All about my travel experiences: April 2015

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Trip to Gandikota, Bellum Cave and Gorantla

I came back home and on my way back I was thinking 18-Apr-2015 is bandh, so we should go somewhere rather than sitting at home doing nothing. Its Friday 17-Apr-2015 evening and told Runai why shouldn't we go to Gandikota and Bellum Cave because last time we lost all pictures because SD card was corrupted. She was ok and we decided that we will leave really early and don't want to get stuck in bandh. I booked the hotel online and since we visited this place a month back, we know where what needs to be done. We packed food and water and other necessary items are always packed for us.

Its 18-Apr-2015 and we got up at 2:30 AM, and started by 3:30 AM. we left Karnataka boarder by 5:30 AM and mid way we filled petrol. Since we know the route, it was not hard for us. We stopped mid way and had breakfast which we made last night.

Early Morning View

Next we took pictures for sun rise and it was beautiful and next another session of photography before reaching Gandikota. We reached the place at 10:30 AM and remember its summer time, so temperature outside is 35 degree.

Hotel

We didn't do anything that day other than watching TV, sleeping and eating inside the room. Evening we went to the terrace and got some nice pic of the place and spent the evening sitting in the play ground inside their property. We ordered for dinner and back to room. Dinner was served inside the room and at 10:00 PM we are in bed.

Its 19-Apr-2015, I got up at 5:00 AM and spent my time outside and enjoying the morning. Runai got up at 5:30 AM and were ready by 6:00 AM to visit the place. Its 2 km drive from hotel to Gandikota fort.

Gandikota

We went straight to the gauge and took some picture. Since its rocky terrain, you make your own way to weherever you want to go. Next we went to the temple which is ruined and next we went to the mosque which is relatively new and the wagon building. These are all in same place. Next we went to another temple which is in good shape and few ponds for royal people and jail too. By the time we were leaving the fort, I saw other tourist staying in the same hotel started to come. We went back to the hotel and after freshen up and eating breakfast we checked out and headed toward Bellum Cave which is 50 km from here.

Inside Cave

We have to cross Jammalamadugu and filled petrol there. The cave opens at 10:00 AM and closes I think by 5:00 PM and ticket is Rs. 50 per head. I have never seen any cave like this before. Its the best one. If you want to go till the end where it is open to public and return back it will take 1:15 to 1:30 hours and not to forget you will sweat like anything. This time we didn't go till the end but got 2 pictures in 2 seperate place inside the cave from a instant photo guy. He tols us to come after 10 min, so we went a little inside and came out. Got the picture and came out. On the way we got the picture of Buddha and another pictuer from litle further and we started to head back to Bangalore. We had lunch in a normal place and very homely rice and dal in Pulivendula. We again started to drive and around 4:00 pm we were crossing Gorantla and found a old temple there Madhavaraya Swamy Temple.

Madhavaraya Swamy Temple

We parked our car in hearby theater and went in. After some lovely pictures we started again and back to home at 6:30 PM.

Early Morning View

Morning View

Way to Gandikota

Gandikota

Madhavaraya Temple

Jama Masjid

Ranganatha Swamy Temple

Fort Gate

Belum Cave Entry

Inside Cave

Belum Cave Buddha Statue

Madhavaraya Swamy Temple

Thursday, April 02, 2015

Trip to Goa

Its 02-Apr-2015 and we got up at 3:00 AM and ready by 4:30 Am. After starting from home the first thing we did was to take cash from nearby atm. We took long route to Yeswantpur within city and then straight to Tumkur by 5:20 Am. We stopped after a toll gate for freshen up and also for bread and omlet in nearby shop. We covered 400 km by 9:30 AM. We stopped to fill petrol and air and then for breakfast. Next we had to take diversion to state highway to reach Goa for 200 km. It passes through villages, small road, good road, narrow road hilly terrain. Finally reached Canacona bus stand at 1:30 PM. Had our lunch in the canteen within the bus stand. We have been to this place so many time, we know where we get what. We know the place quite well because we visit each year for past 5 years. This year there was no chattai beach hut. So going to Chattai yoga.

Outside view from Chattai Yoga hotel

We reached there at 2:30 pm. We settled down in our hut and made friends with some cats there. Evening we climbed down from the hill and crossed the lagoon and walked in the Agonda beach. Our old place has been taken by new people. The old road has been tarred. By 6:00 PM we climbed back. We were scared of two things. Its previous day to full moon. So water will raise in lagoon and it will be difficult for us to cross plus there are quick sand too. Plus while climbing down we saw a snake jumping from one branch to another. Anyway after reaching we took our car to go to the old bakery. Got our usual stuff and while retuning back we got vadapau. After eating that we thought to go to dinner but felt asleep.

Next day we got up and after freshen up we went to the bakery and had puri sabji and coffee. We returned back and Runai went to sleep and I was sitting in the restaurant and watching the view and had an omlet. At 1:00 PM I asked Runai if she wants to go to Madgao and she told ok. We drove there. It was too hot and its around 37 to 38 degree. Anyway we filled petrol which is 56 here asked him which place is good for Goan fish curry. He showed us the direction for Ashok Hotel. We went round and round and couldn't find it. Then we thought we will park and search. We asked a person and he showed us the way. Looks like it's very famous here and yes it should be. It's very nice. We had usual fish rice thali and its awesome. After lunch we returned back at 4:30 and then thought to drive and enjoy the scenic beauty and also to the bakery. We took all long route and did a trip. Evening we went and had Kalamari in butter and garlic and prawn masala in Goan style with rice and rawa fish fry. We also made friend with Brownie the dog in the restaurant. At 9:30 PM it was time for bed.

Next day early morning at 7:00 AM we left for north Goa, but this time we planed to go different part of Goa which usually tourist doesn't go. We went to old Goa which is in the bank of river Mandovi. We parked our car and went to The Basilica of Bom Jesus.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus

Spend a good time there and walked to Archaeological museum and next to Se Cathedral.

Archaeological museum and Se Cathedral

There aare many places to see but it was too hot for us and was hungry too. We drove back to Panaji and had lunch at hotel venite. It was lovely food and returned back to Agonda in the evening.

Its 05-Apr-2015, we freshen up and after paying the bill, we started our journey back to Bangalore at 10:00 am. We continued the same road and reached home at 7:00 pm.