Tributes to my faithful companion on many a bike trips spanning across South India - from Karwar to Pondicherry, from Hyderabad to Kanyaumari, from Vizag to Palakkad and from Chennai to Mangalore - the CBZ is finally gone. Its been in a very bad condition off late and hardly usable even for commute within city! Hard decision - but it was finally time to say adios!
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What's new?
I always wanted to return to Savandurga, ever since a bizzare trek in March 2004 when I lost way and headed to the nearby jungle. This time, the trek was quite 'normal' as five of us - Santa, Tilak, Sudeepto, Gopal and me - headed to the foothills on our bikes and reached the top of Billigudda effortlessly. This was also the first time ever, three of my interests - Biking, Trekking and Photography - came together. A month later, the ghosts of the March 2004 misadventure was exorcised completely when I went back to Savandurga to complete an exciting trek to Karigudda.
After visiting Sabarimala for three years I did prepare a Sabarimala Pilgrimage page, to share my experiences from the hallowed hills of Ayyappan.
A ten day official trip to Beijing allowed me to get a quick glance of the Great Wall of China at Badaling - along with some of the finest examples of Chinese architecture - the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. On my way back, I took a eleven hour stop at Hong Kong, to check out the Ngong Ping 360 cable, Tian Tan Buddha and the Victoria Peak.
A perfect adventure to the top of Wayanadan Mala confirmed all the theories. The mystical Wayanadan Mala does exist and towers above the entire Wayanad. It also offers a great view of almost entire North Kerala and many peaks in the region. With a certain satisfaction, let me add that Chembra peak and the twins adjascent to it looks miniscule from the top of Wayanadan Mala!
Four day solo road trip through Valparai, Athirapally, Eravikulam and Bodimettu. The main aim of the trip was to drive though the ghat road from Aliyar to Valparai, forest road from Valparai to Chalakudy via Sholayar and another ghat section from Munnar to Bodimettu. I could also get a view of the Anamudi peak at Rajamalai, near Munnar.
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