The call of the wild

In a rush to chase the corporate dream, it doesn’t come as a surprise that we all need a break once in a while. But knowing that you have to head back to work soon after the fun trip can drain the excitement out of it. This, however, isn’t acting as a barricade for those who love to travel despite hectic schedules. One of the popular ideas being adapted by many Bengalureans is to go on drives or rides with their friends, family and sometimes even alone. Depending on the time available and the budget planned, the mini-vacation can take one anywhere from Nandi Hills to Mangaluru! 

Sachin, a travel enthusiast, says, “To me, the destination doesn’t really matter as long as I get to explore the beauty of nature in and around the State.” He usually travels to the ‘ghats’ of Karnataka, mainly to Chikkamagaluru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada regions, to de-stress and enjoy himself.

There’s a lot of intense planning that goes into making all these road trips a huge success. Many Bengalureans have a group on WhatsApp where they discuss travel destinations, understand the situations they’ll have to face and then pick a date. Rajath loves to travel and explore places that aren’t explored by many. He says, “We are a part of a group called ‘Moto Addicts’, where we plan two long rides a year and one short trip a month. Being a biker’s group, we rode down to Leh-Ladakh last week and it was one of the best trips I was part of.”
   
Working five days a week is a blessing, but for those who have to work that extra day, it takes extra effort to plan their leaves accordingly and head out of the City to get some fresh air. Ankith Hegde, an avid traveller, shares, “I work six days a week but I ensure that I plan my vacations well in advance. I also get to travel on official work which gives me the chance to explore new places as well. So far, Chikkamagaluru has been my favourite as their homestays are one of the best and it is a great place to ride to, thanks to the single-road stretches — a driver’s paradise!”

The City is well-connected with many travel destinations that one can head to — Madikeri for the chilly weather, Goa for the beaches and watersports, and Udupi-Mangaluru for its lush green stretches. Depending on the season, each of these places offers just what everyone needs for that perfect weekend getaway. Taushik Mandal, a member of the ‘Harley Owners Group’, says, “I think the weather in Coorg, coupled with improved road conditions, makes it a popular destination for bikers from Karnataka. But the one ride I cherish the most is the one to Goa for obvious reasons — great roads, amazing scenery and incredible food. This makes me go back whenever I can. This route has high-speed sections, the ‘ghat’ section and a gorgeous coastline, which test the rider’s ability in their own way. And what makes this trip even more fruitful are the people you get to meet.”

It’s one of the best feelings to pack your bags for a day or two and embrace nature once in a while. As Binil Varghese, a regular traveller, puts it, “It’s a great stress-buster and friends become a close-knit family. But it all comes to an end real fast, and the only thing that gets us going then is the excitement of planning our next trip!”