[Dr.AD]

A few of us team-bhpians are driving from Bangalore to Goa, for a 4-day 3-night trip. This is an informal trip that took shape through casual discussions among a few of us who met over last couple of team drives.

The details are below:

Dates: February 18-21, 2016.

Destination/Accommodation: Baywatch Resort, Goa (http://baywatchresort.in/category/accommodation/)

Itinerary:

Thursday, Feb 18:

• 5:00 AM: "Hi" at a point somewhere on Tumkur Road (TBA)
• Lunch, Tea and other pit stops along the way
• 6:00 PM: Arrival at Baywatch Resort
• 8:00 PM: Dinner and hang-out session at the resort :-)
• Route for onward journey: https://goo.gl/maps/reaB3UXJNLN2

Friday, Feb 19:

• A local short drive: Drive along the coastal road through South Goa, North Goa, all the way to Maharashtra-Goa boarder, visiting beautiful beaches along the way (e.g. Morjim Beach, Mandrem Beach, Querim Beach etc.)
• Dinner at a beach shack near Baywatch

Saturday, Feb 20:
One of the two options below, based on what the participants prefer.

• A countryside drive through old Goa, visiting the famous churches and temples along the way, and a spice plantation tour in the end.
  OR
• Relaxing on the beach and having fun! :-)

Sunday, Feb 21:

• 9:00 AM: Departure from the resort after breakfast, and start of the return drive
• Lunch, Tea and other pit stops along the way
• 10:00 PM: Reach Bangalore
• Route for return journey: https://goo.gl/maps/m9PMi44y38y

Confirmed Participants:

1. Dr.AD
2. Ramgiri
3. Tilt
4. RSUDARSANAN
5. Rohan_Shetty


Tentative:
1. Sumzup


Those who are interested in joining are most welcome to join. We have confirmed hotel bookings for the group listed above, but we can try to add more rooms as required, based on the tariff available that time.

Hotel Rates: The hotel is quoting us Rs. 4700 per night per double room, inclusive of breakfast and taxes. We have three more rooms on hold at the above rates for next two days. Any later joinees may have to pay the rates prevalent at the time of their booking, and subject to availability of course.

So those who are interested in joining us, please reply here and we can work out the details based on availability etc.

Thanks,
-AD

[earthian]

Hey, all the best for the trip and drive safe. Wish we had fellow BHPians in Ahmedabad to do similar stuff.

[Dr.AD]

Here is the latest participant list:

Confirmed Participants:

1. Dr.AD
2. Ramgiri
3. Tilt
4. RSUDARSANAN
5. Shetty_rohan
6. Sumzup
7. cmiuc

6 rooms confirmed, with 2 more on hold as of now.

Originally Posted by earthian

Hey, all the best for the trip and drive safe. Wish we had fellow BHPians in Ahmedabad to do similar stuff.

Thanks earthian. In Bangalore, these drives are happening primarily due to the amazing organization by RSUDARSANAN. I am sure if someone takes an initiative like him, then even in Ahmedabad you can find even bhpians who would want to join :-)

[Dr.AD]

The D-day (drive day!) is just 4 days away!

Here are further details of the forward journey:

Onward Route* with pit-stops marked: https://goo.gl/maps/LLnR3hmgazw

Details:

1. Meet at New Agarwal Bhawan (https://goo.gl/maps/QSyLzDt7Umy)
000 km; Arrive: 5:00 AM; Depart: 5:15 AM
Note: Please stay on service lane when you enter Tumkur road (NH4) from NICE road (or otherwise). You will miss this place if you enter the main lanes of Tumkur road (NH4) instead of the service lane.

2. A quick tea/coffee break and regroup at Aroma Natural's (https://goo.gl/maps/DBg7BFd2AiH2)
119 km; Arrive 6:45 AM; Depart: 7:00 AM

3. Breakfast at Kamat Upachar, Ranebennur, and refueling at the co-located Reliance Petrol pump (this was closed for years, but has re-opened recently and they have clean fuel) (https://goo.gl/maps/KPGCJ8MZ8sw)
269 km; Arrive: 9:00 AM; Depart: 10:00 AM

4. A quick regroup at Cafe Coffee Day, Shiggaon (https://goo.gl/maps/pK5dv8EoXZx)
342 km; Arrive: 11:00 AM; Depart: 11:15 AM
Note: The reason for this early regroup after breakfast is that there is no decent place for any break after this, all the way till Goa. Therefore, we will have to skip "proper lunch". You can have quick snacks/pack up sandwiches etc. here to compensate for the lack of lunch.

5. Reach destination: Baywatch Resort, Goa. (https://goo.gl/maps/LVgbBSjszSw)
559 km; Arrive: 4:15 PM

*: There are many toll booths on this route, and the total tolls, including Rs. 250 "entrance fee" that we will have to pay in Goa, will be close to Rs. 800. Please keep enough change with you to pay these tolls.

I will post the details of the return path soon.

See you guys soon :-)

Thanks,
AD

[ssateesh]

Happy driving and safe journey all. Couldn't join you guys this time

[Dr.AD]

Guys,

Based on suggestions by fellow-bhpians, let's change the meeting point a little bit. Since New Agarwal Bhawan will not be open for breakfast that early, and we are not having a breakfast there anyways, there is no need to go on the service road. Instead, let's meet on the main highway immediately after the first toll both (after NICE road joins NH4). Here is the updated plan:

Onward Route with pit-stops marked: https://goo.gl/maps/QNrGr9oMV8u

Details:

1. Meet on NH4, immediately after the first toll both after NICE road junction.
This is the location: https://goo.gl/maps/DsiWmwDA8z22
000 km; Arrive: 5:00 AM; Depart: 5:15 AM
Note: No need to enter the service lane now. Please stay on the main lanes.

2. A quick tea/coffee break and regroup at Aroma Natural's (https://goo.gl/maps/DBg7BFd2AiH2)
123 km; Arrive 6:45 AM; Depart: 7:00 AM

3. Breakfast at Kamat Upachar, Ranebennur, and refueling at the co-located Reliance Petrol pump (this was closed for years, but has re-opened recently and they have clean fuel) (https://goo.gl/maps/KPGCJ8MZ8sw)
277 km; Arrive: 9:00 AM; Depart: 10:00 AM

4. A quick regroup at Cafe Coffee Day, Shiggaon (https://goo.gl/maps/pK5dv8EoXZx)
350 km; Arrive: 11:00 AM; Depart: 11:15 AM
Note: The reason for this early regroup after breakfast is that there is no decent place for any break after this, all the way till Goa. Therefore, we will have to skip "proper lunch". You can have quick snacks/pack up sandwiches etc. here to compensate for the lack of lunch.

5. Reach destination: Baywatch Resort, Goa. (https://goo.gl/maps/LVgbBSjszSw)
567 km; Arrive: 4:15 PM

See you guys Thursday morning :-)

Thanks,
-AD

[Dr.AD]

Guys,

There is one last minute change to the plan.

The new plan is to actually have lunch in Hubli, and that means we need to start slightly later in the morning to make it to Hubli not before lunchtime.

So, the changes are:

1. We are meeting at New Agarwal Bhawan at 6:00 AM instead of 5:00 AM.

Meet at New Agarwal Bhawan (https://goo.gl/maps/QSyLzDt7Umy)
000 km; Arrive: 6:00 AM; Depart: 6:30 AM after breakfast

and

2. Lunch break at Clarks Inn Airport Hotel Hubli (https://goo.gl/maps/yMs3GZjPFfS2)

I have already communicated this change to every participant by phone. But posting it here just in case anybody joins last minute.

Sorry about the last minute change.

See you all tomorrow :-)

Thanks,
-AD

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

There is one last minute change to the plan.

Grrrr! You just washed my plans to accompany till earlier breakfast point! An hour early on NH4 is going to make huge difference for the drive. I thought of joining you from Bangalore until Ranibennur and return to work. But I think in changed scenario, other than breakfast with you all, there isn't much drive if I wanted to.
Of course I can chuck all work and just join you for full trip but that is the right to bunk work, is lost battle.

[Dr.AD]

Originally Posted by abirnale

Grrrr! You just washed my plans to accompany till earlier breakfast point! An hour early on NH4 is going to make huge difference for the drive. I thought of joining you from Bangalore until Ranibennur and return to work. But I think in changed scenario, other than breakfast with you all, there isn't much drive if I wanted to.

I am really sorry Avinash. I was not aware of your plan to join us till Ranebennur, else I would have consulted you too before the change. Anyways, sorry for the last minute change.

Originally Posted by abirnale

Of course I can chuck all work and just join you for full trip but that is the right to bunk work, is lost battle.

This will be the best option. Please join us for the full trip. Hotel rooms are still available :-)

[abirnale]

No need to apologise AD. I just thought of giving you all surprise - it has certain punch of sweetness! But no worries. There will be more drives for sure! Goa is not fascinating for me, your company and drive is!

[abirnale]

Folks, how are the things so far? One can say what happens in Goa stays in Goa but there are unfortunate few who would like to see some live pics and updates to feel with you

Do upload pictures and fun moments when you get opportunity!

[pannags]

Dr. AD & team!

Wish you a fabulous trip.

I've been wanting to drive to Goa, but saw this only today! Anyway, this week would've been tough going by the amount of work I have due.

Please do post pictures of your trip and have a terrific time in the land of beaches!!

Cheers!

[shetty_rohan]

Thanks Anand for arranging this awesome trip.

Some photos...

[shetty_rohan]

Continued. Some more photos....

[FORTified]

Photos came out real well Rohan. Thanks a ton.