[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by graaja

Last weekend, went for a drive to Bhadra tiger reserve with several friends and fellow TBHPians. I have documented this in the below thread.

It was awesome to see your 3GT in this drive. The 3GT was totally in its elements, and looked great in those environments where otherwise an SUV would feel more at home.

During this drive had a chance to do a photoshoot of the 3GT and Dr.AD's red 320d.

It was great to do a photoshoot with the 3GT. That lovely blue color, the streamlined shape, the black grill and the black accents, the characteristic bike rack on the roof, and the gorgeous alloys make this a very sweet looking car. The car is a great subject for photography.

If you would please allow me, I would like to share one picture of your car that I took:

[graaja]

Shot some pictures of the GT over the weekend.

Parked inside overgrown weeds from the monsoons!


A few silhouettes shot at dusk.






Venus shining bright in the dusk sky!

[graaja]

Drive to Sakleshpur

Last weekend, a few TBHP friends from Bangalore decided to drive to Sakleshpur and stay for a night at a home stay called Sidhanta Manor. I too drove from Coimbatore and joined them. Had a fantastic drive through some beautiful terrain including the 27 hairpin bends in Dimbham ghats, forest road after Hasanur, green paddy fields around KR nagar and beautiful winding roads in Sakleshpur. It was raining most of the time and it was fun driving through the rains. A few pictures from this drive.

In the forest roads after Dimbham ghats.


My favorite coffee break at CCD, Nanjangud.




By lush green paddy fields.




A couple of pictures with Dr.AD's 320D




At an Essar fuel station with Zebo's VRS.


At Bisle Ghat.


The trip statistics for the return trip.


A few more pictures of the cars from the drive. Will share more in the travelogue that Dr.AD plans to put up.

The bungalow where we stayed.


The line up. KarthikK joined us the next day morning for breakfast in his Brio which is not in this frame.


Among tall arecanut trees.


The cars soaking up in the monsoon. Picture framed and clicked by Robimahanta.


Skoda special.


The VRS.


When the subjects become the background.


That's all folks, I have for now.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by graaja

Drive to Sakleshpur
Last weekend, a few TBHP friends from Bangalore decided to drive to Sakleshpur and stay for a night at a home stay called Sidhanta Manor. I too drove from Coimbatore and joined them.

It was great meeting you there graaja! Thank you for taking time to drive all the way from Coimbatore to meet us. It was great seeing you and your car! The 3GT looked magnificent in that monsoon weather and the rough terrain.

I had a great fun in the section of the drive that both of us did together through the lovely forests. It was a really memorable experience.

A few pictures from this drive.

Awesome pictures too. Thank you for sharing these!

If you would please allow me, I would like to share one photo of your 3GT that I shot at Bisle ghat, with my 320d standing behind.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

It was great meeting you there graaja!
...
I had a great fun in the section of the drive that both of us did together through the lovely forests. It was a really memorable experience.

...I would like to share one photo of your 3GT that I shot at Bisle ghat, with my 320d standing behind.

Thank you Dr. AD. It was a fantastic weekend meeting you all, the conversations, the food and the drive. I look forward to many more such meets

I loved that section of drive where we drove through the winding country roads and lush green scenery. In fact, that was the best part of the drive. We should do this more often.

Thank you for the fantastic picture. You always get the angle spot on that makes the cars look awesome!

[jkrishnakj]

Actually I imagine that Graaja probably enjoyed just that extra bit ‘more’ than the Bangalore folks. Just noticed one of his pictures that he took the Dimbham route from Coimbatore.

Those 24 hair pins and the curves and twists itself would have given a different ‘high’ I presume.

[allinbalance]

@graaja Amazing pictures of the galaxies and nebulae! I am thrilled that we have an astrophotographer in our forum - its a rare field and I laud your technical skills in it.

Your BMW 3GT looks amazing too! Keep driving and please keep writing - because you write well!

[graaja]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Actually I imagine that Graaja probably enjoyed just that extra bit ‘more’ than the Bangalore folks. Just noticed one of his pictures that he took the Dimbham route from Coimbatore.

Those 24 hair pins and the curves and twists itself would have given a different ‘high’ I presume.

You bet It was a fantastic drive. Drove through many types of terrain and roads. Even spotted a tusker and two cubs in Dimbham forests on the way back. Also I love solo drives. I get all the time to listen to music, contemplate about life and drive at my own comfortable speed enjoying the scenery. I got 18 hours of "me time" in two days.

Originally Posted by allinbalance

@graaja Amazing pictures of the galaxies and nebulae! I am thrilled that we have an astrophotographer in our forum - its a rare field and I laud your technical skills in it.

Your BMW 3GT looks amazing too! Keep driving and please keep writing - because you write well!

Thank you so much for your kind words. Hoping to do some astrophotography trips once the monsoon is over and clear skies are back.

[PetroNerd]

Originally Posted by graaja

Drive to Sakleshpur

Last weekend, a few TBHP friends from Bangalore decided to drive to Sakleshpur and stay for a night at a home stay called Sidhanta Manor. I too drove from Coimbatore and joined them. Had a fantastic drive through some beautiful terrain including the 27 hairpin bends in Dimbham ghats, forest road after Hasanur, green paddy fields around KR nagar and beautiful winding roads in Sakleshpur. It was raining most of the time and it was fun driving through the rains. A few pictures from this drive.

In the forest roads after Dimbham ghats.
Attachment 2200422

My favorite coffee break at CCD, Nanjangud.
Attachment 2200420

Attachment 2200421

By lush green paddy fields.
Attachment 2200425

Attachment 2200426

A couple of pictures with Dr.AD's 320D
Attachment 2200424

Attachment 2200423

At an Essar fuel station with Zebo's VRS.
Attachment 2200431

At Bisle Ghat.
Attachment 2200417

The trip statistics for the return trip.
Attachment 2200430

A few more pictures of the cars from the drive. Will share more in the travelogue that Dr.AD plans to put up.

The bungalow where we stayed.
Attachment 2200434

The line up. KarthikK joined us the next day morning for breakfast in his Brio which is not in this frame.
Attachment 2200418

Among tall arecanut trees.
Attachment 2200433

The cars soaking up in the monsoon. Picture framed and clicked by Robimahanta.
Attachment 2200419

Skoda special.
Attachment 2200427

The VRS.
Attachment 2200429

When the subjects become the background.
Attachment 2200428

That's all folks, I have for now.

Hey Folks that's a great trip, do let me know when you guys will be visiting Sakleshpur, Madikeri, Mangalore and places nearby. I would be happy to join with you guys on my 2019 Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI L&K. I missed the opportunity to get a Octavia VRS 230(sold out) ended up buying Superb since the dealer offered me a good price.

[500ContyCruiser]

Is this any chance you? Spotted on Dindigul - Theni highway.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by 500ContyCruiser

Is this any chance you? Spotted on Dindigul - Theni highway.

Attachment 2202689

Yep. That was me. Went to Theni to attend a function

Were you heading back from Theni side?

[500ContyCruiser]

Originally Posted by graaja

Yep. That was me. Went to Theni to attend a function

Were you heading back from Theni side?

Yes. Was returning from Megamalai.

Thought of flashing. But wasn't sure if it was you.

Not sure if you noticed, I was on this.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by 500ContyCruiser

Yes. Was returning from Megamalai.

Thought of flashing. But wasn't sure if it was you.

Not sure if you noticed, I was on this.

Attachment 2202771

I missed spotting you.

That is an awesome ride. An Isuzu VMax AT is my dream car

[500ContyCruiser]

Originally Posted by graaja

I missed spotting you.

That is an awesome ride. An Isuzu VMax AT is my dream car

It would be worth the buy!

[graaja]

The 3GT goes to Hampi - Exploring Vijayanagar Architecture

Went on a family vacation to Hampi. Drove to Hampi on 2nd November, 2 days of sight seeing and drove back on 5th November. As usual, it was a pleasure to drive the car. The Hampi expressway was just awesome with minimal traffic.

As we were busy visiting the monuments on 3rd and 4th, I could not get any car pictures. As it would be a crime not to get some nice car pictures from such a historical place, went out early morning on 5th November and got some pictures of the 3GT amidst some of the monuments. As it was very early in the morning, there were no human beings in any of these monuments (including the security guards). A few pictures from this photoshoot.























Below are the trip statistics for the onward and return drive.

Onward.


Return.


A few pictures of the architecture. Will share more pictures in the travelogue that I plan to write soon.