The running-in trip to Agumbe

[Samurai]

Today after lunch we wanted to go somewhere on-road as part of running-in our new GV. Then we decided on Agumbe sun-set point, it is only 46Kms from our home. Since my wife's brother and sis-in-law were visiting, they too joined in, and we left our older son home and took only the baby on the child seat. Two people can sit very comfortably even with the child seat in the middle, this used to be very tight in the Baleno.

As road till Hebri was mostly fine with some sudden potholes showing up in unexpected places. But with GV, that was not a concern, it was fun to watch cars on our back suddenly fall back when we rode on with little inconvenience.

But the road after Hebri was pathetic as expected, the tarmac part of the road was barely 12 feet wide, and there was a 6 inch difference from tar to mud surface. This is one of the most ridiculous thing I have seen. Any bigger vehicle will force you to get down from the road. Later I even saw smaller vehicles forcing me down. Reason, the right of way belongs to the one who cares least about damage to side mirrors. After an Omni and a Sumo almost took off with my side mirror, I decided to yield first.

In just 50 minutes we were at the base of the Agumbe hills. Meanwhile everybody else in the car (except the baby) made a surprising discovery that I have never been on this road. Crazy, I know. Living so close and all, somehow I have never taken this route to Bangalore or anywhere, never needed to until now.

Oh boy, what a road. This is one road where buses and trucks are banned and they can't bribe their way through the cops. Nope, nothing to do honest cops or law abiding drivers, perish that thought. This road that 14 hairpin bends that are impossible to negotiate by bigger buses and trucks. Therefore mini-buses and tempo travelers are the biggest vehicles on this route.

Check the 3rd hairpin curve, the only curve where we found parking spot.



Quickly I realised this was a bad destination for running-in considering that I had to often resort to 1st or 2nd gear at most hairpin curves. It was also one of the most scenic place I have driven through.

After going through 14 hairpin curves we finally reached the sunset point. Not much hope for sunset viewing considering the fog and the time, it was still around 4:15PM. After some snaps, we turned back.





On the way back we decided to drop-in at the Sita river nature camp, it was exactly an year since we visited here. Their fee had gone up, 40 bucks for adults and 50 bucks for the car. After paying 210 bucks, we just walked around the river.





Then we got see a rare sight right above our head, a Malabar giant squirrel, at least two foot long nose to tail end. Because of the bad light, I couldn't do any better. After all Olympus E-500 is weak in low light conditions.





Then we turned back and drove back into civilization.





The parting shot...

[rjstyles69]

Nice report and pics there Samurai.

You sure live in an exotic location and I envy you at times. Exotic because its anyday better compared to the city life we have ,except for the bad roads everything else is at its best where you live.

[Samurai]

I won't completely agree with you. There are many sacrifices that are necessary to live where I do. Especially if you are from the city. Bangalore was my home between 1982-2006, except the 9 years in US. You only see the good things I post via photographs, and there is lots you won't see. Anyway, that's a topic for some other thread.

[kpzen]

Samurai San
Its raining GV travelogues..Nice pics again...!!
Keep them coming.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Another thread so soon?

You sure are having a great time with the GV. Excellent pics as usual, but loved the shot from the rear better than the parting shot.

[kavesh55]

Hey samurai
awesome pics, i am from basically from Kundapur. ive visited Agumbe ghat when passing for Bangalore. Images r simply breathtaking.

[surajs]

Nice report Sam ..! Pics are awesome as usual, especially the last one.

[guyonblackybx]

Nice shots man, looks like had lot of fun. Hard to believe that you have such a nice place just 48 kms away.

[greatDrive]

Thats is a good trip report and nice photographs.
I have been to this sunset point but not in evening, I passed by Agumbe very early in the morning(Sun rise) on my way to Udupi ( Via Tirthahalli).

Agumbe moutain range is covered with very greem dense forests which looks great from the sunset point.
cheers.
GD

[Torqueguru]

I just loved your clicks!!! Awesome awesome awesome!!!!!
The GV as well as the GS both rock! I am surely going to take a trip to Agumbe as i am a wildlife and nature lover too! Thankx to you and TBHP!

Cheers

[akroy]

Nice pics Samurai San !! Even I plan to do that stretch sometime...It is really amazingly scenic...There is still lot to offer in western ghats...

Abhi

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Torqueguru

I just loved your clicks!!! Awesome awesome awesome!!!!!
The GV as well as the GS both rock!

Thanks, um, but what is GS?

[Torqueguru]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Thanks, um, but what is GS?

You are welcome Samurai, GS=Giant Squirrel.....I guess I should have been more specific, MGS... Malabar Giant Squirrel!! Like you mentioned, little more light would have made the icing on the cake for that pic! But i guess your GV experience at Agumbe easily makes up for lots of icing anyways!

Rock on!

[akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Thanks, um, but what is GS?

probably the giant squirrel.

[Jaggu]

nice run in report samurai and lovely pictures too