Sudden plans do work out in Bangalore when planned at least the previous evening , but there exists a hangout spot just outside the city limits for which least planning is required. "Heaven" would be the ideal replacement for the term "spot" as you can witness the clouds walking with you. Yes , it is the famous NANDI HILLS. With a travel of just under sixty kilometres, one can turn any ordinary Saturday into a refreshing one .
The clock was striking ten on a busy Friday evening when it was decided that the bike ride next morning will start at half past four . And exactly at the same mentioned time I started , surely not the bike but from my bed. I still wonder why two things never go with each other, Men and Early morning wake ups. As the eight of us started from our stay place , rain god also started to show up. My heart stopped shock of a plan cancellation image in front of me, till when one of the brave hearts came up with a statement....
"YOU PLAN ........ YOU FINISH" .............................."LETS GO"
Those were the last words to be spoken as we started our bikes and caught up with the National Highway(NH7 at Hebbal ). From there it was a straight drive .The morning twilight deserves a mention here, as driving through the dawn into the crack of morning was a picture portrait for all of us. As planned, the first landmark to cross would be the Toll Gate near the International Airport. Another fifteen km down the lane, one has to take left at THE NANDI CROSS [ Large government direction boards are placed throughout the NH to guide the travellers] . As a formal patch up of the bikes, there was a small halt there . By the time the last bike reached , it was already morning.
Following the repeated sign boards would lead you to the base in no time but in such a shivering climate , one could not resist a cup of hot steaming tea . Tea and Biscuits with a such a scenic background will pump your hearts to move on...
From the base, the curves take you along a fog filled path where vehicles at ten feet distance are invisible .
" AM FLYING OVER CLOUD NINE " would be the apt phrase to describe the situation out there but I bet there were more than nine . All drivers should have a check on their speeds for both, the opposition vehicles on the low lighting track as well as the sharp and dangerous bends.
Our photographic temptation made us halt at couple of places which delayed the climb up journey ,but the sounds of peacocks and the early morning breeze made up for the delay. More photographs were lined up like this one -- mild appearance of daylight over the dew drops on the green leaves .
After many a bends of slow turns , we reached atop and parked the bikes at the entry gate. Bikes are not allowed beyond this point as the roads are not well formed. From here, we started walking .Starting alongside the Fort we walked till the Kalyani pond , a huge and majestic one which was nearly empty... Few minutes later we moved on the path of dewy trees to a small hillock which offered a scenic version of the view below. Nandi Hills also boasts the origin of rivers like Pennar, Palar and Arkavati .
As we move further , one can cross a 1300 year old Dravidian style temple . Further down , artificial tree house and bridges have been newly constructed for sight seeing purposes. These offer great photographic locations. By then , it was nine and we were hungry for a snacker. There was only one food supplier available at the Nandi top where you get hot beverages, Dosas and Egg omlette at very high expensive rates.
Few more photographs and it was time to start back. We followed our trail back and reached the Nandi base .
A refreshing and mind changing experience for those who had their whole week busy with the city life and routines..More than anything , anyone who drives on their own will enjoy the driving at NANDI HILLS.
In order to assist future trips, details including timings and fare have been approximately jotted down below.
DETAILS:
Date:25August, 2012,Saturday
Co-Trekkers: Velu, Shamil, Oliver, Musthafa, Balaji, Ajith, Airin
Trip:
05.30-- Veeranapalya (my stay place) to Airport Toll gate via Hebbal
06.30-- Nandi Cross
06.40-- Tea at T-junction
07.30-- Reach top (delay due to photographic sessions)
09.00-- Breakfast (costly, Bread omlette-50, Dosa-45)
09.45-- Start to Base
Until Next trip...
Gilbert
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Any day can turn out to be a holiday if you know how to do it~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The clock was striking ten on a busy Friday evening when it was decided that the bike ride next morning will start at half past four . And exactly at the same mentioned time I started , surely not the bike but from my bed. I still wonder why two things never go with each other, Men and Early morning wake ups. As the eight of us started from our stay place , rain god also started to show up. My heart stopped shock of a plan cancellation image in front of me, till when one of the brave hearts came up with a statement....
"YOU PLAN ........ YOU FINISH" .............................."LETS GO"
Those were the last words to be spoken as we started our bikes and caught up with the National Highway(NH7 at Hebbal ). From there it was a straight drive .The morning twilight deserves a mention here, as driving through the dawn into the crack of morning was a picture portrait for all of us. As planned, the first landmark to cross would be the Toll Gate near the International Airport. Another fifteen km down the lane, one has to take left at THE NANDI CROSS [ Large government direction boards are placed throughout the NH to guide the travellers] . As a formal patch up of the bikes, there was a small halt there . By the time the last bike reached , it was already morning.
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| Nandi Cross |
 |
| Route to the top |
" AM FLYING OVER CLOUD NINE " would be the apt phrase to describe the situation out there but I bet there were more than nine . All drivers should have a check on their speeds for both, the opposition vehicles on the low lighting track as well as the sharp and dangerous bends.
 |
| Fog filled Nandi Roads |
Our photographic temptation made us halt at couple of places which delayed the climb up journey ,but the sounds of peacocks and the early morning breeze made up for the delay. More photographs were lined up like this one -- mild appearance of daylight over the dew drops on the green leaves .
 |
| Dew Shot |
Nandi Hills definitely can be called "cyclists paradise" as many bikers/cyclists were gaining altitude through this seven kilometre ride. It is true that Nandi Beta makes the perfect gateway for hill training but high endurance levels are a must to cycle here.
 |
| A lone cyclist enjoying his ride uphill |
 |
| Nature at its best |
Few more photographs and it was time to start back. We followed our trail back and reached the Nandi base .
A refreshing and mind changing experience for those who had their whole week busy with the city life and routines..More than anything , anyone who drives on their own will enjoy the driving at NANDI HILLS.
In order to assist future trips, details including timings and fare have been approximately jotted down below.DETAILS:
Date:25August, 2012,Saturday
Co-Trekkers: Velu, Shamil, Oliver, Musthafa, Balaji, Ajith, Airin
Trip:
05.30-- Veeranapalya (my stay place) to Airport Toll gate via Hebbal
06.30-- Nandi Cross
06.40-- Tea at T-junction
07.30-- Reach top (delay due to photographic sessions)
09.00-- Breakfast (costly, Bread omlette-50, Dosa-45)
09.45-- Start to Base
Until Next trip...
Gilbert
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Any day can turn out to be a holiday if you know how to do it~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plan without Execution is waste of time. Execution without Plan is Useless. When,
ReplyDeletePlan and Execution comes together that will be the best. This is the best one...
I hope next one, will be to Wayanad...
Ya thats true... But most of the time, we plan something exciting and what happens is even more exciting
ReplyDelete