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Mekedaatu

I joined a Yoga and Pilates session at office, last month, to try and do some good to my abused body. Our group went on a one day trip to Mekedaatu last Saturday (3rd March 2007) along with the aerobics batch!

We left early Saturday morning and picked up people on the way and had breakfast at some restaurant in Jayanagar and proceeded to Sangam (where Kaveri and Arkavathi rivers meet). Time flew in the cab amidst games of Antaakshari and Dumb-charades! We reached Sangam by around 10:45 AM and stopped our cab there and then started off on a 4 km ‘trek’ (rather walk) to Mekedaatu.

Mekedaatu

Mekedaatu

Following an interesting walk and some time spent admiring the gorges and scenery at Mekedaatu and many photos later, we returned to Sangam on a rickety old bus, sucking on a ‘lolly’ (ice-candy), on a bumpy road!

We then spent the rest of the evening playing in the waters at Sangam. There were quite a few water-battles between us and we had lots of good fun! We left the place by around 5:30 PM.

The day out was good and the place is ideal for a one-day escape from the madness of the city. Made a lot of new friends and some good ones, especially one special person, and will never forget this trip for the people I met. It felt like my soul was covered with dew drops!

More photos here

Feb 5, 2006 - photo, photoblog, travel    14 Comments

Muthyala Madu – Pearl Valley

My parents wanted to go on a drive someplace today and we decided to go to Pearl Valley near Anekal. We are members in the Pearl Valley Resort and since it has been quite a while since we last went there or since we heard from the resort, we decided it’s best if we go and see if the resort still exists!

We set off around 12 noon or so on the 45 km drive to the resort. We took the Bannerghata road and the traffic on that road was really pathetic thanks to some road repair work (finally). We stopped enroute for lunch at some dhaba. The roads rapidly deteriorated and driving was hell. We thought of turning back several times, but then decided to continue since we had already come this far.

Just before the road to Bannerghata National Park, we had to take a left and proceed further to Anekal and then had to take a right to Pearl Valley. We reached some sort of check point, where we had to pay 12 bucks (for cars) and proceed. We reach a “junction” where we had to take a right to go the resort or go straight to go the waterfall. we wanted to check out the resort first so we took a right and drove down on the worst road (if I may call it that) I have ever driven upon and finally reached the resort…or whatever was left of it.


Pearl Valley resort
The defunct Pearl Valley resort

The resort is pretty much closed now. Only the caretakers and some other people were around. Nothing was operational (not even electricity!). Well we heard that the resort has been taken over by a new management and might be revived in a few months time. So let’s hope something comes out of it.


Pearl Valley resort
The rooms from outside
We then left the resort and went to check out the famous Muthyala Madu. Once again the roads were terrible. We soon reached a KSTDC canteen, where we were surprised to see many cars and bikes. From here one needs to climb down some steps to reach the falls.


Muthyala Madu Steps
The steps that lead to the falls (and there was a lot of it)

We had to walk down quite a few steps to reach the falls, which was another big disappointment. The falls had dried up and there was only a small shower of water. The place had paper and plastics and bottles strewn all over, which was very sad to see. There was also a temple and a shop selling refreshments at the base.


Muthyala Madu falls

Muthyala Madu falls
The (lack of) water falls

We climbed back up and went to the canteen had coffee and left the place for the 50 Km drive back home. Since the Bannerghata route was terrible, we wanted to avoid it and so we took a diversion near Anekal and got onto Hosur Road, which is so much better a road, in comparision to what all we had just gone through. The return was smooth and much shorter (time-wise) and about the same (distance-wise), compared to Bannerghata road.

In the end it was just a nice big drive today for me. Would have enjoyed the drive more if the roads were in a better condition. For other planning on visiting the falls — It would be better to visit the falls after the rains, when it will be in full force and the Bannerghata route is to be avoided. Hosur road is much better and faster.

Ethnic Day

Ethnic Day celebrations were held at office today and it was nice fun seeing everybody in ethnic clothes. Ofcourse not everybody came in ethnic wear and for the many that were in ethnic clothes, there was a contest at the end of the day to judge the best dressed men and women.
Kundan and me


Kundan and Vinay

The trio from Nitte: Bhargav, Ajith and myself

All in all it was good time pass and we were told that more such events would be held at regular intervals.

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