[funkykar]

Summers are very tricky. Usually, most do not like driving on highways unless necessary. Yes, Chethan, Arun and myself, too fall under that category. However, we believe doing some drives during summer, soaking up the sun well helps cope up with summer even better. There we go! Unanimously, all 3 wanted to do a Mangalore drive. For the beaches, food and the icecreams. Of course, the drive itself is icing on the cake. With great jugglery, we postponed the dates several times. Finally, the dates were last weekend of Sunday - Monday. Yes, it was so complicated that it had to be Sunday - Monday weirdly.

Choice #1 was my S1 which did a superb summer drive last year to Mangalore - Maravanthe - Agumbe - Bangalore, without breaking a sweat.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...ml#post3965500

However, we decided to drive in my newly acquired Amby. Some complex rules were set.

- No using AC in the car. Haha! Yes, idea is to soak up the summer heat!
- Visit and eat as much sea food possible
- Visit and eat ice creams at Pabbas atleast 5 times in our stay

Arun and Chethan did not complain one bit. Though the Amby has a reasonably chill AC even for peak afternoon, we decided not to use it. Just like how we did last year in our S1. Since we were quite set mentally, right before starting, it was such a breeze and we coped up with ease. Will let the pictures do some talking.

My good old Amby after a wash, all set for the drive!




Trip meter set to zero.


At the Gas station.




That's Chethan driving, Arun the co-passenger and me enjoying the sofa at the rear!

[funkykar]

Wonderful stretch of NH -75














Our favorite Akki rotti.




49 kms to M'lore!

[funkykar]

I let (Its too difficult for me to NOT drive. Had to make a heavy heart here) Arun and Chethan do the driving till about Sakleshpura. The Amby cruised so well all along. Such a beauty she is at cruising speeds of 80-100. The engine note actually goes so silent! We had a late lunch at Hotel Ashrita. This place serves very good Akki Rotti. Its our favourite and we relished it. We just did some math with the time and figured we could hit the beach straight away if we drove non-stop. I took the wheel and started doing reasonable speeds. The Amby lapped up Shiradi ghat with ease. We did very good speeds in the ghat and the tyres sweetly screamed in every curve. That sound is so satisfying! Worth driving up all the way, just for this. By 17:30, we reached Mangalore and headed straight to the beach to enjoy the sunset.

Egg churmuri...heard and tried first time. Was good!


Thaneerbhavi beach.






Icecream stop at Pabbas, before heading to our lodge.


Dinner time.








Zahin, a passionate Padmini owner from M'lore, joined us for dinner.


Pabbas again, after dinner!


Hotel we stayed.


Enjoying a late night walk, just after a surprise rain.

[funkykar]

We woke up lazily on Monday morning. We really did not have much of an agenda except for ensuring we visit Pabbas atleast couple of times.

The second day of our trip started with yummy breakfast at Taj Mahal.







Pabbas again. The third time!








Re-fueling in Mangalore, before we start back to B'lore.




ODO, while we are in Mangalore.

[funkykar]

Just outside M'lore, we stopped by the local HM Authorized service centre. We exchanged some pleasantries and carried on.




Old school way of doing the wheel alignment.




We had lunch at Halli Mane at Ujjire.

[funkykar]

Just after lunch, the weather changed and got very cloudy and cool. As we continued on to Charmadi, it actually felt very cold. It was a nice drive way up, had quite a bit of traffic both ways though!

Charmadi Ghats.












Drizzle as we come closer to Bangalore.


Last stop before reaching Bangalore. Swathi Delicacy for Dinner.


Odo at the end of the trip.


End of the trip, we all feel Bangalore summer so bearable! Mission Accomplished!

[Rehaan]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[GTO]

Some amazing pics there - had a blast, eh? This thread is shortly going to the homepage . Thanks for sharing.

The Ambassador looks to be immaculately kept - all clean & shiny. You've done her up very tastefully. In some of the pics, she's oozing character.

It's so much fun to drive these old girls on the highway. A throwback to the good ol' times really when bucket seats, a floor-shifter, air-con & after market stereo were 'rich man' add-ons. IMHO, still an unbeatable backseat, wonderful ride quality & a lusty 1.8L petrol.

Out of curiosity, why did you decide not to use the air-con? I can see the Superking blower and it truly is one hell of a king (had the same in my Jeep).

[dailydriver]

Nice trip. Kudos to you three for making it without using the AC. Have seen people longing to experience the chill of winter, but this is the first time I am seeing someone willingly embrace the sun. I strongly suspect that the Pabbas ice creams must have acquired an extra taste due to this .

Sad to see trees being cut in order to widen the roads. Two questions:

1. What app were you using on the Samsung mobile?
2. How was the egg churmuri prepared?

[paragsachania]

Summer Drive in a Hot car, again to Mangalore.

Brings me back the memories from our drive last year, while you drove your S1 and I tagged along with my dad in my Ertiga. The only change this time I see is that you ended up taking Charmadi this time on return while we did Agumbe last year.

How I wish I would join you guys if not for the drive to Chennai that happened in the same week.

Nevertheless am sure you folks had all the fun as the pictures speak .

Originally Posted by GTO

Out of curiosity, why did you decide not to use the air-con? I can see the Superking blower and it truly is one hell of a king (had the same in my Jeep).

I know him, Know him so well now after so many drives we have had in the past few years that I can attempt to answer this.

I am more than sure he enjoys natural weather and the fact that he wants his body to adapt to it rather than adjust something else to help the body.

Not to forget loads and loads of Water that he would have gulped during this drive.

[BlackPearl]

Fantastic trip and pics. It is nostalgic to see the Amby in all its glory. It is immaculately maintained. I had learnt driving in an Ambassador Mark 4 (WNW 6056). How I wished to buy an used Amby 1800 ISZ after I got a job, but unfortunately could not find a single one in good condition. Thanks a lot for sharing this travelogue and wish you many miles of happiness with the amby. Keep traveling and sharing!

[TorqueyTechie]

Nice travellogue! And to do it in an Amby without A/C is like going back to the 90's. I for one wouldnt dare to do it.

By the by saw that you have already put up the car for sale. Was this supposed to be a last long trip before parting with it?

[Durango Dude]

Great travelogue brings back memories! Learnt to drive in an Amby Mark II my dad's that served us for 27 years; you won't believe it my dad exchanged it for a Sipani D-1 (the worst car our family ever owned) that was the last car he ever owned! I got rid of it and go myself a M800.

[SmartCat]

How does she handle ghats, especially the hairpin bends? Compared to modern hatchbacks or perhaps the Omni?

My eyes are playing tricks on me again. Is steering wheel on the left hand side?

[james]

funkykar, good crisp write-up as always! It was nice catching up with you guys!

Originally Posted by smartcat

My eyes are playing tricks on me again. Is steering wheel on the left hand side?

Front facing phone camera- Mirror image!

Cheers!