Taking a break from the otherwise monotonous modern lifestyle does bring in excitement. Specially if the break is into the wilds, has tempting drives and awesome scenery. Thats what exactly we did over the last weekend. The wee hours of morning, may be not for everyone but surely for us - 04:30 am - were as hard to get up at as they were scary to think of in discussions the day earlier. Dragging our feet to the restrooms and constantly reminding and motivating ourselves about the trip that early in the morning, did pay us back by constraining our start up delays within 1 hour of the projected time. 06:30 am, and we were rolling fast on the Electronics City expressway to catch the NICE road just before Phase-I. The Mysore highway is virtually an extension of the NICE road in the early morning hours with very less traffic and enabling you to keep up a fast pace. A quick coffee break at Barista just before Maddur wakes up everyone for the upcoming trip, while the Rich Choco Shake revitalizes the body and the mind. Passing through Mysore city was faster this time - we did not lose our way even a single time as we have had multiple times in past!
It was the first time that I saw Sunflower plantations alongside the road on this route. Fascinating vast yellow fields full of sunflowers all looking in one direction at the same time is quite a view. We could not help choosing one such spot for breakfast which we had carried along. A bed spread in the open field with teak and coconut trees on one side and sunflowers on the others was a picture perfect setting. The weather complimented it all with cloudy sky and cool breeze. Back again on the road, we made a final stop at Gundlupet to grab a quick tea and headed straight for the forest.
The road between Gundlupet and Bandipur check post which was earlier a dirt track has now transformed into a neat road. From an average of 20kmph over earlier visits, we could now zip at 60kmph average. Both the Bandipur and Mudumalai were much greener due to rains, but still not "lush green". Perhaps it would take a few more rains from this monsoon to get into that state. No matter how many times you go through this route, you can't ignore the scenic beauty of the forest. Herds of spotted dears shying away from the onlookers, peahens crossing the road, to loner male elephants busy munching away on the forest vegetation, are abundant in these forests and a common sight with passer-by vehicles stopping over to have a glimpse.
Arrived at New Mountania at around 11:30 am and occupied the 3 rooms on the 1st floor reserved for us. The hospitality of the staff is one of the best in the place. Settled down a bit, adored the place, 
and rested for a while before heading for the lunch at the cafeteria. Lunch, a bit spicy though, was full of variety and delicious. A little drive through Bokkapuram side, and a small walk from the Bokkapuram Temple till the Glen View resort, took most of our post-lunch time. The whole place looks carpeted in green with thick lush vegetation all around, cloudy weather with cool breeze gave it a quite a serene feel. Back to our resort for a quick tea and hopped on for the Night Safari through the forest. Stretching the limits of vision to scan through the forest vegetation in the hope of seeing some wild life in indeed tiring. But we finally managed to come across couple of elephants groups who saved our stretch-vision efforts from going waste. Seeing them up-close in the wild is quite an experience. Wrapped up the day soon with a camp-fire dinner and were off to bed in no time.
The day started early - in the wake of seeing deers in side the resort, who unfortunately decided not to turn up. But the monkeys with their early morning fun and frolic kept us entertained. A relaxed breakfast, settled up the bills, and we are on our way to Ooty driving through the 36 hair pin bends. Stopped at the Bison Valley to enjoy the view, clicked a few quick snaps before arriving at Ooty. Since it was still early for a lunch, decided to head towards Dodabetta before returning to the city. For some unknown reasons, the place was over crowded and flowing with lots and lots of visitors, which for sure gave us hard time finding a parking lot. Otherwise, the scenic beauty was at its peak - full cloud cover on one side, sunshine on the other, with clouds flowing swiftly in between. With weather becoming more pleasant, the road back to the city was full of flowing clouds among the tall trees on both the side giving a mystic touch to the scene.
Its Lunch time! Two amazing family dosas at the Nahar Hotel ensured that no one went hungry. After shopping lot of Ooty tea varieties and Ooty Chocolates, we soon started off the return journey via Gudalur. The Pykara lake was next on the list. We mistook a tourist spot for the lake, and started our climb up the hill thinking that the lake would be visible or approachable from there. Unfortunately, the lake was a 5km walk from that point. 
Fortunately, we were treated with the most amazing scenic view of the trip from the hill top. The breeze had turned into wind and the chill was beginning to show now. Stayed there on the top for sometime and enjoyed the view. The Frog Hill View was the next pit stop over the rest of the way through the forest. Stopped at the Gundlupet Coffee Day for refreshments and then straight at Mysore Palace for the the beautiful view of the lighting which makes the whole palace glow to its fullest glory.
The dinner was on our way back near Maddur - the MacD and Kamat are side by side at a petrol bunk and offer a decent choice. The night drive on the highway is fast - thanks to the neat roads. Reached Bangalore almost at the midnight. Tiring, but another great trip on our list! :)
and rested for a while before heading for the lunch at the cafeteria. Lunch, a bit spicy though, was full of variety and delicious. A little drive through Bokkapuram side, and a small walk from the Bokkapuram Temple till the Glen View resort, took most of our post-lunch time. The whole place looks carpeted in green with thick lush vegetation all around, cloudy weather with cool breeze gave it a quite a serene feel. Back to our resort for a quick tea and hopped on for the Night Safari through the forest. Stretching the limits of vision to scan through the forest vegetation in the hope of seeing some wild life in indeed tiring. But we finally managed to come across couple of elephants groups who saved our stretch-vision efforts from going waste. Seeing them up-close in the wild is quite an experience. Wrapped up the day soon with a camp-fire dinner and were off to bed in no time.
Fortunately, we were treated with the most amazing scenic view of the trip from the hill top. The breeze had turned into wind and the chill was beginning to show now. Stayed there on the top for sometime and enjoyed the view. The Frog Hill View was the next pit stop over the rest of the way through the forest. Stopped at the Gundlupet Coffee Day for refreshments and then straight at Mysore Palace for the the beautiful view of the lighting which makes the whole palace glow to its fullest glory.
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