Announcement

**The Monk** · 10-24-2013, 11:58 AM

Travelogue Approved

Nice one sir

**ridermax** · 10-24-2013, 12:40 PM

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

As dusk sets in we can see the light fading away over the hills. A silence sets in and slowly creatures of the night venture out and we hear hushed scurrying movements.

The night after a ride is always special. We feel pleasantly tired and as we wind up and slip into bed, images of the day flash through your mind like a slide show until we doze off.

The place we stayed at is up on a hill and nights can be quite chill even at this time of the year. I woke up early and went out on the balcony and this is what I saw!

The hills all around are covered with fog like a mantle and it takes quite a while for the fog to lift as if reluctant to leave its embrace with the trees.

We could spend hours watching this beautiful slow dance of nature. We finally break away to get ready for our next leg- onto Coorg.

LEG 2:

Mananthavady/Kartikullam/Tholpatty/Hudikeri/Gonikoppal/Kushalnagar/Bylakuppe

We leave after breakfast. There was a Hartal on that day and most shops were closed and the roads were deserted. So another lonely ride through the forests of Wayanad until we cross the Kerala border into Kodagu.

The forests give way to coffee plantations with pepper and oranges in between. We know we are in Coorg by the surroundings and the people.

We soon reach Bylakuppe and the Nyingmapa Monastery where we are to spend two days. Even after numerous visits to this place we are somehow drawn to this peaceful Tibetan settlement (although the weekends, especially the daytime can go berserk with tourists).

More Coming Up

**Divya Sharan** · 10-24-2013, 12:59 PM

**Night_Shade** · 10-24-2013, 02:02 PM

**ridermax** · 10-24-2013, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Divya Sharan View Post

Lovely sir! Bring it on... You're living a biker's life in truest possible sense. And I must say that you're lucky to have found such a lovely companion too who supports and accompanies you in all your endeavors.

Thanks a lot Divya! Yes biking is a deep rooted passion and thanks to God we both just love the adventure of the open roads!
Take Care & Ride Safe

Originally posted by Night_Shade View Post

Lovely trip sir.. its not for everyone to live a dream

I do hope you enjoyed every minute of your ride with your companion

Thanks a lot!

The majority of tourists leave by evening and calm descends. The Tibetan monks with their Zen like peaceful attitude draw us into their world of prayer and meditation. We spontaneously feel an inner calm and begin to reflect on the need to slow down, to release the throttle of our hectic lives.

The early mornings are cool and quiet and I we take a walk to the Temple which is empty and glorious inside. I sit down to meditate for a while enjoying the sounds of silence.
The monks in procession on their way to the Temple for Morning Prayer are surely a sight not to be missed. With their colorful robes and prayer books they assemble on the Temple steps for their morning chant. We are filled with respect for their devotion and orderly attitude.

We also have our very own @The Monk on our forum!

After breakfast we take a ride to Madikeri just for the sake of a ride and after a cup of coffee we return and ride to Harangi Dam. On our last visit there in August, the sluice gates were open and the water was rushing down with an awesome force, but this time the gates were closed.

By afternoon we are back to our room to relax and chat with some of the monks and prepare for our ride back the next day.

The Return Leg:
Kushalnagar/Periyapatna/Hunsur/Mysore/Bangalore

On Sunday morning we say goodbye to our friends and hit the road again. The Madikeri/Mysore road is amazing to ride as many of our biker friends will know. We never tire of this stretch even after numerous rides. Ask our good friend @phanikar who holds a “frequent rider” card on this stretch!
By afternoon we are back home after an enjoyable ride. The weather was lovely and the Rain Gods let us pass through without a drenching.

So Until The Next Ride...Adios & Ride Safe!!

**phanikar** · 10-25-2013, 11:33 AM

**Astan** · 10-25-2013, 02:07 PM

**Lonely Rider** · 10-25-2013, 04:00 PM

**rx100.7050** · 10-25-2013, 05:05 PM

**harikeshpk** · 10-25-2013, 09:30 PM

**Haroon** · 10-26-2013, 01:50 PM

**ridermax** · 10-27-2013, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by phanikar View Post

A double thumbs up ride Sir

Thanks a lot Phani! Thought of you often on those stretches

Originally posted by Astan View Post

A charismatic pen from a zealous rider

Thank You

Originally posted by Lonely Rider View Post

Wow one more ride and that too to Madikeri!!! Speechless sir. Ride Safe

Thanks a lot Ram! Actually I had messaged Phanikar to find out if any of our friends were around there so we could maybe meet. He mentioned that you may be at Suntikoppa during the weekend. we rode through there on the way to Madikeri on the 19th. Maybe we'll meet up on some future ride

Take Care & Ride Safe

**rxdude** · 10-27-2013, 11:14 PM

Originally posted by rx100.7050 View Post

Wonderful!!! So much greenery! I liked the pic where the food was being served on a Banana Leaf. Perfect. It used to be like this in Kolkata too few years back.

I think that its a plastic banana leaf, sad to say thats the way Kerala is moving, even for something simple as banana leaf is substituted with plastic.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Awesome ride Sir!!

**ridermax** · 10-29-2013, 10:22 PM

Originally posted by harikeshpk View Post

another great ride from you both. thanks for sharing. great pictures and write up.

Thanks a lot Hari! So glad you liked the write up & pics!

Our Regards & Best Wishes To All of You

Originally posted by Haroon View Post

Applause. Another beautiful & enjoyable ride.
Atleast I can take a peep at all your rides for doing someting similar when I have my bike in Bangalore.
Regards to wife and ride safe.

Thanks a lot Haroon! Always a pleasure to hear from you

Yes after you finish your 'global exploration' (which I feel you've got your priorities dead on straight!!) you can always come back and explore our country which we both love so much!!
Meet you in Bangalore!!

Announcement

ï¿½Kerala Crossingï¿½ï¿½Highways, Forests and a Monastery

ï¿½Kerala Crossingï¿½ï¿½Highways, Forests and a Monastery

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment