[dhanushmenon]

Hi guys,
Last saturday (13 Jul 13), some Bhpians in kochi (ten of us) had a meet to discuss the possibilities of an overnight drive meet from Kochi.
We had quite lengthy discussions along with other pleasantries and the date has been arrived upon as 15 Aug- 18 Aug 13.
Whilst we are also aware of the Mega Tbhp meet at Goa slotted on the same dates, the possibilities of any of us making it count there was next to negligible. More so because of our varied requirements and the distance involved in reaching Goa.

The outline program is:
1) 15th Aug- start driving, reach destination
2) 16th & 17th- at the destination
3) 18th Aug- drive back

The total number of days can be reduced to three also as convenient.

Request suggestions from fellow Bhpians for choice of location.
The place should be accessible in one day of drive. Therfore, preferably, it should be at a distance of around 400 Kms from Kochi.

The two places which we have shortlisted as of now are:
1) Masinagudi
2) Kodaikanal
3) Coorg


More suggestions are welcome.
Afterall, without your inputs, a meet would never happen

DRIVE SAFE!!!

[voyageur]

I will miss the drive but as an input from me, don't target Masinagudi for 2 days. Just plan for adjacent places in Ooty or Mysore too.

Koorg would be perfect though at this point of time.


Cheers

[EagleEye]

Originally Posted by voyageur

don't target Masinagudi for 2 days.

Why not?


Here is the list of members interested in attending this drive+meet. Of course the final list would be compiled once the destination is finalized.

1. dhanushmenon + 3
2. mistakenguy + ??
3. naveen.raju + 1
4. rajoy123 + 1
5. figo_mba + ??
6. deetjohn + ??
7. speed.demon + ??
8. EagleEye + 3


BigBrad has shifted to TVM, and I suppose he may not be able to make it. Is there any chance that you can come, buddy?

Vaisakhr has some other commitments . Please try to make it.

Quoting other members (who have posted in the mini meets thread) to bring their attention to this thread so that they may add their names above.

Originally Posted by jacs

...

Originally Posted by revintup

...

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

...

Originally Posted by ImprezaFan

...

Originally Posted by alexpaul

...

Originally Posted by baludharmarajan

...

Originally Posted by bhp_maniac

...

Originally Posted by josejoseph

...

Originally Posted by microaubin

...

Originally Posted by coolclouds

...

Originally Posted by rajeev k

...

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

...

[dhanushmenon]

I was also thinking about Meghamalai. Its 228 Kms through Munnar.
We can have a pleasant drive through the Munnar hills and then spend a day at Meghamalai.
We can return on the third day. (I dont think there's much there for more than a day).
The flip side is:
1) The Accomodation is an unknown entity
2) Don't know whether we have to do a bit of trekking to reach those exotic places. If trekking, don't know how many would say yes (Me included)!!

Check these links:
http://meghamalaitrip.blogspot.in/
http://www.goibibo.com/travel-guide/meghamalai/

[naveen.raju]

We need to figure out one decent place to stay. Drive+Stay would determine the outcome of the meet. So let's decide the place so that we can check what options we have for the stay. We can shortlist some resorts.

[ImprezaFan]

My personal favorite will be Masinagudi (Lower distance than Coorg; We had visited Kodai a year back; Wildlife reserve destination).

Wifey and me have already 'booked' leave for the slot (keeping Goa meet in mind), however, being a pessimist, I am adding myself+wife to the tentative list (to start one).

Kodai is also a good option, but Thrissur - Vadakkencheri stretch may spoil the fun (However, the remaining roads were nice & fast and family members with travel sickness has just around 60kms of climbing to endure). A second route via Munnar may be considered to make the drive fun for the driver & family members (without travel sickness) alike.

[figo_mba]

mannuthy to Vadakkanchery is like 28 kms.. thats the worst stretch.

However there is an excellent alternative to this route.

Take the athirampilly-valparai-pollachi-palani-kodai route. Beautiful and Scenic. Superb roads and loads of fun around the twists and turns.

Also instead of going to munnar we can take a turn from adimali and goto poopara via rajakkad & vellathooval; i.e. through the valley rather than the hills.

[revintup]

The palani-kodaikanal stretch is very very narrow at so many places once the climb begins. I visited kodaikanal last feb and had taken this route.

In a convoy it might be tough to give road to oncoming traffic especially buses and lorries.

[rajoy123]

The 3 day drive (extendable to 4) is a good plan. The locations suggested here are also appropriate.

Appropriate accommodations and safety of our vehicles is a major concern.

I request others to kindly add more places if they want, and finalize 2 or 3 locations so that we can have a general voting.

Since the no:of rooms to be booked is slightly higher, we would need to finalize the plans as soon as we can.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by ImprezaFan

Thrissur - Vadakkencheri stretch may spoil the fun

We can avoid Thrissur- Vadakkencheri via Thrissur- Wadakkanchery- Pazhayannur- Alathur. And further Walayar through Alathur- Kollengode- Pollachi- Coimbatore.
A bit longer though. But completely worth the distance for the peace of mind.

Originally Posted by rajoy123

The 3 day drive (extendable to 4) is a good plan.
Appropriate accommodations and safety of our vehicles is a major concern.

I request others to kindly add more places if they want, and finalize 2 or 3 locations so that we can have a general voting.

Since the no:of rooms to be booked is slightly higher, we would need to finalize the plans as soon as we can.

Yes, we have to do the bookings much in advance. Else, it will all be taken with the long weekend in pipeline.





How about a circuitous route?
Kochi- Gavi
Gavi- Munnar
Munnar - Kochi

Total distance 402 Kms.
We can add in Parunthumpara and Wagamon in between

[voyageur]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

I was also thinking about Meghamalai. Its 228 Kms through Munnar.
We can have a pleasant drive through the Munnar hills and then spend a day at Meghamalai.
We can return on the third day. (I dont think there's much there for more than a day).
The flip side is:
1) The Accomodation is an unknown entity
2) Don't know whether we have to do a bit of trekking to reach those exotic places. If trekking, don't know how many would say yes (Me included)!!

Check these links:
http://meghamalaitrip.blogspot.in/
http://www.goibibo.com/travel-guide/meghamalai/

Dhanush,

Initially I had planned to do meghamalai during June, but the plans didnot materialize due to some reasons. But if you want I can provide you with an article about Meghamalai but have to do some searches as to where it is . There are not much details but some mention about the place, which might help you guys.
Cheers.

[EagleEye]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

How about a circuitous route?
Kochi- Gavi
Gavi- Munnar
Munnar - Kochi

Total distance 402 Kms.
We can add in Parunthumpara and Wagamon in between

WOW.. Dhanush! That's a really good idea! It's bound to be a great drive, with visits to more than a couple of places, and that the route will be beautiful is guaranteed. The only problem is whether we can cover this route properly in 4 days.

So how's it going to be? One night stay at Gavi and another night at Munnar? Wouldn't that mean that we won't get enough time at either location to explore and take in the local sights and feels?

[220kmph]

DhanushMenon, whenever you plan for a meet, somehow I am never available. Unless you are planning for it when I am not there..

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by EagleEye

WOW.. Dhanush! That's a really good idea! It's bound to be a great drive, with visits to more than a couple of places, and that the route will be beautiful is guaranteed. The only problem is whether we can cover this route properly in 4 days.

So how's it going to be? One night stay at Gavi and another night at Munnar? Wouldn't that mean that we won't get enough time at either location to explore and take in the local sights and feels?

Yeah. I was thinking of one night stay at Gavi and the next night at "A BAD" resort at Munnar
We can cover the places in four days time. Should not be a problem.
Start from Kochi to Gavi on 15th morning. Reach close to lunch time.
spend time at Gavi till next afternoon.
Start from Gavi to Munnar after lunch on 16th. Reach Munnar by evening.
16th night, 17th night and till 18th lunch at Munnar. Start by 12-ish and reach kochi before nightfall.
This way, the drives will be short and also relaxing.
And as such, none of us get tired by driving? Do we?

However, options for stay at Gavi need to be explored. And also that our home grown ABAD ambassador (read naveen.raju) gets us a good offer

Originally Posted by voyageur

Dhanush,

Initially I had planned to do meghamalai during June, but the plans didnot materialize due to some reasons. But if you want I can provide you with an article about Meghamalai but have to do some searches as to where it is . There are not much details but some mention about the place, which might help you guys.
Cheers.

You should have posted the info here already than waiting for us to reply!
And I also knew that you would be cursing me as I was proposing this place. You wanted to go there a month back, and I dissuaded you.

Originally Posted by 220kmph

DhanushMenon, whenever you plan for a meet, somehow I am never available. Unless you are planning for it when I am not there..

Sir, the course which you would undergo for the next three months is much better than these petty drives. Trust me, you wouldn't miss anything compared to what you would do there.

[Speed.Demon]

I'm in for the circuitous route suggested by dhanushmenon.

You all know how lazy I am, this plan means we'll have none of that trekking nonsense, and more driving!!

PS: No offense to those who enjoy trekking!