Memorable Himalayan Trek at Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand

[Image above: Gang at Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand]

The journey started from New Delhi, after waiting for 3 hrs at the bus terminal in the dead of the night. We parked ourselves in the front seats of the bus to Haridwar and had the scariest bus journeys of our lives. After a bit of clear roads, the fog literally started to flow onto the roads. Our driver turned out to be a brave one (to our shock) and drove with ease even without a metre of visibility. His plan was simple, watch for the dim lights of the vehicles from the opposite direction and just pass to the left of them (in the process, sometimes confusing two truck headlights for two bikes and just managing to steer away in time). Once, he even tried to chase down a car which managed to overtake him (and piss him off) in this extreme weather. I hereby, nominate him for the national stupidity award and request the Uttarakhand Govt to please take him off the force. Add the bitter cold to all this and this bus journey was quite an adventure in itself.

Air (Deccan) Dhakkan’s air buses.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we welcome you on board Air Dhakkan, er, Air Deccan.

Air Dhakkan Deccan is India’s 2nd largest carrier – and we follow a thousand ways in which to cut corners costs so that you get to fly cheap. We mean really really cheap.

We’ve cut costs so much that our fare for a ticket can start as low as Rs 7. (pre tax, which becomes more than 1000 Rs post tax n other charges). Now thats cheaper than a bus ticket no? Yup, you can FLY cheaper than a bus. But dont worry saar, madam (henceforth myadum), we replicate the total feel of the bus, totally.

For example, our in flight crew have been taught to smile the same way your headmaster did when he caught you doing mischief in 2nd class. They talk to you like a bus conductor would too, saar. Ask anything twice and they frown – or snap.

Trek to Chembra Peak, Wayanad, Kerala

[Image above: The gang resting on chembra peak with other peaks visible in the background]

We took the bangalore trekker’s official transport the (KSRTC) Rajahamsa to Kozhikode, Kerala and got down at Kalpetta, Wayanad District, Kerala. There, we checked into the PPS Tourist Home for freshening up, where we also met our guide for the trip, Mr. Pavithran.We took a jeep down to the chembra estate which was the starting point of the trek, which is about one hour from the hotel. The trek starts through a route which was a beautiful valley on one side and a lush green tea estate on the other.

Yahoo India’s cool new Page!

Yahoo India has an awesome new feature. It has a city specific portal that aggregates from the best of yahoo and affiliates into one single page. I have come to know of it today and am impressed. Like a lot of things these days, this also works based on tags. And there are some interesting tags abounding. It also has stuff from Wiki – like an intro to Bangalore for example, and photos, blogs, news items – even travel information. All in all its a page that is tremendously because it takes content from the locals – and presents information in a very accessible way to anyone wishing to know about the city. The site’s at http://in.ourcity.yahoo.com/

Iron Maiden – Live in Bangalore (EDDFEST) !!

Not exactly a review. But I had to yell it out… The beasts are coming !!

Yes, it’s official. After hearing a lot of rumours about this for a while now, it turns out that its really true. The Gods of Metal “Iron Maiden” will perform in Bangalore on March 17, 2007.

Still don’t believe me, here are the links:

BBC: Iron Maiden plan first Indian gig

IronMaiden.com: Iron Maiden announce summer tour and ground breaking show in India

Tickets (Rs. 1500 and Rs. 900) : www.ticketpro.in (currently only reserving, when I checked)

Update: Read review of the concert