Monday 13 June 2016

Bangalore to Kodaikanal trip by Bike

When: 11th, 12th June 2016
Destination: Kodaikanal - Tamilnadu
How and who all are: Myself(Apache) Anjana, (Avenger)
Odometer reading: 1020Kms.
Route MapBangalore – Salem – Dindigul – Kodaikanal – Forest trails(Pannaikadu - Thandikudi - Pachalur - Oddanachatram) - vedasandur - Salem - Bangalore.

Short and sweet description:
            Finally "The Princess of Hill stations - Kodaikanal" has been covered on my bike. The best stretch of the trip is not covering kodaikanal alone, the forest route which we have chosen to explore has added extra memories to my life. 

Searching for affordable hotel with great view of ghats, 
The late evening walk around Kodaikanal lake, 
Having sizzling idlis while enjoying the view of waterfalls, 
Finding a "punture shop" while we were in the middle of forest stretch.

Every mile was memorable. To make it very simple, it's a much needed and "stress buster" trip. 

Travelogue:
          So far, 2016 is a worst year for me. Due to some issues, I couldn't able to travel anywhere. Forget about bike trips:-(. During the start of 2016, I had an eye injury while I was on a photography road trip, resulted in losing the vision in right eye.

Every one will come across worst stage of their life. It was my turn to face that stage.
I was at the lowest point of my life. 
Due to the eye injury, I was taken away from my work, away from Bike trips and roads, away from Photography, and daily life was disturbed.

To make it short,  
....almost, after 2 months of recovery time. I was back to normal life with blurry vision in right eye. Blurry vision is much better than "no vision at all". 

I was prepared that, after some time I’ll be used to blurry vision. But, Only thing which was bothering me "Light sensitivity - A photophobia" - a state where light causes pain in eye.  
It was hard to digest that,  "I should live rest of my life with light sensitivity".

That’s the time, I’ve decided to check how far I can ride with current state.
Soon, I’ve decided to go Kodaikanal on the coming weekend. Anjana was ready to join me. 

Day 1:
      As per the plan, Our meeting place is “Hosa-road junction”.
I have reached the spot 10mins earlier than planned time. while cross checking, whether the bag has been tied properly and adjusting tank bag.. Anjana has reached the spot.

After a formal greetings, we’ve started our Journey to Kodaikanal.
As there is no traffic in the morning , we have crossed the city within 10mins and in another 5mins we have crossed the Karnataka-Tamilnadu State border.

Another 30kms of ride took us near to the “Shoolagiri Forest stretch “
As the sun rises, the golden rays are breaking through the misty highway road. 
Everything was looking different to my eyes. A slight doubling effect everywhere. I know it can’t be better than that. Just have to adjust to the new vision.

While proceeding towards Krishnagiri, A Beautiful mountain beside the highway caught my attention and halted for a quick photoshoot. 

As usual, I’ve used my right eye to see through viewfinder of camera to take the snap. After taking the snap , realised that.. Due to blurry vision, I couldn’t able to judge the sharpness of the image and simply clicked it.

Resulted in below image which is not sharp. Next image onwards, practised to look through left eye and capture.
Near Shoolagiri

 After 10mins of break, resumed our ride.

As me and Anjana prefer to ride at 90-100kmph speed on highways, we are cruising comfortably at that speed. The feel of “wind hitting the knees” is priceless and made me feel like “close to nature”.

Soon we’ve crossed Krishnagiri. The roads after krishnagiri are having very less traffic as majority of vehicles goes towards Chennai . With the proper average speed, we’ve rode for another 60kms and stopped for having breakfast. 

It was very short break, quickly finished breakfast and back to our ride. 
By Enjoying the beautiful landscape views on either side of the highway, by 1’o clock we have reached the outskirts of Dindigul.

We’ve  almost spent 1hour to reenergise ourselves. As the weather is very hot, With a hope of chilling weather in Kodaikanal, left the place. 
We’ve simply followed the Sign boards to reach the junction where the road towards Kodaikanal joins highway. Took right turn over there and continued our ride.

After riding for another 30kms,could see the start of ghat section . As we ascend, I could feel the air getting chilled and we are getting covered with lush green landscape views. 

As we moved further, this beautiful breathtaking view welcomed us.. 
This time I've tried to capture the snaps looking through left eye. It’s bit difficult during the start, but managed to get beautiful pics. :-)



Enjoying the view

Curvy roads

Breath taking views

Mist everywhere

Completely lost in mist

Clouds and Mountains are best combination


We’ve spent some quality time enjoying the views. With the couple of stops hear and there, By 4’o clock we are in Kodaikanal. 

    As usual, 2-3 people approached us while we both are discussing about where to stay and all. 1 guy dominated other  2guys and started explaining about his hotel and price list. Our requirement is very simple “ CHEAP hotel with BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF GHATS”

While the 1st guy is trying to convince us to stay in his hotel.. another guy simply asked us to follow him for VERY cheap hotel with beautiful views of Kodaikanal ghats.

The funny part is, he took us through the streets of Kodaikanal. After taking 10 Left turns.... 5 right turns… 10 ascending and descending in ghat, finally reached his hotel. As he promised, the view of ghats from hotel room is good.Even though Room is very congested, we’ve decided to stay there itself as it’s under our budget.

Quickly got fresh up and headed towards Kodaikanal lake as it’s getting dark.

Till night we’ve roamed around the lake and streets of Kodaikanal.
Here are some pics from day 1




Mountains hiding behind clouds


Deep valleys

zoomed to 300mm

Romantic weather isn't it??!


Ufff.. another Romantic feel shot

That's the view from our hotel

Landscapes everywhere




Kodaikanal lake

Kodaikanal Lake

Myself

Anjana

Day 2:

        Me and Anjana are least bother about checking tourist spots in Kodaikanal.
So instead of wasting time by visiting jam packed tourist spots, we’ve decided to ride via forest stretch, rural villages and connect to Bangalore highway.

     Anjana had the route map from where we can enter the dense ghat section which is less explored. 

While descending from Kodaikanal towards dindigul, took “Pannaikadu - Thandikudi - Pachalur - Oddanchatram” to explore the hidden roads of Kodaikanal western ghat section.

             Initial 5-6kms ride didn’t give me anything great feeling. But, As we cross villages and move further, we are getting close to nature. Sooner we are inside the dense forest. All I could feel is,ascending and descending of ghats. 
Every turn is giving mesmerizing views of nature. 
The chilled air is very refreshing.  We have come across hardly any traffic(mostly government buses). 

As per plan, We suppose to descend the ghats and reach oddanachatram by 11. But due to Anjana’s bike puncture, we got delayed by an hour and reached dindigul- Bangalore highway by 12’o clock. 

The rest of the ride on highway was good. Without any issues, with a sufficient breaks, by 8’o clock in the night we’ve reached the Bangalore.

As I mentioned earlier, It’s memorable and refreshing trip.
It made me realize that, I can continue my bike trips and my photography passion even with the blurry vision in one eye.

To all my blog readers, I would like to mention only one-thing here.


Don’t let anything stop you from "living your passion".
We have just one life… only one chance. #LiveLaughLove.


Now it’s time to let images talk about our trip.

Kodaikanal lake

Kodaikanal lake

Pannaikadu - Thandikudi - Pachalur - Oddanchatram stretch

Pannaikadu - Thandikudi - Pachalur - Oddanchatram stretch

Pannaikadu - Thandikudi - Pachalur - Oddanchatram stretch












Fishing near Oddanchatram.

Fishing near Oddanchatram.



ooh... are you capturing me.?


Pillars rock

Pillars rock




Roots

Misty day








Waterfall



     Happy Reading
\m/ Happy Riding \m/