Our Rollercoaster Journey Through Coastal Karnataka
Travel is exciting, but it can also teach us life lessons. This is the story of how two introverted colleagues set off on a trip filled with devotion, unexpected twists, and a few bumps along the way. Our plan seemed perfect at first, but as you’ll see, things don’t always go as planned.
The Big Plan
- Start Point: Chennai
- Route: Mangalore → Udupi → Murudeshwar → Gokarna
- Mode of Travel: Train
- Stay Plan: Book rooms once we reach each destination.
We were thrilled, imagining the peaceful beaches and spiritual vibes of the temples. Little did we know, this trip would be full of surprises!
Day 1: Train to Mangalore
As the train began moving, we got comfortable in our seats, chatting about our excitement. After a while, we started planning the next day’s activities in Mangalore.
We ate our dinner, settled in for the night, and drifted off to sleep, dreaming about the adventures to come.
Day 2: Welcome to Mangalore
We arrived in Mangalore early in the morning. Our first stop? A small coffee stall near the railway station. That first sip of coffee? Magical!
Our hotel was nearby, just a 10-minute walk from the station. The room was simple, costing ₹1,900 for one night, but it came with unlimited breakfast, which was delicious!
After freshening up, we visited a few places. But here’s where things got tricky.
The Problem:
Our initial plan to go from Gokarna back to Mangalore didn’t make sense. The travel time would be too long.
Our New Plan:
Mangalore → Udupi → Sringeri → Kollur → Kukke Subramanya → Dharmasthala → Bangalore
We thought we had fixed everything and slept peacefully, proud of our “amazing” planning.
Day 3: Udupi — A Spiritual Start
We woke up early, had breakfast, and caught a private bus to Udupi. The temple was beautiful and peaceful. Standing in front of Lord Krishna’s idol, I felt a sense of calm that words can’t describe.
But soon, chaos struck again.
The Twist:
There were no direct buses from Udupi to Sringeri. We had to take a bus to Karkala first.
From Karkala, we heard there were plenty of buses to Sringeri. Relieved, we hopped onto another bus (₹58 per person).
When we reached Karkala, we found out the last bus to Sringeri was at 5:30 PM. Why? The ghat roads were narrow and dangerous, making it unsafe to travel after dark.
We waited patiently, boarded the bus, and reached Sringeri by evening.
Day 4: Sringeri — A Divine Stop
Sringeri was not part of our original plan, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
We booked a simple room at the temple’s Yatri Nivas for just ₹300. That evening, we attended a pooja at the temple. The chants and the glowing lamps created an atmosphere so serene that I forgot all our troubles for a while.
But then, something unexpected happened — my friend fell sick with a high fever.
We extended our stay for another day, hoping he’d recover. I explored Sringeri on my own, visiting the beautiful hanging bridge and other nearby spots.
Day 5: Rest and Recovery
The next day was all about rest. My friend still wasn’t feeling well, so we decided to end our trip early and skip the remaining destinations.
That evening, we boarded a sleeper bus to Bangalore. It was a quiet ride, filled with mixed emotions.
Day 6: Back to Chennai
We reached Bangalore early in the morning and took a train back to Chennai. By the time we got home, we were tired, but also grateful for the journey.
What We Learned
- Plan Smart: Research transport and routes properly, especially in remote areas.
- Health Is Key: Always carry medicines and prioritize health over plans.
- Flexibility Helps: Adapting to the situation saved us a lot of trouble.
- Cherish the Moments: Even with all the chaos, the moments of devotion and discovery made it all worth it.
A Bittersweet End
Our trip didn’t go as planned. We missed many places, faced health issues, and made mistakes. But we also had moments of joy, learned valuable lessons, and left with memories we’ll never forget.
To every traveler reading this: Plans might fail, but the journey is always worth it.
Until Next Time,
Nuthan (Nani)
