Chennai Mumbai Drive

Route:
Chennai - Bengaluru - Hassan - Bellur - Chikmaglur - Dutta Peeta - Mullayangiri - Chikmaglur - Balehunnur - Kalasa - Kudremukha - Sringeri - Koppa - Teerthalli - Sagar - Jog Falls - Honavar - Karwar - Goa - Ratnagiri - Mumbai.


Date: 11th April 2009 to 16th April 2009
Distance covered: 2000 km.
Car: Fiat Palio Dec 2001 Model 1.2 ELX.

Ground Rules we laid for ourselves
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1. Avoid temples ( Everywhere in India there is famous temple. We did not want to end up visiting temples)
2. Avoid commercial places. For example prefer virgin beaches like Karwar than Goa. Prefer a small hotel in small town than a fancy hotel.
3. Have local food. In south India I always preferred Meal. Thats the most local you can get.
4. Travel not more than 400 km in a day.

Note: My car broke down at Rajapur, 60 Km before Ratnagiri and 400 km before Mumbai on 16th April 09, 9:30 pm. Got it towed to Anand Motors (TASC) at Ratnagiri and took a lift to Mumbai.

Here is day by day details
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Day 1: I took Palio around 10:00 am on 11th April Saturday. Got insurance done and couple of other fixes and started for bengaluru around 3:30 pm. We reached at my brother place in BTM Layout at 9:30 pm sharp. We took NH4 and had to pay toll tax around 5 to 6 times. For one way it ranged from 25 to 50 Rs. For both ways it was just 30% more. We paid around RS 200 as toll. The road from Chennai to Bengaluru is amazing and we touched 120 km/h easily. In Bengaluru we were caught by police( and not traffic police) and we showed that we are tourist and showed toll tax receipt and he allowed us to go.

Day 2: We left Bengaluru next day 12th April, Sunday and took Kanakpura road and then a right towards Nice Road. This meets NH4 again and its super 4 lane road. There were some tolls here too. We took left turn for Hassan. This road is very bad for some 5 km stretch. We dropped my brother and sis in law there and took SH for Bellur. This road is just amazing from scenic beauty point of view. You will see windmills, lakes and ghats. Took a break at Bellur. There is an ancient temple there at just 1 km diversion. 5:15 pm we left Bellur. We crossed Chikmaglur and took small road for Kemmengundi. This is very bad road as road per say but provides some breathtaking view. This is also very steep road. Now here comes our first shocker of tour. Around 6:30 pm we got flat tyre when were still good distance away from Kemmengundi and it was dark outside. We changed the tyre and decided to stay in first hotel we will find. We did some bargaining and found a resort by name 'Holiday House' on Duttapeeta road. Its a good place to stay.

Day 3: We went up to Duttepeeta. Its among highest point in Babubudangiri. It looks like a famous religious place for Muslims. We looked like only Hindu in the region. We decided to return back to Chikmaglur as we were behind schedule and we wanted to fix our stepney asap. Kemmengundi was still 25 kms away. While returning back we took right turn (7km) for Mullayan Giri, the highest point in Karnataka. You need to take your car to the top and then climb couple of hundred stairs. I would recommend this big time. This was major highlight of the whole trip. While returning to Chikmaglur we realized that horn has gone down, flashlight not working, and fuel indicator also showing tank empty. We took it to garage and got things fixed. It took 5 hours. We left for Balehunnur around 5 pm. Route to Balehunnur is good. Dont miss Badra Coffee Works shop on the right. You get coffee directly from coffee estate. Took a left turn from Balehunnur for Kalasa. Stayed at Kalasa in the night.

Day 4: Got the tank full, had breakfast and left around 8:30am for Kudremukha. This route is again awesome. This passes through tea estate. Don't miss tea at Sri Ganga tea shop. We went inside tea estate and took some good photographs. Move to Lakya Dam
in Kudremukha. This Dam has been closed for three years. Not much there. This road is again awesome and we found couple of water falls Kadmba and Srigoonthi on the way. From here it was straight drive to Jog falls. We also got chance to see a big black snake on the road en route to Sringeri. We reached jog falls around 4 pm. Initially, We got very disappointed looking at water. It was very thin stream. We talked to local people and and hired one guide. He showed us some good points and made the journey memorable. So A big recommendation for first timers, HIRE A GUIDE otherwise you would definitely miss some cool stuffs. We moved from there around 6 pm. This road is again awesome as it moves along Sheravati River and hills. We reached Honavar around 7:30 pm and decided to stay.

Day 5: Started from Honavar around 6:20 am for Karwar. Its a straight 90 KM on NH17. Its an amazing route as roads run parallel to Konkan railways. You can see valley on one side and sea on the right hand side. There are lot of rivers which cuts through or runs parallel to this highway. Roads are mostly 2 lane. We reached Karwar around 8 am and had heavy breakfast at Udupi restaurant. I liked the breakfast and I would recommend it. From there we went for Devbagh beach. We reached some beach but I don't think it was Devbagh. There was no water sports there. So we started asking people and reached the tourism office and on our request they gave us half day package for Devbagh Beach Resort. We had to request as Half day package starts at 1:30 pm but we were in hurry and it was just 10:30 am yet. Manager was good to accommodate us so early. From there we took the motor boat ride to resort and we had great time. The island was beautiful. It had 5-6 cottages and equal number of tents. You could count number of people there. Beaches were very clean and untouched. We left the place after having good lunch. We started for Goa around 3:00 pm. NH17 at Goa was disappointing. It looks almost like city road. Whole Goa looks like one city. Our speed here was slow. We didn't stop in Goa and moved further into Maharashtra.

I would like to mention one incident. When we entered Goa, the state border police stopped us for papers. I showed all the papers (RC book, insurance and Karnataka pollution check certificate). Car was in my friends name. After finding all my papers fine he asked me for 50 Rs. When I asked what for he said its entry fee. I checked if I will get receipt he said no. I did not move for a minute and another vehicle driver comes in. On seeing my reaction the police asks me to go :).
I think its my another small win against corruption. So people beware. DO NOT PLAINLY GIVE AWAY BORDER ENTRY FEES.

Our plan was to halt at Ratnagiri but around 100 km before car started giving cranky sound every time clutch was used. We stopped at Rajapur but by that time it started giving smoke and smell. We showed it to local mechanic and he said clutch plate is gone and car can't run. It has to be lifted or towed. That was a big shocker and we were not prepared for that. We decided to stay in hotel nearby and handle problem next day. We stayed in Foodland hotel. I would not recommend it.

Day 6: We woke up around 8am and I started making calls to movers and packers. Initially, they quoted around 4 to 8 K. Then same people revised their quote and minimum quotation was 5.5 K. Also earliest they could pick the car was next day. Also since car cant be driven there was no question of point to point delivery. I had to pick it from Panvel. Then we dropped this idea. I talked to Fiat and Tata guys and found there is one authorized center in Ratnagiri. So We thought of taking it to Ratnagiri somehow. I stopped a Tata Indica and requested for towing. For my surprise he got ready. We bought a nylon rope tied to cars and started towing. Ropes could last for only 5 kms and gave way. Then we went back and got a metal rod for towing. My Palio was smelling even on neutral so we decided to leave the car there and go to Ratnagiri and found proper tow vehicle. We reached Anand Motors, Ratnagiri. I gave him key, got the estimates and left in Indica for Mumbai. I confirmed with Anand at 6 pm that my car is safe with them. Finally I reached home 10:30 pm and I thanked the Indica guy for his help and gave some cash as a token of appreciation.

Thats my first travelogue and I sure had some good and bad memorable moments.
I will provide link for pictures soon.