didn’t even want to take a small halt. The ride was tiring we rode for several kilometers but we were not sure that there will be some hotel to stay for night. Every minute went like an hour. Finally after 2 hours we saw a small tea stall we halted our bikes there and had some bread omlett and coffee. He was a nice person. I asked him is there any tigers in this jungle. He said yes but mostly leopard are spotted and till now they haven’t attacked any humans mostly they prey on dogs. Even his own dog was eaten by a leopard. It was scary to hear that but one good thing was it has never attacked humans. We enquired about some stay he gave us two contact and out of that he said one has been opened recently so the room will be neat and clean and it has a tv other one doesn’t . Both are 6km from here. Which brought a smile to our face as we had to ride only 6 more km. Found the guest house, it was good and clean . Bargained a got the room for 800rs. Believe me it was such a feeling to lay your ass on bed after riding for the whole day and that too the scary final 60km in that dark jungle.
Day 6:- Jog Falls to Madikeri (Coorg)
Got up from yesterday’s scary ride as the biggest scare was if the bike would have stopped for any reason it would have been a big problem. But thank God nothing happened. The jog falls was 10minutes form the hotel where we were staying. So we first got up and went to have breakfast by walk. Came back and freshened up and decided to visit jog falls first and then come back to the hotel and take all our luggage. It hardly took 10 to 15 minutes to reach the jog falls. At the entrance you will find a huge granite board in which it is written as welcome to world famous jog falls. Once you get inside you have to take entrance tickets for you and your vehicle. The whole area is quite well maintained. You have cafeteria, atm ,washroom and other facilities inside it. We went to the spot from where the falls was visible. As the rainy season had already ended the water was less in the falls. But the falls actually huge. After the photo shoot we had a good coffee there and left for the hotel. We loaded all the luggage on our bike and left for coorg as it was already past 12 noon. Also it was 350km from there. On the way we came across a lake so we stopped there for sometime. Enroute i saw a small lane leading to woods so we took our machines there and clicked few pics after which halted for beverages.After few hours of ride we halted for lunch and spent around without realizing it. At some parts google maps took us through small lanes of villages and then we were on good road. We had already blocked a room at madikeri through one of my contact so we didn’t have to search for a room once we reach there. The route was scenic as it went through villages. On the way we missed a turn and went ahead so we had to take a u turn and come back to take the exact route. Then we came across a ghat section and it was fun to ride the bike as the roads have many twist and turns. Once down the ghat mateen wanted to halt for coffee. By the time it had started becoming dark. The road at several parts were small also it had turned dark so we had to maintain our pace. We had to halt twice in another 3 hours.Suddenly the temperature dropped down. By the time we reached coorg it was 11pm. It was a tiring day. We went into the hotel to find that the cost of the rooms were thrice our budget. We had to bargain as it was already late to find another hotel they gave a 50% as we said we won’t be here for whole day we will leave in the morning. Also the attending guys was so good that he provided some bread butter and jam by himself even though the restaurant had closed. But the rooms were individual cottages and very nice. Nevertheless we were so tired so we went off to sleep.
Day 7:- Madikeri (coorg)
Got up in the cold morning. As we were a going to stay in coorg today as well so we booked a hotel through oyo. Which was hardly 4km from where we were staying. So we freshened up and they provided breakfast as complimentary. After which we loaded our bikes and went to the hotel where we booked a new room for the day. The check in time was 11am but we went before that but by them the double occupancy room was not vacated so we suggested them to keep our luggages at reception and once the room is vacant put our luggages into the room and meanwhile we will go to explore coorg. But the person at reception said no need to keep the luggages here i will upgrade your room at the same cost. And he gave us a deluxe room with two kingsize beds in it. The rooms we got was too good. So plan was to visit Abbey falls,raja seat and a coffee plantation tour. At the hotel they had displayed a hoarding of coffee plantations, so i enquired that where can we get to see coffee plantation. They said it is some 17km from here and it belongs to the same owner of this hotel. So i asked them what is the cost of coffee plantation tour , he said its complimentary for those who had taken room here also boating is complimentary there. They also provide barbecue but we have to pay them and they also have rooms inside the coffee estate. He said he will inform the concerned person there about our arrival so they can give us a detailed tour. So we said we will go there after lunch. So we first went to visit abbey falls which was 6km from the hotel. We have to take a ticket and park our bikes and walk through footsteps for around 5 minutes to reach the falls. This falls had nice amount of water. The whole scene was good except for the garbage which visitors throw in the open. We cannot go near the falls as they have build a stage with railing around it. Came back to our bike had some coconut water and left for raja seat. This place has a very nominal ticket and it has been maintained well. They say that kings used to sit here. Which gives a view of entire village. Though there was nothing much to see here. We clicked few pic here. Went back to our hotel and had lunch then left for the plantation tour. Thought it was not far. After riding few kilometers we got two route option one was through the main road which was closer and other was off road through the coffee estates. So we choose the later. It was only 3km more but it was fun to ride through the coffee plantations. Roads were rough and at a decent i was at good speed, but i cannot apply the brake as the bike would skid. I thought i am going to crash now but luckily survived and still wonder how did the speed increase that much. We reached our destination but there were 2 gates first one was shut so we went inside the second gate, but it was someone else’s house. We opened the gate and went inside 200 to 300 meters where there was rooms and the care taker. He took us to a brief tour and it lasted for more than an hour. Explained everything about coffee plantation and coffee beans and its process. There were beatle nut trees, pepper plantation as well. We then went for boating for sometime. So we were done with the plantation tour. And out had some coffee and reached hotel by 6pm and had some snack there and went to our room. Took rest and came down for dinner and went inside the market area where we found kfc kind of restaurant so for a change we had some fried chicken and burgers. Had a small walk around the area then went back to our room.
Day 8:- Coorg to Ooty
I was well aware that today’s ride is going to be a super awesome ride as we have to ride from one cold place Coorg to the queen of hills the other cold place Ooty. And the main attraction for the day was that we had to cross 3 states karnataka, kerala and Tamil nadu and the road runs through bandipur national park(karnataka), wayanad (kerala) and mudumalai with masinagudi (tamilnadu). So most of the time the road runs through dense forest. But there was a big risk involved in it, as it was a tiger reserve so you can get a change to see a tiger. If not that there been several cases of elephant attacks on these road. They are wild not the tamed one, so imagine if you are on bike and happen to meet these animals right in front of you. So with great joy we started our day from coorg and after a few hours of ride we reached nagarhole national park. We were stopped at the entrance. After enquiring we came to know that bikes are not allowed only cars and buses are allowed. Because it’s a tiger reserve. So we came to the main road and started towards bandipur . For that you will come across a place called kutta after which the kerala border starts and we have to ride for somtime inside kerala in order take the road for bandipur. It was already past 2pm so we decided to stop for lunch. Found a hotel and had an authentic kerala food on banana leaves with fried fish. After that we had to first cross wayanad forest then enter bandipur. Actually all the 3 forest wayanad,bandipur and mudumalai is a single forest but divided due to state boundaries. One important thing to be kept in mind is that we are not allowed to enter these places after 6pm. So we have to make sure we enter these place before that. If you have to go through the forest road from bandipur towards ooty, you have to take route 766 because only this route will take you through forest or else you will miss the forest ride. So once you enter bandipur by 766 it will take you out of bandipur towards gundlupete, from there you have to take the route 181 which is known as the coimbatore ooty gundlupete highway which will take us to the second entrance to the bandipur national park. The initial ride before exiting was also awesome. We are not allowed to stop anywhere on the road as it’s a forest area either you be in car or bike. No photography is allowed. But people were stopping at certain place wherever they spot deers and other wild animal’s . So unless no forest officials caught us there is no issue or else we will have to pay fine. In the first ride we spotted only deer,monkey,peacocks. So after exiting from 766 route we took the 181 route which brought us to the second entrance of bandipur national park which leads to Ooty via mudumalai forest. Only after reaching there we knew that we have to go through 2 entrances. And luckily at the second entrance when we reached it was 5:45pm , if we would have been 20 minutes late. They wouldn’t have allowed us to pass through. We now entered the gate after some distance we spotted deers again, but the fear was that neither tiger nor elephant should cross the route. And it was getting darker. Finally saw an elephant close to the road as other cars were pass we also didn’t stop. Then at many places we spotted groups of elephants some were only 2 to 3 feet close to road but none of them did anything. At a place even we spotted a tiger footprints. But luckily no tiger around. Finally we crossed bandipur and entered tamilnadu through mudumalai national park. At the entrance of mudumalai the forest officials informed me that few minutes back a herd of elephants passed from here so be care full they can turn violent anytime. It was getting colder and colder and by now it had already become dark. And we have to cross this forest . I followed a mahindra thar as this is easy way because the roads were zigzag so you need to concentrate more and chances of hitting any animal is also less during night. It had a good caption behind it which read “I may get lost somewhere. But i will not get stuck anywhere “. Kept following it as he was driving at a good pace till we exited the forest area. We came to a Junction called theppakadu, from there we took route 700 which is known as mysuru ooty road and exited the forest through masinagudi. Once out of forest we stopped for a hot coffee and bhajji. Sat there for some time. Then continued we came across a valley which is known as bison valley after which we had to take 36 hairpin bends upwards. I stopped and clicked a photo and continued as the height went increasing it became cooler and cooler. Which showed us that we are reaching ooty. But it was super fun to take those 36 hairpin bends as it was too steep. Once done with it we reached ooty in some time again halted for coffee break before searching for hotel. We came inside ooty for hotels and we saw an oyo board near a hotel and asked mateen to stop. By then a person came from the opposite direction and asked us are you looking for hotel. We said yes and he took us to the same hotel where we stopped bargained and took a room for 2 nights as 800 per day. In the end it was an awesome ride we ordered our dinner , had it and went to sleep.
Day 9:- Ooty
Today’s task to just explore the place. This place is called as the queen of hills and according to it’s name it is a queen of hills. The scene, climate, places, etc everything is so beautiful. Our first point of visit was the scenic pykara lake. As usual our day started slow. It feels good to have a hot coffee in such a cold climate. So after the coffee we continued our ride on the way saw an eucalyptus forest. So we both took our bikes inside it for some good photos. Then again we stopped near a lake for photo shoot. It’s a total different feel to ride a bike through the curves of hills in cold . We stopped at a place to have some hot corn, also he had fresh carrots,beatroots and radish. We had a corn and engaged in talks with the seller. I asked him where are these carrots grown as i wanted to see its field. He said its hardly a 5 mins walk from here so mateen chose to stay back and have another corn and i left my bike with him and went to see the carrot field. When reached there the scene in front of me was a bright green carpet placed on the slopes of the mountains. There were few houses close to the farm. So had a few word with a farmer who was working in the field and left. Came down towards the bike , thanked the person who showed the way and we left for pykara. After reaching there we parked our bikes and moved towards the lake. It was a huge green lake with a nice view. We didn’t opt for boating. Went upto the deck stood there watching its beauty and clicked few pics. Then we sat at a restaurant which had this lakes view for breakfast. Had a good bread omlett and coffee. We had to visit a couple of more places so we moved towards Ooty Botanical garden which is one of the best place for a person who is fond of flowers. Its a vast place covering 52 acres. Which a person has gifted to the government. I really don’t know how many pics i took of all the flowers, but i am sure i would have clicked 250 to 300 pictures. One can easily spend more than 2 hours here. From here we went out a purchased an artifact made of pine wood, found very low cash in my vallet so mateen said he will go to the atm and get it for me, but he had to walk for more than 1km in search of atm.Then went to the shop where kept our helmets and parked our bikes closer to it. It was a general store and he agreed to keep our helmets just for helping us. After seeing the milk packages kept outside instead of refrigerator, he said even if these packets are kept in open for 3 days this won’t get spoiled and we use this refrigerator only for storage box without switching it on and switches it on for 10min every 3 days so that it doesn’t get malfunctioned. It was already 3.30 by now and we started for dodabetta viewpoint. The entry tickets was 7rs. Didn’t understand why such an odd figure. But when we reached the view point more than half of it was covered by fog. We sat there in a open restaurant for some snacks. Spent some time there. Then left towards our hotel. After a few meters away from the dodabetta where the road were covered with pine trees both the side. We saw several bisons standing there. They were so close to us. I stopped to click its pic. The moment i stopped one of the bison which was busy eating grass raised its head and stared at me. Till this time i did switch off my engine as in case if it comes towards me i can move from there. It again started eating the grass. Then i clicked its pic. From here we planned to ride till coonor to see the toy train. The initial plan was to travel in the train but we were short on time also we have to reserve tickets in advance, so we rode till coonor station. We parked our bikes outside and enquired that need we take a platform ticket to a person for which he replied it’s not necessary. As there was some 20minutes left for the last train yo arrive. We sat at the station waiting for it. And the train arrived in time so we clicked few pics with it and left for hotel. While returning google took us from a route which was a small road between the tea plantation where only a two wheeler can travel. The view might have been awesome but it was already dark so nothing was much visible. It was only 8.30pm by now so on the way we finished our dinner early and went to room for rest. It was too cold which mateen couldn’t bear so he asked for a heater. After which spent some time chatting and went for sleep.
Day 10 ooty to kochi
So it was time to leave ooty now. After all our morning duties we were on our bike ready to ride till kochi today. And we started our ride as usual. The climate was too good as well as the scenes as the roads passes through the tea plantations. Which made the ride too good. After enjoying the ride for sometime we decide to halt for a breakfast at a small hotel bang opposite to a tea field. Here we also clicked few pics before having our breakfast. I spotted a furry kitty which was too cute whose pic i have shared below. The cats here have more fur maybe due to the low temperature here. As we were at the hotel we met a kerala guy who was working here and was on his way to his home on his royal enfield. We had a small chat and asked us about the route for which we said we will go to kozhicode and then to kochi. He advised us to go directly to kochi as the other way would be too long and hectic as well. So we decide to go directly to kochi. After which that guys was with us for few kilometers and also took a video of me riding my bike from behind and gave it me. The route was too scenic as we were riding between the woods. After our lunch we started again and now google took us from all the way it could. As the roads were not in that good condition and we don’t remember how many turns we took or rather we couldn’t count how many turns we took. And it was as if we were taking either right or left every 1 or 2 kilometers. And we this for the next 150 odd kilometers. We were tired by now as we were riding on some interior road. Finally we hit the highway and till now we took some 4 hours to cover that 150km and now when we were on highway and some 100km left to reach kochi. We covered this 100km in 1.30hrs. We were that happy as we got a good highway. At a signal we heard a person inside the car saying to his wife look at the number plate, these guys are riding from maharashtra. We decided we will look for a hotel by the highway as it will be easy for us to start our ride next day. Just found a decent hotel and checked in and asked the guard to look after our bikes and he was talking to me in tamil and i also replied to him in tamil. He didn’t knew malayalam and he looked at me as i replied to him in tamil. He asked how do you know tamil. Then i explained to him that my mother tongue is tamil then i found out that his native and my native is hardly 20km apart. It was time for a good biriyani then followed by sleep.
Day 11 kochi to munnar
Again today it has to be an awesome day as we were heading to a place which we have only heard about it on television and from people for its beauty. So we were heading towards munnar. The place covered with tea estates. This place was fun to see on television and now it will be fun to see it practically. But before that mateen had to change the engine oil for his bullet. So we headed towards a royal enfield service center . When we reached there it was not opened for the day. Upon enquiring we found out that it was Sunday so the service center is closed. And we were looking at each others face asking is it Sunday today. As we were not aware because we were on ride and everyday was a Sunday for us. So we continued from there. Today the most part of the ride was through a city road. And it turned out to be one of the boring ride as people were crossing haphazardly and some used to stop their vehicles midway without signaling once out of this route we came across 2 waterfalls and we were hardly 18km away from munnar. But the route didn’t seem so as there was no tea plantation visible. As we approached closer the plantations were visible. It was afternoon by now so we found a hotel and unloaded our bags and then went for the lunch. It took a while there. Then we planned to go to eravaikulam national park and by the time we reached it was closed. So we decided that tomorrow before leaving we will come here again. And left, on the way we decided to visit the tea museum and it was the best decision we took. And minutes before the ticket counter closes we arrived there got our tickets which was 125rs per person. Once inside they showed us a movie on how the tea plantation in munnar came into existence. This was really informative. It also cleared one of my doubt as i came across many tamil speaking people in munnar while the local language there was malayalam. And through this movie i came to know that the british people had brought people from tamil nadu to convert this barren mountains into tea plantations and some of them remained here. It was there people who converted this place into tea estate and they used to work here plucking tea leaves and constructed railway line during earlier times . After this movie we were taken through several process of tea powder preparation and a good information regarding various type of tea like green tea,white tea, was given. 2 main info which i liked was if the green tea tastes bitter then it was not prepared right as it should not taste bitter also it should not be taken too much in a day or else it will effect the kidney and other harmful effects. And the other one was boiling the tea powder too much will only over cook it and will not add more flavor. After this we had a cup of tea there and there is also a shop at the ground floor with varieties of tea and souvenirs. It was time to close so we came out. We chatted with some security guards there. They were saying that sometimes wild elephants enters this place and we have to be careful even at nights. It was already dark. On the way we saw a pizza store. We went there for dinner had some good pizza and barbeque chicken wings. That’s all for the day.
Day 12 munnar to kodaikanal
As we couldn’t visit the eravaikulam national park yesterday. So we had planned to visit it today before continuing our ride further. It was hardly some 20 minutes from our hotel. So it didn’t take much time for us to reach here. We parked our bikes and purchased the tickets which was 90rs per person also we have to purchase the tickets for cameras separately . This national park is situated at a hill top. So they take us by bus and we are not allowed to use our vehicle. It takes some 10 to 15 minutes. They drop us at the entrance of the park, where we will find a souvenir shop,cafeteria and washroom. From the entrance we have to walk uphill for around 2km to 3km. Before starting we had some refreshments. The walk was little tiresome as it was uphill. We spotted a wild goat sitting a top the hill. Like samba in the movie sholay. Little ahead we found some more then further ahead we could see more and that too close to us. But there we couldn’t spot any other animal. So we started to decent. On the way down we met a old couple who enquired to us what is there at the top and we replied the wild goat and nothing else, the husband told to his wife that why should we go up only to see a goat and they returned but it seemed she wanted to go till the end. But one can travel by a forest jeep when they book a package in advance and it cannot be done there at the ticket counter. Once we returned to the entrance we waited for the bus which we get every 10min. Before that we went to the souvenir shop and purchased some souvenir and boarded the bus. Reached the parking lot took our bikes and returned to the hotel and loaded all the bags on our bikes and started our ride for the day. Todays plan was to reach kodaikanal. From kerala to tamilnadu. Throughout the way we found road work going at several places. Due to which there were many blockade. We reached at a place where the road was fully blocked so we were not allowed to move ahead. When asked to a local person he informed us to take a detour downhill and ride through the villages to reach the kerala and tamilnadu border. We rode accordingly at a distance we met 2 guys who said the road to downhill is blocked, but he said we can try and squeeze the bikes. Those guys had come in a car for travel. The car was already downhill and these guys came up to look whether the road is open. They asked me for lift to downhill so dropped them one by one and they helped me to go past the barriers. Internet was a issue so we had to ask for route. Finally we had to cross several high mountains and a late lunch and by evening we reached kodaikanal and halted for coffee. Meanwhile we booked a room online. Checked in and we were lazy to go out for dinner so we ordered it in our room. After which we crashed.
Day 13 kodaikanal
There was not much to ride. As we were to explore kodaikanal only. Our hotel was close to the famous tourist point of kodaikanal that is the lake. Smooth road is constructed around the circumference of the lake. One can ride a horse or rent a bicycle to ride around it. But rode by our bikes and then went to a byrant park which is a garden with some good flowers in it. Ideally good for family. After which we went for some souvenir shopping. And searched for a 500yr old tree but we couldn’t locate it. Then we proceeded towards the pillar rock which is another main tourist place. We had some munchings here and went in. But the whole place was covered by fog. I was eager to see this place. So we sat there for 2hrs but the fog didn’t seem to go. So we rode ahead to our next point guna caves. There were so many monkeys there . We brought a ice cream , the ice cream seller said there monkeys eat ice cream. So i called one of the monkey and offered the ice cream. It took it politely. We had to walk for some distance,we could spot several root on the ground but the caves which was under the ground where closed with metal grills and tourist were not allowed because of some incidents happened earlier. From there we went to pine forest and clicked few pics there. We skipped few places. Finally by evening we had snacks and by now we had seen almost everything except the pillar rock due to fog which we decided will see tomorrow before leaving, and we left for the hotel for some rest.
Day 14 kodaikanal to alapuzza
Our ride was again from tamilnadu to kerala. Went for the morning bath and heard a small sound. Initially thought the mobile phone which had kept for charging had fell on the floor so i called out for mateen. I didn’t get any reply so called him again and again. Again no reply so i opened the door slightly and found 2 to 3 monkeys inside the room all the bag was open. So i shouted mateen get up monkey’s have entered the room. He some how got up and was shocked to monkeys inside the room. The left the room and we checked for our camera’s as we were worried that they might have taken them. But all the things were in place, they had used the glucose packet. After a while we saw that monkey eating cashews then mateen checked his bag for the salted cashews he had purchased in goa. And that cashew was the same which the monkey was eating. After all this drama we left kodaikanal and before leaving our rode towards pillar rocks as we couldn’t see it yesterday because of fog. And upon reaching there the same fog had spoiled the view as nothing was visible. Anyways we had to leave. We stopped at places to click few pics. And after a while we got to ride on smooth roads on top gear. We clicked pics of rubber trees, saw field of pineapples. At a small turn when i was at a low speed i missed my balance as the bike engine switched off i stood but couldn’t hold the bike so i left and got down from it the locals came together and lifted the bike and continued. After a while we booked a room online and rested for the day after a good dinner.
Day 15 Alapuzza to kanyakumari
Before leaving for kanyakumari we wanted to see the backwaters of kerala. So we rode towards vembanad lake. We found it difficult to go close to it as most of the resorts where close to the lake. Finally we found a small way along a canal which leads to the lake. We stopped our bike and walked till the lake clicked some pics of the backwater and the lake before we left. We would have rode around 50km by now when i got a call. The call was from shebbin, he contacted me yesterday through facebook, as we were a part of travel page but we had never met. Now i had totally forgot that i was supposed to meet him and was wondering what to tell. By the time he came from behind and stopped close to me. He took us to his house and offered coffee which he made it for us. He had been on several ride also he had been to ladakh on bicycle. It was time to leave and he asked that he has a good mechanic and if we want to check our bike. So mateen got his bike checked and oil replaced which was pending till now. Finally we clicked a pic with shebbin and left. Today we had mixture of roads like good road , bad roads, highways and roads which went through villages. Halted for a coconut water break and posed with the chopper he had. On the way we saw kovalam beach was close so we went in and halted for sometime near the beach. And continued further after sunset. As there was a construction work going on the highway we had to take a detour and the roads were conjusted. We kept riding on this road without even knowing that we have come inside tamilnadu. After a while we booked a hotel just opposite to the sea. The room was too good. After keeping our luggages at room we went down had our dinner and sat there in front of the sea till 11.30pm as we met a person who had carried out several fountain projects in india including the one in marina beach chennai, he said where all his projects had been done and met few chief ministers for the opening of the fountains at many states. As time went by we returned to our room.
Day 16 kanyakumari to rameshwaram
Got up and went to the vivekananda rocks. For this the government provides a ferry service with nominal ticket. Got the tickets and after passing through the queue we boarded the ferry with our life jackets. It hardly takes 3 to 4 minutes to reach. Alighted from it on the vivekananda rock explored it for some time and took ferry to the shore. Then we had our breakfast before leaving. Left kanyakumari rode through a place called uvari. My village falls in this route. Rather i chose this as this will pass through my village. Reached my village had my favorite juice there and clicked with my bike in front of my village house and left. Didn’t meet anyone there i was there a month back. Now we took the route which passes through tuticorin then towards rameshwaram. We stopped for refuel for our bikes and for us as well. An hour later we halted for another snacks break. When we approached tuticorin we can see salt pan on both sides of the road for several kilometers. By now 100km was left to reach rameshwaram and we decide we will ride without halt till rameshwaram. And by late evening we reached there and booked a room through make mytrip. Once we reached the hotel. He said he didn’t get any confirmation so asked us to wait outside. I was angry that we had rode till here from far and this person at the reception doesn’t even have the courtesy to ask us to sit in the lobby and asking us to wait outside. This hotel was looking shabby and didn’t even have parking space and it was mess outside the hotel. Also we had to park our bikes on the road. We waited there for sometime as we didn’t get a response we called the customer care of make mytrip and she said she will call the hotel guys and get back to us. Also i went to the reception to enquire now the other person at the reception was so rude he started asking how the make mytrip can ask me block the room when the hotel is full can’t they call me ask before taking the payment from you guys and meanwhile the customer care called at the reception of that hotel and this person again talked to her the same way he talked to me. She then called us and we asked for a refund but she said wait for sometime i will provide you in other hotel. It took a while to receive her call. So we went to search for the hotel and we asked in 3 hotels where they said there is no room. This is the first time that we went to this many hotels to ask for the room. There was some religious occasion going on maybe that was the reason the rooms where full. Now we were wondering what to do for the night. And by the time we got a call from the customer care and said she has provided us with an update at the same cost. And it was close by. When we went there it was a 2 star hotel with ample of parking space we were so happy that the earlier one had no parking space and this one has a huge parking space. The infrastructure was also too good. The staffs were also good. When we got inside the room we came to know that it was a AC room. It was really an awesome upgrade. As the one which we booked was a normal hotel with a non AC room and they upgraded us to a 2 star hotel with a AC room. By now we were tired in searching hotel with my riding jackets on for which i was getting stares from people. Freshened up had dinner. And it was bliss to lie on the soft bed after all this happened.
Day 17 Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi
The hotel where we were staying was hardly 300 meters far from our Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalams house. So we initially went till there got ourselves clicked in front of his house. Many students hard come to visit his house. We then moved ahead for our former president Abdul Kalams memorial. Though he didn’t want a memorial to be built around his grave, the government has done it . The construction work carried out was good. It was well designed and well built. But camera’s are not allowed inside and we cannot click photos even by our mobile phone. Outside the memorial there were few replicas of missiles and rockets and also his statue. And in the inside of the memorial they had a huge collection of paintings of several occasions where Mr Kalam had met many important people. It was really a good collection. But we weren’t allowed to take photos inside. Close to the grave they had displayed all the things he used for the last time, like the suit case, dress, glasses,etc. It was worth a visit. We then left to see one of the iconic bridge of india pamban bridge which is over a hundred years old and had withstood cyclone. It was the longest sea bridge until 2010 and the only connection from pamban mainland to rameshwaram till 1988. We entered rameshwaram yesterday by the same bridge but it was in the evening and it had already become dark so nothing was much visible. But the moment we reached the bridge in the afternoon we were awe struck. As it was a sunny day sea were in bright blue colour and the bridge was looking good from the top. Many tourist were stopping there to click photos and no one was actually allowed to stop on the bridge but the police allowed everyone for sometime as he also knew people have come from far to see this place. We clicked many pics on both the side of the road bridge. I wanted to get down from the road bridge and go close to the rail bridge. But mateen was not ready so i parked my bike with him and took the stairs to go close to the railway bridge and sea. I got down to the sea first which was stunning blue in colour. And the boats sailing on it just added the beauty. There were many sea shells at the shore lying abandoned. But there were few settlement close to the sea which had changed the area close to it as a garbage bin. Crossed all this and went ahead and to my luck a train arrived on the tracks close to the bridge so i got a chance to click photos of it. After clicking few photos of the pamban bridge. Went to the place where mateen was waiting. As soon as i reached there i came to know that mateen had some personal emergency at home and he have to leave. Though it came as a shock to both as there were 12 more days of ride left. But for now we had to visit danushkodi for the day before we call off. It is some 20km from rameshwaram. Dhanuskodi is an abandoned town after the 1964 cyclone. It had all at that time like railway station, port,school,hospital,etc which was wiped out during the cyclone along with most of the population. Very few survived. Till few months back the place was not accessible by road and recently they have constructed a road till the end. From the end point of this place one local said sri lanka is 12km only. We went through all the riuns which were left after the cyclone. And it was real fun to ride the bike as both the side of the roads were covered by the sea and the road seemed to be a runway. The scenes were too good. Clicked pics of the ruins and had some refreshments there. A person selling pearl accessories there gave us some info about the danushkodi and said very few people stay here and they don’t need to pay any tax here. Got a pearl necklace from him. And we left from there , we stopped at several places to click pics as the place was too beautiful. And this process we got separated. Tried to search him and took a u turn but couldn’t locate him. So left for the hotel. Was few meters away from the hotel got a call from him that he has reached hotel. We ordered the lunch there and took rest for the remaining day.
Day 18 Rameshwaram to salem
It was hard to believe that after being a part of the ride for the last 17 days we had to depart separately. And now i had to ride solo for the rest of the ride. Took a selfie together and loaded our bikes. Before leaving we checked the route as i was to go to kolli hills which had the 70 hairpin bends after that i planned to stop over at salem for the day. And mateen planned that he will ride overnight and somehow reach bangalore. After checking the route we found out that we have to ride on the same route till namakkal which was 200km from here after which i will go towards kolli hills and mateen will continue towards bangalore. So we decided that for the next 200km we will ride together. After this 200km we halted at a crossing where had our last coffee of the ride. I was not mentally prepared at the same time it was difficult for mateen as till now he was dependent on me right from the planning of the route and place to visit and halt, everything was planned by me. And he just had to follow me. He started to think that how will he reach mumbai. As this was his first long ride. Even it was a habit for me to look at the rear view mirror whether he is following me or not till today. After the coffee i asked him to leave first but he denied asking me to leave. So i made a move as we have to leave. He stood there watching me till i disappeared from his view. For the first time he will be riding long that too solo so gave him some tips as i had already done couple of solo trips. I rode towards the kolli hills. Stopped at the first hairpin bend and clicked a pic. Plan was to click pic at all the hairpin bend but that would have been too much also it started to become dark and would have spoiled the ride. Even then stopped at couple of places where the scenes were good. At one of the bend i Stopped to click a pic and there was a family taking photos and a small boy from that family exclaimed dad it’s a royal enfield he was hardly 4 to 5 yrs old we had a small chat and left. Finally reached the 70th hairpin bend and got down from the bike clicked a pic and waited there for sometime. It had already turned dark now. And i have to complete this 70 hairpin bend again to get down. So i followed the tail lights of the bolero which was going ahead as it would be easier to navigate. After sometime he stopped and asked me to overtake him thinking that i am trying to overtake him. I said you carry on i will follow you. Once coming down the hill, i had completed 140 hairpin bends in total and was happy to navigate those bends, its a feeling only a biker understands. Now salem was hardly 65 km far and only a closest city. I started for salem as per my plan to take a halt there. The roads were good and i reached there in an hour and half. Booked a hotel online and navigated to the hotel. Once entered the parking i found mateens bike already parked there. It was a surprise for me. Checked into the room and it was time to surprise him as he was not aware that i am in the same hotel. So called him up asking to have dinner together, he was surprised asking are you in the same hotel? So we had our dinner together where we also met another biker. As it was dark he didn’t want ride till bangalore so he planned to stay in salem as i told him that i will be halting at salem for today. Luckily we met.
Day 19 salem to kandamangalam
We started our ride. So i asked him to ride with me till hogenakkal falls as it was not far from the route through which he will be traveling. But i didn’t tell him that we will ride till mettur dam and come back then ride towards hogenakkal. So we reached mettur dam after which we had our breakfast and left for hogenakkal falls . Roads were good also it runs through a jungle area so the scenes were also good. By noon we reached there and had our lunch and asked the person at the hotel to look after our bikes as the luggage was mounted on it and we had to walk few meters to reach the falls. The falls was huge and it would be wild during monsoon as the flow will be too much. The scenes there were good to the see the falls and river flowing close by the trees. But the only issue was many people there were taking oil massage and bathing in the river and so many used clothes were stuck between the rocks and the roots of the trees. Which made it look dirty. There are small boats called as parisal which is round in shape through which they take for ride on the river. We were short on time so we decided in advance that we won’t be taking it. And it was some issue with the people who have those boats so no boats were plying on that day. After which we left from there and rode for some time. My plan was to reach kandamangalam which is 20km close to pondicherry. As my aunt’s house was there and my parents had come there for my cousins marriage which was to be held in chennai after 2 days. So again we halted for a coffee break and from there i took the route to kandamangalam and mateen rode towards bangalore but his plan was to ride beyond bangalore to cover the back log of yesterday. After few hours of ride it started raining so had to remove the rain covers to cover the bags. The roads were not lit and it was uneven. So the final few kilometers were tough to ride. Reached my aunts house where my parents were waiting for me. Called up mateen to find he had halted in bangalore at his cousins place.
Day 20 pondicherry
Todays plan was to ride to pondicherry as it was only 20km from here. So got up late as there was not much to ride today. Afternoon i left to ride through the streets of pondicherry. It hardly took some 30 minutes to reach pondicherry. Rode through the streets of pondicherry. Wanted to take a pic of a french house which is painted in yellow colour as it is the most common pic whenever you go through the photos of pondicherry. I managed to find that house but when i came close to the house found a long note kept outside the window asking for not to take photos or videos with a long note. Think they might have been fed up with people taking pics outside their house. But i managed to get the picture. Roamed around the steets and clicked photos. Finally came to the rock beach of pondicherry which is opposite to the french colony. This place has the essence of french. Parked my bike and took a stroll along the beach. After a while left for the room completing todays ride.
Day 21 idle day
As it was my cousins wedding tomorrow at chennai. Before which i cannot ride further. So this was an idle day. With nothing or very less to do. So i spent my day cleaning my Himalayan as i had never cleaned it after starting the ride. And rest of the day was laying idle followed by some marriage work as we had to leave for chennai the next day.
Day 22 Pondicherry to chennai
One of the most awesome roads in india is to ride from the pondicherry to chennai via the east cost road. As the sea runs parallel to the road but not that close its at a distance. But this makes the route scenic. Everyone was busy with the marriage preparation and booked a bus to travel from pondicherry to chennai. I was busy packing my bags. I handed over all the souvenirs i have brought till now to my mom so that i can make some place in my bags. As everyone got into the bus i got onto my machine. As per the expectation it was an awesome ride through the east coast road. Took few breaks at scenic places and it was hardly 150km till chennai. I had to go to another aunt’s house and keep my bike there and pick them up in car to my cousins wedding. Once reached to the venue spent the whole evening there at the wedding. I had called 2 of my friends rangaraj and abdul to the wedding so that i could meet them and had our dinner there. I couldn’t meet many of my friends due to shortage of time. By night i came to my aunt’s house in Chennai where i parked my bike. And plan was to leave for gandikota next morning.
Day 23 Chennai to Gandikota
Left for gandikota which is also called as the grand canyon of india. Today ride was a smooth ride with nothing much to describe. The roads were too good. Was riding peacefully and enjoying the ride. At a place saw two people on bike topple who were coming from the opposite direction due to tire burst. Luckily there were no vehicle behind then. On the way searched for hotels and found that there was harita resort which is always full and had to be booked in advance. But it is close to gandikota. So searched for some nearby place where can i find hotel for stay as there was no options for hotels available online. Came across a place called jammalamadugu . So planned to ride till there and find a hotel there. By 7pm reached there and was looking for hotel so i was enquiring about it. One of the person came and asked whether you are doing this for selling the bike. Might be he would have asked whether its a promotion. Asked another guy he guided me to the hotel which had parking as well. Reached hotel the guy at the hotel asked many things about the ride. Took a normal room as it was already cold. He also informed if you want have dinner have it before 8pm as after that restaurant will close. So had my dinner . Ordered for a veg thali he kept few items on the banana leaf and i was waiting for sambar. After a couple of minutes he came to me asking why didn’t i start eating or i want anything else. I said i am waiting for sambar. He smiled and said the thick gravy like dal which i had already kept, you have to mix with rice and eat. We laughed. The dinner was good. Came back to room with some fruits. Later found the room was full of mosquitoes should have opted for AC room. Kept the lights on the whole night. But had a sound sleep.
Day 24 Gandikota to Vijaywada
Got up early for the first time in the whole ride and left for gandikota keeping my luggages at the hotel by 7.30am. The climate was cool with some fog. The place was 12km from the hotel. And it took hardly 20 minutes to reach. The whole 12km was awesome to ride and the scene was too good. Had to stop at several places to enjoy the view and click some photos. Reached gandikota but before entering the fort just took a right and some small off road led to the penna river. For the first time saw the canyon it was a stunning view. Yesterday during a break said to a person there i am going to gandikota and he didn’t knew the place. After seeing this place wonder how do people don’t know about such a beautiful place. Reached the end there was no one around and it was a complete silence. But the feel was different to sit in front of such a beautiful place with no disturbance. After some photos went to the entrance of the fort parked the bike there and as i planned to ride till vijaywada i have a very good friend kondala rao in vijaywada so planned to stay at his home. So i called him up to inform and he was happy that we were going to meet and he sent his location in whatsapp. Went inside the fort climbed on to the walls to get a view. Then saw vehicle coming inside the fort so i came to know we can bring the vehicle inside. So i brought my Himalayan inside. There is a small village after crossing this village through the fort entrance there are few structures inside. Also you will find a mosque,temple,granery,etc. After crossing all this you will have to climb a little but its not difficult. After i bet you will get the most beautiful view of the canyon and if you don’t see this then there is no point in coming here. Here there was few people around. You can spend a considerable amount of time here. Thought of having some tea and found i have kept the wallet at the room. Good i checked before buying something. Came back to the hotel and had breakfast and left for vijaywada. It was already dark before i reached vijaywada. Stopped at a big river front, the river was huge. And the bridge across the river had lighting work done on all its pillars. It was good to see it from the distance. The lighting on all the pillars was constantly changing. After following the location sent by kondala rao reached a place somewhere 2 streets away from the actual place. Tried to call him but his number was out of coverage. Tried several times. Even close by people came asking me who are you looking for. But the didn’t knew him as he had recently shifted there. After sometime luckily his call got connected and he came to the place where i was waiting. Unloaded all the luggage meanwhile he arranged everything for me to freshen up. And we left to explore vijaywada on his bike. We went to the hotel first and had a good chicken biryani. Then we went to the prakasam barrage the bridge which saw with lighting when i entered vijaywada. He told about the history and about the barrage which has the krishna river flowing underneath it. He also told about the events that take place around the krishna river. After which we rode through almost the whole city and he kept saying the important things about all the places that we passed through. It is always good to roam around with a local there. Finally decided to have a falooda. So we went to place which resembled khau gali of mumbai and it was behind some cricket stadium. Had a good falooda there. As we were roaming for the past 3 hrs we now went back to home for a good sleep.
Day 25 Vijaywada to Visakhapatnam
Today’s plan to ride till Visakhapatnam for the day and stay there and return to vijaywada the next day. So i kept most of my luggage at kondala rao house. And left. The highway was too good and smooth also the ride was good. The highways were silent so i was enjoying the ride more. Took a halt for refreshments and continued. After sometime gmaps took me through a interior road which run beside a huge canal. It was a big canal as there were motor boats on it. Also to ride beside the canal was a good feel. Once this road got ended the other road which i took had a stunning view as it had 5 huge bridges and each had a barrage on it in quick succession connecting 4 to 5 islands. It was as if one side there was sea and other side it had a canal. But it had an awesome view to ride across these 5 bridges. Then again i was back on NH16 the same road on which i started my ride. I continued my ride as i had to reach INS Kurusura. A submarine which was turned into a museum. Reached there around 6pm and took the tickets for it we get two guiding session one in regional language and other in hindi. I choose for hindi. We need to take tickets for camera even if we using our mobile camera. I came to know once i entered it. But without his notice i clicked photos and videos. He gave us all the details about the museum. It hardly takes 10 minutes to explore it as the other group will be waiting outside. Came out and brought some souvenirs and had some snacks. I planned to visit borra caves which was some 97km from here so thought i would ride for an hour so that the next day it would be easy to ride to borra caves the next day. So booked a hotel which was 37km from here and from the hotel borra caves was 60km. Good that i checked that the hotel was on the way between vishakapatnam and borra caves or else the ride would have been longer. It hardly took me an hour to reach the hotel though the roads were little deserted. The hotel was good and had an underground parking. Was feeling lazy to go out for the dinner so ordered it in room.
Day 26
Headed straight towards borra caves also there was an initial plan to see araku valley but due to less time settled only for borra caves. It was some 60km from here. And after a 90 minutes ride going through some good hills roads reached borra caves. I removed all my riding gears and kept it inside the top box on the bike. I had my tank bag with me but bags are not allowed inside. But we have a clock room near the entrance where we can keep our bags. Got the tickets and went in. We have to walk some 200 to 300 meters to reach the cave. Once at the entrance i was stunned to see the size of the cave. As i have never seen such a huge cave before. Wonder how did the one who build this ever did this. Slowly i entered inside the cave. It was a massive structure . And the main attraction was the lighting done inside the cave. It was mind blowing piece of work i really have no words to describe the lighting work carried out. One need to visit it to see its beauty. Now it was time to ride back to vijaywada through the same route by which i came here. While riding skipped my lunch so by evening was searching for some place for some snacks could find a proper place. Finally stopped my bike nearby a shop it had only wafer packets, biscuits and cool drink. So initially brought a cool drink and wafer and a biscuit pack after having this i was still hungry as i had skipped my lunch and went again to purchase same things,the lady at the shop looked at me and asked seems you didn’t had you lunch. I smiled and said you guessed right. One of apple juice i drank had a manufacturing address of the same place in Mumbai where i belong to wondered i have never seen this drink there. Now i was satisfied as my stomach was full. Came close to vijaywada and halted at a place for a 5 minutes break after sometime i saw 3 guys on a bike halted few meters away from me. I was ready with the key as the moment they approach me i will start the bike and leave at the stretch was deserted. But those guys left before me. There was no problem. But one need to be careful when traveling alone. Sooner i reached kondala rao house he again kept water and everything ready for refreshing and the dinner was also ready. My two days of stay at his home literally made me to feel that i was at my home.
Day 27 Vijaywada to Hyderabad
Started from vijaywada after bidding adieu to kondala rao and it was unfortunate that i couldn’t speak to his family members as they didn’t know hindi and i didn’t know their language. I left for the city of nawabs the hyderabad. The roads were really very silent with occasionally passjng cars halted every 50km for short breaks. Booked a hotel in advance before i could reach there. And put this as a location. After some time got a call from the hotel person for guiding me there. I said i have put in gmaps. He said don’t go by it. Though i followed it as i was more than 200km far from hyderabad. So by evening i reached the place according to google maps but couldn’t locate the hotel so called him up he said i already told you gmaps will won’t take here properly. After several calls i came to place where he asked me to come and he sent a person to fetch me. Finally reached hotel after this chaos. He first asked me to sit down and have some water as it became difficult for me to locate the hotel. By evening left to explore hyderabad. Charminar was some 10km from there and hussain sagar lake was on the way. And this 10km took 30 minutes to reach. First came near charminar the signature place of hyderabad and after riding around it. Got in to a nearby hotel for some biryani for which hyderabad is famous for. The person there is that a camera on the helmet and asked how to start and he started taking my video through it. After this awesome biryani left for the room. Here even if it’s red many didn’t stop at signal. Wonder here we have to go even if its red. On the way back halted near hussain sagar lake for some time and then left for the room. As there no dedicated parking the person there said to bring the bike inside and park it close to the reception. It was a nice gesture that he allowed to take the bike till the reception area at night. Did some timepass and booked a tickets for the ramoji film city and booked the one in whichwe are allowed to enter upto 2pm as i had to see other places as well. It was 3.30 am by now. So i went to sleep as it was already late.
Day 28 Hyderabad
Plan was to visit Nizam’s museum and golconda continued by ramoji film city. Had to skip some places as i had to reach ramoji before 2 pm to get an entry. The nizam museum is maintained by his grandchildrens and it has all the collections of the gifts he received in a single day. And its a huge collection. As usual went by google maps but it took me to the side of the entrance. Asked the locals and reached there. We have to take tickets for us and for camera as well. If we buy ticket for camera they will buy a green riddon to our hand to indicate that we have purchased the ticket for photography. It will easily take more than an hour to see all the things kept there. After which i proceeded towards golconda and saw several way blocked some how i reached the entrance of the fort to find it was closed for the visitors as the american presidents daughter was visiting there. I was aware the she is coming to hyderabad and hope that it should not clash with my plan as i will have skip those places because we won’t be allowed. And the same happened. Had a word with the police man there and took some photos from outside and left. Few meters from there the mobile which i had places on the stand near the handlebar fell as i didn’t clamp it properly and i wasn’t at high speed also no vehicle was there behind so i quickly stopped my bike and went near to my mobile hoping nothing should have happened to it. When i lifted it saw the whole screen had cracked and went blank. Now the biggest question was how to reach ramoji with was some 1 to 1.5 hrs far from there and now google maps was not accessible i had a spare mobile but it was in hotel and if i would have went to hotel and then go to ramoji it would have been definitely late. So i choose to go towards ramoji. I might have asked to more than 30 people the route to ramoji film city as everyone had different route. It was really a tense moment and i was really frustrated and worried. Though the photos in the phone was backed up till yesterday but will i be able reach ramoji today. Imagine asking around 30 people for address. At a signal met a person who enquired about my ride and do i own a youtube channel. I said started from mumbai and after going through several state i reached andra. He stopped me and said this is not andra this is telangana. Though it was divided. Rode the bike as if i was riding on a battle ground and luckily reached there by 1.45pm. Now the issue was the tickets which i booked online was on my phone and it had went blank. So i asked them can you check with my mobile number the tickets which i booked yesterday they helped me to get the tickets and i was in finally phew. Now i didn’t had mobile to click photos. Only thing i had was my sports camera which takes good video’s but not that great photos even for this they checked whether to allow inside but they allowed. I clicked photos using it. There were 3 different shows at different places once you enter. So we have to go one by one. At one of the show which is known as film making where they explain how movies were made earlier. A person sitting next to me said hey jagan , i turn to see who it was. It was samraj my school friend . It was a surprise for both of us as we were meeting after several years and now we were meeting too far from home. So for the other show he took me with him through the Vip entrance. He had already gone through the film set tour i went to see it. We have to board a bus which will be moving continuously and a person will be telling which all movies these sets were featured . From there i went to bahubali set after that to the butterfly park which had very few butterflies and bird park here they had a big collection of birds especially wide range of parrots and other birds. You can also get clicked with a parrot for a cost. It took some time as there were many birds. Now the trip was over officially sat on the bus which will take till the entrance before that met samraj again said bye. Reached near bike to leave noticed a small crack on the sports cam mounting but it was ok. Started towards hotel and again it was a task to reach without navigation. Now got traffic on road by now i was wondering tyre should not get punctured as i already had a lot today. But as i thought the vehicle became hard to push saw the tyre the rear had got punctured. Luckily i might have pushed it for a kilometer or 2. Came to shop where they sell tubes but they don’t have a person who repairs puncture before this i asked a person he said he has closed for the day. Luckily i had the visiting card of the hotel in which i was staying. I took a phone from the person from the tube shop and called the hotel guy. The hotel was also 1 to 2km far not more. He asked me to come close another hotel and said he will send his person till there to pick me up. He arranged to park my bike inside the hotel where he asked me to wait and the person he sent took me on his bike to my hotel. Was exhausted with this day long happening but thank God everything was in place in the end didn’t have to suffer. Had my dinner and crashed.
Day 29 Hyderabad to solapur
The main task before i start today’s ride was to fix the puncture first. Officially the ride was over by now as all the place on list were visited and i had to ride back home. The hotel person really helped me a lot. He sent a guy to check for a person who can fix puncture. He came back and said the puncture shop person will come by 10.30 am. So i couldn’t leave before that. By 10.30am i reminded that boy to check . He went and came back saying the concerned person will be coming by 2pm. I said i cannot wait that long. So i and that boy left to search for someone who can fix the puncture. After sometime we found a puncture shop he asked us to bring only the tyre so that he will fix the puncture. Now it was a task to go and remove the tyre bring here fix the puncture and take it back and fix it on the bike. So we went ahead there a person denied when we said its Himalayan might be he never fixed a puncture of it. We then found a person who was old and looked experienced. This time i said it’s a royal enfield instead of himalayan. He said bring the bike i will fix it. So went to the place and pushed the bike till here. After seeing it he said i thought it would be a bullet but no problem i will try. He first studied about it how to open and fix. As he was doing this for the first time for this type of bike. After seeing all the nuts and bolts he slowly removed the tyre. He removed a small nail which was the reason for the puncture. He fixed the puncture. Now the main task was to fix the tyre back. All of the three myself the boy from the hotel and the puncture guy put a considerable amount of time we anyhow we fixed the tyre properly. It was like war won. This guy said he had been fixing puncture for the last 40 years and i really enjoyed today’s work a lot. As i got to now something new and i am confident that i can fix similar bike again in lesser time. He had a normal pump so filled the air without any measurement and then the hotel boy took me to other place where we filled the air according to the prescribed pressure. It was already close to noon so thanked the hotel guys as they were too helpful. And finally left hyderabad. Initially plan was to ride till solapur today and will ride from solapur to mumbai for the last day. But the distance from solapur to mumbai was 394km approx. So decided that i will ride past solapur for some 100km so that i will have to ride some 300km for tomorrow. So after sometime from hyderabad reached nehru outer ring road which i was stopped at a toll saying bike are not allowed on this road. So i took a u turn from there and a policeman signaled to come close to him. I thought he will fine me or ask for some money but instead he asked me where i need to go and accordingly he suggested the route. Even after taking the u turn google maps was rerouting to the same road. Somehow took a different route and reached NH65. Till pune the route was NH65. In sometime crossed from telangana border and entered karnataka. By evening reached the karnataka and maharashtra border halted at a dhaba and asked him for some evening snacks he started saying kheer, fried rice,sabji chapati, etc. I started to wonder that when there items was included in snacks list. But settled for bhurji(scrambled egg) and roti. Tea was too good and had 2. And left as it was dark by now. Initially the road after the border into maharashtra became too bad uneven and pothole ridden and no lights. Thought that it will be for few kilometers but it went on. Stopped at a fuel station and refueled the bike asked them about the road conditions for which they said the road is in same condition till solapur. And solapur was still far. And lot of construction work was going on road and remaining road was in bad condition. The ride had become hectic by now so thoughts of halting at solapur started cropping in mind. But i keep firm on riding past solapur. Reached solapur by 9.30 to 10pm. And the place of halt was tembhurni. Which is 90km from here. Back to supersmooth road suddenly the bike was in 5th gear and above 80kmph. After bad roads it was bliss to ride. Covered 90km by 1.5hrs and reached tembhurni by 11.30pm went to a hotel but their rates where higher and had to go to 2 more hotels but the cost was more as i had to stay only for night and it was already close to 12 at night. After enquiring reached a hotel where i got low cost room. Later found that only i was staying at that hotel later found the rooms were not that good. But i had to spend only a night. Fan was not working so got the room changed. Managed to sleep.
Day 30 Tembhurni to Mumbai
Kept an alarm for 7 am but woke up by 8 am. After the morning duties was on my bike in no time. I was eager as this was the day i am going home after 30 days. It was a leisure ride. After riding for some 100km and halted at a vittal kamath for breakfast. The view opposite to it was good as it had a lake. Had a good misal pav and potato vada with tea. Now i have to reach pune and meet some of my friends on the way. Reached there by 12noon and thought of spending some 30 minutes as i had planned to reach home in day light. But after meeting them they insisted for lunch as they wanted to provide a treat for my ride. Spent some time chatting followed by lunch and this meeting went on for 2.5 hrs. So we clicked few selfies and by now I was already behind schedule and i had to rush. The route from pune to mumbai was very well known to me. As i had been here many times for official work. So this route was as if i am riding from work to home. And switched off google maps saying buddy you may take rest now you have helped a lot. Rode through lonavala and crossed khopoli and with in some time crossed navi mumbai and with diminishing kilometers my joy level increased as my home sweet home was getting closer. By 6.30pm reached home got down from the bike and felt like as if i had won a war. Noticed the rear top box in slightly tilted positon, upon checking found the rear rack had cracked. Luckily this didn’t happen while i was on the ride. Took a winning selfie and by God’s grace reached home safely after covering all the decided destinations. Now my mom and mom made food and my bed was waiting for me.
After several days of planning and going through various blogs,photos and net and deciding what all places to see what all to explore and how this things can be done. Till now had only heard about the places i have visited now it was totally a different experience also during this ride it was Himalayan’s first birthday. With countless moments and experience and 7500 kilometers of memorable ride came to an end after 30 days had earned me several new friends. It was definitely a God’s grace finished ride as expected. Memories still counting and it will be forever. Keep exploring as in future these memories will make you smile.
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