[dhanushmenon]

In my office, the month of October was a frenzy to say the least. Truckloads of work with early shifts transcending to extended shifts were the order in force. Within a whiff, the month was gone and I was yearning for a break. When my wifey floated the idea of visiting Mookambika temple at Kollur for the “Vidyarambham” ceremony of my son, little did she know that the horse’s sleigh had just been let loose.

My wife and I, both are travel freaks and given an option, we spare no weekends to stay at home. Kollur was my wife’s brainchild dovetailing the “Vidyarambham” of my son. But from then on, I took over command to chart out a plan for a week long road trip. When finally I put forth the plan to her there was none flashing more teeth.

After a bit of polishing here and there, the route was finalised as:
Kochi- Kollur- Jog Falls- Chikmagalur- Mysore- Kochi.
My leave from office was approved for in a jiffy and soon we were packing our bags and loading the boot of our Figo for the week long sojourn. And so started our memorable trip from Kochi on the morning of 16 Nov, returning back on 23rd.



Kochi- Kollur

The route followed was:
Kochi- NH 47 to Thrissur- Kuttipuram- Kottakkal- Ramanattukara- NH bypass of Calicut- Thalassery- Kannur- Kasaragod- Mangalore- Kundapura- Kollur Mookambika temple.

We started well within the time frame as planned. The drive was smooth till we reached Thrissur and then started the “beeline phenomena”. The road surface was good, however the fellow drivers who shared the road were not !! On the two lane highway, each one thought that the other side also belonged to him and let’s not discuss about the ones who kept crossing the roads as if taking a leisurely stroll through the park.

taken near Shornur





The drive after we crossed Kannur was a bit more relaxed and my fifth gear slot was thanking me for having put him to use after a long while. However, the happiness did not last much. The scarcity of traffic was soon neutralised by the state of roads after we crossed Payyannur.
The lesser said, the better and to cut a long story short, let’s just say that I managed to reach Kollur as planned.

Sunset at Ezhimala



Will update the remaining soon... with more photos
Thanks

[dhanushmenon]

Kollur- Jog Falls

After having done the due at Kollur the next day, we started by mid noon towards Jog Falls. The route followed was Kollur- Nagara- Hosanagar- Sagar- Jog Falls.



I was wisely advised by BHPian hvkumar not to take the Nagara route. However on enquiring with the local drivers, I was told that the road is motorable and the devil had the better of me at that instant. Wish I could meet that local driver again that I could mash him up!!! The non existant roads all through till Sagar were pathetic at best. Anyone venturing, please don’t waste your efforts. Your vehicle would be much thankful to you. Going back to NH 17, proceeding to Honavar and then taking the diversion to Jog Falls would be much wiser. At the expense of a few extra kilometres, you will save a lot of time and the rollercoaster ride.

However, as the face saver, after Nagara we did encounter some scenic stretches.

Near Nagara Bidanur Fort







We reached Jog by 1600 and from then the falls took us into its lap of mesmerising beauty.





I had to crawl onto a protruding boulder to get this top to down shot. Lying on my stomach on that rock, the view was breathtaking and the snap actually doesn't do any justice to the view.
S P E L L B O U N D ! ! !

[thoma]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

S P E L L B O U N D ! ! !

Indeed breathtaking. Still, I too feel that the snap doesn't do full justice to the view. The next snap hints at that.

And a good crisp log. Guess there is more to come.

[drkakkilaya]

This is excellent photography. Looking forward to more pics.

But my sincere advice, it's not worth the risk to peek over the cliff.

[i.1979]

nice snaps Dhanush. i was wondering why flow is less in November itself. but my memory of this falls is some 12 years back. waiting for the next set of snaps.

[naveen.raju]

Awesome snaps Dhanush. Typical wallpaper stuff. Waiting for the complete set of pics and report.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by thoma

And a good crisp log. Guess there is more to come.

Originally Posted by drkakkilaya

This is excellent photography. Looking forward to more pics.

The advise of not peeping over the cliff has been accepted with true spirit. Thinking of it again, I dont think I would do it once more. It was that sudden spurt of the moment and I went forth with it

Originally Posted by i.1979

nice snaps Dhanush. i was wondering why flow is less in November itself. but my memory of this falls is some 12 years back. waiting for the next set of snaps.

The flow is less probably because that chap 'monsoons' failed us the whole nation this year. I am still wondering where his co- brother 'retreating monsoon' has vanished into??

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

Awesome snaps Dhanush. Typical wallpaper stuff. Waiting for the complete set of pics and report.

Thanks everyone for the kind of motivation you give me in completing the travelogue. Work is underway and shall upload it ASAP.

[dhanushmenon]

Jog Falls- Chikmagalur

The drive to Chikmagalur from Jog Falls was quite an experience. For the first time I felt like being on a leisure drive, cruising effortlessly on fifth gear.







The roads were good and the scenery which greeted my eyes was more blissful than just rejuvenating.





There were innumerable sugarcane fields on either side all through the way and as the flowers swayed in wind, it seemed like they were waving at us.





Driving through the heartland villages in Karnataka, I was reminded of the adage “The essence of India lies in its villages”. Now, I would make it in bolds, capital and would underline it too.



The herd of cattle that swarmed us enroute. (top) I could manage to capture only a part of the herd. The larger part of the pack was behind us

A quick afternoon nap. (bottom)





As we approached Chikmagalur, the topography started to change and transformed into the kind of un-explicable beauty which only hill stations would provide. Gone were those ripe rice and paddy fields colouring the landscape with shades of orange and sometimes green.





We were welcomed into stretches of green hilly meadows and in all shades greens one would imagine. The nature had taken out its paint brush and right there in front of our eyes was the canvas spread. It is rightly nick named as the Ooty of Karnataka, minus the maddening crowd. I would recommend that you should visit this place in its present state before it gets commercialised and loses its laid back & relaxed pace.



Entrance to the homestay where we stayed. All coffee plantations are topped with tall trees which provide shelter to the shrubby coffee plants.



More snaps to follow. Thanx!

[ranjitp1]

Lovely pictures Dhanush-thanks for sharing.Where did you stay at Chikmagalur?

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Lovely pictures Dhanush-thanks for sharing.Where did you stay at Chikmagalur?

I stayed at The spectrum home stay. A very nice place. Felt really at home and the host was very helpful. If I visit again I would stay at the same place. They charged me Rs 1400 per person per night, inclusive of all meals, unlimited coffee, camp fire etc. children below 5 yrs they don't charge anything

[rknair]

Hey Dhanush, nice photos and thanks for sharing. We were in Jog during Diwali weekend, but not very happy with the flow. From your photos, it looks like you went to the other side where the falls originate. We didn't know how to reach there.

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

Going back to NH 17, proceeding to Honavar and then taking the diversion to Jog Falls would be much wiser.

I did that route from Jog to Honavar and can vouch for that. Most of the route is very good except for some segment near Gersoppa, where the road is narrow with pot holes.

But from what I heard from locals, NH-17 is in a bad condition at many places south of Honavar. I travelled north from Honavar, so don't know for sure.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by rknair

From your photos, it looks like you went to the other side where the falls originate. We didn't know how to reach there.


But from what I heard from locals, NH-17 is in a bad condition at many places south of Honavar. I travelled north from Honavar, so don't know for sure.

As soon as we reached the parking lot , we were approached by a guide who took us to all the places around. It was worth it as otherwise we wouldn't have gone there and would've returned having seen only the over view of the whole falls.

The roads south of honavar is broken at patches. But at an extense the roads are generally good between mangalore and honavar. However, mangalore to kasaragod is nothing great to write home about

[rknair]

Originally Posted by dhanushmenon

As soon as we reached the parking lot , we were approached by a guide who took us to all the places around. It was worth it as otherwise we wouldn't have gone there and would've returned having seen only the over view of the whole falls

Too bad we missed it. Did it involve too much of trekking? Then we wouldn't have made it anyway, since my aged parents were with us. Anyway next time...

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by rknair

Too bad we missed it. Did it involve too much of trekking? Then we wouldn't have made it anyway, since my aged parents were with us. Anyway next time...

Naah. No trekking at all. If you see closely at the over view snap of the falls, there's a red roofed building. That's the British bungalow. The car will go right to the gate of the bungalow. Then on you just have to walk to the falls. However you might not be able to go till the rocks during rainy season. There's a view point near the bungalow and beyond that would be closed when the falls are at its full glory.

[kaushik60]

@dhanushmenon: How much is the four laning of the stretch between Surathkal and Kundapur done? This work was going on when I went there about 6 months back.
Nice to see you visited Ezhimala beach. Your picture makes me nostalgic. That beach used to be our regular hangout during our holidays which we spent in Payyanur.
Nice crisp logs replete with beautiful pics.