Day-1, 23rd June 2018
We started from KRPuram/Tin factory around 5.45am and started towards Mysuru road. We encountered light traffic except for some congestion at Metro construction areas up to Kengeri. Had a 45-minute breakfast break at A2B, Bidadi. We reached Mysuru Ring Road around 10.30am. We exited ring road towards Mananthavadi road, crossed handpost junction. Did a last minute change in plan and took left towards Kabini dam to check out the water levels. It was a good decision. The turn-off road from Mananthavadi road to dam is broken and patchy. Reached dam around 12.30pm. Water was being released from the dam and the views were awesome. Very less crowd/visitors at the dam. We drove a little further from the dam where there is a bridge (11°58'18.5"N 76°21'27.1"E). There was a cool breeze and we parked our car and took lot of snaps. Even the locals and other visitors joined us on the bridge which was empty until then.
Bridge near Kabini Dam
We joined the Mananthavadi road and started towards Damanakatte. Just after Antharasanthe village, our car started becoming jerky in 1st and 2nd gears. It was running ok in higher gears. I was in two minds as to what to do next. Take the risk and drive towards the national park. Or, play it safe and return to Mysuru and take the car to a service center/garage. With my family with me, I chose the 2nd option (listened to my head instead of my heart which still wanted to go towards forest). Made a U-turn and started driving towards Mysuru. The car now felt ok and jerkiness was gone. I crossed Antharasanthe again and made my way past Handpost junction. All the while I was thinking - maybe, I made a hasty decision to return to Mysuru; Maybe, I should have continued to Damanakatte. Then IT happened. My car broke-down and came to a complete halt somewhere between Handpost junction and Hampapura - still a distance of about 35kms from Mysuru Ring road. Several attempts to crank made no effect. The battery and Low oil pressure tell-tales were illuminated. Nothing else seemed to be wrong. Parked the car somehow a little off the road near a tree (not much shoulder there to speak of). Checked the engine bay. Couldn't locate anything abnormal. Counted my stars for listening to my head instead of the heart. Called the toll-free number and lodged a complaint. It was about 2.45pm now. Soon, someone from Urs Kar Service Center-Mysuru, called me to know my exact location. After a bit of discussion about my location, tell-tales etc. they informed me that the vehicle will have to be towed to their service center about 40kms away. Since my vehicle was still under warranty, they said towing would be free-of-charge. They estimated that it would take them about 1.5 hours to reach us.
Meanwhile, my wife and me started counting the positives during this unpleasant change to our plans.
1. This break-down did not happen in the night but in broad daylight. Also, it did not happen in the middle of the National park.
2. Though we were stranded in the middle-of-nowhere with the next village about 2-3 kms from us, there was still the occasional traffic which meant we were not truly alone.
3. Farms on both sides of the road with some farm worker or the other within our eyesight. Weather was also pleasant and no rains. What better place to have a break-down
4. We had carried enough snacks and lunch for us. So we wont be hungry.
5. Importantly, my 8-year old daughter was taking all of this gamely without much tantrums.
We had a snack break and the towing vehicle reached us within 45 minutes. Two efficient service folks got down to work and quickly diagnosed the problem as a malfunctioning fuel-pump. The vehicle was towed 40kms to their service center in Lakshmipuram. The drive was faster than what I expected it to be. We reached by 4.30pm.
Notice the LTD sticker in rear bumper of towing vehicle
The vehicle was quickly attended to. Meanwhile, my wife and daughter got comfortable in the customer lounge. The fuel-pump was replaced under warranty and the vehicle was ready by 5.45pm. Paperwork done, we drove out from there by 6.15pm to our hotel (Rajmahal Inn) on Hunsur Road. I had to pay only Rs.100 for consumables and a washer. All things taken into consideration, I was very happy with the towing and service experience from Urs Kar Service Center.
We reached our hotel and freshened up and pondered about our day which did not playout as per our plan. During dinner, we considered our options for Sunday. Decided to risk going to Nagarhole national park and then return back to Bangalore.