[M35]

As they say, “When you finally go back to your old home, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood”.

These pictures make me feel at home, when away from home. Some of these might be from the wild, but for me, they mean a lot. They take me back to my childhood, back to a small beautiful village I hail from, in Kerala, the first 6 letters of it’s name too is kerala.

We all love our homes to the core, we might leave our feet but our hearts still there.

[M35]

July 2012

Palakkad- Kollur-Goa and back

Another Monsoon drive. This time, along NH-17 !

After some hectic work here in China that season, flew back home for a well deserved break. It was raining cats and dogs as expected. We had planned earlier, to visit Mookambika temple during that trip to India. It was also about a year that we met my brother and family who are based in Mumbai. Called them to check if they can be made available for a couple of days off work. The plan was to visit Mookambika Devi at Kollur on day-1 and then drive further to Goa, the next day. My brother were to come to Goa where we had planned to spend few days together. It was more of a family union than a typical Goan exploration.

[M35]

Planning:

Got a detailed checkup for the “Beast” at A.S.S. We had done a Palakkad-Mangalore-Kollur earlier with non-existent roads in most part of the stretch. I was pleasantly surprised to know that the stretch had been re-laid and great, until Mangalore. Also knew about some road widening work beyond Mangalore, until Kundapura.

Plan was to reach Kollur on Day-1 and then proceed to Goa on Day-2.
My brother confirmed their tickets to Goa and were expected to hit Goa in the afternoon of Day-2. Since it was off-season, I thought of checking in to a good Hotel on arrival. Had shortlisted a couple of Resorts and Ginger Hotel @Panjim for the stay.

Day-1
Home [Palakkad] – Kozhikode- Kannur-Mangalore-Kollur
On board: Mother, Father, Wify & Me.
Total Distance covered: Around 500 km

Started off early at around 5.00am. Had an early breakfast somewhere on the bye-pass road at Kozhikode. Thanks to excellent 2-Lane roads and sparse traffic, we covered some decent distance in the morning. But soon, the traffic got worst but the roads were fine all the way till Mangalore. Earlier, we had done the same stretch, when after Kannur all the way till Mangalore was pathetic. Was happy to see the stretch in great shape. After Mangalore, had to take a few deviations due to the 4-lane road work though. It was a relaxed drive and we breezed in to the parking space @ Beena Residency, near Mookambika Temple by 6.00 pm. Since we got a better deal, we decided to stay in Aswathi Tourist Home just about 100metres from the Temple. The deal also included food at Beena Residency which was excellent Kerala delicacy. Excellent stay with parking facility and great food - Recommended.
Link: Mookambikastay

Shri Mookambika Devi temple is an ancient Temple about 500 km from my home and 135 km from Mangalore. It’s located at kollur in Karnataka.
Link: Mookambika Temple

Day 2
Kollur- Karwar-Panjim/Goa
Distance covered: around 300 km

We had a great Darsan, the next day morning. After having a couple of Idlies at Beena Residency, headed back to the hotel for an early morning check out. Visited Udupi Sreekrishna Temple and then hit NH-17 once again towards Goa. Barring a few craters and pot-holes until Ankola, it was a beautiful driving experience all the way via Karwar.

[M35]

Goa

After having checked a couple of Resorts, decided to stay in Ginger Hotel at Panjim. Though a bit on the expensive side compared to a few others we checked, thanks to a safe family setting/ambience, we went on to choose stay there for the next couple of days. Brother & family arrived and had a blast that evening with some typical Goan meals for dinner. Came back to hotel, spend a couple of hours together and dozed off. The accommodation was a two double suit combo with an interconnecting door in between. Loved the ambience and satisfied with the security.

The rain Gods stayed away for most part of our time in Goa. Other times, due to scorching heat and humidity, we decided to move around in car. I never felt tired even on the third day behind the wheel.

Fort Aguada

Sun was blazing down when we arrived at the Fort .Few pictures taken at the Fort.
The lime drink proved very useful indeed.












Dona Paula
It was bright and sunny when we arrived there. But in no time, it got dark and started pouring down. It was strong, but didn’t last that long.










Basilica de Bom Jesus

Some random shots from various beaches in Goa

Return:

We had to take our leave. My brother had their return train tickets booked from south Goa Train Station. It was an early morning train. Had done all the packing the other night. Woke up early, got into our Hawk and zoomed past Panjim towards Margao. Got there in no time, dropped them at the railway station and headed towards Karwar. I could hear the m-Hawk’s grunt as there was utter silence in the cabin for a while.

The return was easier as I knew the route better. Had a great vegetarian meals at Udupi for an early lunch. The plan was to stay at Kannur if it got late. Even after a quick detour to Parassinikkadavu Muthappan Temple, we thought of reaching home on the same day. But got trapped in the famous Kannur-Kozhikode traffic. It was around 10.00pm when we reached Kozhikode and I felt really exhausted for the first time in the trip. Had light dinner with some strong black Tea. Did Kozhikode-Palakkad via Cherpulassery in about less than two hours.

18 hours, 800 kms and NH-17 !

Barring me, to my surprise, everybody else looked good for another couple of hundred more kilometers.

Overall, another memorable road trip. We did have some great time together that, we would like repeat the trip in the near future as well. This time around, after reaching Goa, would prefer to rent a chauffeured car for a couple of days to explore various spots in detail.

Thanks for reading, once again.

[M35]

Malampuzha Dam & Gardens

It was last July, we had a family trip to Malampuzha dam & Gardens near Palakkad. It’s about 25 km away from home. Rain Gods had shown some mercy that afternoon and we got there in two vehicles -obviously my m-Hawk and the newly bought Ertiga.

It was nearly about 15 years since my last visit to the Dam and was pleasantly surprised to see a new entrance and parking area. The inside was found to be less cluttered and more green.

In 2005, major renovation works started in Malampuzha Gardens as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. The dam was re-painted, and a huge LED Hoarding was placed on top of the dam. The entire garden was demolished for constructing a new and modern garden. At a cost of Rs. 21.57 crores, a new garden was created which has made Malampuzha Gardens the best tourist destination of Kerala.

Timings:
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Weekdays)
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Weekends)
Entry Fees:
Rs. 25 per adult
Rs. 10 per child (below 12 years)
Swimming Pool:
Rs. 75 per head per hour
Camera:
Rs. 100 for Still Camera
Rs. 1000 for Video Camera

source: Malampuzhadam

There was nothing much to see, as it was getting darker, but we loved our walk that evening. We had to rush as it was getting overcast. Got back home after having a great dinner at Noor Jehan Fort View Restaurant, near Palakkad Fort.

More Pictures:

[benbsb29]

Interesting to see they allow photos atop the Malampuzha dam. Most dams i have visited, photography isn't allowed.

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Interesting to see they allow photos atop the Malampuzha dam. Most dams i have visited, photography isn't allowed.

None of the dams I've visited in Palakkad have any restrictions on photography - Malampuzha, Kanjirapuzha, Mangalam, Pothundi, Peechi (in Trissur dist)

[M35]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

None of the dams I've visited in Palakkad have any restrictions on photography - Malampuzha, Kanjirapuzha, Mangalam, Pothundi, Peechi (in Trissur dist)

I am yet visit the Dams mentioned by you except Malampuzha. Will try and make it this time around. Will love to see more natural setting around, unlike Malampuzha.

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by M35

I am yet visit the Dams mentioned by you except Malampuzha. Will try and make it this time around. Will love to see more natural setting around, unlike Malampuzha.

Even Malampuzha has excellent spots around it, around the reservoirs. Beautiful places with reservoir on one side of the road and the other side where the forested mountains come down to meet the road - in fact they are my favourite locations. We make a visit almost every alternate weekend

First location : Take the left road as you reach the dam and go past the Hemambika temple road and beyond the boat jetty

But the best is Kava-Velampotta road :Take right at Malampuzha go past the snake park and Rock garden and then take left towards Kava/Anakkal. Nothing to beat the scenic beauty of this place, particularly during the monsoons

With your photography skills, am sure it will be us readers who will be rewarded!!

[M35]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

First location : Take the left road as you reach the dam and go past the Hemambika temple road and beyond the boat jetty

But the best is Kava-Velampotta road :

Thanks a lot for the info. Never knew one could make it to other side of Malampuzha Dam. Will definitely try and make it this July-August during rains. Who knows, I might also have the privilege for a mini family meet with another Palakkadan BHpian as well.

BTW, how is Kanjirapuzha ? Scope for any wildlife?

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by M35

Thanks a lot for the info. Never knew one could make it to other side of Malampuzha Dam. Will definitely try and make it this July-August during rains. Who knows, I might also have the privilege for a mini family meet with another Palakkadan BHpian as well.

There is a high chance that you will find me there btw, am not a Palakkadan, rather a Kozhikkodan settled here for the last 5 years. But have fallen in love with Palakkad and its people!!

BTW, how is Kanjirapuzha ? Scope for any wildlife?

Not much scope for wildlife at Kanjirapuzha. The adjacent Siruvani dam and its surroundings (Singappara estate) offers good possibilities. When coming from Palakkad for Kanjirapuzha, the best route is to take the Siruvani dam road and then take left at Palakkayam. Going straight across the bridge at Palakkayam will take you to Siruvani Eco tourism centre - this place is definitely worth a visit

[M35]

Velankanni : Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health

It was in 2009, we visited Velankanni for the first time. M-hawk had just joined our family and nothing could have been better than driving along the beautiful Rajakkad-Bodimettu-Theni-Trichy stretch to Velankanni with family on board. Since then, Velankanni has become a must visit destination, at least once a year.

The very refreshing Rajakkad- Bodymettu stretch

The beautiful Ghat road from Bodymettu towards Theni !
This particular picture was taken in 2009 with roads in excellent condition. These days the stretch is in bad shape due to some widening works.

Hawk near Bodi.

The beautiful Theni-Dindigul stretch

Excellent 4-Lane Dindigul-Trichy Stretch

Somewhere near Mannargudi

From Tanjavur, the route to Nagapatanam is via the regular Thiruvarur or the alternate route via Mannargudi. The most recent trip [Jan- 2014] saw the Thiruvarur roads re-laid and thus the detour via Mannargudi is unnecessary.

At velankanni

Our usual re-fuelling stations [Restaurants] during our journey !
At Theni
Hotel Theni International
LINK
Or Hotel Westerngatz
LINK
At Trichy
Hotel grand gardenia
LINK
Stay at Velankanni :Hotel Seagate
LINK

[M35]

Life gets flooded with moments. Sharing some of those beautiful moments could help grow the memories which otherwise might very well fade away.

Kallimali View Point :

If you are in Munnar, a drive through Poopara- Rajakumari will take you to Rajakkad. This view point is at about 3 km away from this small town. If you are driving down towards Kochi, you can take the Kunchithanni-Adimali route from Rajakkad.

[M35]

Munnar -Poopara via Gap-Road

The Munnar-Poopara stretch via Gap Road is a treat with great opportunities to spend some quality time behind lens. If you haven’t been there already, it is a must visit stretch. A few kilometers from Poopara, you are actually in Thekkady.

[bhardwhu]

I am invigorated to write my travelogues, one of the reason I joined team- bhp for. I had been procrastinating and your posts gave me a push. Thanks and keep up.

Regards

Himanshu