We all know that year 2020 has been harsh on us. We have experienced many new things, both good and bad. It was the first time for many of us to stay indoors for such a long period. While we were indoors, we were engaged in multiple wars. Let it be Psychological, financial, or physical war. Lots of plans had either got canceled or postponed. Amidst all this, I had never thought that I will visit Coorg in the year 2020.
My plan at the beginning of the year was to ride to Chikamagaluru during monsoon. Which was washed due to COVID (Pandemic). Like many others, I have the least habit of staying indoors or at one place for a longer period, and spending lockdown at one place for such a long duration was taking a heavy toll on me. However, with the help of my parents, I was able to survive and pass this period. While I was managing myself and sailing through corona (pandemic),
However, After all the scuffle journey of my life since the month of August and the only way to get through it was to take life consequential decision. That's when I had decided to go for a ride because a solo ride helps you a lot.
It helps you meet yourself, it helps you get lost in nature's beauty but still find yourself, and for me, it has worked as a reboot button and finding a new me.
So after long research and inquiries, I decided on riding to Coorg, as it will be a short, beautiful, and fun ride.
The plan was to leave Bangalore on the 14th of September and it was a two-day ride. Keeping all the precautions in mind, I had booked an OYO sanitized stay.
Ride day.
I got up early and offered early morning prayers, Loaded my bike, and bid goodbye to my parents. The first place I had planned to visit was Golden temple and as per google aunty, taking the Hassan - Mangalore highway would be the best option. So I headed towards that route.
As usual, the Hassan Highway was boring as it one straight road. If you have a liter-class bike or wish to zoom through the way in your car this a perfect road to munch in the kilometers fast and reach your destination. However, If you wish to enjoy your ride and if you are a nature lover it's a very boring route. However, my problem was solved when google realized what I was looking for and took me through some internal routes. One more thing I realized on this ride is that life may or may not throw challenges to you, however, google maps will surely do.
It will test your riding skills more than your father or mentor.😃
However, adventure travelers like challenging routes, as mentioned earlier smooth straight highway draws us to fatigue mode.
So just 70 KMs before the golden temple, I found a beautiful spot and it was worth stopping, and I realized that I had not taken a break since I started my journey. So took a coffee break and enjoyed the beauty around.
After finishing my coffee, continued my journey. Soon, I reached the Buddhist society and as I was getting closer to the place, my smile kept increasing inch by inch inside my helmet. However, luck had something else, planned for me.
The moment, I reached the gate, I got to know that the temple is closed for tourists. Which means the information received was wrong. However, with the help of a local guy, tried inquiring about the other places which were on my to-do list. He suggested the nearest best place to visit is Nisargadhama.
After having a word with him, I headed towards this place. But believe me, guys, the network around this place is very bad. You can't completely rely on google maps, you have to use the former way that is to ask the locals. So I got the route and reached the location, however, I was still skeptical to enter this place or it will be a waste of time. As, while entering the place I felt like I'm entering a gosht village of Aahat Serial. Again, with some locals inquired about the place.
Nisargadhama
It is famous for two things, boat ride and deer sighting. Due COVID(Pandemic) boat ride was closed but you can sight Deers grazing. The park is good, however, the lockdown had made it a spooky park. Less visitor, so less maintenance.
So coming back to my part of the experience, the one that changed my mood was a hanging bridge at the entrance. Once I crossed that, I saw statues portraying the traditional dance of Coorg and traditional wear. Moving ahead found a couple of treehouses, however, most of them were locked. (quite disappointing). Finally, at the end of the park, I could see Deers grazing... That's when I felt really happy, it was so wonderful to see them, one of them had such a majestic look, that I was like wow... You can see the same in my video...
Nisargadhama Park..
After Saddling up, I tried to look for my hotel location. However, as the network at that location was very poor, I wasn't able to use maps or the Oyo app. At last, I just stopped at a hotel nearby and then inquired about my hotel. The hotel staff was very nice, they explained to me the hotel location and the places that are open. After discussing with them, I thought that it's not worth staying back, Also, If something has hurdles and not happening multiple times, I prefer not going ahead with that.
So now the plan was to head to Raja Sear Viewpoint and head back to Bangalore. And I must say my decision of visiting this one place was actually worth it. To my luck, it started drizzling and the journey through the woods became more enjoyable. there are many places in India, where you don't have to depend on the tourist spots, the journey itself will give you immense pleasure, especially if you are riding.
Raja Seat:
This place I must tell you, can't be described in words. The Raja Sear park is actually a sunset point. However, this place will not disappoint you even if you are not able to witness the sunset,
Luckily, I found a place to keep my luggage in a store next to the ticket counter. Later got to know that the store is of "Coorg Flavours", this company is an all-women company, it was an initiative to stand back on their feet after the recent flood that took place in Coorg,
The staff was kind and very friendly, Instead of souvenir, I preferred purchasing the authentic Coorg coffee powder from this store. While having coffee, I realized that this is my second coffee of the day and had not stopped anywhere for breakfast or lunch.
I anticipate that solo travel has made me a more independent and carefree person. When I'm on a ride, I hardly feel hungry or thirsty, It's only when I realize that hydrating your body is necessary for the ride, I take a break for drinking water or else, I just love to fly on the open roads.
Anyways, after keeping my luggage and taking my gadgets, I went inside the park and I must say it's a magical park. I went through the park and reached the viewpoint and lost myself. I just got hypnotized after witnessing the beauty of that place. If you see the park it, not that big, however, the view is enough to make you stay there for hours together.
I tried thrice to leave that place and took three climax shot of my video. But, I ended up spending more than two hours at the location. I would strongly suggest anyone who is visiting Coorg/Madikeri to visit this place, you will surely fall in love with it.
As I thought my trip is over and I will be just be heading back home via Mysore( as I don't like taking the same route while returning). I was proved wrong. I was proved wrong. It was like "Picture Abhi Baaqi hai mere dost". The greenery continued on the way back along with beautiful twisties, it made me feel that this place will not let you go empty-handed even if you did not explore it completely. You will always return with a bag full of memories.
As we riders say, "It's not about the destination, It about the ride you do". If you believe so, you should visit this place and you feel relaxed. But conditions apply, you must take the same Hassan Highway on the way back too...
You want to know why??? Then scroll down and read the climax.
It was around 7 PM when I reached Mysore and it had been more than 12 hrs that I was on my bike except for the breaks I took at Nisargadhama and Raja Seat. However, I was still fresh and energy was high enough that I could more couple of hundred kilometers. However, after making a stop at Fish Land on Mysore - Bangalore Highway for the meal the day,
Yummy Fish at Fishland
I continued towards Bangalore. Alas! This is when I felt, for the second time in my riding history, I have taken a bad route decision.
Though there were street lights on the highway they were turned off and further ahead I found the road as has been dug on both sides, making it narrower than usual. Oh my god, Oh my god,! it was such a nightmare riding on this Highway. Roads are narrow, no street lights, speed breakers are not illuminated and to it with cherry on the Cake is facing Highbeam from the opposite traffic. It was just a blind ride of 150Kms. The Mysore highway has a ritual of ongoing construction for the past many years. This was once a night drive spot for Bangaloreans who would go on a short spin. However, I would never suggest anyone use this highway post dusk.
So, this how my beautiful ride had a terrific end. To be on the positive side, I consider it as " Nazar Ka Tika". lol
Hope you like the story of my short ride. I'm writing this blog after a long gap. Please share your feedback in the comments section,
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