[Steel_lk]

Hello Team. Congratulations on completing the team-bhp meet. I am going to munnar next week from bangalore. I intend to start at 6:00 a.m. Please help me with the following route queries. There are already some discussions about these queries in some of the threads. However, i am posting these questions to get the latest updates.

1)Is the Batlagundu bypass open to public? Any review on this bypass's road condition?
2)I see a picture of the team-bhp team in Thalapakatti biriyani restaurant, in this thread. While coming from Bangalore, if i take the Batlagundu bypass, and join the theni road, will i have to come back towards batlagundu to reach this restaurant? if so, how many kilometers should i drive backwards towards batlagundu to reach the restaurant? I checked google maps and found two thalapakatti restaurants and that is why i am confused. Please have a look at the attached Picture.
3)I heard that there is a flyover construction in Salem, causing traffic jams. Could someone please point out the location of the construction in google maps? Will this construction, delay the travel to munnar, if i reach the construction site/sites around 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm?Attachment 1624333

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Steel_lk

1)Is the Batlagundu bypass open to public? Any review on this bypass's road condition?
2)I see a picture of the team-bhp team in Thalapakatti biriyani restaurant, in this thread. While coming from Bangalore, if i take the Batlagundu bypass, and join the theni road, will i have to come back towards batlagundu to reach this restaurant? if so, how many kilometers should i drive backwards towards batlagundu to reach the restaurant? I checked google maps and found two thalapakatti restaurants and that is why i am confused. Please have a look at the attached Picture.

#1. The Batlagundu bypass is open and is in fantastic condition. You will save at least 30 to 40 minutes by taking this road.

#2. Yes. Once you join Theni road, you have to take a left and drive for about 1.5kms to reach Thalapakatti restaurant. I think the other location in Google Maps which would be on a right turn after reaching Theni road is a mistake.

[deepfreak15]

Originally Posted by Steel_lk

3)I heard that there is a flyover construction in Salem, causing traffic jams. Could someone please point out the location of the construction in google maps? Will this construction, delay the travel to munnar, if i reach the construction site/sites around 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm?Attachment 1624333

There is only one section that might have slow moving traffic at AVR roundabout, apart from that you should not face any issues. Worse case scenario it will be slow but moving traffic for less than a KM.

[Steel_lk]

Thanks for your inputs deepfreak15 and graaja.

[deepfreak15]

Originally Posted by Steel_lk

Thanks for your inputs deepfreak15 and graaja.

Have a safe trip and please do post a travelogue

[sumzup]

Friends, before I post the pictures of our drive, I want to take this opportunity to thank Ravi for continuing to organize these wonderful trips with all you great people. It is a pain-taking effort that culminates in such fine and memorable outings with a lingering feeling that craves for more such fun drives. I also want to thank him for his meticulous planning of the routes with their breaks and hotels that are not only wonderful to stay and enjoy with your near/dear ones but also for their personnel going the extra mile to bring a smile on our faces.

Finally, I wish to thank all our friends who were part of this drive and the previous ones, and who have all become more like an extended family for playing their parts in increasing the fun quotient. As always, looking forward to these drives in the future.

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The place of our breakfast Radisson Salem. This has become synonymous with our drives down south

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Early enthusiasm can be seen in all the banter that has started already and eagerly awaiting the arrival of others at the breakfast point

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Anand, Avinash, and Sunny trying to see if there any engine at all or is it all lights

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The gang at the lunch point called " Dindigul Thalapakkati Biryani" Hotel which had a wonderful air-conditioned hall just sufficient for all of us and you can see Karthik enthusiastically raise his hand to be counted.

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Deepak with his family extremely happy to be seated early

Chief making a point regarding availablity of veg food to mrs sumanth who is satisfied. New Entrant to the drive Anand who was highly amusing throughout the trip is seen in the background getting into his groove. Yes, that is me

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The hotel; the couples; the families

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This tree was a boon to all of our machines and us what with the temperature touching 40 degrees and we are still not into the summer

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Traditional welcome at the hotel with everyone getting the sandal paste applied to their forehead. The hotel and the entrance to the hotel. The parking at the hotel

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The kids in their elements; posing kids; fighting kid; environment-friendly kids; I love my space kid;selfie kid and serious kid;. These days, they take a selfie even with a dslr camera