[mjothi]

It all started over a cup of coffee. Ya, a lot can happen over a coffee.

We - Myself, Lalu & Arvind met at Arvind's place after attending the Pre-Launch of the TATA Strome.

What do you think we were talking? Especially when the travel-crazy Lalu is with us. Yes, you guessed it right. TRAVELING !!!

And I put forth an idea about going to Goa for next long weekend. My excuse was - I have never been to Goa.


Lalu "Goa? We are just back last week from the long vacation in Goa. But its Goa. Why not?"

Arvind "Ya, Goa can be visited anytime. And if you have visited once, you will be addicted to visit again and again."

Me "Ok, let me get the opportunity to get myself the addicted.!! "

We looked our better half, and there we see a big smile. Ok, permission granted. After all, who says no to Goa! Right?

So, we left the place with a plan to leave Bangalore by 2am on Saturday 12th, and return on 14th. The plan in Goa, is as usual unplanned.

Goa, is a destination with full of fun.

For lazy-guys relaxing on of the Sea


For singles lost in fun-filled water


Be it a couples in their lonely walk along the beach


Or kids lost in their own world


Be it Jumping in the noon


Or jumping just before the moon


Or to cherish those wonderful memories


Or last but not the least, be it we Petrol heads - for long drives

[jkrishnakj]

Great Start here !. Look forward to the balance of the episodes. Jumping just before the moon is a cute picture.
I missed the Storme launch , thanks to work. Would have been good to meet and catch up with you and other fellow BHP's ians.

[mjothi]

So, what's fun if things go as planned?

Yes, the next day I get a call from our Lalu, saying he wont be able to join for the trip due to family commitment. Yes, family commitment. Because, personal commitment for Lalu is - TRAVELING.

My dream of visiting Goa, the first time, started to shatter.

Then I received a call from Hari, and when discussing I came to know that he was also interested for the drive, and finally the Trio family left for Goa.

Next few days went in search of the place for stay and found a place in Candolim beach area. It was called Humble Rock (www.villacandolim.com) Little we know at that time that this is going to be the highlight of the trip.

Since they were requesting for the advance, I transferred the 50% advance, and confirmed the place. I could not wait more for starting the travel.

On 11th evening, I reached home a little early hoping that I can catch up with some sleep before those long drives. But never succeeded in getting sleep. Finally managed to go to bed by 10pm and had a good and sound sleep till 12:30am. Called up Arvind, and told him will be ready and we can meetup on the way.

Got my kids also ready, and after a good hot bath, ready to hit the road.

Surprisingly, on dot 2am, I left from my home in Brookefield. The plan was to meet up Arvind at Hebbal, and drive further to wait for Hari in Neelamangala Toll.

Passed through those cab & truck traffic on the ORR at those past mid-night. And reached Hebbal, where I had Arvind waiting for me.

Then we reached the Nelamangala toll at through Yeswantpur toll bridge. We waited for Hari to reach, and there he came with a Tata Safari Strome!

As per Hari's suggestion, we decided to stop at a Clarks Inn restaurant in Hubli.

Till Chitradurga, Arvind was behind following my car. Then I was following him, till we reached Hubli.

And the Storme went like a Storm. We finally could see it only in the restaurant, Hubli - Parked!

Few clicks on the way before we reached for breakfast.

We crossed Chitradurga, and the sun crossed the horizon!!


No one can hide from my Rear view !


Together we go...


How could a tbhp-ian miss this? Ashok Leyland's export

Around 7:45am we took the exit from the NH and entered the Hubli town.

Inside Hubli town

Had a wonderful buffet breakfast and left the town by almost 9:30am. It was a nice place for the breakfast, but would recommend only if you have good time in hand for the day.

Since its inside the town, entering Hubli and exiting will make you lose time. Ofcourse, if you have buffer time to spent, then surely a great place. Try it out.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Nice captions to the pictures!
Aravind was with you? not realized when saw the pictures on mobile.
Waiting for more Goa story.

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

Great Start here !. Look forward to the balance of the episodes. Jumping just before the moon is a cute picture.
I missed the Storme launch , thanks to work. Would have been good to meet and catch up with you and other fellow BHP's ians.

Thanks. Yes, it was indeed a nice opportunity to meet many people. Infact I met some of them after years

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

Nice captions to the pictures!
Aravind was with you? not realized when saw the pictures on mobile.
Waiting for more Goa story.

Yes, his family was also traveling with us.

[naut]

Hey Mjothi,

Nice start there! Keep it coming.

Originally Posted by mjothi

We waited for Hari to reach, and there he came with a Tata Safari Strome!

Originally Posted by mjothi

And the Storme went like a Storm. We finally could see it only in the restaurant, Hubli - Parked!

By the way, when did Hari get the storme? I thought he still had his good old safari. Any more pics?

-Naut

[mjothi]

There are many diversions till Haveri, due to road works. Was little difficult during the night drives, but got better once in the sun light.

Filled up the tank in Ranibennur, and continued to Hubli.

Some more pictures from Arvind's clicks.

What a curve, na?


Well maintained Medians.


No, this road do NOT lead to the SUN !


Beautiful NH


Finally, the Breakfast!


Leaving the Hubli town


Somewhere in the traffic


Saying good bye to Hubli


Trios - Men in colors!!

Originally Posted by naut

By the way, when did Hari get the storme? I thought he still had his good old safari. Any more pics?
-Naut

Ha, I will wait for Hari to reveal the suspense.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mjothi

There are many diversions till Haveri, due to road works.

Nice story mjothi!

And that is one smashing threesome on the snap !
Should have been one amazing ride.

[gajadonga]

Nice writeup followed up with some nice road pictures.
Awaiting lot of pictures in Goa.

[mpksuhas]

In 'location' tab of Villa Candolim website I can see a ship near the beach. Guess this is ship 'River princess' which had run aground, there was news about ship causing pollution on beach and to stop that ship was broken up. Is the ship still present or removed ?
http://www.villacandolim.com/location/

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

In 'location' tab of Villa Candolim website I can see a ship near the beach. Guess this is ship 'River princess' which had run aground, there was news about ship causing pollution on beach and to stop that ship was broken up. Is the ship still present or removed ?
http://www.villacandolim.com/location/

I doubt if it was still there. Anyway, even though we were just 700-800 meters from that location, we never ventured out in that sea. That does not mean we never ventured in to the sea at all. Oh, i am deviating from my log !!

Back to the log,

After the stomach filling breakfast and good rest, we started to make the move towards Goa. We exited Hubli just before 10am.

The roads from there on was a 2 lane and keeping up the convoy was a herculean task. There was heavy traffic too flowing in the opposite direction.

But once we entered the ghat section, it was pretty empty, except the last stretch of the ghat. We had good time in clicking pics on the way and in Yellapur section.

As usual, there was a car to play the spoil sport of the trip. It was a white swift, and the person seemed to be in too much hurry to pass on those windy curves of the ghats. In one incident, he came to my left pushing me almost out of the lane, where I see a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Luckily managed to squeeze in back at right time.

The next first thing I did was to let this "express" guy to pass and to make sure my vacation starts peacefully

With few stops for the clicks in the Yellapur section, we finally met at entry point of Karwar.

Ok, posting some of the pictures I captured till Karwar meeting point.

My 50K Taj Mahal







Some rest in the shade...


Before cruzing on these roads!


Below the mother natures shade...


Our Machines


My bodyguard in action...


Guarding me on these roads!


Ashoka's effect???

[anand_hc]

"There are many diversions till Haveri, due to road works. "

Guess you meant Chitradurga here.

You can never get enough of Goa. Looks like you had a great drive & vacation. Keep the pictures coming..

[mjothi]

So we made a quick photo halt just before entering the Karwar. I loved those roads, going along the sea. I have driven through the coastal roads of Italy & France. But in there, you do not have the luxury of stopping in the palace you like, or click pictures on the way. But this is OUR country, who can stop us, as long as we do not pose hindrance to the traffic.

First halt was with Arvind, and in the 2nd one we all three.

Here are few of the clicks.

Loved those view of roads along the sea


First glimpse of the Arabian Sea


The Junior!


Caught in the ACT, I mean Aveo-City-Tata...


Fishing Territory?


Silenty Chevy


Sneak view of Chevy


Your's Truely.

Originally Posted by anand_hc

"There are many diversions till Haveri, due to road works. "
Guess you meant Chitradurga here.

Not only in Chitradurga, the diversions are starting after Tumkur. But its manageable. Clear signs, visible clearly even in those dark night. They have placed it with sufficient distance, starting from 300m with couple of sign boards till the actual diversions.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mjothi

So we made a quick photo halt just before entering the Karwar. I loved those roads, going along the sea. I have driven through the coastal roads of Italy & France. But in there, you do not have the luxury of stopping in the palace you like, or click pictures on the way. But this is OUR country, who can stop us, as long as we do not pose hindrance to the traffic.

The view at Karwar was even better before the advent of project Sea Bird. You could stand on top of the hill and see full coast line along the beach.
But many of those locations are now not accessible for public.

[mjothi]

So, said a "Hi" and entered the Karwar, which welcomed us with the beautiful views.

After entering karwar,we went to Hotel Amrut for the lunch. It was 1:03pm.

Who said BHPians are good at recommendation related to auto only? They are great foodies too.

They can kick the pedal with the feat, and also lick their hand in the feast

Yes, had king fish curry, again recommended by fellow bhpian, suhaas. Thanks buddy. You definitely have a good taste bud. lol.

Some pictures of these leg.

Thanks for the Welcome Miss.Karwar


Temples.


And temples.


Waiting for those King Fish Curry

Once we had we left the place around 2:30pm, and started the drive in the afternoon heat. I could see that the early drive, and sleepless night started to play the spoil sport. Anyway, its Destination Goa, none can stop us...

And continued the journey following Hari & Arvind.

Spot the ship in the sea


See, I was not bluffing, its there.


Time to bid a good bye to Karwar!


Thanks, will visit soon


Touching Goa


Everything is safe, in the hands of Mother Nature


Near Bethal devalaya


Inside Goa


There he goes in City


Why such dirty-water-di?

Actually this last leg started to look like a looong drive. Why?