Bangalore to Shivana Samudram

This is smiling travellers debut travel. Shivana Samudram is 150 KMs away from Bangalore (Bangalore- Maddur - Malavalli - Shivana Samudram). There is one more route through Kanakpura. But Some one said that road is not so great.
Soujanya and Mehar came with us (Usha, Srujana and I), Prasanna and family came in other car. We started from my home at 7:10 am. We met Prasanna on the way at RV college. We stopped for break fast at Kamath. Rs. 60 per head break fast is worth for the money. But make sure to ask for one more idly or dosa as the servers looked very conservative. Otherwise it's a great place for Breakfast.
At Maddur take a left turn (there is a board which says Shivana Samudram 44Kms). From here the road is not so great. There are very bad patches occasionally. Do not forget to stop just before Malavalli for a view of Green fields on one side and big lotus pond on the other side of the road.
Reached Shivana Samudram at around 12:10. We had a good view of water falls as the crowd is relatively less. Place looked dangerous with very steep rocks. There are many sign boards which caution curious (Oh!!! no.....this place is not for Tescoites) visitors.
It's magnificent color combination of blue sky, black rocks, Green trees and white water. No artist can beat nature's creativity. It is treat to eyes to see very tiny water ways formed out of water droplets that are created by big water falls.
While coming back, we though of going to Talakad, but after thinking about traffic in Bangalore after 5 pm, dropped that idea. Of course there is always next time for travel.
On the way back while Prasanna went on the usual road, we thought of experimenting with NICE road which showed direction to Hosur road. The road is amazing and we were able to touch the maximum speed that our car can go. But our pleasure abruptly ended along with the road. Very bad patch led us to Bannerghatta road. And it took close to 65 minutes to reach Silk Board junction from there. Finally we had dinner at Golconda Chimney (on airport road). It is nice (thank fully this time it ended more predictably with Coke) food. And we are back home at 9:30 pm.

Best Practices:

• We took India map with us
• Two ipods (continuous music)
• Started before 8 am
• Carried spects and cap

Lessons Learnt:

• Would have done more research on the place.
• Do not depend on local people for directions. They may not know the place. Worst to worse..they would have not visited that place.
• With proper planning, would have covered Talakad.
• Buy GPS or state map before starting for next travel
• Carry food if it is one day journey and if there are no monkeys at that place