Christmas and New Year's day on Fridays; Office closed for Dec 28th on account of Muharram - that meant a 4 day leave would give me a 11 day break from office. Time for a vacation. A drive to Kudremukh from Chennai with a vacation in that area had been on the cards for a few seasons now. Here is the build up to this trip.
13 Nov: 4 plans made.
Plan 1 – Chennai – Delhi – Rishikesh – Delhi – Agra – Delhi – Chennai. Of this Chennai-Delhi-Chennai was planned by Air / Train.
Plan 2 – Same as above but go to Mussourie from Rishikesh and then return back to Delhi.
Plan 3 – Chennai – Bangy – Chikmagalur – Sringeri – Mangalore – Bangy – Chennai. This would be a road trip like last year.
Plan 4 – Chennai – Karaikudi – Rameswaram – Kanyakumari – Trivandrum – Alappuzha – Coimbatore – Chennai. Again by car.
15 Nov: Plan reviewed. 1 and 2 vetoed citing financials + logistics (stay at Delhi was a challenge as my uncle’s new house would not be ready in time). 4 was also vetoed as wifey felt it would be hectic (she doesn’t enjoy being on the road most of the time during her vacation). So Plan 3 was approved at last. Time to do my research on the net.
20 Nov: A few Resorts and homestays shortlisted – Chikmagalur seems to be full of Homestays. Mails were sent to at least 10 of them querying availability. Posted route query on TBHP and got a few prompt responses. (Refer my thread
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...need-help.html)
23 Nov: Few responses received over the weekend – some positive some negative. After some more research narrowed down on Prakruthi Holidays and Getaway Homestays. Packages for 4N/5D were quoted at around 20-24k all inclusive (Accommodation + 3 Meals + unlimited coffee!)
24 Nov: Stumbled upon Koffeewoods Homestay near Mudigere. A call to the owner Mrs. Kavya Sampath indicated that this could be the place – at 1500 per person per night it appeared to be a good bargain. However during the discussions she indicated that their policy always was to book only one customer at a time and since we were just 3 + a kid, she would have to get back to me on the rates. She turned out to be a very resourceful person with a lot of suggestions on places to visit and the drive up to their homestay. Promised to get back to her the next day to confirm.
25 Nov: Confirmed to Mrs.Kavya that I will take it and was surprised when she said she will stick to the same rates and to her policy as well. Now that was a steal – I get the entire 3 BR guest house for just Rs.4500/- day. She will get back to me on the advance and the mode of payment.
26 Nov: When I informed wifey about the deal she was a little skeptical and wanted me to confirm again. So one more call to Mrs. Kavya and booking was confirmed. No need to look for accommodation any more – she assures me. About advance payment she assures me that there is no hurry and I can pay it by Mid Dec. Looks like I will have a pleasant experience!
01 Dec: Car sent for a check – Wheels balanced and aligned. Tires rotated as one of the front tires was worn out more than the other.
08 Dec: Got an opportunity today to drive on an open road. Aaargh…. At 80 kmph and on the 5th gear the car shuddered and vibrated like a dog shivering in rain. That was scary – I was worried that the clutch problem had resurfaced. A quick call to Ignite and fixed up an appointment for 11 Dec 09.
11 Dec: Turns out that the front left tire was bad and the wheel was out of balance. I did not suspect it to be the cause as the wheels had been balanced only recently. Decide to change the tires – at least 2 of them (spare tire already had a patch on the sidewall and I was not comfortable doing a long distance with that tire.
12 Dec: Went to a few tire shops and ended up at Majestic at Egmore. Stuck a deal for 4 Yoko A drives 175/65 R14 @ 13440 which included balancing also. Got a credit of 1000 for the old shoes which included the side wall damaged one as well as the one that caused the problem. Turned out that this one had an out of balance of over 80gms!! Tires changed – all set for my drive now.
14 Dec to 18 Dec: A throat infection worsens into a bad cough – Kids are also down with similar infections. Wifey gets a mild Asthma attack. A trip to the doc reveals that it is a viral infection that will stay for 2-3 weeks!! Will I have to call off my trip?
18 Dec: Boss wants me to travel to Bangy next week to resolve an attrition crisis as well as attend a workshop. Another threat for the trip. But after some quick discussions and bargaining, the trip is scheduled just for a day on 22nd. Am worried – Bangy had some recent cases of Swine Flu and am already not in my best of health because of the infection. To add to it I will have to travel by bus. Hope I will not have to call off my vacation.
21 Dec: My brother who was not sure of making it confirms that he will join us – but a day late. Another quick call to the Homestay – yes they are fine with it.
23 Dec: Back in Chennai in one piece. But the viral infection still stays. Kids are a bit better with their exams also done. Being my last day in office before the long absence there was quite a bit to do and I was able to wrap up by 8.00 PM only. Did some last minute shopping for USB drives (to load music) and Batteries and reached home only to find that wifey had just started packing. After a quick dinner I join her in packing and by the time we are done it is past mid night. By now my cold is bad – I hope it doesn’t worsen further. Have to get up tomorrow morning at 6.00 AM - plan to leave home by 7.00 AM. Good night.