Finally after so many issues and missed deadlines, we ( Me, Abhinav, Satish, Ram, Sanup, Srikanth, Tamil, Smriti and Sarika) decided to visit Kuntala Waterfalls about 270 kms from Hyderabad. After having a great experience visiting Ettipothala Waterfalls last time ( Read: http://99pegasus.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/105-kmps-and-bang-screetch-mob-and-blood/) we decided not to go on bikes this time :( .. but to drive Srikanth's Swift and hire a cab. Fortunately, we started by 5:15 AM, only 15 mins delay from schedule which is acceptable :).
My day started well when I rode only '20 hours old' Pulsar 180 till Srikanth's home. I was sure I am gonna miss bike on this tour. The weather was lovely on this lazy morning of National Holiday. After crossing the inland roads of Hyderabad, we were soon swifting on the highway number 7 (The longest highway in India running from Varanasi to Kanyakumari). It was a pleasant surprise when I saw 15-20 people putting a garland on a statue of Gandhi Ji.
We stopped at one place on highway to wait for the cab as they were behind us. Sun was rising and we clicked few pics of it. Srikanth's car has powerful sound system and there were few clashes between us on the choice of songs.
We were driving on a 4 lane road with beautiful locales.To make it more beautiful, it started raining in between for some time. There were crops on the both sides of roads especially Maize, Paddy fields, tuwar dal (pulse) and cotton. Divider between roads had beautiful flowers. A picture perfect scene.
We stopped at Haritha ( an APTDC midway hotel) for breakfast. It is a decent place to eat and we had idlis and dosas with tea. Thereafter I shifted to Indica, which had only FM player. Thanks to Tams, she brought her I Pod which was the only source of music at that time for us. We had a gr8 time together listening and singing songs. Me, Satish and Abhinav were highly surprised by DotNet queen's agriculture knowledge. She only told us about the different species of flora surrounding the highway. Soon after passing the fields, we saw teak-wood trees along side the curvy road. Little mountains alongside road made me wonder if I am on a road which was once shot for some movie.
At about 9 AM, we reached Sri Ram Sagar Dam built on river Narmada. I was full to capacity, thanks to recent mansoon. Had a superb time there clicking pics.
We were again on highway, stopped at some places to click pictures and finally we left highway to move on a small one lane road. Wow .... we were going through Andhra villages. The huts are different from one we see in Rajasthan. Saw bullock carts, people doing farming and temple in a village. (While returning, also saw people playing volley ball in a village). I love my India.
We finally reached Kuntala at about 12:30 PM. It was between jungle which was once an area of Naxalites.
We were all bowled over by the natural beauty. We saw beautiful green valley and a river flowing between the mountains. Kuntala is highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh with an height of 45 meters. One has to go 408 steps down to reach the place where water falls. Soon we climbed down the steps and we were at the bottom of falls. Lots of people were there.
We clicked lots of pics. In minutes of time, Sanup was there in water. Soon after Srikanth and Satish followed. They were all swimming and enjoying in the water and we were having snacks sitting nearby.
After spending 3-4 hours we decided to start back. It started raining again for 15-20 mins. We crossed rural area and soon we were on highway. We stopped at one highway dhaba to have food as we were very hungry. I always feel that Dhaba food is finger licking and the food made my opinion more stronger.
Finally after dropping Smriti and Ram at Secunderabad, we reached home at 11 PM. :)
