We got the new car, Audi A4 35 TFSI and honestly it was too overwhelming for me to upgrade from a Ford Fiesta 1.4 EXI. It took me almost a week to read the entire user manual and understand each and every functionality that the car was offering (It is loaded with Technology). I really needed to feel connected to the car and that's why I took these 15 days to ensure I know every bit of it inside-out. This would ensure that the drive is not just comfortable but also safe.
AND hopefully this will mark a revival of an old chapter in my life that became dormant for some time now. That chapter would be - my intense passion for long drives.
The day of delivery 29-Nov-2019
The below trip report is downloaded from MY AUDI app.
Total Distance: 1500 km
Hyderabad to Tirupati
Tirupati to Bangalore
Bangalore to Hyderabad:
Total Time: 8 hours 40 minutes
Total Distance: 680 km
We have had 2 Trips to Coorg until now, the first one was specifically in Madikeri and the second one was more around various other locations of Coorg.
Enjoy the video below.
TRIP No. 1 (Madikeri): Nov-2019
After a long time we have been to a resort where their property area itself was good enough to do some serious birding. Although, this time it was not a birding trip per-se and we were just planning to go for a leisure vacation. I read a few reviews on the tripadvisor that the property gives some opportunities for the birders and decided at the last moment to carry the camera and the lens along (just in case). And so glad I did, not just we clicked a lifer but also witnessed some amazing sightings of the rare western-ghat endemic birds. Who would have thought that inside the property of Taj Madikeri you could find the birds like Malabar Whistling Thrush and Malabar Trogon. Such easy sightings of such rare species - is a treat to the eyes for sure.
Enjoy the pics from this trip as below.
Malabar Whistling Thrush
Malabar Trogon male
Indian Scimitar Babbler (lifer)
Crimson-backed Sunbird male
Asian Paradise-flycatcher
Orange Minivet male
Orange Minivet female juv
White-bellied Treepie
Oriental White-eye
White-cheeked Barbet
Clear Sailor
Malabar Giant Squirrel
TRIP No. 2 (COORG): Sep-2021
The second trip to Coorg was more of a driving vacation. We decided to drive all the way to Coorg from Hyderabad. From our last outing to Chikmagalur in August-2021 (which was a 11 hour drive from Hyderabad) we got the confidence that maybe we can manage this trip too, which was supposed to be more than 12 hours drive. Of course, this confidence was primarily coming from the Audi A4 and the comfort that it provides on these long journeys. It was also a trip to field test the new mirrorless technology of Canon R5 with 800mm. The excitement was high, we planned a week-long stay at Evolve Back and were looking forward to enjoy the luxury, nature, birding, technology and of-course The Drive.
First, about the drive - Google map shows 16.5 hours but I knew I can beat that like on every other occasion. One-way distance was 835 km and it took us exactly 12 hours from my home in Hyderabad, including breaks for R&R and fueling. While on our return journey, I decided I won't follow google maps and instead took the Mysore route, which was a bad decision, resulting in an increase of 30 minutes driving time. Return journey was 12.5 hours. Half of the drive till Coorg was in rain and never before I was so confident driving in rain at triple digit speeds. This car literally gives you that kind of control and comfort. Even with crazy crosswind, the steering wheel was dead straight at all times. Not to mention, the fuel economy too. As you can see from the refueling stats below, I got 14+ on a average for the trip and I was not even trying to be economical. On the highway I usually drive with a very heavy foot, unlike in the city. What's the fun in having a good car if you don't push it. And by pushing it, I don't mean speed, I'm talking about acceleration here. So considering all that, being a petrol car and being an Audi, I think 14+ fuel economy is way too good.
1st refueling
2nd refueling
3rd refueling
Second, about the nature - The Evolve back resort property at Coorg is huge, so huge that one just cannot cover it entirely on foot. The Kaveri river is 10 minutes walk from the resort and the trails in and around the property, are a treat for bird lovers like us. On a casual walk inside the resort, one can easily witness, 30-40 different species of birds.
Third, about the stay - It is luxurious for sure. We loved the design of the Heritage Pool Villa, the way the rainfall was entering a segment of the room without creating the fuss about insects or bugs, I would say it was very well thought of. We stayed for a day at the lake view Heritage Pool Villa and realized that the pool was not at all discreet. We shifted later to plantation view instead of lake-view and that was much better in terms of birding as well as privacy.
Fourth, about the technology - This trip was also the field test of Canon R5 with Canon RF 800 mm f/11 lens. On paper this combo is an envious one for bird lovers, but the real test was to be done at low light conditions. The new technology of mirrorless marvel was evident through this trip. Whether it was about the immaculate bird eye-tracking technology of R5, or the test of f/11 at low light condition, in all such situations, this camera lens combo came out to be highly successful. Even at 128000 ISO, the pictures were keepers, IMAGINE THAT! And not to mention, the entire setup is super-light-weight less than 2 kg to be precise.
Lastly, about the birding - We spent 7 days there and were enjoying every moment of birding in-and-around the property. We even went to Chikli Dam area and it was a truly rewarding experience. We spent a couple of days with one of the well known guide and naturalist of Coorg - the self proclaimed Bird Man. To be honest we expected more from him. He is talented for sure but I would say he is good only for the beginner birders, not for the advanced birders like us. After spending so much of time with so many guides across India, within a matter of minutes I can know for sure who is worth what. This gentleman has his share of talent for sure but not enough for advanced birders like us. Nowhere close to, if you compare him with Veer Vaibhav Misra, Bharat Kapdi or for that matter Yashpal Negi too. But then again we love birds so much that sometimes, these small shortfalls don't bother us much. All in all, we had an amazing birding experience, both with and without him and both in and outside the resort.
Enjoy the pics below,
Malabar Parakeet male
Malabar Parakeet female
Plum-headed Parakeet male
Plum-headed Parakeet female
Vernal Hanging Parrot
Flame-throated Bulbul
Grey-headed Bulbul
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Crested Goshawk
Crested Goshawk
Booted Eagle
Brahminy Kite
Common Iora female and male
Common Iora female
Lesser Goldenback female
Lesser Goldenback male
Yellow-naped Woodpecker male
White-rumped Munia
Black-throated Munia female
Black-throated munia male and female
Blyth's Starling
Lesser Hill Myna
Jungle Myna
Oriental Magpie Robin
Crimson-backed Sunbird eclipse
Crimson-backed Sunbird male
Loten's Sunbird
Purple-rumped Sunbird male
Little Spiderhunter
White-cheeked Barbet
Malabar Barbet
Indian Yellow Tit
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Malabar Grey Hornbill male
White-browed Wagtail
Wire-tailed Swallow
Indian Nuthatch
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Ashy Woodswallow
Large Cuckooshrike male
White-breasted Waterhen juv
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Pond Heron
Rufous Treepie
Spotted Dove
Golden-fronted Leafbird
Jerdon's Leafbird female
Common Tailorbird
Dark-fronted Babbler
Indian Scimitar Babbler
Puff-throated Babbler
Jungle Babbler
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
Greenish Warbler
Malabar Giant Squirrel
Indian Palm Squirrel
Blue Mormon
Barking Deer - Indian Muntjac
Common five-ring
Paper Wasp nest
Chocolate Pansy
Fulvous Forest Skimmer
Banded Demoiselle Damselfly
Pond Skater
Indian Lotus
Indian Lotus
Looped Three Ring Butterfly
Common Eggfly
Tailed Palmfly
TRIP No. 3 (COORG): Jul-2023
Day 1: Drive from Hyderabad to Bangalore (Driving 5-45 AM till 2 PM) 8 hours 15 min
Day 2: Drive from Bangalore to Coorg, check-in at Evolve Back Coorg (Driving 9 AM till 1-30 PM) 4.5 hours
Day 3: At Evolve Back Coorg
Day 4: At Evolve Back Coorg
Day 5: Coorg To Bangalore (Driving 9 AM till 2 PM) 5 hours
Day 6: Bangalore to Hyderabad (Driving 8-20 AM till 3-50 PM) 7.5 hours
Hyderabad to Bangalore
Coorg To Bangalore
Bangalore to Hyderabad
This time it was more of a leisure trip and Evolve Back turned out to be one of the properties that we revisited. It is indeed so good that one visit just won't be enough for this resort. Last time i drove all the way from Hyderabad to Coorg in one stretch, this time however took a night halt in Bangalore.
Even though I just wanted to relax in their Lily Pool Villa, still i got a chance to do some birding in their property itself.
