acquired monk syndrome

Yeah.. Get Jealous…

I’m heading out to Nandi tomorrow with Amogh Hope to get some decent shots there..
I’ve not had the time to write about the previous trip.. Will do that once i get back tomorrow..

I’ll be heading out to Muthodi with Amogh and gang this weekend.. This will be my first trip to the Bhadra Sanctuary.. Hoping to get some good shots this time around!

As a Bangalorean, i find it very easy to travel so many places in and around.. With this in mind, i think its good justice to start a travel diary here.. It should and will act as a source of information and inspiration to others to just pack their bags and head out on a shoestring budget!

To start with :

I had been to Talakaveri and Bettagiri forests the previous weekend.. Total trip < 1k With Food, Acoomodation, Transport and Certain other expenses..

We took a private bus from Bangalore to Madikeri on Friday, reached early morning.. Had just about enough time for a cup of Coorg’s Coffee before we got on to our bus to Bagamandala.. Since the expedition involved stay at the forest, we had to go thru the Dept for permissions, guidance and encouragement.. We stopped by the Dept Office just to freshen up and for out Watcher to get ready.. Meanwhile just walking around the place shot some photos of Oriole and White Cheeked Barbet(Pictures Posted).. Then the long trek up began.. With some three idlis in our stomach.. The trek up was scenic and full of wildlife.. We spotted some Crested hawk Eagles, Couple of Serpant Eagles and The Every famous Black Drongos.. The trek was peaceful with slight drizzles and little streams all around..

Talakaveri does not have any hotels except one on the way.. A decent South Indian meal is available for Rs 20. Moving on to Stay, there is no accomodation except for the Forest Dept guest house.. The evening was filled with rains and a warm fire in the fireplace..

The next day , after the mists cleared, we embarked on our trek ahead into the Forests.. The place is much more scenic and unexplored.. There is no access to this place for general public.. We sighted a gang of elephants there, which is pretty rare in the ghats.. The trek ended in Bettagiri Watch Tower.. Where we practically didnt see anything.. Cause of the mist.. The return was pretty much the usual.. Talking about experiences.. Some humour, Checking our cameras if we got some good shots, etc.. Thanks Lavanya and Anush!

Anushsh’s Version : http://anushsh.livejournal.com/49800.html

Four Bands were to set the stage on fire on Saturday at Cosmos Mall on ITPL Road.. The gig started quite late (5:30 PM) with Theorized taking stage.. They played a tight set including a cover of Metallica(The Four Horsemen).. Next up was stond with three songs.. Inner Sanctum came in next with a powerful setlist consisting of Crystal Mountain - Death, Qurantine, One Arch Enemy Song and an Instrumental..

Vibrant(My Band) took stage.. We started off with a cover of Allman Brothers Band - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.. Next up we played a Blues Instrumental, followed by a Funk Instrumental.. After three bands of Metal, Our Music sure was chilled out and got crowd approval.. I enjoyed playing on stage throughy, and so did the others considering we were a day old band.. And well, we made it to the papers as well..

(Article Courtesy : Mid Day (03-Sept-2007)