[v&v]

Originally Posted by laluks

I thought Jasmin was in north GOA, and also to be having only hotel units. How was the place? How near is it to the beach and eateries? CM Varca though good, is very much crowded. Though they have 2 pools, both will be crowded. I have been told they have added one more property in goa.

Colva is a beautiful place to be in the evenings. There is a colourful restaurant - i forgot its name, where we almost spend 5 hours tasting all those fish delicacies

I think Jasminn is less crowded compared to Verca. Place is good but service is average. Beach is around 2kms from there. Bike and Cars are available for rent. They too have decent pool. Yup they have added one more property in Goa will be functional from Feb. Kentuky is one of the happening restaurant there. We too were regulars there.

Originally Posted by nitin.rai

Yes this is Fort Aguada beach & I had stayed at the Aguada in 06; this ship has been there since then!
I had driven down from Bangalore and Kamat's is where I too had stopped, nice.

Great trip v&v. Would appreciate a more detailed travelogue, thanks!

Thanks nitin. Is it still there ? Ok will try to include max details.

Originally Posted by rahul_sinha

Super stuff v&v. We stayed at Varca property of Club Mahindra, in October and were floored by pristine beauty of Varca beach. I am sure Jasminn offers the same. BTW, thats one big awesome drive. Kudos to you.

Thanks rahul,
Jasminn is not a beach front. Its around 5 kms inside. Without conveyance it will be difficult to move around. As for drive , 2011 has been an RoadTrip overdose, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Leh and now this trip

Originally Posted by Fauji

V&V,

Super drive and great account of yur trip to Goa. The stertch of beach beyond Colva towards South goa is fantastic. They are quiet and pristine unlike the beaches in North. Varca used to be our favourite beach when i was posted in Margao for a year in early nineties while in Army.

Yes, Club Mahindra have excellent property on Varca. This time we went to Agonda which was just "out of the world" - pristine, secluded and clear sea. The beauty of Agonda is that no permamanent structures are allowed here and acco is only in tente or tatched huts which are removed in April and rebult in October.

Thanks Fauji, Regarding Agonda, this is a new info about accommodation.
I think now a days Verca, Colva and Calangute are over crowded. Its always better to try smaller beaches.

[v&v]

Our evening hangouts were at Colva beach. The best part is that there is an activity for all age groups. Lots of shopping, eating and adventure activity like boat ride, Jetski, Para-sailing. Of course many photography subjects too. Evenings become very lively with live music and great crowd.

This is one of the best beaches in south Goa and the longest beach too. Our favourite eateries were Lukes place, Kentuckee and Sagar Kinara for South India dishes. Goan fish curry with rice is our favorite pick. Also lots of bakery items to choose from too.

Enjoy some photos around Colva

















All of a sudden a fighter jet popped up for nowhere

[v&v]

We also visited Vasco da gama. it was around 35 kms from our resort. We saw the 400 year old St. Andrews church. Just after the airport is the Naval Aviation Museum. We were late as the timeing is only upto 4pm only. Some glimpses of our vasco visit.

Bits Pilani


Goa airport


St. Andrews Church




Vasco Town

[v&v]

Day - 8 Goa - Bangalore - 709 kms

As the plan got extended for a business meeting in Bengaluru , route decided as suggested by Bhpians was Margao - Karwar - Hubli - Tumkur - Dodabalapur - Devanhalli - Budigere - Hoskote. The Tumkur - Devanhalli is in good condition and very less traffic.


We planned to start early but could start only by 7.15am. Traffic around Margao was already high. Progress till Canacona was slower due to school traffic.


Karwar







Warship Museum











NH-63 - Karwar - Hubli road



NH-4





Drive Summary

Margao - Start 07:15 am
Canacona - 08:30 - 43 kms

Karnataka Border : 08:45 - 68 kms - Stopped and enquired about our travel and asked for Liquor/Wine being carried.

Karwar City : 09:00 - 76 kms (Here again we were stopped and enquired about our travel)

Breakfast Stoppage : Udupi Cafe

Warship Musium : 10 am - 81 kms (Again at karwar exit too was stopped for general enquiry)

Left turn to Hubli : 110 kms - 11 am
Yellapur - 175 kms - 12:15 pm (Jungle area)
Kirwati - 200 kms - 12:30 (Jungle area)

Kalghatgi - 220 - 12:45 (Major part of NH63 my Airtel or Vodaphone was not working)

Hubli - 245 - 1:10 pm - NH4 the progress was fast.
Lunch Break : 365 (Kamath - At reliance A1 - Opposite side) 2:20 pm
Citradurga - 450 kms 03:40 pm
Sira - 04:20 548 kms
Tumkur - 04:50 610 kms (12 km after tumkur toll left for Devanhalli)
Dodabalpur - 05:30 pm - 655 kms
Devanhalli - 06:00 pm - 675 kms
Hoskote (Home) - 06:45 pm - 709 kms (Total time : 11:5 hrs)

[v&v]

Day 9 & 10 @ Bangalore

Day 9 & 10 was fully busy with official work. Didn't get time even to network with friends and family also. As my work got over on saturday, we planned our return journey on sunday morning.

View from our flat @ hoskote

[mayankjha1806]

What a drive, from Delhi to Mumbai, Goa and then Bangalore. Have you returned already or somewhere in between, and which route you took?

Amazing pictures, and good narration. Not sure how i missed this TL. Where did you stayed in Goa (Few comments about the place would help, or was it in a Club Mahindra property)?, asking as i saw a Hotel Jasmine comment as well (Not sure was it just for food or for Stay as well)?

[v&v]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

What a drive, from Delhi to Mumbai, Goa and then Bangalore. Have you returned already or somewhere in between, and which route you took?

Amazing pictures, and good narration. Not sure how i missed this TL. Where did you stayed in Goa (Few comments about the place would help, or was it in a Club Mahindra property)?, asking as i saw a Hotel Jasmine comment as well (Not sure was it just for food or for Stay as well)?

Thanks mayank. Yup we are already back. Returned via Hybd - Nagpur - Jhansi - Gwalior - Delhi.

Goa we stayed at CM Jasminn,Betalbatim. They now have another new property too so in total 3 properties in Goa.

I have mentioned details in my earlier post.

[v&v]

Day 11 - Bangalore - Hyderabad - Stage - 1
Since we will be travelling North-South Corridor NH7 for the first time, planned to start as early possible so that we cover till Nagpur if possible.


Drive Summary

Hoskote 04:30 Am - Start
Devanhalli - Via Budigere - 05:15 am - 36 kms
Toll Rs 60 - Bagepalli - 05:42 am - 100 kms
AP Border : Penukonda - 06:05 am - 140 kms
Haripuram - Beautiful Sun rise. - 150 kms
Toll Rs 80 - Marur Toll - 06:35am - 193 kms
Anantpur - 06:46 am - 213 kms. (Big city)
Toll Rs 75 - Kasepalli - 07:15am 261kms (Before toll IOC coco pump & After HP coco pump)
Gooty - 07;15 am - 264 kms
Dhone - 07:43 - 314 kms
Toll Rs 75 - Amkanthadu - 07:50 am - 320 kms
Kurnool Town : 08:15 am - 350 kms Big town , high traffic, Lot of automobile workshops, TASS'
Breakfast - At town exit, (Right side 3 pumps in a row) Dhaba Hotel Taj Palace run by a Mallu. There egg masala & kerala parotta was very good. We had an heavy breakfast and good 40 min refreshing stoppage.

Toll Rs 60 - 09:00am - 360 kms (Bpcl Ghar Dhaba - 383 kms.)

Krishna river - 413 kms 09:23 am
Toll Rs 48- l&t - 460kms 09:50 am
Jadcherla - 496 kms 10:10
Toll Rs 49 - Jadcherla Expway - 10:28am 523kms
ORR : 10:50 for bypassing HYBD City. - 546 kms
Total Driving Time : 06hr and 20 minutes. Remarks : One of the best drives i have done till date.

Landmark for ORR : Just before you approach ORR there is a single lane flyover. Most of the construction work around ORR is over and marking are pretty clear)

Toll Total : No of Tolls : 7, Amount : Rs 447


Some enroute photographs

NH7



Beautiful Sun rise nere Haripuram







Hotel Taj Palace @ Kurnool exit



Krishna River

[mobike008]

Beautiful travelogue and nice to see you criss-cross so many states and cities.

I agree Bangalore-Hyderabad is one of the best highways in our country.

Iam waiting to hear your story from Hyderabad to Delhi via. N-S Corridor. I did this stretch in Jan-2011

[v&v]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Beautiful travelogue and nice to see you criss-cross so many states and cities.

I agree Bangalore-Hyderabad is one of the best highways in our country.

Never thought about it. 10 states if i counted right



Continuing with the log - ORR-Hyderabad & Bypassing Hyderabad City

I don't remember if i have seen anywhere 12 lane highway. The moment we centered the expressway we all were like "WOW". Our safari was quickly on 3 digits and i saw this sign board !



Some more shots of Expressway




Original plan was to Exit at Gachibowli, but seeing the empty expressway we drove all the way till Patancheru (where ORR crosses NH9). Beyond this ORR is under construction.

From Patancheru we drove back to Miyapur and after crossing Miyapur took a left turn which goes via bachupally to Medchal and meet NH7.




For actual bypass : Exit from Gwachiboli which is around 21 kms from NH7 ie EXIT NO 17. Then take the Gwachiboli - Miyapur Road. Once you are at Miyapur ask for Dr Reddy campus or Bachupalli. You can see Hotel Sree Krishna Grand or Angara from where you have to turn left which will join at Medchal NH7. Also ther will be major intersection and a railway cross too before it merges to NH7.

[v&v]

Day 11 - Hyderabad - Nagpur Stage - 2

Since we were in Hyderabad by 11, we decided to continue till Nagpur. Plan was to stay at Royal Regency Butibori as the GM is known to me and got a good deal.

Miyapur : 11:30 pm - 610 kms / 00 kms
Medchal Town : 12:20 pm - 642 kms / 32kms
Toll - Rs 95 - 12:34 - 662 kms / 52kms
Diversion : - Good roads ends 80 kms after toll. Diversion starts. : 01:20 pm - 743kms / 132 kms

Railway Cross : 1:40 - 692 kms / 162 kms

NIRMAL Toll Starts again : - Toll Rs 45 - Gamjal Village, Nirmal - 02:24 - 748 kms / 218 kms - (80 kms of Bad road)

Toll - Rolmamda Vill - Rs 90 - 02:50 pm 788 kms / 258 kms

Safari completes : 50,000 kms

Adilabad - 03:20 pm 835 kms / 303 kms

Bad Roads after : 03:40 855 kms / 323 kms - Very bad road. Big pot holes

Tea Break : Pimpri : 4:15pm 895 kms / 363 kms

Bad roads Till Wadner: 05:30 pm - 950 kms/ 413 kms (Around 90 kms bad road with diversions)

Hinanghat : 05:50 pm : 965 kms / 428 kms

Butibori : (Our Destination) - Hotel Royal Regency - 07:00 1020 kms / 483 kms

Nagpur city is another 25 kms.

Total : 1020 kms , 14.5 Hours - Tough Drive but doable.

Hyderabad - Nagpur - 483 - 8 hrs

[v&v]

Details of Hotel Royal Regency - Near Nagpur (Butibori)
Nice Decent Hotel with safe parking and decent rooms. Special not for food. Very good food. On the highway.
Hotel Royal Regency, Hotel In Nagpur | Hotel in Butibori, Nagpur | Hotel in MIHAN Nagpur | Hotel in MIDC Nagpur | Budget Hotel in Butibori, Nagpur | 3 star Hotel in Nagpur | Cheap Hotel in Nagpur, Nagpur Hotels | Butibori Hotels | Hotel Near Nagpur A


Day 12 Butibori(Nagpur) - Jhansi

Start at 06:38 am
Nagpur ORR - Kamptee - 07:30 - 46 kms (Undivided 2 lane highway)
Kanhan - 57 kms - (4 laned highway starts)
Forest area starts : 80 kms - 08:10 am - Again 2 laine highway
MP border area - 90 kms - Bad roads
Bison Highway retreat - Rookhad - 134 kms - Till here roads are very bad. (Breakfast stop)
Karya - 142kms - 4 laned highway starts again
Toll - Allonia - 188kms - 10:30 am
Lakhnadon - 228 kms - 11:30am ( Leave NH7, Left turn to Narsimhapur) - Lots of diversions
Narsimhapur - 295 kms - 12:20 pm
Kareli - 315 kms
Narmada River - 330 kms - 01:20 pm
Sagar - Bypass is not complete 2 diversion - 440 kms 02:50 pm (Lunch stop)
Lalitpur - 535kms - 04:30 pm
Babina - 605 kms - 05:30 pm
Jhansi - Hotel Prakash Regency - 640 kms - 06:45 (Two lane and high traffic)


Hotel Prakash Regency
360, Sardari Lal Market Civil Lines
Jhansi E-mail:-prakashregency1@yahoo.com
Tel - 0510 - 2330133, 2330379
Decent hotel with good restaurant with ample parking space. On the main highway itself enrout to gwalior.
Tarrif - 700 - 1500


Some photographs :

Bison Highway Resort







Narmada River





Somewhere near Lalitpur

[gajadonga]

Nagpur-Jhansi in 12hrs that seems to be better than the route via Bhopal
and Guna inspite of the deviations on the highway.
Last time when I travelled between Nagpur and Gwalior through Bhopal it was
14Hrs journey and heavy lorry traffic between Bhopal and Gwalior.
Thanks for the update hope in a years time the roads would be better.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by gajadonga

Nagpur-Jhansi in 12hrs that seems to be better than the route via Bhopal
and Guna inspite of the deviations on the highway.
Last time when I travelled between Nagpur and Gwalior through Bhopal it was
14Hrs journey and heavy lorry traffic between Bhopal and Gwalior.
Thanks for the update hope in a years time the roads would be better.

The last 300 kms from kareli to lalitpur is is nearly fourlaned. Traffic too is moderate. May be in another 6 to 8 moths things would improve.

[moralfibre]

Originally Posted by v&v

Update on roads in Goa. From Goa border after Sawantwadi is newly laid. .........

Stranded Ship if i remember correct it was near Agauda
Attachment 872133

v&v, thanks for the road updates on NH-17. I plan to take up this trip in March for old times sake when I drove an Esteem from Bombay to Goa way back in 2003. Quite a memorable trip that was. Any idea if there are COCO pumps on NH-17 now?

Are you sure the ship picture is latest? The ship (River Princess) was broken down by salvage experts way back in June 2011 when I stayed at Taj - Fort Aguada. This must be an old picture I reckon.