Category: Travel

Drove to Ooty


After reaching Coimbatore went to my uncles house to got ready and proceeded to Ndot.

After finishing some official work with Ndot CEO Mr. Nanda it was time to Drive to Ooty.

Here is the synopsis of the trip;

– Nanda, Subbu (host, chef & guide), Vignesh & me are the famous four folks for the trip.
– I had to do some shopping & we broke the group into two & decided to meet at Mettupalayam. – Nanda & me went to R.S.Puram & I brought a wind cheater & a cap from Reebok. Then we got a set of Sunglass & went to Seasons to cool our body with some fresh Juice & eyes with some beauties at seasons.
– Then we started to drive to Mettupalayam, but we met other folks even before Mettupalayam.
– From Mettupalayam we took Kothagiri road instead of Connur road.
– Then we came to a guest house 17 KM away from ooty. No house near by & it is surrounded by Vegetable fields.
– It is a serviced guest house with 3 bed room, a attached loo & bathroom, a kitchen, a hall with TV. All this for just Rs.1000/- per day.

I’ve no words to explain the experience. Have shot a lot of snaps which I’ll publish on Monday. For now enjoy the snaps taken from my blackberry.

Traveling in Mercedes Benz Multi Axle Bus


Travelling on Mercedes Benz would be a bream for any normal person & I’m no exception to it. Sadly I’ve never travelled in a Benz vehicle.

Yesterday when I went to Parveen Travels website to book my tickets back to Chennai I saw an update telling new mercedes benz multi axle bus from Trivandrum to Chennai. Then after searching for ticket I came to know that bus goes through Madurai. I got thrilled & decided to travel on the bus at any cost.

When I checked the cost it was Rs.700/- only. I paid Rs.685/- for a Volvo multi axle to come to Madurai. But that extra money isn’t an issue as;

  • They are making our dream of travelling on Benz a reality.
  • They gave a paper carry bag with 500 ml water bottle, a Maa mango juice, a biscuit packet & wet tissues. They give us the feel of flying on an aeroplane.

I must thank Parveen Travels to bring elite things to common man. Also they keep innovating new things to attract their customers.

For sure Parveen Travels is going to be no.1 private player when it comes to travel. I’ve changed my loyalty from KPN to Parveen Travels.

Weekend Plans were Screwed


After a long time I’m having a bored weekend at Madurai. After relocating back to Chennai a year back I use to complete my trips during weekdays & return to Chennai to enjoy weekends.

This time I planned to mix my trip with a weekend because planned for a trip to Kuttralam or Kumily.

But all plans were screwed by a friend who spent major part of his previous week at Kodaikanal. Also he never hinted that he is going to screw the plan.

Last 3 days we met for dinner and dispersed. Some spice were missing in our meetings. Even today we went for lunch & had a afternoon nap & they went back home.

Finally I had Major for rescue. Went to Coffee Float, a walk at race course road & a walk in our area. It was a nice 4 hour where we were sharing out personal life experience, some official & some nostalgic discussions.

Some how I passed the weekend & its time to concentrate & finish my visits purpose in next two days.

From Alleppey to Chennai


My original plan after my tour of Alleppey was to get back to Madurai and then return to Chennai. But i was scared of Laxman’s driving and i decided to get back to Chennai directly as i had a company with Rooban. So this is what happened;

  • We had no bus from Alleppey but there was a train by 4 PM. Rooban assumed it would be full and he suggested going to Cochin will give us more options.
  • We boarded a Bus to Cochin with was one and half hour drive from Alleppey.
  • Cochin was hot but was very nice city with was calm & had all attributes of a city.
  • We got down and went to a place called M.G.Road which was a shopping area having lots of Big shopping centers.
  • The same road had offices of many Private bus operators office & all the busses to Chennai were full.
  • Then we took another auto and went to government bus-stand. Here all busses to Chennai have already left. Also bus to Pondycherry was full.
  • Then we took an auto and went to Railway station only to find all trains running full.
  • Then again came back to Government Bus-stop.
  • Only choice was to board a bus to Coimbatore and the choice were a Trivandrum – Coimbatore bus which was about to come by 4.30 & a bus to Coimbatore from Cochin by 5.30.
  • Since it was 3 o clock we had to wait till 4.30 & all bus had route names in malayalam and things were again confusing.
  • Still bus to Coimbatore hasn’t arrived and we decided to board a bus to Tirupur and thought of boarding a bus to Coimbatore from there.
  • When we sat we got an announcement telling Trivandaram – Coimbatore bus has arrived and we were lucky to get a cramped last seat.
  • We had a hectic bumpy journey and we travelled through Tirupur – Palakkad & finally reached Coimbatore by 11 PM.
  • Coimbatore is a place which doesn’t have a night life. Even second show movies starts by 8.30. Hotels gets closed by 10 PM.
  • All bus to Chennai have left & again we had to work on options.
  • We had a choice of leaving to our relatives house and start the next day. But i didn’t want to do that because the hard travel from Alleppey will become useless.
  • We were lucky to get a cramped Mini bus which was overly dumped and no space to even stretch our legs.
  • We had to immediately board the bus and we have no time to have dinner too.
  • Then after 2 hours of drive driver stopped to have some tea and there i had a Maaza and we started again.
  • Finally the bus reached Chennai by 9.30 AM.

Finally reached Chennai after a hectic travel for 21 consecutive hour. All this was possible only because of the the Ayurvedic Massage i had in Alleppey which kept my body cool.

Alleppey Experience


It was very stressful and I went to Kumily along with my Madurai 3 weeks back. There we planned & decided to goto Alleppey, Alapuzzha & spend a day in House Boat. From then we were counting days the day. I travelled to Madurai last Thursday and reached Madurai. Then following are the events that happened;

  • Reached Madurai refreshed & Took bath.
  • Then went to Manoj’s juice shop and Laxman picked me up in 10 min.
  • From there we went to a supermarket and made some purchase.
  • From there went to Marverick GYM met friends & asked Sathish to get ready.
  • Then went back to Manoj’s house and picked him form there.
  • Manoj went to attend a small Shop-opening & Laxman and I went to Medical shop and brought some medicines.
  • Then went to Toddy shop has toddy.
  • Picked up Sathish & started to drive to Alleppey by 12 noon.

We took Theni, Cumbam, Kimily – Alleppey road which is a Ghat Road. As usual it was a pleasent Gods own Country and i’m thrilled to see houses which were big and small towns having good looking girls, posh houses, good roads etc.

As usual it was Laxman driving style which made me & sathish sick and we had to sleep to avoid side effects. After hectic 6 hours drive we reached Alleppey with the help of Google Maps which navigated us to the place.

Then we stayed in a hotel called Arcadia Regency. To be frank it was a good hotel in apprearance otherwise;

  • It had a swimming pool which was small & poorly maintained.
  • Rooms were very average with flickering lights.
  • Toilets were average too.
  • Service was also poor.

But we had a wonderful party & we all crashed to sleep without our conscious and i was the first to crash to bed. Then it was Laxman & I who got up early in the morning and then we went to buy fish for people who are Non-Veg and wanted to have Sea food. We first went to the beach and we were told catching was poor that day and the minimal amount of fish they caught had to sent to the market. We immediately went to the market and brought different verity of fish & crabs for Rs.5000/-.

Then we had a swim in the hotel swimming pool and we proceeded to board our House Boat and we were 3 hours late.

We sailed some 50 KM that day before we halted by 6 PM. Again it was great fun and we all were partying hard and last guys to crash were Laxman & I. Then i slept in the morning and got up a hour before we landed again.

Over all it was a great experience because we went with friends. But it has other challenges too like;

  • Sathish went ill and he is hospitalized for last four days because of food poisoning.
  • Rooban got hold of Malaria.
  • This was not the right time to travel as it was too hot and not enjoyable. But tariff of house boat are at its low because it was off season.
  • One great lesson too. We went there thought a friend and he arranged a boat for us and they charged us Rs.9000/- for house boat for a day. But when went enquired later the charge for the boat was Rs.6000/- only. So visit different House Boat  agents and take best call.

Other than that it was a great experience and here are some snaps of our House Boat;

Laxman & I (Me wearing CSK Jersey)

Way to the Room & Kitchen

Hall with Dinning Table & Television

Front View of House Boat. Rooban & Manoj in the terrace.

Thekkady Experience


It was a hectic month of April and we slogged and finally reached our Months target. But excessive work load and personal financial commitments took its tool and I started suffering from severe Fatigue. I was able to feel it as i was unable to take decisions, my planning were slow and really i was unable to work. I badly wanted a break.

Then i called my friend Laxman and asked him if we can go for a vacation. Again I was not in a position to loose any of the working day. Since it was vacation Laxman, Sathish & I decided to goto Thekkady, Kumily. We started our drive from Madurai by 8 AM on Saturday.

Kumily is just 120 KM from Madurai and we reached the place in 2 hours in spite of having breakfast in a place near Madurai. This place is special for Mutton dishes and no other dish would be available here. Since i’m a Veggie i had to settle with Papad, Vegetables & Curd.

Upon reaching Kumily we went to a resort named Greenwoods and we were given a authentic welcome. I’ve seen such welcome given to Cricket players in airport or at hotels. We were welcomed by offering a jasmine garland, keeping a sandal bindi & tender coconut water.

The we checked in the room and we immediately proceeded to Pool, the playing room & then we drove some 15 KM towards Kattapana to taste Toddy. But the toddy was old one and it took a tool on our stomach immediately. Then we returned to resort and started partying.

Then next day morning i had good Keraly ayurvedic Massage to reduce the body heat and immediately we proceeded to Thekkady. But the park was closed due to over rush. But we made some shopping and we were stratled to see how place was changed. I’ve been here 20 years back as a child and it has none of what the place sports now. The lodge we stayed was bad. But this time there were many 5 star resorts & Hotels, Shops etc.

On returning we vacated the room and we drove back to Madurai. En route we made a halt near a Vinyard in Cumban and brought some fresh grapes & drank some fresh grape juice. From there we drove non-stop to Madurai and reached Madurai by 4 PM on Sunday.

I must say this 2 days stay really was rejuvenating and bought me back to my routine & fresh. This trip was really exciting as it was not a tedious journey as it is just 2 hours drive from Madurai and also the the travel is a gift to ones eye as we have to cross lust green farms, mountains, vineyards, rivers et more.

Also Greenwoods Resort provided a great experience. When every i want a break i’ve planned to simply goto Kumily & stay in Greenwoods Resort for 2 days and i can be back fresh.

Sleeping in the car


We reached Yelagiri hills by 3.45 AM and we cornered the car on a busy street. Life here got started by 4 and lots of people & vehicle movement started to increase and nothing disturbed us. But an old man woke Kavi asking if we want any room or guide.

From then Kavi didn’t allow us to sleep from then on and this is how we slept.

Had Dinner in a Dhaba


En route to Yelagiri came across a Punjabi Dhaba and we immediately entered the place.

Wonderful ambiance but food was ordinary. Here are some snaps;

Driving to Yelagiri


Had a long day of sleep & started my day by 8.30 PM. Picked up Rooban from Cogzidel & Kavi from Velacherry.

Then we drove to Mayajaal and we thought we have to do something different. We all unanimously decided to drive to Yelagiri.

Immediately we took U-turn and went to Kavi’s room and he took his clothes.

Then I asked my sister to pack my travel kit and to charge my mac notebook, because I need it to charge my BlackBerry. After having life has changed & business is not getting affected.

Today we will lead a pure gypsy life style. We will sleep inside the car or on road. Refresh on the road & take bath in some water stream. Will live blog all the experience. Please stay connected.

Trip to Katappana


Last Tuesday I went to a place in Kerala called Katappana a hill station bordering Kambam Medu in Tamil Nadu.

My friend use to hype about this place. Since I didn’t have a feel of it I took him lightly.

We casually started our drive from Madurai where in my friends picked me from my house in SS Colony which is en route to Theni.

We had non stop drive and crossed Theni, Samayanallur, UthamaPalayam, Cumban & Cumbam Medu.

Cumbam Medu a hill-station which is a part of Tamil Nadu and it has 18 hairpin bends. Roads were bad, people were tan looking tamils & dry trees.

One can see a 360• Change after crossing the check post. Lust green trees, good roads, fair men and women with typical Kerala costumes. I’ve never felt this change in borders.

Then in 20 min we reached Katapanna and all this 20 min drive I was startled to see posh bungalows and a town which was as posh like a city.

Then my curiosity made me to read about Katappana and I was amazed to know that the place houses many hospitals, educational institutes, shopping complexes & it is spice capital of Kerala. Also for some time land prices were much expensive than cochin.

Then we booked a room to refresh our self and proceeded to a toddy shop and I tasted toddy for the first time. Also I took some snaps of the place, toddy shop, toddy & hotel where we stayed.