[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by sourav21

Google shows the default route to Kotagiri from Ooty through Coonoor. I see there is a State Highway 15 from Ooty to Kotagiri bypassing Coonoor. It is strange that google shows this apparently shorter route taking longer time. Is it advisable to bypass Coonoor and take this route?

No need to go to coonoor from ooty to go to kotagiri.take the direct route from ooty via doddabetta to kotagiri.

[prasad14]

Originally Posted by kala

Gokul-Kanakapura : I tried this restaurant for breakfast three times so far - was closed every time. But they were all on Saturdays, and before 8AM. So looks as if either Saturday is their day off or they don't open before 8 AM.

I was in Gokul few hours ago and checked their timings with the owner/manager. They open around 11AM (and for lunch). They categorically said that they will not have "tiffin" in the morning. They are open till 10PM. So, breakfast in this place is ruled out, till many Team-BHPians make a case for that with the Owner!

Prasad (RamP!)

[Fauji]

Thanks Prasad. I happenned to see another restuarant named "Sumukha" which lies between Art of Living and Harohally. Looked good but not tried.

[rohitm]

Originally Posted by prasad14

I was in Gokul few hours ago and checked their timings with the owner/manager. They open around 11AM (and for lunch). They categorically said that they will not have "tiffin" in the morning. They are open till 10PM. So, breakfast in this place is ruled out, till many Team-BHPians make a case for that with the Owner!

Prasad (RamP!)

I drove past this place yesterday at 11:35 AM and it was still not open
There was a waiter standing outside and he said it will open in a bit but expect delay as the kitchen is yet to start.

Cheers

[prasad14]

Originally Posted by rohitm

I drove past this place yesterday at 11:35 AM and it was still not open
There was a waiter standing outside and he said it will open in a bit but expect delay as the kitchen is yet to start.

Cheers

No wonder. That guy said "direct lunch". So we should assume that they'd be open by 12:30PM.

Originally Posted by Fauji

Thanks Prasad. I happenned to see another restuarant named "Sumukha" which lies between Art of Living and Harohally. Looked good but not tried.

Even I saw this. Guess this is about 10kms before Kanakapura (when going from Bangalore) and opposite some big educational institute (Dayanand Sagar??)

Prasad (RamP!)

[Fauji]

Originally Posted by prasad14

Even I saw this. Guess this is about 10kms before Kanakapura (when going from Bangalore) and opposite some big educational institute (Dayanand Sagar??)

Prasad (RamP!)

I think it is Jain University.

[ampere]

It is the Bhagwaan Mahaveer Jain college of engineering.
They are located at that place.

[lloydofcochin]

Originally Posted by Fauji

I think it is Jain University.

Originally Posted by ampere

It is the Bhagwaan Mahaveer Jain college of engineering.
They are located at that place.

It is in fact Jain International School - JAIN INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, BANGALORE, INDIA

[ampere]

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

It is in fact Jain International School - JAIN INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, BANGALORE, INDIA

I think both are at the same place.

Here is the link to the google maps.

12.641657,77.436597 - Google Maps

[Night_Hawk]

Did Mysore - Ooty ( Via 36 HPBs) on 11.05.2012. At HPB 36 It started raining heavily and it turned into a drizzle by the time I reached HPB 17. Road surface was excellent and traffic was not so heavy on either side. Exactly at HBP 19 there was a short hold up as a maxicab going downhill had came very very close to a car almost grazing its side. There were arguments going on between the two drivers for a shortwhile. Soon they cleared the way; and it was thrilling to get my Scorpio moving in the 1st gear on a very steep incline.

On the return leg on 13.05.2012, i came down via Gudulur. About half an hour prior to Gudulur, it started raining heavily and it was an experience of a lifetime coming down the scenic ghat in heavy rains.

IMHO, Kalahatty ghat road has a better road surface with all 36 HPBs equipped with concave reflective mirrors giving a fair idea of what to expect around the blind hairpin bends.

Btw, Bandipur & Mudumalai WLSs are lush green and we were able to spot group of elephants and deers

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by Night_Hawk

Did Mysore - Ooty ( Via 36 HPBs) on 11.05.2012.

We are planning our Ooty trip from Bangalore for June last week. This is going to be my first drive to Ooty from Bangalore and I wish to try both routes (HPB and other route). What route would you suggest for onward journey as per your experience?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

We are planning our Ooty trip from Bangalore for June last week. This is going to be my first drive to Ooty from Bangalore and I wish to try both routes (HPB and other route). What route would you suggest for onward journey as per your experience?

You will need to confirm about rains. June last week would be the first stage of monsoon fury. Hence Gudalur road is always better from that point of view.

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

We are planning our Ooty trip from Bangalore for June last week. This is going to be my first drive to Ooty from Bangalore and I wish to try both routes (HPB and other route). What route would you suggest for onward journey as per your experience?

What is HPB?Hairpin Bends?Well you are better off climbing that coming down for two reasons:

1.While coming down,there is a chance you might be stopped and asked to go the Gudalur way.If you are,tell them you are headed to one of the resorts in Masinagudi.

2.Climbing is easier as while coming down its that much harder and at times you can virtually smell the rubber burning.There are deceptive flat sectors of the road but which in reality are steep well disguised inclines where the car rolls down!

[shankar.balan]

If you are an experienced hill driver take the Sigur ghat. If not, take the Gudalur route.
Safer for you, especially in the monsoon season.
Plus, please drive on the left side only, do not overtake on bends, dont honk un-necessarily, do please give way to uphill traffic and please follow the road rules. When in the hill section on narrow roads, please dont try and overtake the car ahead of you; better to wait it out because there may a big monster heading your way from the opposite direction!

Originally Posted by coolclouds

We are planning our Ooty trip from Bangalore for June last week. This is going to be my first drive to Ooty from Bangalore and I wish to try both routes (HPB and other route). What route would you suggest for onward journey as per your experience?

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by ampere

You will need to confirm about rains.

Thanks Ampere. Actually, our initial plan was to travel in May but the whole Ooty is crowded due to season.

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

What is HPB?Hairpin Bends?

tell them you are headed to one of the resorts in Masinagudi.

Yes, I mean its Hair Pin Bend itself. Thank you so much for the tip regarding Masinagudi resort

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

If you are an experienced hill driver take the Sigur ghat.

Thanks Shankar. I am frequenter on Kochi-Munnar route and did Mettuppalayam-Ooty route several times during 90's when my sister was staying in Coonoor.