Southern Odyssey : Dec 2017
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We had leaves in hand, the year was full busy and we desperately waited for the December break . Last week had only 4 working days, so we chose to be in office and welcome the new year from the coziness of our nest. So the targeted date for break became the second week of December starting 11th.
For some personal reason we missed the 11th date which was Monday and it seemed this trip will get cancelled. On Tuesday i.e. 12th Dec we got up late as there were no trip plans and we were on leave. Around 12:30 pm we decided to give it a shot. We knew we were less on day counts as it was already Tuesday and we had to be back by Sunday. So we did a quick packing, had lunch ordered from a nearby restaurant and we were all set (mentally) for the bon-voyage. We had no proper plan as the plan was already cancelled when we missed the Monday timelines (which was suppose to start at 4 am on 11th Dec).
I was very keen on tracking all my trips going forward by carrying a small diary . It will help in reliving and cherishing on the good times spent when away from home. So to summarize , we were fully ready now as we had made the decision not to waste the opportunity.
However quickly we tried to start the trip, by the time we hit the tarmac it was already 3:40 pm. WE had literally no plan. So it was decided we will see what time we reach Salem and there we will take a call if we want to go to Madurai same day or take a halt. Roughly we had decided the following :
Bangalore -> Salem ->Madurai -> Rameswaram -> Kanyakumari -> Madurai -> Kodaikanal -> Bangalore
By the time we finished the trip it changed as :
Bangalore -> Madurai -> Rameswaram -> Madurai -> Kodaikanal -> Bangalore ... The reason we felt that Rameswaram alongwith Dhanuskodi added more value spritiually as well as visually. So Kanyakumari was shelved for some other time.
Coming back to the journey, we hit tarmac at 3:40 pm . Joined the electronic city - hosur highway at Bommanahalli. Time was on my mind and I wanted to skip the traffic without wasting time as fast as possible. It got impulsed by the full JOSH of going on a vacation. At 4:26 pm we reached Anekal toll , paid 25 rupees and moved forward. It seemed my white beaming beauty CRETA was also waiting for the cruise (considering the Bangalore's insane traffic), so on the highway hitting 120 kmph was feeling like a piece of cake. In was surpassing most of the vehicles wityh ease and at the smae time not compromising on safe driving. Before Krishnagiri we saw the test drive of a new bike which was hidden in camaflouge color. We however could not identify the make and built. The test rider had felt our intention to take photo and so he slowed down. We could not wait, so we decided to move forward, just waived at him signaling, bro we knew :-).
As catching up with time was the prime agenda for today's travel and deep down my heart I was feeling I can make it to Madurai if I maintain the pace, so we (me and my wife) decided to ignore our urge for tea and take the first break at Salem. We crossed Krishnagiri toll at 5:12 pm , paid 65 rupees (almost 81 km) from Bangalore now. But then I saw the petrol indicator and realized we need to refill so that we do not have to worry later. At 5:25 pm we stopped for refill. My wife was doing an excellent job at measuring and keeping track of all data in the travel diary and I felt blissed when I saw her notes. I realized we might travel whole world but it is the company which keeps you motivated and going. I thanked God once again that he had blessed me with such a companion. So we refilled for 2996/- rupees and 41.1 lit petrol @72.88 rs per liter. We crossed Dharmapuri toll at 6:06 pm and I realized that I can easily make to Madurai by 11 pm. The toll at Dharmapuri was on higher side (90 rs) but who can complain if you get a world class highway for cruising. I have realized that in last 10-15 years the roads in India has become very good and now we can cruise all over India on good roads. All we need is the zeal for wanderlust.
At 7:09 pm after crossing Salem toll (75 rs) we took our first break. We savored on local tea and bhelpuri . It was refreshing and mouth watering. We wanted to take dry bhel but the vendor insisted on trying local style of eating the Bhel. We could not say no to his request however scared in the heart that if it wont taste good it will be tough to discard it in front of him. It may hurt his sentiments. But man o man when we put the first bite in our mouth, we decided , this whole trip, we will survive on the local cuisine and delicacies. The Bhel tasted excellent, the tea was different . Slowly we were falling in love with our decision to start this trip. Der aye durust aye. We knew this trip is going to be one of the most memorable trip which we will take together. We have accommodated everything in this trip, spirituality, sea, sand ,hills, hot and sweaty weather, cold, waterfalls, beaches, you just name it and not to mention one of the char Dham yatra.
In 3 hours 30 minutes we had reached Salem. I was outperforming my own timelines and it was evident now to us, we will hit Madurai on the same day. After good half an hour break, we resumed on our Southern Odyssey journey, feeling fresh on full stomach. But then immediately we missed the Salem bypass and went inside Salem town. It was a small detour of 10-15 minutes and I realized 15 minutes is not much so there was no need to panic. With the help of google aunty we came out of the town and merged on the Madurai highway.+
.
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We had leaves in hand, the year was full busy and we desperately waited for the December break . Last week had only 4 working days, so we chose to be in office and welcome the new year from the coziness of our nest. So the targeted date for break became the second week of December starting 11th.
For some personal reason we missed the 11th date which was Monday and it seemed this trip will get cancelled. On Tuesday i.e. 12th Dec we got up late as there were no trip plans and we were on leave. Around 12:30 pm we decided to give it a shot. We knew we were less on day counts as it was already Tuesday and we had to be back by Sunday. So we did a quick packing, had lunch ordered from a nearby restaurant and we were all set (mentally) for the bon-voyage. We had no proper plan as the plan was already cancelled when we missed the Monday timelines (which was suppose to start at 4 am on 11th Dec).
I was very keen on tracking all my trips going forward by carrying a small diary . It will help in reliving and cherishing on the good times spent when away from home. So to summarize , we were fully ready now as we had made the decision not to waste the opportunity.
However quickly we tried to start the trip, by the time we hit the tarmac it was already 3:40 pm. WE had literally no plan. So it was decided we will see what time we reach Salem and there we will take a call if we want to go to Madurai same day or take a halt. Roughly we had decided the following :
Bangalore -> Salem ->Madurai -> Rameswaram -> Kanyakumari -> Madurai -> Kodaikanal -> Bangalore
By the time we finished the trip it changed as :
Bangalore -> Madurai -> Rameswaram -> Madurai -> Kodaikanal -> Bangalore ... The reason we felt that Rameswaram alongwith Dhanuskodi added more value spritiually as well as visually. So Kanyakumari was shelved for some other time.
Coming back to the journey, we hit tarmac at 3:40 pm . Joined the electronic city - hosur highway at Bommanahalli. Time was on my mind and I wanted to skip the traffic without wasting time as fast as possible. It got impulsed by the full JOSH of going on a vacation. At 4:26 pm we reached Anekal toll , paid 25 rupees and moved forward. It seemed my white beaming beauty CRETA was also waiting for the cruise (considering the Bangalore's insane traffic), so on the highway hitting 120 kmph was feeling like a piece of cake. In was surpassing most of the vehicles wityh ease and at the smae time not compromising on safe driving. Before Krishnagiri we saw the test drive of a new bike which was hidden in camaflouge color. We however could not identify the make and built. The test rider had felt our intention to take photo and so he slowed down. We could not wait, so we decided to move forward, just waived at him signaling, bro we knew :-).
As catching up with time was the prime agenda for today's travel and deep down my heart I was feeling I can make it to Madurai if I maintain the pace, so we (me and my wife) decided to ignore our urge for tea and take the first break at Salem. We crossed Krishnagiri toll at 5:12 pm , paid 65 rupees (almost 81 km) from Bangalore now. But then I saw the petrol indicator and realized we need to refill so that we do not have to worry later. At 5:25 pm we stopped for refill. My wife was doing an excellent job at measuring and keeping track of all data in the travel diary and I felt blissed when I saw her notes. I realized we might travel whole world but it is the company which keeps you motivated and going. I thanked God once again that he had blessed me with such a companion. So we refilled for 2996/- rupees and 41.1 lit petrol @72.88 rs per liter. We crossed Dharmapuri toll at 6:06 pm and I realized that I can easily make to Madurai by 11 pm. The toll at Dharmapuri was on higher side (90 rs) but who can complain if you get a world class highway for cruising. I have realized that in last 10-15 years the roads in India has become very good and now we can cruise all over India on good roads. All we need is the zeal for wanderlust.
At 7:09 pm after crossing Salem toll (75 rs) we took our first break. We savored on local tea and bhelpuri . It was refreshing and mouth watering. We wanted to take dry bhel but the vendor insisted on trying local style of eating the Bhel. We could not say no to his request however scared in the heart that if it wont taste good it will be tough to discard it in front of him. It may hurt his sentiments. But man o man when we put the first bite in our mouth, we decided , this whole trip, we will survive on the local cuisine and delicacies. The Bhel tasted excellent, the tea was different . Slowly we were falling in love with our decision to start this trip. Der aye durust aye. We knew this trip is going to be one of the most memorable trip which we will take together. We have accommodated everything in this trip, spirituality, sea, sand ,hills, hot and sweaty weather, cold, waterfalls, beaches, you just name it and not to mention one of the char Dham yatra.
In 3 hours 30 minutes we had reached Salem. I was outperforming my own timelines and it was evident now to us, we will hit Madurai on the same day. After good half an hour break, we resumed on our Southern Odyssey journey, feeling fresh on full stomach. But then immediately we missed the Salem bypass and went inside Salem town. It was a small detour of 10-15 minutes and I realized 15 minutes is not much so there was no need to panic. With the help of google aunty we came out of the town and merged on the Madurai highway.+
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