A drive with S.O.U.L to Dudhsagar

Tata Motors have come up with an initiative called S.O.U.L which stands for Safari Owners United League, this group is formed by the company to show that its commitment towards its customers after sale . Firstly, Tata motors can understand the after sale needs of the customer, the company can also know from the customers the additional equipments required by them in the up coming vehicle, they can know the problems being faced by customer, etc. This is mostly a two way street where the drivers and the company is also benefited. The better part of these drive are that here the company is not only inviting its customers but their family members also.

This is the second ride that is taken up by S.O.U.L, the first drive was towards Rasta on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The Dudhsagar ride was made from 24^th Jan to 26^th Jan of 2015, this was chosen on this long Republic Day weekend so that the customers do not affected by their daily routine. The agenda for day 1 was to ride from respective cities and reach Dudhsagar spa resort for the day with some fun activities like zip lining, yoga, etc within the resort and a temple visit outside the resort. Day 2 was a jam packed with drives, falls, water sports and beach. Day 3 was the day to drive back to the respective cities.

Day 1:

I was accompanied Rumana and Sree Nindi who are the fellow bloggers and the driver Balu in a Black Tata Safari Dicor. We left Bengaluru at 6 am in the morning and our car was accompanied by Mr and Mrs Raghu in a White Tata Safari Dicor, who is also a member of SUG which stand for Safari Users Group. We met on Tumkur road and started our destination to Dudhsagar Spa Resort. The average that was maintained on the roads was somewhere between 90 to 140 kilometers per hour. Somewhere around 10 am Sree Nindi took the wheel to feel the performance of the vehicle. Our first pit stop was at Kamat hotel for our breakfast around 11 am, we all mostly had light breakfast and we hit the road with in a span on half and hour of stopping there. Around 12.30 we stopped for tender coconut to cool us from the raging heat, we not only cooled ourselves but also posed a lot of pictures. The drive continued non stop to the Dudhsagar Spa resort and reached our destination around 3 pm, just in time for lunch. We were welcomed Daniel and allotted respective rooms for ourselves. We all freshened up and had lunch followed by some rest. I had non veg for lunch due to which I skipped the drive to the temple and went to take up zip lining, had fun time doing the zip lining after a long time. Then I hit the pool to have a relaxing swim. We gathered on the lawn around 7 pm for some barbeque and music played by Arambola. Arambola is a Goan band that played wonderful and relaxing music that had a different touch by its members due to the combination of musical instruments that they use. After a wonderful dinner we all hit the bed early so that we get up early for the next day.

Day 2:

We got up around early and had a healthy breakfast. Then we drove up close dudhsagar falls, where we were give life jackets and then we took the local taxi for about 8 kms inside the forest with a couple of on the water moments and the rugged mud road  to reach the parking lots, then we had a 10 mins hike that took us to the base of falls. This is a picture perfect place with beautiful site of nature with clear water. I can understand why this destination was taken by Rohit Shetty for his movie Chennai Express. The cold water did send shivers drown my body when I got inside but the clear water was just what the doctor ordered for the morning to refresh me and wake me up. The falls was on an average force but the current was still strong, it took me some efforts to reach the base of the falls but it took me more efforts just to stay there for a picture to be taken by my friends on the banks. Here I got to meet some Bengaluru members and interact with them for a short while. The place was still not that crowded as we reached early, so we a peaceful dip in the water for about more than half an hour. Do note that the place is filled with fishes, slippers rocks, wonderful place to take picture and a lifeguard incase something goes wrong during all times. After the dip we took loads of photos and we headed back to our respective cars and then drove back to the resort. We had our lunch and then rested for a few mins and headed to the beach.

We went to Serabatim Beach in a safari convoy of 16 cars and it turned heads on every road that we till we reached the beach, that was not that crowed compared to the other beaches. Here I had ride on the Jet Ski, whereas others also tried the banana ride, para sailing, etc but I had a peaceful dip in the sea waiting for the sun to set, as it is a sight to witness the sun going drown the horizon. Here I got to meet and interact with the S.O.U.L members for a longer time.

A couple people like me chose to stay back to enjoy the beach. I had good banana pancakes, Goan prawn curry, fried rice and seafood salad at a shack called AM’s Multi Cuisine. The dinner was complimented by the shadow of the moon in the sea with the sound of the waves and then we headed back to the resort.

Day 3:

The Bengaluru S.O.U.L member wanted to go in a convoy at 6 am in the morning. We also agreed and went along with them. I chose to come in Perez’s Safari Storme to know the difference between a Safari Dicor and Safari Storme. The convoy was lead by Srihari and swept by Perez or Mahesh and this convoy also turned head on the highway. We stopped our convoy to take a wonderful picture of nature and our convoy. Then we stop at Hotel Brindavan in Sangli for wonderful Dosa accompanied by a few more yummy dishes. After a five minutes break the drived continued till we reached Kamat near Sira. Here we had our lunch and then took a group photo along with the cars and members. Here I shifted back to our car and bid bye to others and we drove back to Bengaluru and we reached back around 6 pm. It was worth the extra time taken so that we stay in a convoy and enjoy the drive as one.

Tata Safari has been a favorite to a lot of people I know for its performance, feel, etc but when we travel as one you realize the true aspect of a drive and this was made possible by the Tata Safari members and members of 70 EMG that planned and executed the drive to an era of new beginning for more drives to come a head.

SOUL owners with their families

I did learn that S.O.U.L has been taken up in the northern regions of India also and that was also a success, I wish to see the S.O.U.L of the north and south drive together as one, I think that will also happen soon. In these three days I learnt more about cars and the meet a lot of new people from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, etc. I thank tata motors and blogadda for giving me this opportunity for being a part of this drive and I hope to be given more such opportunity in the future.

Bloggers

Seafood Festival at Barbeque Nation

Barbeque Nation has come with “Seafood Festival - Treasures of the Sea” from Jan 23^rd to Feb 8^th. It is an exquisite spread if seafood that you will not be able to resist getting into your tummy. It is a combination of richest platter that you can imagine, that awaits you here till Feb 8^th. So grab a couple of you friends to Barbeque nation and indulge yourselves to the buffet and live counter. I being a seafood person, I was just waiting for the starters to be served on the table.

Drinks:

I have the chocolate monk, which was good but it is heavy drink. This looked more like a drink milkshake but it taste better than any smoothie I have had until now. Since I wanted some room in my tummy I did not repeat the order as I needed loads of space to eat all the food.

I took a lime soda salted to help me eat more but the drink contained too much lime for me, this did clean my pallet in ever sip I had but lime was too evident half way through my drink.

 

Starters:

Let me write about Jamaican Jerk Chicken before I move to anything else because this is my favorite dish every time I come here. I just can resist starter and I always make sure that I have this more than one.

Crispy Fried Anchovy is to be had with Tarmint sauce but I enjoyed the dish with Curried Mayonnaise also. This love the crispy batter and this was a great dish to start my visit here.

Mai Thai Prawns was also a very good but it required chilly and lemon glazing for me. This is not the way I liked to have my prawns always as the actually taste disappears in the glazing

Basa Peri Peri was yum with the green chutney. If you’re a beer drinker then just glaze this dish with some chilly and just chow down.

Mutton Galawati was well cooked, which went well with green chutney and Aioli dip

Maryland Card cake was just what the pirate order under the sea. I personally loved this but it is on the heavier side, due to which I could have only one.

The Crumb Fried Squid is personally not my favorite, it did tasted well with the recommended Aioli dip.

From the Live counter

 

From the Live counter

Soup:

Seafood Laksa was indeed what a very tasty soup that actually got me cleared my pallet with the delicacies of the sea. I love the taste and the way all the ingredients bended with each other.

Main course:

Prawn Biriyani tasted better with the Managalorean Carb Curry and I choose to have only this much for my main course, as I had already set my eyes on the desserts.

Dessert:

The small round Gulab Jamoon was well prepared with the right amount of sweet, I love the combination of vanilla ice cream with jamoon but this time I tried it with fig n honey ice cream, this combination was a different taste to encounter once in a while.

We all raised our glasses of Tender Coconut Payasam to the starting of the desserts.

 The death by chocolate pastry and blue sea cheesecake stole my taste bugs in the dessert section.

We also had the chocolate strawberry tart, mango mousse and come water melon from Fruit basket.

We then had the famous pan masala kulfi to end the perfect filling dinner.

I thank Barbeque Nation for inviting me to enjoy 'Treasures of Sea' festival. 

Tata Get. Set. Bolt.

I had to pleasure to go to Embassy Tech Village to see the Tata Bolt kept on display. I traveled 15 km one side just to go see the car. I am going to tell you the five features of this car that made me travel so far.

Firstly, I love the connectivity which is a hi-tech infotainment system, exclusively designed in collaboration with Harman. This is has the smartphone enabled navigation with MapmyIndia maps, advanced voice command recognition to make calls, change tracks, control AC (Yes! Voice controlled) and incoming SMS notifications and read-out. This is the main feature that I look into a car these day.

Secondly, I like comfort of the vehicle. The body hugging rugby shoulder seats, a power first-in-class fully automatic AC with controls on the touchscreen. The seating's are really comfortable in front and back with good leg space, the back seat are completely foldable to to increase the already 210 ltr (approx) boot space. The adjustable steering wheel is also a easy to use and gives you a better control of the vehicle.

Thirdly, the safety equipment's in the car are up to the mark. The car has Dual front airbags that is standard requirements for a affordable car. The car is equipped with 9th Gen ABS by Bosch with EBD and CSC, which is the latest technology. I loved the speed sensing auto locks on all doors that locks the vehicle when the it reach 10 kmph or more.

Fourthly, the LED high mount stop lamps, the floating roof and the alloy wheels. The LED stop lamps looks really neat and I personally love the flame finish, which is evident even in the day time. The floating roof would look wonderful on the highway when your travel in the range of 90 to 110 kmph. The company gives you approx 1.5 feet black alloy wheels that looks slick and very neat.

Fifthly, the move that is taken up by Tata to present the India's first Multi-Drive car. The company provides the option of Sport for a burst of power, Eco for unmatched mileage and City for perfect balance. The petrol engine is a Revotron 1.2T and the diesel engine is a Quadrajet 1.3. The max power is 90 @ 5000 and 75 @ 4000 that is reasonable for petrol and diesel engine respectively. The max torque is 140 @ 1500-4000 and 190 @ 1750-3000 which is really good for petrol and diesel engine respectively. Both the engine are manual 5 speed. The max fuel capacity is 44 liters which is great.

This post is a part of Get. Set. Bolt. activity at BlogAdda Check out the latest book up for review at BlogAdda, Apply Now to get the book and review it.

Legacy Bangalore Derby - 2015

Bangalore, January 23, 2014: In its maiden association with this premier-racing event, Legacy, a leading luxury real estate developer in the city has collaborated with the Bangalore Turf Club to present the Winter Derby Race. The event, now known as Legacy Bangalore Derby - 2015, will be held on January 26, and promises the thrill of racing accompanied by its glitz & glamour. Kick starting the exciting line up of events, the evening witnessed the unveiling and handover of the official Race Day Trophy.

A perfect blend of intense racing action, runway fashion and glitz, Legacy Bangalore Derby - 2015, ranks high up in the social calendar of events in the city. With the finest of thoroughbreds competing in the presence of Bangalore’s elite, the winner of the high-octane race will walk away with the victor's trophy and a prize purse of around INR 90 lakhs.

During the event,  the Official  Derby Trophies were unveiled along with the much-awaited starting stall draw – wherein the representatives of the horses picked the slots from which their horses would start the race. 

About  Legacy:  You can visit www.legacy.in or their facebook page www.facebook.com/legacygroupbangalore

Yauatcha - Cantonese delight in Bangalore

This was the best Christmas present that I received in my life. The opportunity to going review Yauatcha's new additions was my great pleasure. Yauatcha is a Cantonese cuisine.

Drinks:

The only mocktail that I had till the main course was orange & chilli mocktail. This was exception a great drink. The drink was sweet and you can taste the flavour of orange and when it settles in the throat, you get the spicy flavour settling. This was a very pleasurable drink to have with the dimsums. The combination of orange juice, lemongrass, palm sugar, chilli and mint. This drink enrich every dimsums that I had.

I did have a sip of Tokyo Sunrise, this was a bit on the sweeter side than the orange & chilli mocktail but I preferred my drink. This was a combination of lemongrass, raspberry, guava juice, peach juice and elderflower syrup. This was very nice drink too.

Dimsums:

I have usually thought that the dimsums are a standard way, i.e, they are wrapped in rice-flour either steamed or fired. This is not the truth, dimsums can be served in varies ways. You can come across the same in the dimsums that I have below.

Beetroot and celery dumpling. This was a steamed dimsums, you can get the proper taste of both the ingredients and this went very well with the sweet dip.

The pan fried charcoal lamb bun became my favorite one. I love the way that lamb was cooked to perfection with the bun which is pan fried. The lamb was juicy, you can still feel the bun melting in you mouth and making its way to lamb.

Crispy duck roll. I couldn't get the proper taste of the duck complete but this was more of teaser for duck meat but the crispy layer was a unique way to present the duck.

Sugar chicken roll, the was a shocker when the same came on the table. This does not like like you average dimsums. I loved the way the chicken was fried and I was surprised to find sugarcane in the center. The chicken was kinda plan but with the dip and the surprise sugarcane did give a very unique and wonderful taste. I enjoyed each and every bite of this dish. I wanted the same on a carrot or radish that is marinated and I did suggest the same but I was told that the carrot and radish wouldn't be firm.

Prawn and seaweed dumpling. I had this before in different places but I found the seaweed over powering the taste of the prawn, but in here, this was cooked in a very nice way that I got a proper taste of prawn and seaweed. 

Sesame Prawn Toast, I like the minced prawn and the sesame coated, I personally do not like sesame but this dish  had just just enough to give me taste of it and the proper taste of sesame.

Spicy squid cake, if you are a sea food fan then you just can't miss this dimsum at all. Usually squid is served either completely squashy or completely fried. I thought that here also would be the same, the truth was that the outer layer was fried but you do get the squashy feeling. The batter that was used will give you a proper taste of squid but not a complete one. This one is not to missed cause if you miss it, then you have missed a lot.

Wrapped chicken with black pepper, this was served over butter paper. I was really taken by the presentation, as it did not look like a dimsum but forget the looks cause the taste it more that enough to make you forget the pepper chicken that you ever had elsewhere.

Vegetable yin yang dumpling. This was a dumpling that offered more than just a dimsum. The same
was served over a cooked sauce that confused me about all the ingredients in it with it taste. I can this was a yum yum dumpling.

Soup:

I had the sweet corn soup with chicken but personally I did not like it cause the corn and the chicken were both minced, I prefer my sweet corn not minced, as I like the way the corn comes occasionally in my mouth. Saying this I want to say that the soup is well made, this had the right amount of ingredients.

I had a taste of the hot and sour soup with shredded chicken, I found that the same had excess of soya sauce.

Main course:

We ordered Stir-fry prawns in home town chilli sauce, Stir-fry kam heyong lamb, Jasmine rice steamed and a glass of white wine. The white wine did not go well with the prawn dish but same went exceptionally well with lamb. 

The Stir-fry prawns gave me different taste in the course of time that it touched my lips and going down to my tummy. I fell in love with the prawns, cumcumber, capsicum, sweet tomato and carrot. I ate this dish without the jasmine rice for a few minutes cause the dish was very tasty. This was sweet but it carried a slight hint of spice along with it.

The Stir-fry kam heyong lamb, this was on a spicier side and I loved the way this dish went with my wine. 

The Jasmine rice was an ideal choice to go with both the dishes. This jasmine rice did not have the extreme jasmine smell and taste but it just enough for me to get the proper flavour and not overpower the prawn and lamb dishes.

Dessert:

Selection of macarons we were served pista, orange and chocolate. I loved the chocolate.

Raspberry delice, it contains Raspberry insert, dark chocolate mousse and hazelnut brownie served with raspberry ripple ice cream. This dish just look beautiful, it was so good looking that really did not want to pounce on this dish at all but we still got courage to attack it. This actually became too much raspberry after a point but it was still worth it until the last bite.

Religieuse, it had chocolate choux pastry with hazelnut cremeux, chocolate pralime ganache served with ginanduja ice cream. This was also a wonderful looking but a even better dish cause it had chocolate. One word to explain this dessert is "Yum"

Mango mascarpone gateau which had feuilletine crunch, parlime mascarpone cream, litchi sorbet.

I had the pleasure to have some dishes from the new additions and the ones that are already there. I am looking forward to coming back with a couple of people. You cannot miss the Pan fried charcoal lamb bun, sugarcane chicken roll and spicy squid cake in the dimsums, Stir fry prawns in Home chilli sauce for main course and for dessert you to have the Religieuse, Raspberry delice and the chocolate macaron.