Monday, August 18, 2008

Horsley Hills, a trip log.

Phew! it sure feels good to be back here. I know I have been neglecting this place so long that I can almost see cow webs hanging around.

Almost one month of a crazy schedule is over, and life is back to almost normal.
I was so looking forward for this weekend to take a break, and started making plans for a three day getaway. But all the initial plans came crashing down when I realized that I had to be around here coz I might be working on Friday, so we - me and my friend Sivaram, started re planning and scouting for possible routes.
The incessant rain made it sure that most of the plans I had will not be feasible, and then I saw a thread @ BN mailing list about a ride to Horsley hills. A quick call to Vasnath and I was all set for the ride.

The grouping point was hanging bridge near KR Puram, and I reached there by 5.25. Soon one by one, the nomads started arriving and after a set of quick hellos, we started the ride. The road was good, and early morning traffic was not heavy, but once we took the turn after Hoskote to Chintamni, the roads became smooth and inviting. Every one was in the rhythm, soaking up the sweet fresh early morning air and enjoying the smooth, traffic free roads.



After a small sutta break and some more miles behind, we stopped at a small village hotel for some delicious breakfast. Soon after Chintamani, the roads stated deteriorating, and the next few kilometers where pothole filled - the road was bumpy and almost resembled a caterpillar ride in an amusement park. Once we crossed the border and entered Andhra Pradesh, the roads became butter smooth, and soon our steeds started ripping the black ribbon.



A detour en-route took us to Rishi Valley School. I fell in love with the place the moment I saw it - If I can, I want my kids to study there. Click here and read more about the school. The place is calm and quiet, serene and green.





(This snap of white Lilly is for a blogger - I remember reading in a blog the author saying her favorite flower is white Lilly - I am sorry i forgot who it was, but this is for you, my drea blogmate.)





We met some of the students and saw the display of some of their talents. Some of us (I think it was professor, but I am not sure who it was) asked "what do the students generally choose as a career once they are out of the school" and Jitu, a 7th standard student gave a prompt reply - "Something like agriculture or other options." Imagine asking the same question to a student from most of the educational institutions, and I am sure you wont come across many who have the same answer.

After spending close to two hours exploring the campus, we traced our route back to the highway and then to Horsley hills. The road was better than when I visited last time, and we didn’t waste time but started devouring the twisties soon.





After a small on-the-rocks session and enjoying 'hot' chilli bajjis, we parked our bikes and started scouting the area.
After rounding it up by a nice buffet from the AP tourism hotel, we started our journey back by 2.30. This time, we took another route - around 50 kilometers extra - one of the best decisions we took that day. The tarmac was smooth, sprinkled with lot of nice curves (yeah, I love curves - cant get them enuf.. ;) ) We took fewer breaks on the way back, and before duck, we reached Hoskote. By 7.15, I reached home (Sorry Prof - lost you in traffic between Marathally and Sarjapur junction)

A nice ride, lot of enjoyable roads, nice scenery and cool weather - what more can I ask for to take a break from the daily work grind?

Click here for the Picasa album
PS: I have not startd visiting the blogs, but will start soon...

26 comments:

Sameera Ansari said...

Nice to see you back to active blogging!

Lovely snapshots,real eye-soothers :)

--xh-- said...

@sameera: thnx for the nice words and warm welcome :)

Priya said...

Love those pictures and specially that yellow drops in white flower. I forgot the name but have sen in India.

Welcome back.

SMRITI said...

Good to see a huuuuge post from you... :)

Lovely pics as usual, made me wanna go back to school now...if only we had a school like that... :)


And caterpillar ride huh?? mustve been awesome... :P

Cess said...

Click here for the Picasa album there is no click:)
btw what kind of curves do u like exactly ;)

--xh-- said...

@priya: itz something like Raath ki raani, i think :) thnx for the welcome back...
@Smriti: :) thnx da....
@cess: thnx for pointing the blooper... curves - i love them all - be it on road or be it on a girl ;)

~ ॐ ~ said...

welcome back rider !!!

some nicey pictures there... and you are making me feel like traveling again...

Tys on Ice said...

nice....man, whn i come there next we are gonna do this ride...my niece studies in rishi valley...its a lovely school...

Rià said...

Beautiful pics buddy!gud to hav u back. :)

Preeti Shenoy said...

when i used to live in Blr, we had visited the rishi valeey school too.These pics brought back memories.
Lovely pics.
Cheers
preeti

aMus said...

hey u're back and with pics too...!!!

i'm luving it...the pics i meant :D

~nm said...

Lovely pictures and seems like you had a lovely trip too!

And I so envy you that you are out of the "swiming in the work" mode. I'm still stuck there :(

Cяystal said...

Wow!

Loved them.

Specially the God Buddha one.
Art is like.......leaves me speechless.


You're good

--xh-- said...

@prasanth: :)
@tys: Sure, let us do this ride again when you come here.
@ria: thnx :)
@preeti: :) thnx
@suma: :) ncie to know that u liked the pics...
@nm: yeah, it was a lovely trip for sure.
@crystal: :)

Aarti said...

Woww, i've been wanting to go to Horsley hills for long!!! nice, now am tempted some more!!!

Anonymous said...

That day when I was reading your post & came across familiar names like Chintamani/Hoskote etc, I was about to ask you abt Rishi Valley school. And wow ! you visited all those places.

Good that you went there. We also had been there & stayed in the school premises for 2 days. :)

Here is the post
http://www.cuckooscosmos.com/Travel/2007/04/17/madanapalle-%E2%80%93-rishi-valley/

What was the other route you took ? As I am going to go there at least once more in my lifetime, I should be ready with it. :P

Pavi!!!! said...

nice...very nice! u seem to have had a jolly time.

n ya..Horsley Hills is a spl place for me..coz thats where my bachelorette party was..n we also went on bikes... was an awesome ride..!

Gauri said...

Lovely pictures :) and yeah - welcome back to Blogsville :)

Keshi said...

wow such vibrant pics!!!

Keshi.

Juby George said...

great pics....

Madhumita said...

Wow ... if it wasn't for my two small kids and the fact that I can't actually ride a geared bike :), I'd ask you to add me to your bikers list for the next road trip. Maybe I can borrow someone's kinetic honda and tag along ... :D.
I have a niece in Rishi valley, so far I've only seen pics but now I'll definitely visit.

Anonymous said...

lovely snapshots...!!
really liked my first visit here...

Shalini Gowrisankar said...

Nice to see you back. Looks like you guys had a lovely time. Nice pics.. Yup, I have heard Rishi Valley to be a nice school . In Chennai we ve got "The School" which belongs to the same group as that of Rishi Valleys.. They are schools with a difference :)

Anonymous said...

niceeeeeeeeeee! pics and yur trip :D

aneri_masi said...

Man! Am I jealous or what! Mujhe bhi le chalo saath!

Anonymous said...

Trip log: WOW! Those pics look beautiful...u know what? i really really admire the fact tat ur soooo intune with riding and nature...im not really that much of a nature enthusiast basically cuz i think i would die if im not in the city for too long, but it doesnt stop me from appreciating beauty and someone else's passion for ti...way to go anoo...maybe we could ride together some day huh? :)