Re: A solo ride to "Scotland of India", Kodagu.

Thank you so much sir. Your travelogue about S3 was just breath taking. Respect

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Thanks a lot Krishna.

Re: A solo ride to "Scotland of India", Kodagu.

Day 3: Madikeri - Dubare - Golden Temple, Kushal Nagar - Chennai.

Distance Covered: 640 Kms.

Fuel expense: 910 INR


Had a sound sleep the other night. The wind has calmed down and breeze was pleasant. The alarm went off at 7 Am. Another huge day for me as I have to cover few more places en-route and head straight to Chennai. Went to the same milk parlour and had a coffee. I was hoping for a clear sky as I need to cover a large distance and the rains may pamper my start. Just as I expected, it was a clear sky and for the first time I was able to see the sun shining very brightly. Took a shower, packed my things and bid adieu to the receptionist and thanked him for being so kind. Mounted by luggage in the beast and tied it. In the mean time my dad rang me thrice to make sure that I've tied the knot properly without any issues.

I wanted to visit three places that were close by.
1. Raja's Seat
2. Madikeri Fort
3. Raja's Tomb.

Raja's seat is just a Km away from the hotel. It has a park outside and was well maintained. There was no crowd since it was in the morning with only few college girls taking selfies. The Raja's seat was breath taking, it gives you the full view of Madikeri with coffee and tea estates and also the curvy roads that goes to Kushal Nagar. Took some pictures and moved to Madikeri fort. Spent not more than 5 minutes at the Fort took some snaps and proceeded towards the Raja's tomb. Did the same thing and rode all the way to Dubare.

Once again, it was a pleasant climate and the roads were slightly descending as I kept moving towards Kushal Nagar. Less traffic and no pollution makes the environment to look more magnificent. Then I suddenly came to my senses that I didn't have my breakfast. Just 5 Kms before a detour towards Dubare found a Kerala restaurant. Had Poori Masala and a Tea. Asked for the route to Dubare and he provided me with the accurate directions. One more thing I would like to include. Don't drink plenty of water when you are at a hill station as you will end up stopping every once between 10 kms. That is what had happened for me. Never mind!

Took a right after 4 Kms to reach Dubare. The roads were narrow but no patches or pot holes. Plenty of buses from Kerala, TN and AP were towards the same destination. Reached Dubare. I was very much excited to go for a river rafting, which I've never done before. Since I was alone I had to wait for sometime to join a group. Found a team that can include me in the session. The trip includes a brief session that includes a drill. After the monsoon, barapole river was just ferocious and I was scared and excited at the same time. Followed all the instructions as accurate as possible. Those 3 Kms stretch of rafting between the jungle was just amazing and I've no words to express how I felt. This is something which everyone must try. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures as I had everything packed up before setting my foot in the river.

Rafting is one of the best ever experiences that I've had! Even if you miss any other places it doesn't matter but ensure that you go for a rafting at least once. It was already 12PM. I had no interest or time to give bath to Elephants or go for a ride. I need to visit the golden temple before I start my journey to Chennai. Came all the way back and got myself back into Mysuru road and crossed Kushal Nagar. Just after the bridge there's a right that would take you all the way to Namdroling Monastery and popularly known as "Golden Temple". Just like Dubare this place was crowded as well. May be due to the weekend factor. What an amazing architecture and I took a long breath on seeing the marvelous golden temple. Kushal Nagar has plenty of Tibetian settler and it will give you a feel that you've set foot to a different country. Such was the atmosphere. The 2nd place I would always recommend to the visitors. Pay a visit at least once to this monastery. Had a peaceful time there.

That's it, the game was about to end. No other places are on my chart and I need to head back to Chennai. Took the same route, reached Hunsur and proceeded towards Mysuru. As usual was traveling via the same NH-275 and there were no signs of detour to bypass Mysuru. All it showed was SR.Patna Industrial estate. I knew this could be the road and jumped into it. First phase of the road, may be close to 7 Kms is a treat to your back. You might even consider getting down from your vehicle and relaxing a bit. I didn't do that since I wasn't tired. The second phase was too good and connected to the same NH-275, which comes to the backside of a Mandir. In quick time reached Srirangapatna. The same bridge where I posted a picture of day 1, there was an accident as a car fell into the river. I'm not sure about the causalities. Reached Mandya, by the time I entered the town it was congested all over. Added to my inconvenience, one side of the road was partially blocked due to a meeting. It took me 15 odd minutes to pass through the traffic. Every time I evade the town, I get into the cruising mode to match up the time that I lost in the traffic.

Stopped 80 Kms before Bangalore. Found a decent restaurant and had Chicken Rice. After a good meal, proceeded towards Bangalore. As soon as I crossed Ramnagara, it was traffic all over the highway . As amods mentioned in this thread, I felt like I was driving with the same urban traffic with more than 80 Km/ph. With that kind of traffic and the speed, its highly dangerous to dodge between the buses. So, I always kept driving left. All of a sudden it was Toyota Kirloskar convoy crossed the signal. It may be close to 20 buses. I would have felt happy if it crossed the signal after I had passed it but unfortunately I had to keep tailing this convoy and the drivers were pathetic as they all drove past 70 despite truck traffic and BMTC buses along. After an horrible tenure of a 45 minute ride, reached NICE toll. The traffic at the NICE was exactly the opposite that I had mentioned on Thursday. It was full of two wheelers and cars proceeded towards Bangalore and Hosur. I witnessed plenty of two wheeler riders to be driving very rash. Crossed NICE toll and landed on the Hosur Road. Spent not more than 2-3 minutes at the signal before the electronic city toll gate. And I thought why would people always rant about Bangalore traffic as it wasn't that horrible. Crossed Hosur with a thunderous speed, all thanks to Usain Bolt.

By this time, I became little weaker. My body was once again showing the signs of discomfort. Had to stop for a cup of tea after crossing Hosur. Called my parents and told them that I'll be home in another 4 hours of time. Hosur to Ranipet had no traffic and the road was splendid. Covered 200 kms in less than 2 and a half hours. Fastest for the distance that I've ever covered. Reached Ranipet and I know what's going to happen next. The roads will become narrow with patches all over. The truck traffic from Karnataka, AP and from other states will join here and since the sun has gone down, I had to be very careful.

Those 100 Kms were horrendous, it was a real pain. Yet, I manage to weave through all the traffic and reached the Pennalur toll gate. Gulped in two packets of Real fruit juice and caught the Outer Ring Road at Ponnamalee and reached home by 9:45 PM.

Time for some pictures.


Found a beetle at the parking



Few Pictures at the Raja's seat





Yours truly at the Raja's seat



Madikeri Fort and Museum










A mouthwatering breakfast




A board that displays Dubare Camp with a paddy field at the backdrop






Entry to the Dubare Camp



The only picture I took at Dubare



Entrance to the Golden Temple



The sight that took my breath away

Re: A solo ride to "Scotland of India", Kodagu.

lots of greenery around