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Writing travel blogs is a passion for me, but when you have lot many stories to tell, it becomes a pretty hard job. Though, I have endless stuffs to narrate for this trip, I will meticulously keep only those threads without which this trip was incomplete.
Before posting pics and videos, how about knowing Kolli Hills:
15 Families, 15 EcoSports, 1 destination and 70 hairpin bends. You read that right! 70 hairpin bends are what you need to negotiate through to reach Kolli Hills - which grimly translates into 'Mountains of Death.' Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is a small mountain range located in central Tamil Nadu and spreaded over the Namakkal district of India. The mountains rise to 1300m in height and cover an area of approximately 280 km. They are part of the Eastern Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of South India. The mountain is a site of pilgrimage, because of Arapaleeswarar temple, but the area is also popular with Motor Cycle/Car enthusiasts because of the high altitude motor-able terrain with 70 hairpin bends.
Inception of Idea:
It all began from my last
travel blog when members of EcoSquads Facebook Group had a get together at Dandiganahalli Dam on Sun, 17th Mar 2019 and the same was liked and appreciated by Ford India. They also mentioned that they would like to get associated with us for future event.
Meanwhile, we members of EcoSquads FB Group, had another
Breakfast meetup at Konark Restaurant, Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore on Sun, 23rd Jun 2019. We all discussed a high level plan to have one night family outing with Ford India support.
Planning for perfection:
Immediately, after our meet up, we proposed our idea of having a family trip in July/August, 2019 to Ford India. We got an overwhelming response from them which boosted our energy to leave no stone unturned to make the trip a remarkable one. The first iceberg for us was to finalize a location. After lot of helter and skelter, we choosed
Sakleshpur. We started exploring hotels/resorts but all in vain as we couldn’t get any good one within budget for accommodation of good number of families. Again the search started for the location and we found ‘Kolli Hills’ an undiscovered gem. 70 Hairpin bends, not so commercialize place, apt distance from Bangalore were few reasons which provoked us to finalize Kolli Hills as our next get together destination. We got lot of pointers from the
event which Team BHP had at the same place. It turned out to be icing on the cake as we got clue for hotel, a rough itinerary etc from blog of Team BHP event.
As an immediate step, we proposed Kolli Hills as our next get together destination to Ford India. We were extremely happy, when they agreed for it. :Cheering:
For further planning, we called hotels for reservation. After a good negotiation, we finalized
Silverline Retreat Hotel and we did an initial reservation for 15 rooms. The next task to be encountered was to choose venues for breakfast and evening tea/snack during to and fro from Bangalore. The challenge was to choose a place which had an ample parking space for 15 cars and which also comes within our pocket. After spending almost 2-3 days we were able to finalize these place.
Murugan Idli Shop was finalized for breakfast during upward journey and
A2B Thoppur for evening tea/snack, during downward journey.
The next and the most crucial step was to choose participants. We were pretty sure that with our last trips as great success we should not face much challenge here and we were not wrong. To go-live with the announcement about our trip on the social media, we got superb invite creative and post content from Ford India. We got an irresistible response after posting the same on social handles. All in all, 15 EcoSports were set for our trip on 10th & 11th Aug, 2019. Ford India also appointed Crew to accompany us to make content as well as curate a trail driving experience enroute to Kolli Hills.
Preparation was in full swing. Convoy position for each car was decided. We closed on mosaic pattern and followed color scheme as
WRS WRB WCS WRB WRS (W=White, R=Red, S=Silver, B=Blue, C=Canyon Ridge). All the stickers (Convoy#, EcoSquads Logo, Discover More) were printed/kept ready to be pasted on each participating car.
A high level itinerary was discussed and finalized.
As a precautionary measure, we also got consent on below MoU by each participating Car.
As our trip dates were approaching, our tensions and worries were at peak as entire South India was facing the wrath of floods, landslides and rains. We did a very detailed research for our entire route, called hotel, checked weather forecast to ensure that there are no life threats. Ford also did a recce of the entire route, by its appointed Crew, in a day advance to ensure that everything is fine. Crew shared the below video from resort, just to give an idea of weather at Kolli Hills.
Silverline Retreat Hotel
Thanks to Crew, who informed us not to follow direct road to reach to resort, after finishing ghat section, which is shown in G Map as the same had landslides which they experienced during recce. Below was the scene at direct route to resort on recce day.
All the results gave us relief as everything was looking under control at Kolli Hills. Kolli Hills turns out to be blessing in disguise with floods in every other part of South India. Route as per Google Map was finalized with few changes. It was decided not to enter into Salem city, rather to avoid the city by taking bypass.
...Continued: The Drive.
Day 1 – Sat, 10th Aug, 2019.
Finally, the day arrived. With full on energy, everybody reached at the first meeting point Attibele toll by 6:00 am. Previous day, all the members were divided into sub-teams on the basis of location to reach at Attibelle Toll. Some old and some new faces, but all with welcoming heart, everyone graced the occasion with smiles and hugs. Within few minutes we all became part of one big family. We all met Crew who was going to be with us during the entire trip and was going to support us with photos and videos. They explained us about the routes and gave some basic tips to manage the convoy.
After the introduction, we soon moved to paste the stickers and Crew came into action and we got our first clicks.
Our GANG. Mr. Perfect! Is it perfectly placed ..? Let me also make it perfect. Deepesh, we also need to paste the stickers, what are you doing? What next, Guys??
The Cool Guy. .. some serious discussions. When will we start.. I am feeling sleepy. please: Let’s start guys.
Come on folks.
Wait.. let us finish our modelling. :D
Let me call these guys to start from here. Finally.. Howz the JOSH !!!
It was 6:30 AM now, with a basic discussion, with explanation of some DO’s and DON’T’s we headed for our next destination ‘Murugan Idli Shop’ for the breakfast.
Few random clicks by our Crew on the way.
We quickly covered the distance to our next stop and reached at 'Murugan Idli Shop’ around 7:30 am.
The restaurant had good ample parking space and we parked the cars also in a convoy.
With big smiles and hunger on the face, we rushed for breakfast without wasting anytime.
.. and the random clicks are always best.
...Continued:
We had yummy breakfast with lot of gupshup. Then, we all gathered at parking space as Crew had planned to click some pictures. Despite of professional photographers, each one was ready with their cameras to get some candid clicks and yeah we got some marvelous picture.
Only EcoSports. Ford and only Ford.
Time to pose with our car and yes family too. :)
The clock was ticking, at 8:45 am and we thought of moving from there after deciding the next halt point (Sri Annamar Bakes, Sekkarapatti, TN) just to refresh, which was approx. 70 mins distance.
The picturesque of Convoy was mesmerizing. The other passengers on the road were also gasping by seeing 15 EcoSport moving in a line. We even witnessed few passengers making our video which added to the fun.
Soon we crossed the Krishnagiri Toll Plaza around 9:00 am.
We arrived our next point and just took 15-20 minutes for refresh as we realized we have miles to go.
Again, the fun begun and we all started by deciding to meet at the next junction, which was just before starting the ghat section. But this time the journey to next meet point was not a walk on cupcake. With some confusion, we got divided into 3 groups with 3 different routes. As they say nothing can’t be planned perfectly, a route diversion at Salem became hurdle for us which splitted the entire group into three. Luckily, we all were having a list with contact no. and basic details of each car. Sooner we realised, planning worked as this list turned out to be miraculously working where each one could easily coordinate with other and within few minutes we all were knowing the route to meet next point.
From different directions we all gathered again at our next meeting point. We thought of having some discussion there which turn out to be funny and also a lesson to take care of some basic things when you are in Convoy.
We captured some beautiful moments here. ..including the innocent expression of youngest Ford Fan from our GANG. :thumbs up
The next was the most amusing part – 70 hairpin bends, highlight to Kolli Hills.
O yeah, 70 Hair Pin Bends. 4th hairpin bend out of 70.
The Crew gave us some tips so as to avoid some unfortunate accident. They also informed us that they will be clicking our photos and videos through ‘Drone’. The word ‘Drone’ gave all of us a spark and instilled energy within us. Most of us has seen drone only in TV and were going to have a live experience.
Go Gone Drone.
...Continued:
Crew was back in action, while we all were busy in covering the hair pin bends of Kolli Hills.
We stopped at different hairpin bends for some photography and also to experience some scenic beauty. We all felt like a celebrity with the warmth and care given by Crew during the entire shoot.
Soon, we realized we need some energy again in form of lunch :). We coordinated with hotel and gave an approximate time for our arrival.
At last, we reached our final destination, Silverline Retreat Hotel, by 3 PM.
As we were far behind our planned schedule, as per hotel management advice, we all decided to first have lunch then to check in rooms. We all had delicious lunch. Fun, laughter, photos were all around. Soon, after the lunch we all moved to our rooms and it was decided that each one is free to spend their time at their disposal. The next planned gathering was at Campfire at 8:30 pm with cake cutting.
Soon, we saw people were divided in sub-groups, wherein some decided to rest in room while others were busy in clicking photos at each hook and corner of the hotel. The Hotel was located at the heart of hills and decently maintained. It was so big in amidst of beautiful scenery around, which in itself was a place to cover. We were able to witness a beautiful sunset from the terrace of hotel. We had evening tea and pakoras together around 6:30 pm and each one started sharing their clicks and experience. We also saw people became so close within a day that they were into deep planning even for their next trip, family visits etc. We all decided to finish evening snacks and then enjoy Campfire soon.
The next great event was ‘Campfire’. In the lap of nature with cool breeze, campfire was soothing each one.
Campfire in full swing.
Great music just added to the fun and in no time we had our cake on the side. A delicious cake with Ford logo became the attention seeker. As add-on one of the kid was carrying a diecast model of EcoSport which made the cake photos a lucrative one for any Ford lover.
Yummy!
We decided to get the cake cut by all the kids.
Let’s capture it. All set. Kab katega cake (When). :mad:
Yummy cake, music, good friends, pleasant weather what better you can think in an outing.
Finally. We want cake.. Heyyy..we too in queue.
Great job Nitesh. Your writeup captured every detail of the trip.
Crisp review and amazing pictures. The place is unspoilt and a very underrated place in TN. Great effort by you to manage such a large group Nitesh! Keep it going :)
Lovely pictures! I think I saw some of you guys in Salem, if I'm not mistaken part of your convoy took a detour (intentional?) into town and were hanging out near the town bus stand.
Awesome travelogue. I wish I was there. Pictures did all the talking.
A well written travelogue. It has captured all the required essence of the trip quite beautifully. Thanks Nitesh!
Lovely pics and very well written, Nitesh! Though I missed joining the trip, as I read through the travelogue, it felt as if I was part of it.
Also, Good to see Ford associating themselves with the owners and being part of such events.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajishanand
(Post 4662609)
Great job Nitesh. Your writeup captured every detail of the trip. |
Thanks Ajeesh for your nice words, glad to know that you liked it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jithin23
(Post 4662727)
Crisp review and amazing pictures. The place is unspoilt and a very underrated place in TN. Great effort by you to manage such a large group Nitesh! Keep it going :) |
Thanks a lot Jithin for your kind words.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deepfreak15
(Post 4662893)
Lovely pictures! I think I saw some of you guys in Salem, if I'm not mistaken part of your convoy took a detour (intentional?) into town and were hanging out near the town bus stand. |
Thanks deepfreak15, seems you are right. Next time whenever you see a convoy of EcoSports nearby Bangalore, dont miss to say "Hi". :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prakritij
(Post 4662917)
Awesome travelogue. I wish I was there. Pictures did all the talking. |
Thanks Prakritij. If you are in Bangalore, lets meet in next event in near future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jethro
(Post 4663177)
A well written travelogue. It has captured all the required essence of the trip quite beautifully. Thanks Nitesh! |
Thanks Roshan. Welcome to Team Bhp and congratulations on your very first post. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by BikerSuz
(Post 4663201)
Lovely pics and very well written, Nitesh! Though I missed joining the trip, as I read through the travelogue, it felt as if I was part of it.
Also, Good to see Ford associating themselves with the owners and being part of such events. |
Thanks Sudeep. We too equally missed you in the trip and yours GoPro camera too. Through we were accompanied by a team of professionals for the coverage of entire event. But we missed your perfect clicks and the ideas to capture perfect moments. I seconds you that Ford India has taken a very good initiative to associate with its customers directly by such events. I personally witnessed the bond between Ford India and participants during this event.
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