Fauji's Drivologues:- Beat the heat - A quick escape to Red Hills, Ooty

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by verditer

This is my second trip to Kings Cliff, and because I was really impressed by the experience first time. This time also, my expectations were met or exceeeded. Very ideal place for a family trip. Kids will love it. Unlike a hotel or resort, it has the personal touch. People are good, food is great. And not too expensive.

Somewhere I read Sherlock is also too good, need to check that one out. Saw your Red Hils photos, really impressive. Have visited Avalanche years ago, never stayed there.. Next time will try it out.

Thanks Suresh. We once went to King's Cliff and could not get rooms as we were five. Then we went to their other property - Destiny Farm Stay - in Avalanche which was fantastic. Sherlock is also another nice place/

Next time when you go i would recommend you to split your stay between destiny and Red hills - they are next to each other and share the same road - which will help you to have best of both. Kids will love Destiny as there are lot of activities for them there.

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by Fauji

Sad, we could not catch up in Sidewalk. Yes, it is not bad place. How was Preistine valley? Can you share more information?

Prisitine Valley was nice, infact it was lovely. It was around 10kms from Kotagiri on the route to Kodanudu View Point. One need to take a diversion at a place called Elada to reach this place. It's a very well maintained homestay, infact probably one of the best I've ever stayed. All you can do there probably is to laze around, go for long walks (it's surrounded by Tea-estates) and basically chill out. Here is the website - Cassiopeia

[Fauji]

Thanks Kaushik. Pristine Valley Looks good and have to plan to go some time. Kotagiri is again a nice place and unspoilt by crass commercialisation like Ooty. The sun set at Kodanad is supposed to be excellent.

[ranjitp1]

A Lovely "Honeymoon" (houseboat) indeed.Thanks so very much for sharing.

Incidentally thanks to the popularity of Kings Chocolates,another one opened up on the other side of Charring Cross (in one of the buildings that is located on the road to the botannical garden)and it still continues to fool people in the name of Kings.Ofcourse the chocolates taste so very different.

And the Chinese restaurant Shinkow claim to be the best chinese in the world!!!!Its just average but its a nice change.Its slightly weird as well,as when you place your order,you cant tell them the names,you need to tell them the serial number against each dish printed on the menu!We have been annual ooty visitors thanks to friends staying at Aruvankadu,who have moved on now.Sherlock is an excellent place.We did stay there once and its mindblowing with a fireplace in the room etc.The restaurant in Fortune Sullivan Court apparently serves awesome sizzlers.So next time you are there.Sad that Dasaprakash(Hotel Villa Park) in Ooty shut down.It was on the Avalanchi road overlooking the race course and their dosas were to die for,the sheer size of it was intimidating enough!Ran into labour problems and union problems and shut down

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-tn-ka-ap.html (The South Circuit Run(AP-KA-TN-KER-TN-KA-AP))

Lovely shots of the lake as well.Once again thanks for sharing.

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Fabulous views of the Emerald Lake, and those reflections!

How was the drive from Teppekadu (Mudumalai) to Kalhatti via Masinagudi? Any harassment by TN cops nowadays? Are night drive restriction timings till 9 pm - 6 am?

Did you go to Red Hills from Ooty via the lake and Fern Hill, or turned off directly on the Conoor road via LOvedale?

Hello Sir,

I came back from Masinagudi - Theppakadu - Mysore - chennai yesterday ( ofcourse travelouge is in WIP). The roads are excellent and there was no police harrasment either. They checked the vehicle for any liquor and plastic and apart from that there was no concerns. However, the biggest harrasment was for the animals. Plastics everywhere and vehicles honking and parking on the roads and people getting down . Banglore to Mysore i took the Kanakapura road and it was a breeze. I for sure did not want to do the bangalore mysore highway after reading so many posts on the rants in that road.

[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by Fauji

my wife who is the official photographer wanted to experiment and see. What we saw was spectacular sights of the lake.

Let the pictures tell the story from now on !!!

Fauji,

The pictures really told us a lovely story (so does your narrative)

But I think the "official photographer" aka 'wife" deserves a very special congratulation and she is almost there with some of seasoned photographers we have in this forum.

All the Best

Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

A Lovely "Honeymoon" (houseboat) indeed.Thanks so very much for sharing.

Incidentally thanks to the popularity of Kings Chocolates,another one opened up on the other side of Charring Cross (in one of the buildings that is located on the road to the botannical garden)and it still continues to fool people in the name of Kings.Ofcourse the chocolates taste so very different.

And the Chinese restaurant Shinkow claim to be the best chinese in the world!!!!Its just average but its a nice change.Its slightly weird as well,as when you place your order,you cant tell them the names,you need to tell them the serial number against each dish printed on the menu!We have been annual ooty visitors thanks to friends staying at Aruvankadu,who have moved on now.Sherlock is an excellent place.We did stay there once and its mindblowing with a fireplace in the room etc.The restaurant in Fortune Sullivan Court apparently serves awesome sizzlers.So next time you are there.Sad that Dasaprakash(Hotel Villa Park) in Ooty shut down.It was on the Avalanchi road overlooking the race course and their dosas were to die for,the sheer size of it was intimidating enough!Ran into labour problems and union problems and shut down

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-tn-ka-ap.html (The South Circuit Run(AP-KA-TN-KER-TN-KA-AP))

Lovely shots of the lake as well.Once again thanks for sharing.

Thanks Ranjit.

Incidentally we took a chance and went for boating a i always loathe standing in queue for hours for half hour of boating. Surprisingly there was no rush here where as at the main boat house, there was a long queue.

Buying chocolates is the most confusing thing in Ooty as there are so many outlets. Vijay of Red Hills had recommended Kings and we also confirmed with some oldies on the street - old timers are always the best people to get the feedback as they are are fiinicky with taste -before buying there.

Thanks for the tips on the other eating places. Noted for next visit.

Originally Posted by aravind84

Hello Sir,

I came back from Masinagudi - Theppakadu - Mysore - chennai yesterday ( ofcourse travelouge is in WIP). The roads are excellent and there was no police harrasment either. They checked the vehicle for any liquor and plastic and apart from that there was no concerns. However, the biggest harrasment was for the animals. Plastics everywhere and vehicles honking and parking on the roads and people getting down . Banglore to Mysore i took the Kanakapura road and it was a breeze. I for sure did not want to do the bangalore mysore highway after reading so many posts on the rants in that road.

You said it right Aravind. Inspite of signages asking people not to stop in the forest area, they do. We had to shoo away some groups giving them false news that forest team was on the prowl to catch offenders!!

You did the right thing in coming via Kanakapura.

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Fauji,

The pictures really told us a lovely story (so does your narrative)

But I think the "official photographer" aka 'wife" deserves a very special congratulation and she is almost there with some of seasoned photographers we have in this forum.

All the Best

Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

Thanks Ram for your kind words.

[hyper-VTEC]

I am off to Coonoor next weekend (19th May) and plan to start by 5AM from Banaswadi. Should i take the regular Mysore road or the route Fauji used via Kananakapura - Malavalli - Kollegala - Chamarajanagar - Gundlupet - Masinagudi - Ooty - Coonoor.

I hope the same route has to be taken while returning as well. I will come back on Tuesday.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by hyper-VTEC

I am off to Coonoor next weekend (19th May) and plan to start by 5AM from Banaswadi. Should i take the regular Mysore road or the route Fauji used via Kananakapura - Malavalli - Kollegala - Chamarajanagar - Gundlupet - Masinagudi - Ooty - Coonoor.
I hope the same route has to be taken while returning as well. I will come back on Tuesday.

In case you have never been on the Kanakapura road route, the regular Mysore Road route should be fine too since you plan for a 5am start. You can try the Kanakapura route on your return journey - reason I say this is because you will have the flexibility to stop and ask people in case you need help with directions (the Kanakapura route does have signages but there are a few junctions where you may get confused the first time - example at Malavalli you have to turn left, then it's mostly straight to head towards Chamarajanagar & Gundlupet).
And yes, the Kanakapura road route can be used both ways (on the return make a right turn before you reach Gundlupet town).
EDIT:I think I said the same recently on another thread to a similar question!

Also, especially on the return journey I suggest you take NICE road to beat Mysore Road or Kanakapura Road-Banashankari/JP Nagar traffic and exit to Hosur Road from where you can get onto to Kormanagala Inner Ring Road, Indiranagar, Old Madras Road and then Banaswadi.

[hyper-VTEC]

Originally Posted by NPV

the Kanakapura route does have signages but there are a few junctions where you may get confused the first time - example at Malavalli you have to turn left, then it's mostly straight to head towards Chamarajanagar & Gundlupet

Thanks NPV. Would Garmin + Satguide not be able to guide me in the alternate route?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by hyper-VTEC

Thanks NPV. Would Garmin + Satguide not be able to guide me in the alternate route?

At least I can see the NH209 and the Chamarajanagar-Gundlupet road SH on Satguide maps. You just need to mark your waypoints and follow them.
Its always good to confirm the route as well while on the way.

[ADI_77]

A beautiful drivelogue with great nature shots, the sunrise shots are awesome. Thanks for making us discover a new unexplored territory. Would definetely put this on my next itinerary when I visit Bangalore. Just a quick question " Will October end be a good time to visit this place' ?

Once again thank you for sharing this wonderful experience on the forum.

[Ironhide]

Originally Posted by Fauji

Let the pictures tell the story from now on !!!

Amazing pictures sir !! I especially liked the ones of the pre dawn, and the ones of the mist rising gently from the lake waters, like an apparition. We in the north remain confined to the views and vistas that the country offers North of the Tropic of Cancer never realising that the South has its own beauty and charms! Thanks sir, for sharing. Amazing photography too. Bravo ! Keep them coming!
Cheers!

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by ADI_77

A beautiful drivelogue with great nature shots, the sunrise shots are awesome. Thanks for making us discover a new unexplored territory. Would definetely put this on my next itinerary when I visit Bangalore. Just a quick question " Will October end be a good time to visit this place' ?

Once again thank you for sharing this wonderful experience on the forum.

Thanks ADI. October is a perfect month to be there. Book well in advance as it will get filled up during Dasara holidays.

Originally Posted by Ironhide

Amazing pictures sir !! I especially liked the ones of the pre dawn, and the ones of the mist rising gently from the lake waters, like an apparition. We in the north remain confined to the views and vistas that the country offers North of the Tropic of Cancer never realising that the South has its own beauty and charms! Thanks sir, for sharing. Amazing photography too. Bravo ! Keep them coming!
Cheers!

Thanks Ironhide. You are correct. Himalayas and sub himalayan region is a treat no doubt. What we lack in snow we make up in forests in South! Western Ghats are just as amazing as the hills of the north. A treat to wild life enthusiasts and trekkers.

[hyper-VTEC]

There is slight change in plan and we will be able to leave only by 6:30AM. Keeping this in mind i feel taking the Kananakapura - Malavalli - Kollegala - Chamarajanagar - Gundlupet - Masinagudi - Ooty - Coonoor would be ideal, correct? Are there good breakfast options in this route. Please advice.