Quote:
Originally Posted by MX6 Isn't this bridge strangely similar to what vrprabhu has posted in his log? |
Yes, it looks similar to that.
Thanks ampere. Yes, water, water..it was..more of that to follow as we proceed to coastal Karnataka later in the day. Was exciting scenes for someone like us! I was thrilled and wife even scared at times seeing so much water all around so near to us!
Ok, just a flash-back to Day 14 -
The dilemma
When we stopped at Medicari road, Mysore at restaurant for eating something before proceeding to Medicari; I was feeling little dull, low on energy and confidence. Its effect was compounded by the fact that it was nearing 6 pm! Locals told it is approx 3.4-4 hrs journey, with some 30-40 kms ghat section at the end.
Now, two imaginary things got me worried: 1. Coorg is famous for rains, so we are sure to get rains there and we were going without Hotel bookings; 2. We'll be reaching there around 9.30 -10 pm.
So the scenario I imagined was we reaching tired in an unknown hill town in heavy rains, without knowing which hotel to go where? etc, etc.
This was the second time I got lil concerned. The other one was at Hyd during onward journey to BLR.
We deliberated a lot, restaurant manager told, there are several hotels, and this off-season, so you'll get hotel; will have to search a bit, though, which you can do as you have own vehicle. At one time we almost decided to stay back at Mysore and start next morning, even thought of leaving Medicari; but didn't want to leave coastal KA entirely (NH 17 pull effect!). Then going to Udupi/Murdeswara meant taking Medicari route was best choice. Family left it to me.
Finally, I announced our whole trip has been fueled by our spirit only, falling short of confidence like this will have a demoralizing effect on that spirit. So, let's continue with the same spirit. Despite being lil low on energy, driving those 130 kms in night was never the thing I was worried about.
Exciting drive to Medicari:
So we left around 6.15 pm or so from Mysore. Immediately after restaurant break, withdrew some cash from an ATM. It was still some daylight. Road was super smooth, and soon I settled to a good rhythm. I knew this road would bifurcate at some point where Hasan and Medicari road would separate out. So we were looking out for the signage. I thought road after that bifurcation may not be as good as this SH was. But, to my surprise road continued to be good even after leaving Hasan road. It has become dark, but drive was thrilling as strong breeze was blowing, though it was pleasing, but, it was too strong and noisy, so we continued to be on AC. At one point, one local speeding Scorpio overtook us lil rudely at a speed breaker (there were quite a few well before Kushal nagar). After some point, I overtook normally as that got a lil slow. But, as it happens quite often, he might have speeded up afterwards; so when next frequent breaker came, I braked lil hard to avoid the sharp bump, at the same time, we herd sharp noise of heavy breaks and tyre scratching the road!! Wife and son got curious, 'kya hua' (what happened)! I told nothing much, the gentleman behind us pushed the pedal blissfully forgetting that we are passing through a road where frequent speed-breakers are coming. Actually, he had to break so hard, to avoid hitting our back that it got pulled lil to a side! Seeing that, I immediately went to extreme left side and gave him/they the way to zoom away to their glory!
I have read about bad roads to Medicari, specially after KushalNagar. It actually, was bad but only inside KushalNagar town, rest of the stretch was totally done up recently
. That proved a very welcome help for us. In dark, even ghat section didn't feel much! Only during last 15-20 kms, I knew that we going up, but it looked very mild elevation, though curves in road were very sharp, but road surface was new and black smooth! and traffic was very negligible after Kushal Nagar.
As expected, it started getting foggy/raining when Medicari was 15-20 kms. We slowed down considerably, at times visibility became very low. soon we reached the outer limit of Medicari at 9 pm, it was raining mildly. That was the scenario I was worried about! Going out at night in that weather and searching for room! HVK sir has mentioned name of one known decent Hotel, before that we got another on raod, got out with umbrella, asked, they said sorry its full as some conference is going on in the town, he referred to the one suggested by HVK sir, went there. It was raining heavily at that time. Lot of cars were parked outside, so I thought here also we'll get same reply! Yes, our guess was right. They said we are full here, but we have a homestay some 4-5 kms away, but that is suitable if you were a group who needed full set of 2 rooms. We took their card, came out towards Bus stand, turned to a street downhill, looked around, saw few boards, one was closed renovation, etc. It was still raining. Finally, I parked and went to another one (forgot name, will have to check notes/ receipts) which had lot of parking space as it also had a Cine theater and small shopping complex in same premises. I approached the receptionist with hopes in my eyes, but doubts in my mind! He said, yes, we have, charges were just 800 Rs. (Non-AC), saw the room and took immediately at 9.45 pm. Was a big relief, unloaded required luggage, room boy also brought dinner from nearby veg restaurant. Slept in pleasently cool but comfortable weather amidst rhythmical sound of falling rain drops on green trees and shrubs, to keep you reminding that you are in Coorg region!
Pics from next day (15) Medicari sight-seeing I have already posted last evening.
We inquired from hotel about sight-seeing and decided to check the Omkareswar temple and Abhe water falls. The Raja seat was not going to be much attraction in rains, and we have set to leave Medicari by 12 pm so as to reach Udupi by evening.