[Axe77]

The Southern sojourn | Road tripping with the GLC

At the time of undertaking this road trip, I’d had my GLC 300 for just about 6 months and it had run a little over 4500 kms. Since the time I bought my 3GT back in October 2015, one key criteria was clear when choosing a vehicle. That it must be touring friendly and as “go anywhere” capable as possible. I don’t mean hard core 4x4 off-roading of course but it should be capable of undertaking any sort of road trips without any hesitation.

The GLC too was also selected with that criteria in mind - as a vehicle that will do all or more compared to what the 3GT is capable of. It’s also the reason that as comfortable as the E class is, it never appeared even on the consideration set when we chose the GLC, despite being available at a very close price point.

While my ownership thread will hopefully see many road trips being chronicled - day trips and longer journeys alike - I was keen to kick off the road trips bit with this particular drive. It is possibly the single longest road trip (by car) that I’ve undertaken to date.

Mumbai - Bangalore - Goa - Mumbai | June 2024

I had been planning to spend 3 odd days working out of my Bangalore office to spend some time meeting clients and local colleagues from that office. I had tentatively picked the week of 10th June for this trip since my son was away the entire week for a summer camp. Since the kiddo was being dispatched sometime Saturday, the idea was I’d drive over the weekend of 8th / 9th June from Mumbai to Bangalore solo (breaking journey in Belgavi) and the wife can fly down to Bangalore on Sunday afternoon.

After working 3 days in Bangalore, the second leg of the drive was to head to Goa, leaving Thurs early AM and work from Goa on Thurs 2nd half and Friday. Relax on Saturday and leave Sunday early AM to be back in Mumbai by late afternoon. I've split each phase of the journey into separate posts but the headline trip data is set out below.

Travel date range: 8th June - 16th June, 2024
Total distance covered: 2316.5 kms
Total avg fuel efficiency: 7.85 kmpl*
Total fuel consumed: ~295 litres
Total cost of fuel: ~Rs. 30,289
Total toll paid: Rs. 2831

* - I had a fair bit of fast pedal to the metal driving quite often and as you can see, that's not something turbo petrols are too forgiving of.

[Axe77]

Day 1: Bombay - Belgavi

Route: South (central) Mumbai — Atal Setu — old highway till Lonavala — Expressway postLons —> NH 48 all the way to Fairfield Marriott, Belgavi
Total kms: ~472 kms
Dep from Mumbai: 2:40 am
Arr at Fairfield Belgavi: 10:00 am.

The drive:
It was a solo drive and decided to make it a night drive since I hate the state of NH 48 for most sections through MH (although the KA bits are pretty bad as well now up to Belgavi). I left home at about 2.40 am, took on the Atal Setu after which I decided to simply stay on the old Bombay Pune highway. It’s much more engaging and scenic a drive and in any case it was my intention to stay on the old highway for the Khopoli Lonavala ghat given the heavy traffic jams caused by truck traffic on the ghat sections. An excellent decision and it was an engaging drive indeed.

Post Lonavala I decided to enter the expressway for some steady 100 kmph cruising until I reach Pune. I must have crossed Baner sometime a little under 2 hours since leaving home and it ensured that I still had the benefit of quiet hours all the way until Kolhapur. Barring one stop for a picture while on the ghat, I pretty much drove non stop (quite comfortably I might add) right up till Hotel Sai International for breakfast, a little past 7 am - about 4.5 hours and 340 kms of driving up to that point.

My first fuel halt came up around 35 - 40 mins post breakfast somewhere around Kolhapur - at this point I was still searching for 95 RON fuel which is what I use in Mumbai and had a couple of false halts where 95 wasn’t available. Fuel topped up, finally was back on my way. The traffic as most are familiar is heavily laced with diversions ever so frequently but I benefited from having done a chunky bit of the section well before these cities wake up to their daily local runabout. I made another very brief stop merely for a picture and to pin mark Viraj junction - an excellent food court somewhere a little before Nipany. I’d hugely recommend this for folks taking NH 48 southbound or even the Nipany Amboli route to Goa. Nice places to eat with safe parking. Only issue is its right beside a diversion currently but it still has good parking.

Finally reached the Fairfield Marriott at Belgavi a shade before 10:00 am. The hotel was absolutely full on account of a corporate event but luckily they still managed to get me a room inside an hour, during which time I had a second small breakfast at their restaurant.

The hotel is well known for being clean with a safe parking spot, with a nice pool, gym and some open lawns for leisure. A definitely thumbs up for me for anyone looking for an overnight halt while traveling along this route.

Kicking off the trip at 2:40 am on Saturday night. That's the luggage as loaded up although a slight cheat there - I only remembered to take my typical luggage pic after I had reached Belgaum.


Cruising on the beautiful Atal Setu bridge at night. Looks lovely all lit up.


Perennial problem of Indian highways. In the words of fellow Mod Libran1987: truckers playing NFS at 30 kmph!


Tunnel vision. Cruising on the old Bombay Pune highway - the section from Chouk towards Khopoli.


Top: traffic on the expressway part of the ghat section. Bottom: the corresponding section on the old highway's ghat section. Which one would you pick if it was the middle of the night.


Joined the expressway after crossing Lonavala. The bottom left pic is exiting the expressway and entering Pune. Cruise control at 100 kmph is handy on this section with speed cameras generously strewn across this stretch.


Caught this test mule running somewhere ahead of Khed Shivapur IIRC.


7:10 am: The first proper halt since I left home - around 340 kms and 4.5 hours after leaving from home at 2:40 am.


The halt was Sai International about 30 kms before Kolhapur. Their USP at that hour is USP - Upma, Sheera, Poha. Nothing else on offer. Ordered one of those with some home made cold brew coffee to keep me going.


Time to fuel up the car as well. Managed to get 95 RON fuel near Kolhapur.


Stopped here only for a quick picture and to pin mark the place. I had been meaning to check out this Viraj junction place somewhere before Nipany. A lot of bikers have started halting here when riding to Goa via Amboli ghat.


Back on the road finally with decent sweeping roads but continued diversions in parts.


Reached Fairfield Marriott Belgavi a hint before 10 am. Nice clean hotel with safe and spacious parking. Both key considerations in picking choice of halts.


Nice views of windmills from the room, with solar panels on the adjacent land.
Got a dip in the pool as well in the evening.
My standard carry - better to be self reliant with some decent coffee. Also appreciate hotels that don't skimp on basic stuff like water. I asked for a few extra bottles of water and they readily obliged.


There is an Irish House right next door to the hotel. Decided to have dinner there. Despite some rain that evening it had some crowd. On the right is literally the only picture of the inside that can be posted on the forum.


472.5 kms: the running of the day (pic taken just before next morning's departure for Bangalore).

[Axe77]

Day 2: Belgavi - Bangalore

Total kms: ~510 kms
Dep from Fairfield Marriott Belgavi: 4:40 am
Arr at Bowring Institute, Bangalore: 11:40 am.

The drive:

A relatively uneventful drive to be honest. I left a little later that morning from Belgavi than the previous day because I wanted to stop at Davangere for some Benne Dosa breakfast - this came highly recommended by fellow Bangalore Mods (Viddy specifically IIRC). There was a short section that was less than optimal but overall this was a MUCH better drive than the journey to Belgavi from Karad. I recall the highway before and after Kolhapur being an absolute dream from previous years, not that long back either. Its become a relative horror since the highway works have commenced. Hopefully will be done in the near future.

I've set out the day's activities more via pics today - I did get to stop at a few places for pictures specifically but other than that, my sole halt was for breakfast inside Davangere town. On that note, what a lovely, well planned place it was with beautiful roads, completely organised and speed cam monitored all around. I think this must have been part of the "smart cities" initiative to develop many smaller cities. Our larger metros can definitely take a leaf out of their book.

Overall, I understand that this is not an access controlled expressway but its a struggle to cruise at the stated 80 kmph limit that is applicable at many sections. I had to generously resort to cruise control to be able to stay at that steady speed. The downside is also a bit of fatigue that comes in from the arrow straight roads at a modest top speed since there is nothing much to do driving wise and that can cause its own drowsiness.

Post Tumkur again, the traffic got predictably heavier and wasn't a particular pleasure entering Bangalore. I made it by about 11.45 am to Bowring Club, where I was staying for the next few days. Checked in and headed out right away to meet the Bangalore Mod crew for lunch. Met with Ajmat, Chetan, Jaggu, Samurai, Suhaas and Viddy at Garden City Beer Collective. Just 15 mins out of my drive from Bangalore saw a gorgeous red Mini Cooper which I instantly recognised as Ajmat's. Made navigating out of town that much mind free.

The journey and the rest of the day via pictures. My wife had flown in later that afternoon so we caught a nice dinner a short walk from our club.

The route: Belgavi; Dharwad; Davangere (breakfast); CBD Bangalore.


Quick fuel halt at Dharwad - with 95 RON available.


Two lane highway shortly after Dharwad until the highway again opened up to wider 6 lane sections.


Entering Davangere. I was supremely impressed by how beautifully paved and laid out this town is. I believe it was part of one of the smart cities. No encroachments in the limited parts I saw, lovely roads, cameras all around.


At Sri Guru Kotteshwara. Apparently this place is a must go to for Benne Dosa.


Wide 6 lane highways but with a ridiculous 80 - 100 kmph speed limit. I guess its because these are not access controlled expressways. But still, its a struggle to drive at 80-100 kmph on these lovely sections.


Another sampling of this beautiful highway.


Just showing the various displays available on the Mercedes. I was definitely not under 80 kmph for the entire drive.


I made at least a couple of pit stops just to click pics. Day 2 had ensured that this was now formally a "monsoon drive" with drizzle or rain at routine intervals.




Above and below: A few more pics at the same location



Lovely windmills in the backdrop.


Landed at CBD Bangalore at about 11:40 am.


Lunch meet up with some of the Bangalore Mods at Bangalore outskirts


The two beemers are Suhaas and Viddy's; Ajmat's Mini Cooper and Chetan's Jimny. Samurai and Jaggu had joined in too.


Hey BMW: What do you think of Mercedes?
BMW: They’re lovely. I like seeing them in my rear view mirror.”

Lovely click from Viddy's beemer on the drive back. With Suhaas and my GLC in the mirror.


Finally back at Bowring Club.


A view of the deck outside my room. My wife had flown in from Mumbai sometime in the afternoon and we finally caught up.


Dinner with the wife at an old school diner at CBD - 'The Only Place'.

[Axe77]

Day 3 - 5 | Mon - Wed: Bangalore

Monday to Wednesday were basically working days for me in Bangalore with some meetings interspersed during the day. My office is basically across the road from Bowring (also why I selected that place to stay) so the car was pretty much not required through the day at all.

Bangalore weather too is lovely so I could even walk to one meeting at UB city a little under a km away first thing in the morning.

Meeting Mod Karthikk
The social engagement for Monday was my meet-up with fellow biker Mod Karthikk, who came by to meet me at Koshy's around the corner. I must say the experience at Koshy (like Karthikk as well as other Mods forewarned) was mostly the nostalgia factor of revisiting an old place. The food itself was nothing to write home about.

Afternoon snack at Koshy's. No meet up with Karthikk can be complete without a picture of our respective rides together.




Visiting Bangalore Creative Circus

The biggest highlight of the Bangalore leg of my trip was a much overdue trip to the Bangalore Creative Circus. This is a passion project and brainchild of a very close friend of mine who created and runs the space together with his wife. For those of you in Bangalore, I highly recommend a visit sometime to one of the many events they host, or if nothing else a meal at their little cafe. I've put out a brief extract from their website just to give an idea but do go through the link above to understand the full scope of what the space is all about. If you've got kids, its a great space to take them whether its to expose them to art or to environment preservation and related topics.

About Us​
As a global community, we are faced with an intersectional crisis of deteriorating health, socio-economic injustice, and ecological degradation. A radical change in our systems and in our culture of living is inevitable. While positive change is happening around the world, truly transformative and holistic change requires whole-systems thinking, collaboration, inclusivity, and creativity.

Bangalore Creative Circus (BCC) was started as an experiment in an old warehouse in the year 2019 by Ajay Raghavan, a former employment lawyer. We are now a growing community of artists, dreamers and changemakers, all committed to inspiring and enabling regenerative systems, communities, and cultures.

Modelled as an Urban Living Lab, BCC is a platform where diverse changemakers can collaborate, experiment, and showcase solutions. Equally, it is a space where consumers can find access to community, knowledge, and services across systems of - Food, Water, Energy, Waste, Building, Mobility, Tourism, Events, Art & Design, Technology, Justice, Health, and Wellbeing.

The Space
Bangalore Creative Circus is housed in a 20,000 sq ft warehouse in Yeshwanthpur Industrial Area, within walking distance of three metro stations and Orion Mall. Formerly used as a steel factory, a labour housing facility, and a tiles stockyard, the warehouse has been transformed using repurposed materials into a urban living lab.

Having officially opened to the public in Oct, 2021, the space functions as an experience centre for sustainability solutions, a learning centre, a creative arts hub, a farm-to-table restaurant, edible gardens, and a community centre for events, workshops, and performances.

The space completely reflects the artistic and creative madness of my pal Ajay and I'm so proud of what he's created here. Leaving a few pictures of the space as well below but there's so much more to see here in person.

You can't be an environment proponent and not lead by example. The man loves his EVs. He had a gen 1 Reva when none of us had even driven the car and his current steed is an MG Comet and an Ather. Parked here alongside my evil planet killer, right outside the BCC entrance. From owning a Ninja 300 and 650 (at the same time, more than a decade) to now principally owning an MG EV car and an Ather, the ICE enthusiast has come a long way.


The lovely cafe, where we were treated to lunch.


An outline of the Urban Living Lab and other general info.


Every single thing used for converting this warehouse into this space has been reused, recycled and / or repurposed. Whether it is the physical structure or various art pieces that adorn the entire space. This particular one has been repurposed from AC ducts from an old office that was being vacated.


The creativity continues.


In case you haven't guessed it, that 'throne' is one of the "chairs" in their cafe. I've heard of "farm to table" but this is another level altogether of suggesting an 'end to end' solution.


There's no end to recycling and repurposing. Its fascinating when you have the best creative artists come together and go wild with their imagination.


He's always supported artists and part of the idea was also to provide a creative space for artists of all kinds to work at.


Trivia: There's a large hanging installation of an airplane somewhere in Bangalore airport. The artist who was commissioned to create it had done it at BCC. Here’s some pictures from when it was being put together.



Needs no caption, if you're old enough (or even if you’re not).

[Axe77]

Day 6 (Thurs): Bangalore to Goa

Route: Bangalore - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davangere - Haveri - Mundgod - Yellapur - Karwar - North Goa (Morjim)

Total kms: ~646 kms
Dep from Bowring, Bangalore: 3:10 am
Arr at Morjim: 2:00 pm.

This was one of the highlights of our overall drive in terms of the scenic factor. Since my wife had flown from Mumbai to Bangalore, this was the first leg where we were actually driving together.

Thursday and Friday were still working days for me so I did want to reach Goa at least by afternoon so I could get a few hours of work calls etc once I reach our stay. With this in mind, we left Bowring a little after 3 am to exit Bangalore and cross Tumkur as early as possible. I had a splitting headache that morning so somewhere well after Tumkur, we took a small 30 min break to catch a small bite and some chai for the wife. Combined it with a re-fuel halt. Was a fairly non descript place so can't recall the name but the break helped me carry on onward.

Once off the highway, the drive that cuts across to Karwar is REALLY scenic, specially when it goes through the forest areas. We stopped at multiple places along this route just to take pictures of the car, some of which are already part of the original review posts on page 1 of this thread. My wife took to the wheel for an hour or two after we left from Karwar, so I could catch some brief shut eye for a bit.

Our route map for the day.


Yet another day with at least 3 - 4 hours of driving in the dark hours.




On cruise control at 100 kmph. Not that we had strictly stuck to that number for a large part of that drive. In about 3 hours of driving since leaving Bowring, we'd covered a little over 250 kms.


The most scenic part of the journey, going through the forest sections after leaving NH 48 and on the way to Karwar. We had stopped on multiple occasions just to take pics.


These roads are what road trips are all about for me. Expressway journeys feel like junk miles when compared to inner B roads like these.


Somewhere at Karwar beach. We made a leisurely one hour halt overall of our time in and about Karwar including a small second breakfast.


More sightseeing at Karwar - this is (I think) at the rock garden on the same stretch.


INS Chapal War Museum.


Finally making our way onward on NH 66 towards Morjim, North Goa.


Fabulous lunch thali ...


... at Goan kitchen for lunch. Just 10 mins or so away from our resort.

[Axe77]

Days 6 - 9 (Thurs - Sat) | Remote working from Goa

This was mostly a working week and not a holiday per se so we spent the better part of Thurs second half and Friday working from our room. But we both made sure these weren't heavy work days so we could also manage a nice lunch at our resort shack on one day, at a place called Kaia (nice place, ordinary food) on another as well as some nicer dinners later in the evening.

The resort where we stayed is called "Anahata Retreat - Sea Front Resort". We picked one of the nicer rooms based on a friend's first hand recommendation and it was well worth it - literally being right at the beach for the most beautiful views early morning as well as at sunset.

Speak nicely to the guard, get good parking. Parked here right outside our resort entrance.


The view from our room ...


..and the more direct view from the verandah outside it.


Sunsets are absolutely exquisite from this place.


Some client care ...


coupled with some self care!

The place had a really nice gym. Managed to get a nice run on one day around the beach and some workouts here at the resort gym



Above and below. Parked here outside our venue for Friday lunch ...



... at a place called Kaia, just 3 mins from where we were staying. I think they have rooms too.


Saturday afternoon was spent at a friend's place for lunch. We picked up some awesome Biryani from this hole in the wall place near his house.


Final drive out on Saturday night for dinner at Izumi.
.

[Axe77]

Day 8 (Sunday) | Morjim Goa to Parel, Mumbai

Route: Morjim Goa - NH 66 - Pen - Atal Setu - Parel, Mumbai

Total kms: ~510 kms
Dep from Morjim Goa: ~3:00 am
Arr at Mumbai: ~11.15 am.

An uneventful point to point journey via NH 66 (our first time taking this route). My original plan was to return via the known and tested Anuskura ghat route but landslides just a day before on that section had caused some traffic disruptions so we decided to try NH 66 end to end. Our son was returning from a summer camp later Sunday afternoon and we didn't want to take a chance with reaching back to Mumbai. So off it was to another 3 am departure for us to not leave anything to chance.

I was a little tentative driving on a totally new road and in pitch darkness for a good 3.5 to 4 hours of the journey. It was particularly difficult figuring out what to take at one point where it diverted us away from NH 66 to a slight detour off some really bad roads. Not sure to date if I took the best route that was possible but between patchy connectivity and early dark hours, it was a bit hairy navigating.

Just after Rajapur, I was warned there are some sudden and really bad nasty bumps but despite the warning I still managed to drive fast over the first of these bumps. Absolutely ridiculous visibility for these poorly marked breakers.

The road kept switching to some bad sections, for instance the section from Sangameshwar to Chiplun which was particularly bad. From around Chiplun onwards it was back to smoother 4 lane highways. Entering MH had the usual nonsense of back to back rumbler strips on a couple of sections. Apparently, this is the only way to stop runaway vehicles if there is a downslope - brakes are a secondary measure.

I think (IIRC) we stopped somewhere at Mahad for breakfast - I can't recall now but it was perhaps around 8.30 am or so. Other than a couple of stops earlier on for pictures and one stop a little after, this was a "one stop drive" with breakfast being the only break per se. We reached our home in Parel at about 11.15 am taking the MTHL Atal Setu for our final entry into Mumbai.

My first time taking NH 66. I think my Mumbai Goa preferred route remains via Karad - Anuskura - Oni/ Rajapur - NH66 (or vice versa).


Yet another 3 am start! 1800 kms done so far on this journey in the last one week.


Love these night captures. I don't think the wife was pleased taking photographs when she'd rather be sleeping in the passenger seat!


Post sunrise you can really appreciate the scenic beauty of this route.


One more, same spot.


One more halt and I think my wife would have driven off leaving me somewhere on NH 66 with my phone camera for company.


This was a little after breakfast at Mahad I think. Lovely scenery that my photography skills simply cannot do justice to.


The MH sections of NH 66.


Breaking speed, the MH way! There were about 5 - 6 of these back to back 30 mtrs or so apart each .. because ... you know ... its the only way a runaway vehicle will come to a halt!


Mercedes still doesn't believe the Atal Setu is ready. We're swimming in open waters as per the MB map.


Google is a lot more "up to date" of course. This is why I wish carplay could display in the driver cockpit as well.


And that's a wrap!! Home sweet home in my building lobby, a full 2300 kms and 8 days later!

Thank you for staying the course this long. Until the next one - adios!

[Aditya]

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

[100Kmphormore]

Axe, lovely travelogue. Got to do that Ratnagiri - Lonavala - Mahabaleshwar circuit once, looks amazing. Compensation for that fuel economy

Finally someone went to Guru Kottureshwara! Most stop at that Apoorva resorts on the highway side not knowing this gem is barely 5 mins away from the highway, very easy to locate from that big college campus right opposite, and has a IOCL dispensing XP95. Is my first fuel and breakfast stop ~270 km from home when doing the Uttara Kannada district or Goa in general. Absolutely love their doses and give Vasantha (another famous eatery) a try too next time.

[FAKER]

A very engaging write-up. Absolutely right about the lesser travelled B roads. You never know what hidden gems you'll find there.

[graaja]

What a way to spend a week—a road trip, meeting friends, eating good food, and catching up on work, too. Awesomely written travelogue, Axe!

That picture of the benne dosa and your GLC in the background brought back memories of my drive to Goa for the Triathlon. A picture of the benne dosa and the 3GT parked almost at the same place where you parked the GLC

[dilipkgr]

Originally Posted by Axe77

It was a solo drive and decided to make it a night drive since I hate the state of NH 48 for most sections through MH (although the KA bits are pretty bad as well now up to Belgavi). I left home at about 2.40 am, took on the Atal Setu after which I decided to simply stay on the old Bombay Pune highway. It’s much more engaging and scenic a drive and in any case it was my intention to stay on the old highway for the Khopoli Lonavala ghat given the heavy traffic jams caused by truck traffic on the ghat sections. An excellent decision and it was an engaging drive indeed.

Thanks for the excellent travelogue. I could relate my journey experiences to this post.

Pune to Belagavi, the stretch is a work-in-progress for road widening. The average distance that could be covered has dropped from 75km/hr to under 60km/hr due to road widening because of frequent diversions and speed breakers.

I have been working in Mumbai for the past seven years, and I frequently visit Bengaluru by road via Sirsi. Bengaluru is my home and my parents stay there. Sirsi is a de facto stop/rest place because of my in-laws. So, taking a car (Galaxy Blue Creta Diesel - 2021 model) makes sense if a two-week holiday can be managed from the office.

Heads-up to those planning to travel beyond Kolhapur;
I have done Pune-Bengaluru at a stretch once in 2023 (870 km in 14hrs). To avoid traffic, I usually reach Pune during the evening and start from there at around 2am. This saves from the expressway bumper-to-bumper TRUCK traffic during midnight which is like Hell!!. Driving here on an incline in heavy traffic will certainly make your knee to cry if driving a Manual car. I advise to check Maps before proceeding to Pune as +30 minutes delay is certainly waiting. As Axe77 suggested, take Old Pune Highway if it's inevitable.

Secondly, The Karad Junction is another nightmare during the daytime. The 3.5km long flyover construction is in progress and further adds pain to long journeys.

One more food tip in Davanagere, a must try Idli @ Gayatridevi Tatte Idli Hotel. A small food place. Try awesome and fresh Pedhas on the way from Belagavi to Dharwad @TruMishra Pedha. You will get fresh product from this factory outlet.

Happy Munching Miles

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

Finally someone went to Guru Kottureshwara! Most stop at that Apoorva resorts on the highway side not knowing this gem is barely 5 mins away

Have the Mod crew to thank for this fabulous recco. I’d have never known otherwise.

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

Absolutely love their doses and give Vasantha (another famous eatery) a try too next time.

Hopefully next time.

Originally Posted by graaja

That picture of the benne dosa and your GLC in the background brought back memories of my drive to Goa for the Triathlon. A picture of the benne dosa and the 3GT parked almost at the same place where you parked the GLC

I have no doubt which car makes for the better background silhouette.

I still turn around at look at the 3GT after parking it, more than 9 years on. I can’t say that for the GLC still. Something about sedans I guess.

Originally Posted by dilipkgr

One more food tip in Davanagere, a must try Idli @ Gayatridevi Tatte Idli Hotel. A small food place. Try awesome and fresh Pedhas on the way from Belagavi to Dharwad @TruMishra Pedha. You will get fresh product from this factory outlet.

Thanks dilip. Hopefully will catch these spots on some future travel.

[vikasr]

Originally Posted by 100Kmphormore

Axe, lovely travelogue. Got to do that Ratnagiri - Lonavala - Mahabaleshwar circuit once, looks amazing. Compensation for that fuel economy

Finally someone went to Guru Kottureshwara! Most stop at that Apoorva resorts on the highway side not knowing this gem is barely 5 mins away from the highway, very easy to locate from that big college campus right opposite, and has a IOCL dispensing XP95. Is my first fuel and breakfast stop ~270 km from home when doing the Uttara Kannada district or Goa in general. Absolutely love their doses and give Vasantha (another famous eatery) a try too next time.

Truly said.. On my drives to Goa (from Bangalore), we usually stay at SS hotel and eat dinner at Guru Kottureshwara (leaving Bangalore around 4, reaching Davangere at 9).. The Benne dosa is truly ravishing.. something you will not find easily in Bangalore..

[megazoid]

A nice and breezy read. And the pictures are cool too. This merc looks great for touring in comfort. Enjoyed the narration.