[MYB]

"A few paths, a few places, a few people - might have been left behind in this journey of life but are seldom forgotten.."

This was very evident when Dad told us stories of how he spent the first 15 years of his life in this village - Kodihalli near Bethamangala Hobli of Kolar District. Stories ranging from the paths he trod to reach School, the places where he played football, the place where he learnt swimming, the place where his Uncle did a 160 kmph on a Matchless, the Ghost stories involving my Grand-dad and so many others.

Well, coming back to the journey which we undertook yesterday. It was basically an impromptu one owing to the long Diwali weekend we had at our side to spend and whilst deciding places everybody thought the best thing to do would be to tick this one long pending item on the checklist - going to Kodihalli - we had been contemplating on this since a decade now!

Alright, let me put across the actual journey in pictures and a few words.

We finally hit the highway after tummy-filling at Jayanagar 9th block SLV (Clean and neat breakfast served with an Old-Bangalore ambiance in the service hall upstairs) and braving ourselves through the traffic.


And then these beautiful folks were along with us


But it was business as usual for this man


Meanwhile, Kolar looked to be in celebration mood with Diwali around


And then we had a few sips of fresh coconut water


And the doors were opened too, for some snacks


And a little photography


Sun helped the matters too


We "found" Dad's school finally! Dad had forgotten the route to his roots! 40 years is a long time you see..


And the river he used to cross to reach the school. It's called Palar river.


Brothers walking along the banks of the same


Took a reverse angle shot too


And then we fell from sky!


And dad showing us the exact spots which he used to talk about all these years


Later we jumped!


And jumped..


Went mad and did a little bit of Gangnam Style


A little more


The ride was posing. Hence, I took one more picture of her. She's pretty isn't it?


And then came the sad moment! Dad was shocked to see his old shop's current state!


Finally found his childhood home which was still standing tall but with the Door being moved to a different direction! Change is the only constant - re-established here too!


A lady using the mitti ka choolha for her everyday cooking


We moved a little ahead and did a tiny bit of off-roading to reach the place where Dad learnt swimming. One more kinaara of Palar river.


She was standing pretty all the while when we were having lunch


This guy was loitering around in the Village and drew my attention


Later in the evening, it was time to visit our Aunt's farm and we found this vegetable (Ridge Gourd if I am not wrong) being grown


And there were Guava too which tasted so sweet! Fresh from the trees.


Everybody posed for a family picture for the album of memories and self timer did a good job


Sun was indicating that it was time to pack up


And I decided to pack up with this Parting Shot


Later, we had a fine evening snack-cum-dinner at Woody's on NH4 (Amazingly delicious South Indian food) and called it a day! A day which was definitely memorable and bought the childhood memories of dad alive! He enjoyed it the most and we all were glad about it.

[mallumowgli]

Nice trip that you had there. And also nice to see Palar having water!!

[MYB]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

nice to see Palar having water!!

Thanks mallumowgli. It was indeed a very nice trip. And apparently, Palar's got water after 8 years here! Made our visit a real special one.

This should definitely qualify as one of the unexplored places around Bangalore with just about 100 kms away and such a nice place to unwind. Bikers can do a little bit of off-roading too.

[rajeev k]

Finding the house he lived again after 40 long years would have been quite an experience for him. I have experienced likewise last year when i could locate the house where I lived in the hills in Munnar. It was a wonderful one.

[pradyblr]

Originally Posted by MYB

"A few paths, a few places, a few people - might have been left behind in this journey of life but are seldom forgotten.."



Later, we had a fine evening snack-cum-dinner at Woody's on NH4 (Amazingly delicious South Indian food) and called it a day! A day which was definitely memorable and bought the childhood memories of dad alive! He enjoyed it the most and we all were glad about it.

MYB, awesome trip report. I am sure it would have been memorable for your dad. Looks like you guys enjoyed the most though!!!

[nkrishnap]

A nice travelogue there, reliving the past memories.

Thanks for sharing.

[MYB]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

Finding the house he lived again after 40 long years would have been quite an experience for him. I have experienced likewise last year when i could locate the house where I lived in the hills in Munnar. It was a wonderful one.

Yes I can understand that. My dad too was going through a lot of emotions (which of course he didn't show but I could make out) and he was so excited about each and every place he revisited. You could almost see that child-like enthusiasm in him.

Originally Posted by pradyblr

MYB, awesome trip report. I am sure it would have been memorable for your dad. Looks like you guys enjoyed the most though!!!

It was a nice break for us too from the daily routine. Thanks to Dad and Diwali.

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

A nice travelogue there, reliving the past memories.

Thanks for sharing.

Thank You nkrishnap.

[avik_nandi]

Really a nice travelouge, indeed something to be cherished forever.

[gd1418]

A nice & neat narration topped by the fact that your Dad could fulfill his desire of visiting his childhood after 40 years. Pure nostalgia that cannot be matched.

I was waiting to read if your Dad went inside his school and the classroom he used to sit in etc., etc. And also if he visited "his childhood" home and could locate the various nooks & corners and did the current occupants have any connect with him?

[girishglg]

Must say a great effort on a very different kind of a travelogue. Indeed a memorable trip back in memory lane for your dad.

It must have been another type of experince for the sons. Was it your first time around the place?

[MYB]

Originally Posted by avik_nandi

Really a nice travelouge, indeed something to be cherished forever.

Thanks avik_nandi.

Originally Posted by gd1418

A nice & neat narration.

I was waiting to read if your Dad went inside his school and the classroom he used to sit in etc., etc. And also if he visited "his childhood" home and could locate the various nooks & corners and did the current occupants have any connect with him?

Thanks gd1418. Dad couldn't go inside the school since it seemed to be closed and moreover we had to visit all the places before it was dark and hence decided against going in. The childhood home was occupied by others now and somehow the thought of going in never came to us! Should go in the next time.

Originally Posted by girishglg

Must say a great effort on a very different kind of a travelogue.

It must have been another type of experince for the sons. Was it your first time around the place?

Thanks girishglg. It was a really good experience for us and yes it was our first visit to the place! Somehow we could never come here before and finally made it! And I am glad we did.