Blogs from Shimoga, Karnataka, India, Asia

Kodachadri!!! The 13th highest peak of Karnataka standing 1343mtrs above sea level. Planning for a perfect weekend we got this one in our line. Started from Bangalore to Sagara and then hosanagara. We left Bangalore by 9pm and were in hosanagara (hakkalalli heritage homestay) by 6am. There were 2 options lying in front of us, either to choose to go trek or to go for swimming in Backwaters. We had 2 days in our hand so we chose trek as the first day plan. Left room by 9 and reached the hill base by 10am. And then, we started to hike. Walk and walk!Like the saying "Run wild, free like a waterfall" Hidlumane falls welcomed us as a beginner. By the time we reached Hidlumane we were having this question in mind..."how much more to go!!!" ... read more

Friday 25 January 2013 We have said goodbye to our sixth set of hosts today. Jangannadh and Vidya have looked after me very well in Shimoga and Yashas sends us off with a high five. We have a five hour bus journey to Mangalore, along some of the best (or worst?!) roads we have seen. I still can’t believe that people drive on roads like this. There are craters, not potholes, and drivers overtaking on corners. This road has hairpin bends as we go down the side of a huge mountain. It’s all worth it for the views though! We are back in Mangalore for the district conference where we will be presenting to over 3000 people. Good job we have had lots of practice on this trip. And we don’t want to rub it in, ... read more

At 6:30am this morning, I went for a short walk with my host in a nearby park. It is quite new and named after Mahatma Ghandi. Apparently, taking a morning walk is a new concept. Local people pay 50 rupees per month to use the park, or 5 rupees per visit, which goes towards the park maintenance. There were quite a few people out walking and jogging. There was also a group therapy class going on – a laughter club. I was curious about a gentlemen who was sitting on a bench clapping and my host told me that this was another form of therapy. For children, there is an aquarium, a train ride, and all the usual things you would see in a playground ride back home. Whilst I was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a ... read more

Wednesday 23 January 2013 During the last three weeks, all of us at some point have had to face challenges, cope with difficult situations and become very adaptable to a very different way of life. I think we are all coping remarkably well and we will be sad to leave here in ten days time. Today started with a ride on an elephant. I also had my first experience of an elephant dribbling down my back and hitting me over the head with its ear at Sakraibail camp. One of the young elephants was showing off and it almost looked like it was dancing for us! This was followed by a Lion and Tiger safari. Although these ones were not completely wild at Bandipur, it was great to see such beautiful animals up close and personal. ... read more

13th January 2009. We had a 7:30am breakfast, said our goodbyes and hit the road. The roads were better but not by much. The journey to Shimoga took eight sweating and cramped hours. We did manage to get a little sleep along the way but we were all relieved to finally arrived in the city. We found our hotel, and unpacked in our 900Rs room before heading out to find the Tiger Rehabilitation Reserve. After a lot of question asking we found the Reserve but it turned out to be another Government run place with very little information available. The reserve was set up to relocate man-eating Tigers and the very rare Asiatic Lions. The pressure of the local human population destroying the jungles and killing the game has lead to the inevitable problem that the ... read more