Zoom car - Convenience with a broken system/customers

We had a week long booking from airport to airport in Zoom car. This post is about the experience and tips

Our booking for a week at Gujarat from and to airport.

Booked well in advance about 2 months ahead of schedule

A week before our schedule we got a call saying our car met with an accident, so it's going to be a free upgrade to a Eco sport. We said we are okay as long as car is ready

On the day of pick up we reach airport to hear from them saying it's going to be a swift instead and it is not near airport. We were asked to reach to a point about 10 KMs away from airport. Taxi bills will be reimbursed was told. We accepted and proceeded. 

We reach the place to see a swift car parked outside apartment complex. We were suppose to do self check-out and the option to unlock car didn't appear in our app. We call call center reach to a person explain the story, he unlocks for us. We enter to see there is no key anywhere. Searched for about twenty minutes, then called reached to another call center representative, he send a mechanic. He comes checks and says no key. Then we were given a different car and different location.

We take a taxi reach there to see there is no car there. By this our vacation mood is little stressed. We cannot stand with all the big luggage in the middle of road. We gave up on zoom car and tried to take a taxi. But last minute taxi for a week is hard. 

Zoom car said they would call us back. After back and forth calls, we were asked to reach to another place and there we found the car and the key.

Lessons learnt:

1. There is a equal chance of zoom car to just work and just not work
2. People who are using their unlock and go kind of system are less and less profeesional, the car given to us was very dirty (sand, windshield full of dust, punctured stepney, no jack for change, boot without any cover which could damage our luggage
3. Every time you call you reach a  different zoom car person. It is so hard to start the story from beginning and explain all the details. Painful yes
4. Carry power bank multiple phones as you are going to be on phone for long time in the time of issues like this.
5. Better to keep a lot of cushion time for entire zoom car process
6. India and Indian are still getting used to rental market
7. Zoom car app doesn't get updated of change of location of car and other details though the call center folks tell you it will come
8. Carefully note down the latitude and longitude location given by zoom car folks. Repeat recheck, ask them to whatsapp you the numbers. A digit mistake will put you at a wrong place with no car. 
9. Check the spare tire ,tools, carry a spray waste cloth to clean the car before getting in.
10. Ultimately they work to resolve the issue, patience is the key.
11. Be kind to the person who is going to use the car next leave it at clean state.

Moist Misty Monsoon Vacation - Shimoga and Jog

#Karnatakafloods changed our original plan to do Gokarna+Jog to only Jog. With loads of tense moments whether the tour is ON or not, we did make it to an awesome three days trip to Shimoga.

This tour is with all family, extended (14 adults+2 children). 

Day 1: Just a start - Train journey

Talguppa Express from Bangalore to Shimoga. Salute to Indian railways on Independence day. Clean fast train at Rs.125 per person(Ola/Uber to reach station costed much more :) ) from SBC-SMET. Convenient buggy(electric car ride) from the backside of city station to the platform at Rs.24 per person. The train started on time pleasant weather wind breeze loads of talking munching. We were at Shimoga before we realized at 8PM. Van picked us up from Shimoga station to the place of stay, blue crystal lodge(2KM from the station). This is a new lodge freshly renovated/constructed. Everything functional with an owner who goes out of the way to impress you! Very reasonable rates too(900-1000rs per night).

Day 2: Wet Weather, Super yummy food, morning routine with Elephants!

After a sound sleep woke up to a wet morning. Awesome breakfast at Meenakshi Bhavan. Vada, Rava dosa, masala dosa must try! The old hotel feels like time travel. This place in itself is an attraction.

Shimoga town carries the old Bangalore feel
. Roads, hotels, shops everything giving a feel of 1980-90s Bangalore.

Headed to Sakrbyle elephant camp after an awesome breakfast. Sakrebyle is a place where wild elephants are treated trained and taken care of. If you reach early(9-11AM) you get a chance to give elephants bath, feed. Massive giants are friendly and it's an experience. The place is scenic. 

Elephant listening to commands, turning sides, breathing with just tip of trunk outside!

A quick stop at Thunga dam and headed to Badra forest safari. After reaching there we learnt the Linganamakki dam is also closed. Safari also closed due to heavy rains :(.

We headed for a nice lunch at Pawan ice creams. Do try their Kaju masala lip-smacking! To compensate for the disappointment of not doing safari we headed to Shimoga zoo. This is a small neat zoo with a very good collection of animals. Safari is awesome! Lion, lioness, tiger, tigress are majestic and such close to watch!! Lovely set up! Due to flood news all around the zoo was empty and we were the only ones in the van too!

Post zoo we headed to an old temple called Guli Guli Shankara. This is a small temple at a scenic place.

Instead of dinner, we headed straight to ice cream. The best ice creams in town are Panchatara ice creams! Super yummy delight! A must do at Shimoga!

Day 2: Jog falls here we come!

Hosgunda Uma Maheshwara Temple

Post breakfast we headed to Hosagunda temple - Sri Umamaheswara temple. This Shiva temple is recently renovated, it's clean and old. Location is beautiful. Please verify route with the locals. Some roads are badly damaged due to rains. Our van got stuck and locals assisted by adding hay to the mushy road.

There is another temple ten minutes walk from here we skipped it due to lack of time. Next stop we headed to Ikeri temple. Another old temple with huge Shiva idol and Nandi. 

Post temple visits we pre-ordered food at jog at Brahmin Bhojanalaya over the phone. According to internet, this is the only pure vegetarian place in the jog.

Ikeri temple

From Ikeri, Jog is about an hour drive. Jog welcomed us with misty mountain and wet ground. The air is so moist,wet and pure pushes everyone to take a deep breath which is energizing.

Jog welcomed with water fall is full flow playing hide and seek with clouds. Our one night stay was at KSTDC which is closest to jog. 

After a quick walk around KSTDC to have a glimpse of Jog falls, we headed to Brahmin bhojanalaya. Super hot simple home-cooked food. Do try lunch at this small shack. Sambar, rasam chapati all are awesome. A family runs this place working at tight margins. They are scared about preorders and people not turning up. We enjoyed our lunch very much.

Returned to KSTDC for refreshing and headed back to jog which is the backyard of KSTDC. Every room has a view of jog all the time. Waterfall sound is the background music all thru day and night. This viewpoint is very well designed.

Till dark, we spent time simply watching jog from all sides. This is meditative. Sit and watch the magnificent Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. 

Once night fell we headed to the sound and light show. A 20-minute musical fountain show which was nice. Enjoy the location weather too. There is suppose to laser show which didn't work the day we were there.

We found a small hotel inside the shopping complex near the gate of jog. Hotel Anusha. Run by a lady. We met her asked for options set dosa, parotta, chapathi, Maggie were the options. Told her we would come back after the show. She was amazing. We were a group of 16. She served dosa, maggie chapathi all in parallel. Super homely food with the most friendly owner. Freshly prepared sambar, palya everything. 

If you are looking for simple food, reach out to hotel Anusha inside the shopping complex of the jog. Super fast, super clean, super fresh home-style hotel.

Jog is lit in the night. Don't miss that too!

Jog - 4R's!

Day 3: Adventure, water play

We had fixed a guide for day 3. Our bus broke down, we hired two omni's headed to Nupulli falls. This is a small waterfall safe to enter and play. We had a refreshing bath here. This is a must-do for whoever enjoys water play!

After that, we headed to circuit Bangalow another view point of the jog. This is a stunning view of the jog.

Later, KSTDC check out after a nail-biting wait for our bus to start. reached Shimoga quick lunch at hotel Shubam near the railway station. 

Took the train back to Bangalore. 3:30PM @Shimogha - Shimogha Yestwanpur express. Reached Bangalore at 9PM. Again used the buggy ride to the entrance.

A moist mesmerizing monsoon vacation ended with a smile on everyone's face and a beautiful memory!

Western ghats.. mountains streams all shades of green

Day 1: Bangalore to Bhagawathi nature camp

Started at 6 AM. Drive was smooth on awesome roads NH till Hassan. Had a quick breakfast break then continued to Kudremukh. Winding roads expect some puking. But roads are all in good condition. After Kalasa no mobile signal. Do download the maps offline.

Do not forget to collect a yellow sheet with timestamp from forest check post. No charges but this sheet is important to mark that you entered and reached your stay. While returning get it stamped at camp and return it at forest check post.

Bhagawathi nature camp invites with a nice greenery and great food. Peacocks, albino deer visit this place. There is constant bird chirping and cricket chirping all day and night.

After a short rest and refresh a nature walk of 2KM. Nice scenery.

Back to room relax and dinner sleep. Night sky is beautiful.

Day 2: Trek to Kurinjal Peak

At this time due to forest fire Kudremukh trek is closed. Other Safari routes, Lakya dam, Ganapathi katte all are closed. Only trek to Kurinjal peak is available. This is 5KM one way trek. From Bagawathi nature camp it's 6-7KM one way. Carry water and some small snack. 

It's a scenic trek. Loads of leeches beware. Carry salt. Apply odomos kind of thing seem to help well.

Don't stop to remove leech there are so many climbing at the same time. Be watchful.

Last stretch of trek gets steep. We go along and above clouds. One of the must do in Kudremukh. Drink water from stream it's super tasty. Water in entire Kudremukh tastes so rich. Air is super fresh too.

We started for trek around 10AM reached top at around 1PM returned back at 2:30PM. 

Forest department permission to trek and a guide is mandatory. Do take them, it's kind of revenue generation and they understand the risks too.

Day 3: Safari aka Drive thru the meadows

All shades of brown and green. View from top

View from top

Safari is optional entire jeep costs 3000rs. Shared among people. we were the only folks in the camp, so we took it.

The scenery and drive made it all well worth. Great photo shoot place. Truly untouched. 

Returned to nature camp and entered the stream within camp. Water was cold but refreshing. Most places are shallow some places are very deep. Take life jacket or stay at shallow areas. Pure mineral water with tall trees all around. It's a must do at Bhagawathi nature camp.

Checked out and headed to Kalasa. Our stay was at mudra homestay. It's in a shopping complex main area. Super luxurious rooms with great staff. Lunch was a full fledged malanad style meal. Awesome it is. Do try. 

Visited Horanadu annapoornashwari temple and Kalasa Siva temple too. Both places are scenic and clean.

Day 4: Hanging bridge and Ambha Theertha

Google maps marking in Kalasa is incorrect for location of Soormanai falls, Ambha theertha. 

Ask the locals and visit these places.

This is Ambha theertha

But Ambha theertha is a very dangerous place 2018 - An engineering student slipped and fell when he was taking a selfie. Locals say this and tell us to get into a safe place which is not deep. 

Water gushing thru the rocks is a site to see. Do visit this place and stay safe.

Overall very relaxed trip to untouched places in western ghats. The air and water is so pure we regain energy and reconnect.

                                                

Mountains and Sea... Coorg and Kannur.. Karnataka and Kerala

During the month of October our December holiday planning started. Thanks to all the AI intelligence Tripadvisor a offbeat beach place in Kannur called Thottada, Kerala. Photos and reviews in trip advisor did tempt us. Distance from Bangalore and the stunning photos in the internet fixed Thottada as our holiday destination. Felt a drive from Bangalore to Kannur may be a long one, considered a mid way break. Virajpet(Coorg district) looked interesting for a stop. Plan took a shape with 2 nights at Virajpet, 4 nights at Thottada.

Day 1: Reaching settling at Virajpet

Vacanza entrance

Stream flowing through Vacanza estate house

 

Left Bangalore at 7AM. Breakfast break at Shivalli Restaurant, Channapatna. Smooth drive till Virajpet. Lunch at Udupi hotel at Virajpet. Decent quick eat(Of the few vegetarian places in Virajpet). Headed to Vacanza Estate house at Virajpet. All the Bookings through booking.com. Homestay amidst coffee estate. Last 2KMs bad road but motor able. Location is awesome. There is a stream flowing through the place. Loads of plants(coffee and other flowering) neat bonfire, great home cooked fresh food, comfortable stay. Relaxed in bonfire and rested well. Took a stroll around to catch a glimpse of Thadiyonamol trekking place.

Day 2: Trek day Tadiandamol.. here we come

After a refreshing sleep and a tasty breakfast headed to our trekking place Tadiandamol. Tadiandamol is the second tallest peak in Karnataka(first is Mullayangiri, Chikmangalur), tallest in Coorg. There are two routes for this trek one around 4.8KM(Honeyvalley homestay route) other 3.75KM(Nallakad palace route). We stayed closer to Nallakad palace so selected this route. Jeep folks in this area threaten saying our cars can't reach the last KM but it isn't true, roads are bad but motor able. Our old Indica could reach till the point where jeeps drops folks. Autos are able to take people till that point. Take for about 1KM away from check post. There is a board stating Tadianamol trek point starts here. The path is well laid walk able and loads of folks doing the trek. There is no need of a guide. Airtel mobile signal also is there on and off. Path is marked in google maps too. Pay 20rs per person as charge and enter the trek starting point. The trek gets steeper during the last KM but definitely doable. View from peak is amazing. The check point has a small shop apart from that there is nothing available here, carry your own water and snacks. We could do total up and down in about 5 hours. This trek is refreshing. Breath some fresh and enjoy the beautiful mountain ranges of Karnataka.

Day 3: Rest and Iguthappa temple

Had a sound sleep after great lunch and dinner, headed to Iguthappa temple. This temple is in a beautiful view point and has the most friendly priest. Serves free food for all devotees. After a quick darshan, headed to Kannur our next destination on the winding roads crossing Karnataka border and reaching the Kerala border. Whole drive took around 3.5 hours, roads are getting laid at few places which slows down the traffic significantly. Caution: Winding roads, ride is slow.

Kannur is a reasonably large district well developed one. Caution for vegetarians, there are only a handful of pure vegetarian options in Kannur, all of them near railway station/bus stand. Chapatis are prepared real good in Kerala(oil-free and soft). Any place you can eat chapati and any curry(dhal/Paneer/vegetable) dishes. Finished our lunch at Dakshin veg place near railway station and headed to our beach destination, Thottada.

Our booking was with club7 beach resort. This is a simple homestay style place at a excellent location. You live so close to beach can hear the waves all through day and night.

Neat kitchen everything prepared to order. Nice breakfast, lunch and dinner. Very very slow service. Prepare to wait for 1.5 hours for any meal. Order go for a swim come back refresh and food would be ready.

December had the perfect weather to stay in water as long as one wishes too.

Club7 beach resort stone throw distance from the awesome beach

The beach is safe upto 1/2KM we were told, but waves were gentle and beaches were super clean

Day 4,5,6:Swim.. Rest.. Sunset.. repeat

Rest of our stay here we did the same every day. Morning a long walk to Ezhaara or Kizhunna beach which are either side of resort. Whole beach walk is about 4KMs. There are rocks which are hard to cross and full of colorful crabs in between. Our personal favorite was Kizhuna beach where there are almost no waves. Breakfast at resort, long swim at any of the spot for couple of hours, back to hotel place order for lunch, again another hour of swim, back to room refresh and by then lunch is ready.

Large rock barriers to reach Thottada beach

Post lunch rest and back to sea in the evening, till it gets dark swim, order refresh and have dinner sleep.

We visited the popular drive in beach of Kannur, Muzhapplangad. Nice beach but spoil with garbage everywhere. We were told each morning it's cleaned and by evening it becomes so dirty. Sad! :(

Visited another view point called overburry's folly at Thalassery. Beautiful elevation on a rock, made as a viewpoint with a park. Nice location to watch sunset.Cafe 916 near Overburry's folly is an interesting place to eat. Designed like train, they serve awesome chats and ice creams. Do not miss!

Theyyam

One evening we visited a nearby temple to watch the famous north Kerala traditional dance, Theyyam. We took the help of auto driver for Rs.1200 pickup drop and some explanation. The performance itself is totally free and the temple organized everything. If you are a local of Kerala one can easily visit all by themselves. 

The dance was stunning accompanied by energetic percussion's. The makeup fire and thrill was well worth it. We could spend only couple of hours there. We were told the performance goes on whole night. Do not miss if you are in Kerala.

 After sun tanning and burning, we checked out on the last day at 11PM and returned Bangalore by evening 7:30PM with a lunch break. Do take the Hassan route during return, make the drive lot more pleasurable.

 

 

 If you are looking for a truly offbeat beach just to enjoy sun,sea and Sand. Kannur beaches should be in your list!