Since the updates on the social media reagarding the expressway to Bangalore, we were intrigued and finally decided to drive through it during the Oct 2nd long weekend. We thought Bangalore will travel for the holiday and we can witness a less traffic city, but unlike Chennai, Bangalore wasn't on a long weekend. They have holidays following week for Navaratri so schools were working on Saturday. So metro trains were crowded and there was traffic but within manageable limits. From Chennai we took the outer ring road and exited at Nemilicherry near Veppampattu. From here we drove Tiruvallur bypass to connect toward the expressway at Uthukotai. At Thirunindravur near Tiruvallur we had breakfast and also filled the car tank. Only decent restaurant in this route is the P4S at Thirunindravur, but doesn't seem to be able to live up to its other branches. Once we enter the expressway we can't look back and no break or stops. The expressway though not fully completes, offers smooth road in 6 lanes. At 100 kms speed once has to concentrate fully on the road till we make an exit at Hoskote towards Banagalore. At the exit only we go through the toll and its charged as per the distance we have covered. From Hoskote we got into Whitefield, the nearest Bangalore outskirt to avoid the traffic. We booked for Treebo here, but the standard room was too conjusting so we cancelled it took a delux room which came with breakfast. For the next couple of days we explored Bangalore in public transportation.
The next day after having the breakfast of idly, dosa, poori, channa gravy, sambar and chutney. We took a radio auto ride to near by metro station - Katugodi. This is the purple line of Bangalore metro. From here to Vidhana Soudha it costs Rs.80 and we have to change to green line at Kempegowda station. Unlike Chennai metro trains, these are of 10 compartments and run along more than 25 stations. Trains are quite crowded and had to skip the train while returning as there was no space to get in. At Vidhana Soudha, we were met by an auto driver who drives for sightseeing. A textile shop has rented his auto for Rs.10K per month along with breakfast and lunch. He has to bring 10 customer to the shop on a daily basis. So he picked us from Vidhana Soudha, showed us the All India Radio, Planetorium, Highcourt buildings on the way and took us to the textile shop - we bought 4, Rs.500 sarees and then he dropped us at the Bangalore Palace and went off. Here for Rs.300 entrance ticket we went in and saw the old palace. We spent some 40 mins here and the took a auto to Cobbon park to witness the Aqarium - a large one with numerous types of fishes. This entry costs Rs.120 per head but was worth the visit. From here we took a autoride for Rs.150 to MTR. Had to wait there for 30mins to dine for lunch at 3 pm. A meal costs Rs.390 here. Its splendid with sweets - payasam & mysur pak, benne dosa chutney, puri sagu, carrot kosambari, cabbage poriyal, vangi bath - pakoda, bisibele bath - fries, rice - sambar + rasam, curd rice and cut fruits with icecream. Its diffucult to walk after this feast, managed to get a ola auto rice to near by Lalbaugh metro for Rs. 50. From here we took Rs.90 ticket to Katugodi tree park. Changed line from green to purple at busy kempegowda station and reached in an hour. From metro station we had to walk a long distance to find an auto ride for Rs.100 to Treebo at around 6pm. With that we called it a day.
On the third day we decided to take it light. After a very similar breakfast at Treebo, we again hoppped into the metro train to Jayanagar this time. We got seats in the train but it got crowded as the stations passed by. The Kempegowda station was even more busy due to changing lines. Jayanagar - place popular for shopping had everything one wants, on the streets. Did some shopping for clothes and foot wear spending a couple of hours. At the end of it, entered the Chalukya Samrut restaurant. Today we decided to let go meals and dive into their signature ghee roast masala dosa, followed by avalakki bath, badam halwa and coffee. Food taste, ambience and cutleries were just awesome hence the bill became a bit pricier. Then we walked back to the metro station, took the tickets and boarded the train. At Kempegowda station where we had to interchange to purple line, crowd was overwhelming. Also while going back the platform change takes you 2 storeys down and 2 storeys up again in a different direction. At the platform, the security makes sure we stand in a queue near the entry. But for this, things could get chaotic owing to the numerous travellers. By 5pm we reached Treebo. After some rest, we set out on foot for dinner. Ate at the near by momos outlet, run by two north-east persons. We had a veg momos plate and a jhol momos plate which was floating in a gravy, tasty dinner completed for Rs.250. Our next stop was at Anand sweets for the desert - jaggery rasmalai and rajbhog rasgulla; malt mysur pak for carry over to Chennai. Anand sweets also had restaurant serving chaats and north Indian food. All seats were full and one could see the sweets and savouries being bought in large quantities. With that we closed for the day.
The following day we started around 12pm and took the expressway, had a lunch break at Chittoor - pick and go restaurant. A contemprary set up providing Indian and Chinese food. By 5:30 pm we reached back to namma Chennai!
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