Well we’re coming up to the half year mark (already!), and I’d made pretty grand travel plans in the beginning of 2007.
Among, my ambitious plans was the North East, Ladakh, Gujarat, Kerala backwaters, Hampi, Bandhavgarh, a coast-to-coast road trip and one destination out of Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Lakshadweep! Now that I look at it, except the North East, it’s looking ambitious all right.
I’ll be happy if I can at least do Gujarat, the Kerala backwaters and Lakshwadweep this year.
But on the bright side, I’ve spent almost every other weekend on the road in the last two months after coming back from the North East and covered quite a bit of travelling in and around Bangalore.
The country side is lovely this season despite the heat. Though the temperatures are rising and you’re probably thinking that it’s the wrong season to travel, it’s actually quite pleasant when you’re on the move and there’s a cool refreshing breeze in the air. So those of you who are quite fazed by the heat, I’d encourage you to hit the road and not worry too much about it. It simply can’t be hotter than where you already are!
The countryside is resplendent with red gulmohar blooms
It’s time to put your feet up and enjoy the scenery going past : I’m happy that I’ve gotten some time to do that this year. But having no Internet connection at home, means that I have a huge pile up of photos to post of all the trips and a lot of pending travel tales yet to be completed.
Watching the world go by: it’s a nice lazy feeling!
After the North East in March, I did a trek to the Bandaje Abbe waterfalls in Chikmagalur district.
That was followed by a drive to Sangama and Mekedattu. We spent a long lazy weekend in the Goa Karnataka border in a small village called Nersa where I totally pigged out on the lovely food that our hosts served. And of course, living on a machan with an open bathroom was quite an experience.
Back to the basics @ Nersa
In May, we visited Terahalli (near Kolar), the Kaivara caves (near Chintamani) & Lepakshi temple town (all in a day’s work!). The next weekend, we drove up the Nilgiris and spent some time in the lovely laid back town of Wellington and went for a ride in the cute toy train that runs on the Coonoor-Ooty route. I’d recommend Wellington any day over the crowded Ooty, except that the staying options are really limited.
The town of Lepakshi is home to a beautiful temple and also the Basavanna bull
An over view of Wellington from our hotel
And June began with a trip to the tea country of Valparai, tucked in the folds of the beautiful Annamalai range in Tamil Nadu. I hope I can catch up with all the travelogues soon! Before that, I probably need to catch my breath…
Hi! Wonderful website. The pic with your feet up is just awesome and completely embodies the traveller’s spirit. Good luck with your travels. More power to you! I will live vicariously :)
Posted by The Cloudcutter | June 4, 2007, 7:05 pmI know.. I so love gulmohar and Amaltas as well! amaltas is so short lived though..
BTW come to the capital.. m sure the heat wont be a dissuading factor :p :)
PS. like the feet pic.
Posted by Twilight Fairy | June 5, 2007, 12:34 amAnita Bora — I wish your plans to come true and by saying so I will atleast have a glimpse of the places you visit thru ur photos, travelogues & prepare my Almanac :)
Vinod
Posted by Invisible China | June 5, 2007, 8:52 am@ Cloudcutter: thank you very much! have long way to go :)
@ Twilight Fairy: both of these are quite short lived actually, but the flowering season is beautiful here because there are so many of these trees. there is NO WAY i am coming to dilli in this heat ;) Will visit you sometime during the cooler months though and you have to take me around and show me the city!!
@ Vinod: Many thanks for your wishes!
Posted by Anita | June 5, 2007, 10:13 amI have been a regular visitor to your blog and really I would say that its amazing…you are really lucky to travel so much and you have got nice company too..keep it up..
Posted by Deep | June 5, 2007, 2:41 pmPlans sounds nice and interesting.
And we bloggers are sure that you can travel to many places if not all.
Would like to check pics.
Posted by Paavani | June 5, 2007, 3:04 pmHow lucky! Can’t imagine how much I miss the sweat, the sun, the rain and the mud sitting inside an air conditioned box…
Posted by Layon | June 5, 2007, 6:28 pm@ Deep: thanks deep! nice to hear from another regular :) have been lucky to find good company too, i realise!
@ Paavani: thanks! hope to do more of it this year. next year will be rest and relaxation :)
@ Layon: that’s what i do too for 5 days, so it’s nice to get out and experience the sun, the rain and fresh air on the weekends :)
Posted by Anita | June 5, 2007, 7:26 pmIf you get to Gujarat this year, let us know how the food at the only Veg McDonalds is.
Yeah, I avoid the home of the Big Mac with a vengeance, but the idea of a meatless version has always intrigued me.
–Robert (the self-confessed foodie!) :))
Posted by R.A. Levin | June 12, 2007, 12:00 pmValparai “The Rejenuating Retreat” Place
The pollution free heavenly land. Valparai is located above the 3,500 feet from the sea level on the Anamalai mountain range Valparai does not mean only a single town. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around. Facility with kind hospitality for you is assured in Valparai. The place to visit at least once in your life span. To bring out the Joy and peace within you. Visit, enjoy the pleasure of Nature, and keep the green memories alive.…..
Joshaua
Posted by Joshua | December 17, 2007, 7:20 pm