<p>With ‘Kannada Rajyotsava Day’ and Deepavali, around the corner, Bangaloreans are all set to make best use of the extended weekend holiday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While some are heading out to near-by locations, others areplanning to explore foreign destinations. <br /><br />A couple of those, who will be away during the weekend, share their plans with <br />Metrolife. <br /><br />Tempted by the spate of holidays, Ashwin Haldipur, who works with a manufacturing industry and an avid traveller, couldn’t resist planning an exciting trip to Bangkok. <br /><br />“Since we have four days of leave starting Friday, we were keen on getting away. In fact, it is the first international holiday for my wife and me together. After exploring local areas in the last two-and half-years, we felt it was high time we had a holiday abroad.” he says.<br /> <br />“My wife had plans of going to some exotic place like Cambodia or Turkey. But since getting more leave is a problem for both of us, we decided on the tried-and-tested Pattaya-Bangkok route,” explains Ashwin, who had previously visited many places in <br />Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.<br /><br />He adds, “We are both looking ahead to great rounds of partying, exploring places and the nightlife, as well a fair bit of shopping. This time, it will be a Thai Deepavali <br />for us.”<br /><br />For others, the extended weekend means connecting with nature by getting away from the bustling activities of the City. Pratvii Ponnappa, founder of Four Degrees Team Building, who will be driving down to Coorg, says, “I need some time and space to think and the serenity of Coorg will provide just that. I really need to be away from the noise for a while.” <br /><br />With most of his trips being largely unplanned, Pratvii says, “My friends and I generally head out whenever a long weekend comes by. While they are yet to decide about coming along, I’m setting out for sure.” <br /><br />Juthika, a professional, shares a similar viewpoint.<br /><br /> “My friends and I are looking for a change from the hectic schedule. We want to spend time in the company of nature at Kodaikanal, which will be a refreshing change from the noise pollution,” points out Juthika.<br /><br /> Although bookings are full at this time, Ram Kishan Rajan, a senior product engineer with IBS, is likely to head either to Kodaikanal or north Kerala with his family. <br /><br />He says that since most of their plans are generally finalised last minute, they are not worried about the travel arrangements.<br /><br /> “We’re not choosy about the places we stay and since we drive down, we don’t have to worry about the bookings,” he says. Travel agents point out that Wayanad<br /> has turned out to be the most popular destination. <br /><br />According to Anthony Raj, who runs Travel Zone in Fraser Town, people are also heading out to Coorg and Mysore. “Travellers are opting for places in Karnataka and Kerala mainly. Bookings are full like it is during very extended weekend holiday. <br /><br />As getting bus and train tickets during this time is impossible, most of them are planning to drive down,” he says. <br /></p>
<p>With ‘Kannada Rajyotsava Day’ and Deepavali, around the corner, Bangaloreans are all set to make best use of the extended weekend holiday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While some are heading out to near-by locations, others areplanning to explore foreign destinations. <br /><br />A couple of those, who will be away during the weekend, share their plans with <br />Metrolife. <br /><br />Tempted by the spate of holidays, Ashwin Haldipur, who works with a manufacturing industry and an avid traveller, couldn’t resist planning an exciting trip to Bangkok. <br /><br />“Since we have four days of leave starting Friday, we were keen on getting away. In fact, it is the first international holiday for my wife and me together. After exploring local areas in the last two-and half-years, we felt it was high time we had a holiday abroad.” he says.<br /> <br />“My wife had plans of going to some exotic place like Cambodia or Turkey. But since getting more leave is a problem for both of us, we decided on the tried-and-tested Pattaya-Bangkok route,” explains Ashwin, who had previously visited many places in <br />Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.<br /><br />He adds, “We are both looking ahead to great rounds of partying, exploring places and the nightlife, as well a fair bit of shopping. This time, it will be a Thai Deepavali <br />for us.”<br /><br />For others, the extended weekend means connecting with nature by getting away from the bustling activities of the City. Pratvii Ponnappa, founder of Four Degrees Team Building, who will be driving down to Coorg, says, “I need some time and space to think and the serenity of Coorg will provide just that. I really need to be away from the noise for a while.” <br /><br />With most of his trips being largely unplanned, Pratvii says, “My friends and I generally head out whenever a long weekend comes by. While they are yet to decide about coming along, I’m setting out for sure.” <br /><br />Juthika, a professional, shares a similar viewpoint.<br /><br /> “My friends and I are looking for a change from the hectic schedule. We want to spend time in the company of nature at Kodaikanal, which will be a refreshing change from the noise pollution,” points out Juthika.<br /><br /> Although bookings are full at this time, Ram Kishan Rajan, a senior product engineer with IBS, is likely to head either to Kodaikanal or north Kerala with his family. <br /><br />He says that since most of their plans are generally finalised last minute, they are not worried about the travel arrangements.<br /><br /> “We’re not choosy about the places we stay and since we drive down, we don’t have to worry about the bookings,” he says. Travel agents point out that Wayanad<br /> has turned out to be the most popular destination. <br /><br />According to Anthony Raj, who runs Travel Zone in Fraser Town, people are also heading out to Coorg and Mysore. “Travellers are opting for places in Karnataka and Kerala mainly. Bookings are full like it is during very extended weekend holiday. <br /><br />As getting bus and train tickets during this time is impossible, most of them are planning to drive down,” he says. <br /></p>
