Make no mistake, Lake is the boss

We decided to take a tour of upper Michigan, We decided to drive till Tahquamenon Falls from Grand rapids Michigan,



After much of struggle we decided a fall route which we should take to see the wonderful fall colors. We also came across Nat geo’s drives of life time. We did notice a drive from Marquette to ship wreck island in Upper Michigan. We kind of combined both the route. We would be reaching ship wreck island through other end of lake superior. We were kind of prepared for a two day trip. After early breakfast, picking few bags were ready in our corolla



We started driving towards Mackinac island where our stay was planned for the 1st day. As we landed on freeway we started enjoying the changing wood colors. After driving couple of hundred of miles we were getting alarm bells from the belly.



We were about to reach Mackinac bridge, We decided to cross the bridge and have a quick snack. We were welcomed by showers few miles before Mackinac . We were planning for various alternative plans as staying in Mackinac would do no good when it’s raining . I definitely love riding bikes in rains but with the cold I wouldn’t really appreciate this.

We stopped at BK for my own good as I do get some Veggie burgers. We visited information center for various query , We did check the forecast of Mackinac island for next couple of day, As this was early fall there were still few snow showers. We finally dropped staying at Mackinac and headed foreword.



We took a local map from the information center and headed toward Tahquamenon Falls. We decided to stay in Newberry to break the day. As we headed thorough fall route towards Tahquamenon we should accept the fact the drive was really enjoyable except for the fact it was still drizzling outside .

It was not a great day for photography as rain didn’t allow the eager soles to take good pics. I was not worried, we were happily driving though the colored woods in rains occasionally stopping for some snaps.



We stopped at the majestic Lake Superior for some time. Though it was raining luckily I got one of the snaps I would like for a very long time. The lines which I read somewhere kind of echoed as I was watched the calm huge lake “Make no mistake, Lake is the boss”.



We reached Tahquamenon falls, as it was raining, it was pretty cold, we gathered our jackets and headed toward lower Tahquamenon falls. Honestly it was disappointing as in Indian standard we wouldn’t call this a falls anyways we didn’t spend much time there quickly headed towards upper Tahquamenon falls. Upper Tahquamenon falls was not a big falls but the color of trees around made them look beautiful, the color of the minerals made the water quite unique.


As I was more interested in drive rather than the falls, I was not disappointed much. We decided to head further after a coffee. We couldn’t believe our eyes when the GPS lady said more than 100 miles for a star bucks. What there isn’t any star buck???



As we headed further we saw very few towns as were traveled through calm roads. Since our prime motive was enjoy a seamless drive we were enjoying the most of drive. We drove close to 300 miles and didn’t find a good enough place to stay. Our last chance was to check New berry. We believed that new berry would be at least good enough to spend a night. We were let down when we entered the town, nothing much to offer for the tourist, I always hated when people call me tourist, I would like Traveler better.



Anyways based on the unanimous opinion we decided drive 300+miles more even after driving close to 350 miles already. We decided to come back to your hotel were a cozy bed in our room would welcome us. I kind of stepped on pedal at few places as I wanted to see the sun set in lake Michigan. It was unique day where you see three great lakes. Cold evening welcomed us once we reached lake Michigan. We started to wrap our fingers to enable us taking pictures in cold. We found a good spot for seeing the melting sun, we were quickly accompanied by a chink family.



After few snaps we decided to head towards hotel as fast as possible. I really don’t have a problem being a veggie, I somehow manage during my travel but Upper Michigan tested me a lot. To get some veggie option I had to drive 100 miles before stopping at Taco bells. Seeing taco bells gave me the same feeling what Sylvester Stallone would have got when he sees taco bells in “Demolition Man”.



After many volcano tacos with extra hot sauce and burritos we started driving again. We reached our hotel couple of hours past mid night after starting the day early. I had a deep sleep after driving close to 700 miles a day.

Central coast of New South Wales

We decided to do a beach hopping tour, after keeping a watch on the weather forecast we could get one of Sunday which was clear.



After kind of much analysis we decided to visit central coast beaches. We started from our hotel after a heavy breakfast as usual. We decided to stop at the fuel station once we have crossed busy downtown. We were on the way to manly beach we couldn’t spot many of the fuel pumps. Initially we wanted to wait till any of gas station comes on the left side, but as we reached critical stage we gave up and took a U- turn to fill fuel on one of the station.



Once we reached freeway, we started enjoying the picturesque landscapes of Sydney- New castle freeway. It’s just amazing to see such a wonderful landscape and drive though them. We were tweaking our GPS to show us the picturesque roads rather than dull straight road. We were pretty much ok to drive few extra kms to see picturesque roads as we would be driving 250 odd kms just hopping beaches.




We were welcomed by few teens getting their tan on Ettalong beach. I felt that I should take an option of “Working form beach” after seeing this laid back beach. After walking across the beach I felt rather than working from here I should rather get a whole year vacation. We were all set keeping our camera’s busy focusing on boats, beaches and waves. We took a stroll for sometimes then decided to move as we were doing a beach hopping. I had to accept the fact that I was little distracted with the people coming to beach while driving.



By the time we reached Avoca we started feeling Hungry. Avoca is a good place to hang around as the beach is situated around the residential areas. Though we had a huge interest to take a crash course on surfing, we didn’t really think of trying surfing in Avoca. Again after few clicks and stroll we decided to move to Copacabana


Copacabana welcomed us, with several local shops and excellent restaurants. As we were already hungry especially me since I was doing all the driving we decided to pick some food. After trying couple of shops I entered the third one with very less hope of finding something veggie. I was even ok with salad for my surprise sweetest thing fell on my ears. “We do have veggie Burger” Oh. This is want I wanted. Restaurant was run by a local couple in mid forties, the food was looking very fresh. I was little doubtful about the veggie stuff then came the surprise. The smell of veggie patty was coming straight from the time I took the plate. I have to accept the fact this was the best veggie burger I ever had. Fresh corn, carrots pieces were popping up from the pattie. Obviously the qty of French fries which I was never able to complete ended up in the bin.



With few more cans of colas and iced tea we headed toward The entrance. After driving few kms we reached a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an attractive town center. We had to obviously accept the claims of The entrance being one of prettiest towns on central cost. The name of the town arrived form the translation of local aboriginal people. We reached few minutes late of pelican feeding, but we were able to spot plenty in the surrounding. For some reason I was so excited to take snaps of pelican. After taking umpteen snaps we took a stroll around the shops. After passing through the tourist oriented shops we decided to drive further.



We crossed the bridge and drove north. We found a picturesque spot to click few snap during sunset. The temperature was dropping rapidly by the time it was time for sunset ,cold weather was making fingers tough. We managed to take few picks in heavy cold breeze and ran to our cozy vehicle.



The place become dark fast as sun went down. Once we started driving I could feel a huge difference as heavy wind was cutting our vehicle. After feeling the heavy wind though window we ensured that they are completely closed till we reached our hotel. After driving for couple of hours it was snack time again. No, No burger again was the unanimous call. We were checking all our options to find an Indian cuisine from our GPS. 6 Kms there is an Indian restaurant said the GPS lady. Eager eyes started browsing though the names board of the stores but couldn’t manage to find the Indian restaurant. Chinese, Mexican, Japanese hmmm.. no its better we stop at a local store was the decision.




I was totally surprised once I got down form the car. I though that these wind which was bending tress would push them in our car. The force of wind gave us a bad feeling . We were quick enough to run inside the store. We squeezed through the door as we were surprised to find a person blocking the doors. After minutes we understood that the person is given a support so that doors don’t fly of the wind.

Can I get a veggie burger?? I was relieved to hear “yes we do have one”. By the time I was about to thank my stars I heard again “Sorry sir ,we are out of stock do you mind to have a fillet” . Hmm I could just think fillet is not vegetarian in my place , I said I am ok with tomato , Lettuce, onions between the breads with couple of slices of cheese. While we were waiting for the order we could see the fries being folded in the Double newspaper. Oh my god !! did we say we want the smallest size apparently there wasn’t any option. We received at least one kilo of fries wrapped in a double news paper. Finally half of it ended up in bin after struggling to eat them.

Once we reached hotel we decided to have a late night Indian snack. Finally ended our trip with masala Dosas.

Grand pacific Drive Sydney

Grand pacific

I have to accept that I would never get bored of this amazing drive. I would have driven numerous times along this road. Be it to watch early sunrise rise in pacific or just to spend a whole day along the grand pacific it’s really an amazing route to drive.

. We started from our hotel after much of feasting over breakfast. I specifically ensured that I am double full and I don’t get hungry till I get next veggie joint. Only on weekend I believe we would do justice being a Marriott platinum member.



After driving through narrow roads of Sydney downtown for few minutes we were cursing towards grand pacific drive on acacia .We didn’t really stop at Royal national park as we just wanted to drive along the grand pacific. We stopped at few places occasionally for pictures and seeing waterfalls.



After driving for quite some time we reached one of the big temple built in top of the cliff. Even from a very distant look anybody can say that it’s a south Indian temple. We decided to stop at the temple and I have to accept for the fact that its one of the most serene temple I have ever seen. You would see less of crowd compared to “Sydney Murugan” temple. Apart from Indian community I was able to spot lot of ABCD ( Australian Born confused Desi’s). I am not sure it just looks weird when you see those guys wearing Indian dresses in a funny way. The most impressive thing in the temple was really the authentic Tamil canteen over there. I could clearly hear people in the kitchen shouting in Madurai slang. I was happy to place order “Anna rendu masala, rendu sada dosai” . Hearing me cashier gave a wonderful smile and our orders were quickly honored . I also picked some “Puli sadam and mixture”. It’s obviously 100 times better than the Hungry Jack’s and Subway’s. Right away I knew I would be stopping at the place many more times at least for the dosai and idli.



Driving few distance we reached “Sea cliff “ bridge. It’s a good place to stroll around unless it mid of day and your in summer. I have to accept it was pretty hot even in Hyderabad standards. I am not sure if really the ozone layer is less there but for sure you feel the heat. From sea cliff we were really enjoying the drive along the sea. We were little refreshed to see pacific after driving though woods for quite some time.



During the stroll in the bridge apart form watching flying automobiles and ocean. I also saw hundreds of door locks . I could understand why would they put so many door locks on each of the pillars of the grill. Once i started reading the embossing i understand that each one of them are being put by a married couple on occasion of their marriage. May be i guess they want to be locked ever after their marriage



We drove for few hundred kms along the ocean after occasionally stopping for SOTC . While returning we took the highway to reach quicker, return journey was little boring as I was just accompanied by music player when my fellow mates were resting.

I enjoyed the drive which made me to repeat few more times, even better ride was when we took the route for watching Sunrise in pacific. We started pretty early in the morning around 4.30 from the hotel and driving woods in pitch dark. We stopped few kms before seal cliff to enjoy the sunrise . The trip was good except for the fact that we had to go to office after the ride.



Again I repeated the drive in Nissan tida couple of months later and also on my birthday in a brand new corolla. Hertz were kind enough to give me brand new corolla for couple of weeks on occasion of my birthday

Kalyani - Forgotten city

Basavakalyan

We started a day before to Bidar, Karnataka . My very trusted darling didn’t give me any trouble, she just turned sweet 16.



We headed to the once capital city of chalukyas kingdom. We were welcomed by the kids playing cricket in front of the fort. I got to accept that every possible vacant place would be converted to cricket ground, but isn’t this 12th century fort a preserved monuments by ASI



We managed to drive between the crickets pitch and kids to reach the gate of fort. It was locked and we couldn’t even find an information counter. As I could not find any small shops selling hot chais and snacks, nor rickshaw wallas waiting to pouch the tourist I realized this place is not visited frequently. After much try to find a way to get inside the fort I realized that it’s rather not visited by tourist at all.



We were trying to act smart we tried to get help of local kids playing around there. Kids demanded 200 Rs to show us around the fort, isn’t this surprising , there’s no official counter to get you inside but the local kids can take you around the place for 200 bucks. We just walked around the fort then realized that only the front portion of the fort spots the mughal architecture looks whereas the fort is strongly built by the chalukyas. You could still spot the statues of god and other celebrated figures.

After walking around the fort we decided to head to narayana pura where once a big ancient temple stood. We headed though the gravel roads for quite some time before reaching the proper roads which leads to narayanapura village. The broken roads didn’t give us any surprise as we were expecting much worse.

As we started to pass to village walls, we had a slight doubt that if these are walls of once magnificent temple. The place was so backward that you would really doubt if the people would have ever seen the IT capital (banglore) of the state. We finally managed to reach the entrance of the Monument after lot of struggle driving though narrow village lanes.



We asked few people if really that was the temple which we were looking into as this didn’t spot features of what we imagined. Most of temples built during those times were built to show mighty power of their kingdom. This one was just one block. We walked few steps away then we realized that it’s rather broken and damaged to such an extended that you cannot put them to a definite shape.

The remaining pieces of destroyed temple lay in pathetic form. Most of the sections of the temple have been converted to houses. There are number of family living under roof of depleted temples. Few of remaining areas which could be recognized were still worshipped.

We just took few minutes break to console our self as our expectation were more, we started taking few clips of local kids over there that were obviously happy to pose. We later started focusing on the sculptured and way there were made. Even though they lie amidst the dust over for 1000 years they still had the grace in them. One could easily feel the laborious work of those sculptures. Various sculptures belonging to Shiva, Shakti, and sons could be found there.




After spending some and when we were bored of taking snaps we decided to move to bidar to check other local places.