Introduction
The Honda Drive to Uncover street journey is again! After taking the right resolution of not holding it in 2020, this system is again for a landmark tenth time – this time exploring the cool hill station of Chikmagalur, the cultural powerhouse of Mangalore, and the occasion centre of the nation – Goa. The drive promised nice picturesque places, fun-to-drive street sections, and a wide range of meals, all whereas being cocooned within the security and luxury of among the finest vehicles supplied by Honda in India.
Whereas the route is good, the timing was not – the second half of March sees temperatures hovering on this a part of the world. However, Honda appears to share the identical giddiness that I’ve each time there’s the prospect of happening a street journey. For somebody who drives at the very least 30,000km yearly on common, the dearth of driving time in 2020 was disheartening. So, when my colleague Sagar and I got the possibility to attend the drive, we signed up for it with out hesitation.
The preparation for the journey was the primary signal of how totally different a drive this was going to be. We gave the impression to be recovering from the pandemic however it was not over – so the precautions have been aplenty. Greater than the same old variety of clothes, numerous masks, a number of small bottles of hand sanitisers, and, in fact, getting examined earlier than the start and finish of the journey. The nerd in me enjoys airplanes and touring in them, however the flight from Mumbai to Bangalore needs to be essentially the most irritating one I’ve ever taken.
Day 1 – Bengaluru to Chikmagalur
Nevertheless, as soon as we landed in sunny Bengaluru, had a fast meet and greet with the fantastic people from Honda and different journalists, it was time to let your worries slip away – it was time to get out and drive! For the primary day, Sagar and I have been handed over the keys to a Radiant Purple Metallic Jazz, which is simply out there with the 1.2-litre, 89bhp / 110Nm, four-cylinder i-VTEC petrol engine. Additionally included was a helpful security package, comprising a few well-fitting masks, a pair of gloves, and a particularly helpful moisturising hand-sanitiser.
Bengaluru wants a peripheral street on the north and east of the town, identical to the NICE street which covers the west to south. We encountered a little bit of site visitors as we made our strategy to the NH 75, however it might have been worse. As soon as we reached the sleek, gently curving freeway – issues have been a lot better. Although sluggish to speed up to the pace restrict, the Jazz maintains pace very properly. Mix the sleek roads, tunes enjoying by way of Android Auto, and sparse site visitors – the begin to this journey felt very good.
We needed to make our strategy to Chikmagalur earlier than it bought too darkish, so sightseeing and stopping to soak up the sights was not on the playing cards. However, we did sneak in a cease to have some refreshing filter espresso and loved the sundown over the calm waters within the Yagachi dam reservoir in Belur. We turned off the freeway from Hassan, taking the two-lane Belur street in direction of Chikmagalur. I want we had traversed the ghat part in direction of the night time halt – Trivik Accommodations & Resorts – through the day. The street from Chikmagalur city as much as the resort is a driver’s paradise, slim however twisty. The ultimate stretch of personal street earlier than the resort was damaged, however at the very least it was paved, in contrast to the same old filth roads you discover within the espresso estates of this hill station.
As we might realise later within the journey, the keep at Trivik was essentially the most indulgent a part of the journey – surprisingly greater than the keep at Goa. Occupying a part of a 38-acre espresso plantation on one aspect of a hill, the resort is a good getaway for these trying to take pleasure in some luxurious peace and quiet. You additionally don’t want to go to the onsite gymnasium to burn the energy; with steeply inclined paths throughout, you’ll get all of the train you want by simply strolling to and out of your room to the reception/restaurant. Should you don’t fancy sweating it out, the resort has some well-maintained 4×4 SUVs to ferry you round.
Day 2 – Chikmagalur to Kundapura
The second day started early, with a smaller convoy heading to Mullyanagiri peak, the best mountain peak within the state of Karnataka. We didn’t should go until the height (and trek up) to have the wind knocked off our lungs, the sights and sounds whereas driving there have been sufficient. The inexperienced hills throughout have been coated within the mist earlier than the solar rose and dispersed it.
The 250-odd kilometre drive to Kundapura – a city that sees three main rivers drain into the Arabian Sea – promised a wide range of terrain, a mixture of roads, and our first probability to style among the well-known seafood this a part of the nation is known for. Our transport for the day was a Lunar Silver Metallic Amaze powered by a 1.5-litre, 99bhp / 200Nm, four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and fitted with a guide transmission. This drive was going to be enjoyable!
The shortest path to Kundapura from Chikmagalur is just below 200km, so why did we select to drive 1 / 4 of the space extra? Three issues – NH73, roadside garages, and Gajalee Sea Meals restaurant. 4, should you add the Honda Amaze diesel into the combination! The NH73 and the NH173 that connects it to Chikmagalur, are the the reason why Karnataka roads are voted among the many finest within the nation. Regardless of working by way of hills that see heavy rainfall yearly and witness appreciable site visitors as a result of it connects some main cities, this freeway has easy tarmac and is being upgraded into wider sections wherever potential.
Then there are the roadside garages on each the Belur street from Hassan to Chikmagalur and the NH173 from Chikmagalur to Kadur. Folks on this area appear to love their vehicles and these garages have helped preserve them in tip-top form. Sagar, who’s a basic automotive fanatic himself, was continually trying out the varied garages and the vehicles being maintained or modified there. He additionally discovered the place to get spares for his undertaking vehicles that are laborious to come back by in main cities like Mumbai! These garages have helped preserve older vehicles, together with classics from Honda such because the third-generation VTEC Metropolis sedan, in nearly brand-new situation – and that endeared them to us so much.
You can not cross by way of the coastal districts of Karnataka and never attempt the seafood. After making some new acquaintances on the garages, we glided by way of NH73 to succeed in our lunch spot – Gajalee Sea Meals restaurant in Kadri, Mangalore. Whereas many of the 30+ individuals within the group gorged by way of a platter of fish dishes, the vegetarians within the group weren’t left dissatisfied both.
After a late lunch (it was nearly night by the point we left), the drive to Kundapura couldn’t have been extra easy. The four-lane NH66 had extra site visitors however was easy as common. The diesel engine of the Amaze actually confirmed its capability to munch miles effortlessly on this part – even saving us time to look at the sundown on one of many many seashores which line the coast. Our halt for the night time was at UVA Meridian Bay Resort & Spa, which has a waterpark too curiously. A swim would have definitely relieved us from the warmth and humidity – however we determined to depart it for ‘subsequent time’.
Day 3 – Kundapura to Benaulim
There are numerous locations of curiosity en route from Kundapura to Benaulim in Goa. Relying on what you’re in search of, you could possibly laze on one of many many seashores or go to temples and different holy websites just like the Shiva statue at Murudeshwara amongst different issues. A late begin meant we determined to skip the sightseeing and headed straight for the lunch level in Karwar. We have been driving a Platinum White Pearl WR-V right this moment, powered by the identical 1.2-litre petrol engine because the Jazz we drove on the primary day of the drive.
Karwar has lengthy been a centre for commerce with the pure harbour in Baithkol making it a favorite port for ships to dock – since as way back because the 1500s! Which its wealthy historical past as a port the place retailers traded spices and its proximity to the ocean, the native seafood dishes discovered listed here are the stuff of legends. Among the many many well-liked eating institutions within the metropolis, Amrut restaurant holds a particular place. The 45-year-old restaurant makes use of painstakingly developed strategies to organize the spices it makes use of in its dishes, together with diminished snail-fish broth remodeled weeks, for that distinctive style.
After a brief drive from Karwar, the NH66 changed into a well-paved two-lane freeway working by way of lush inexperienced forests with roots in darkish crimson soil. There’s one thing within the air as quickly you enter Goa, you need to sit back and have a great time. Our ultimate cease was the Azaya Seashore Resort in Benaulim, an attention-grabbing themed resort with personal entry to the seashore.
Over some good meals and drinks, sitting at beachside tables within the open, I couldn’t assist however really feel glad and content material. Roadtrips, even the shortest ones, are good at calming the thoughts and enriching the soul – and Honda’s Drive to Uncover 10 did simply that.
Keep Secure
On the time this report is revealed, issues are going from unhealthy to worse within the nation when it comes to the results of the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge you to remain dwelling for so long as you possibly can, preserve social distancing, and put on a masks always should you can, and get vaccinated as quickly as it’s out there to you.