BLR, IXE & IXG - Travels around Karnataka, India

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I've just returned from several weeks traveling around Karnataka, India. Unlike other previous trips to India, I didn't do much local traveling (by bus or train) but caught a couple of domestic flights instead. I'm fairly certain that I've yet to see any reports on IXE and IXG on AFF, so in the rather rare circumstance that any others visit these sometime soon, here are some photos and summaries.

Arrival into India
we flew into India via KUL on-board MH. The A330 service from SYD was mid-week and barely full, so a rather relaxed flight in Y, however MH failed to have any on-board recognition of my OWE status, I've flown on MH in J several times this year already, so perhaps I was used to somewhat "higher" service? We had a six hour transit in KUL, and made use of the Sama Sama Transit hotel owing to the closure of the Golden Lounge for most of the month of November. KUL to BLR was on-board a 737-800, again, being mid week, the flight was quite empty, and most passengers spread themselves around the empty seats.

Arriving into BLR at 11am, I got my first shock of this Indian trip: the immigration queues were non-existent. Walked directly up to a counter, and was processed in under a few minutes. Rather oddly, there was a security screening *after* immigration, before entering the baggage carousel area. Our bags were already there, and within minutes we were on our way to the Airport Taxi rank. Apparently most of the international flights arrive around midnight, and this time of day is very quiet for international flights, suits me!

 

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BLR to IXE (Bangalore to Mangalore)

The first of our domestic flights was with Spicejet SG3231, aboard a Bombardier Q400, arriving at BLR, check-in was simple and quick, as was security. Remember when checking in anywhere in India, every piece of carry-on needs a tag for a security stamp!.





BLR domestic side departures offers a small food court area and some shopping areas, but nothing extravagant.





Boarding our flight was via a shuttle bus and up the stairs. Spicejet is considered a low cost carrier, however for this short flight of under one hour, the no frills options worked out well, and the service was quite good.



Happened to spot one of them new 787 dreamlines that AI own, already looking not so new.



Arriving into Managlore (IXE) is quite spectacular, the airport is located at the top of a hill. In 2010 an Air India flight from DXB overshot the runway and fell into a steep gorge, and there are now plans to extend the runway length. Spicejet make use of a tractor for its baggage, and despite there being no other flights at the airport, the shuttle bus still managed to be late.






The airport terminal itself is modern and large, interntional flights do use IXE mainly for flights to the Middle East. Again baggage collection was quick, and within a few minutes of disembarking, we were outside waiting for our hire car to pick us up.





I particularly like that the directors board tells you where to lodge complaints.

 

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IXE to IXG

The next leg of our travels was a mixture of car and train, the Konkan railway up the western coast of India has some spectacular scenery, this is typical of the view to be seen:

 

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IXG to BLR (Belgaum to Bangalore)

Belgaum (IXG) is a major provincial city of Karnataka state, it does have a commercial airport, although it only services one flight each day. Our flight was again with Spicejet, SG3302, again on a Q400.

IXG doesn't have any grand sweeping airport boulevards or expressways, but a perfectly functional road that serves both the commercial and military operations at the airport.





It was our lucky day, as the day we flew marked the One Year anniversary of Spicejet operating from IXG.





Like any other Indian airport, only traveling passengers are allowed inside the terminal. All baggage is x-rayed upon entry, before checking in, and again the tags must be placed on carry-on bags for the next round of security screening. IXG offers no shops, but a basic waiting area with modern restroom facilities.





The Q400 arrives from BLR before returning and heading onto Chennai. Again Spicejet avail themselves a tractor for its versatility, I suppose it could tow the Q400 if it had to also.



Boarding is again via the steps, and if anyone wants to experience, the joys of Indian airport security, then IXG is the place to do so. Three separate checks of boarding pass, passport and carryon baggage tags in the space of five metres!

Arrival into BLR was remarkable for being asked to show boarding passes as we were alighting down the stairs. I mentioned to the SG crew member, that they are not de-boarding passes..The shuttle bus does a little jaunt around the apron, whilst road rules might not apply outside the airport, apparently they do inside, the bus driver didn't want to use the right had side doors, so took us all the way to the other end of the terminal, for a designated turn around area..only to arrive metres from where we boarded the bus but facing the opposite way now.

 

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Departing India

Our return home was with MH again, the midday flight from BLR to KUL, again the international check-in, immigration and security was very quiet.



This time my OWE status was noticed, and I received priority baggage tags and an invitation to the executive lounge. Although they did need to confirm with senior staff if such privileges apply to all travelers, or just to myself - luckily the wife and kidlets could join me in the lounge.

The lounge is at the end of the terminal, near Gate 20, there is a list of which airlines use this lounge, but I couldn't snag a photo of it. MH were on the list. It was simple, but satisfactory, the restrooms were good by Indian standards and offered showers, the food was also simple but adequate.







The 737 to KUL was packed this time, probably as it was a weekend flight. Following a four hour transit in KUL, the A330 overnight service into Sydney was also very full, but MH's service was again completely satisfactory. I wouldn't rate MH as the best, but as value for money, I was very happy.

 

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And just because I can, here are some other general photos about my travels around Karnataka in no particular order, typical scenes you'll see along most parts of Indians south West coastlines..


Typical street scene from Bangalore City. Note the elevated expressways, forming major arterial roads around the city. They are also in the process of building a modern Metro rail system, to hopefully alleviate some of the major traffic issues Bangalore city is facing.


Typical wedding banquet hall, several sittings are made, meals served on traditional banana leafs.


Yes safety is a priority, right after all those other priorities.


ahh coconut trees aplenty. You know you're somewhere coastal and tropical, when these go far into the distance.


Luxury Tourism is slowly becoming a big industry - and not for foreign travellers, but for locals. This is a "resort" style hotel we stayed in in a little town called Kundapura.

 

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Its important to have style in town. The colours!!


Approaching any intersection in India might seem daunting, particularly if you're seated inside an Auto Rickshaw, but honestly I never felt in danger, there's no road rage, or aggression on the roads.


Again, the colours! shop selling basic supplies


Snacks, savouries and sweets!

 

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These are other street scenes from Kundapura, hustle and bustle yes, but on a much smaller scale than the big cities like Bangalore.


A trip to India can't go without a rail journey, Indian Railways is an amazing organisation, providing transport for the masses. This is an Express service on the Konkan railway that runs up the west coast of India, waiting at a station for a local train to move out of its way.


Inside the local passenger services (ie. slow ands teady), vendors walk up and down the train offering snacks and the ubiquitous Indian Railway Chai and Koppee ( to me, they both taste alike, essentially both are boiled milk loaded with sugar, with tea or coffee added to simply add some additional flavour)


This is another view of a train, my recommendation to anyone outside India is to travel on trains in 1A (First class Air conditioned) or 2A (Second Class air-conditioned), and if venturing between the major cities, try the Rajdhani services.

 

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View from the train along the Konkan Railway, its a very scenic route, with major river crossings and tunnels every few minutes.


The trains don't stop at stations for very long, but enough time to load and unload passengers, goods, beggars, vendors, time to grab another chai..


Rice paddies after harvesting, this from a relatives farm, grows more than enough for their family annually.


Gokarna is a famous, and holy place located in Karnataka, and owing to its religious significant is popular amongst tourists, there are even villages of hippies from the UK/USA living nearby. However the beach itself, is not much to look at.


Ever wanted fresh coconut? he's your man.

 

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After climbing up the tree and dropping some selected coconuts, the next task is to break the skin open, and to drink the juice. After, they'll crack it open, and using some of the husk as scoop, you can eat the coconut flesh.



More rice paddies, this time being flooded.


The above tree has betel nuts, or Areca Nuts growing on it. If you travel around India, you might see people chewing on the red coloured Paan, like a chewing gum in their mouths. These are the nuts that are wrapped in Betel leaves then mixed with combinations of spices.


This is a city bus stand. Well it used to be, there is a new one that has been built elsewhere, but this particular one has some sentimental value to me.


And this a bus service. After passing this bus, we noted that it was titled as a "Super Fast" service, which explains the rather precarious tilt.

 

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South Indian delicacies, on the left is Marsala Dosa, essentially a thin pancake made from rice, stuffed with a Marsala potato filling. On the right is what is known as Puri,deep fried Indian bread. Both are accompanied by Chutney (light coloured dish) which is essentially crushed coconut with chilli. and Sambar (orange coloured dish) which is like a stew of vegetables and lentils.


Not entirely sure why the door has to remain open..


In India, there is one golden rule on the roads, "Might is Right", unless you're a four legged animal.


Not the best of roads, but we did drive on this quality of road for about half an hour. Needless to say, my backside was sore.

 

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You have to wonder if there is actually room inside, and they're simply doing this for the thrills..


What I especially like about this is, that the mother is holding the fast asleep baby in one hand, and the other hand is on the mans shoulder for support. All whilst negotiating those pot holes.


It used to be India that affording a two-wheeler was a goal, now imagine each of these replaced with cars!


Typical truck in India, this same style of truck is used across the entire country.


And one for the AFF's, this is called a "Sleeper Bus", you can lie-flat on your overnight bus journey.


Stainless steel products for your kitchen ma'am ?


Might being right yet again..

 

[LadyC]

Some great photos you have there! That part of India is very lush and and beautiful and quite peaceful relative to the rest of the country. Although it was only brief, I also have stayed in Kundapura and really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting

 

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Some great photos you have there! That part of India is very lush and and beautiful and quite peaceful relative to the rest of the country. Although it was only brief, I also have stayed in Kundapura and really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting

Thanks, and I'm pretty impressed you've been to Kundapura! My family origins are from around that part of India, so I've often visited those parts, and to me, the big cities in India are just a hinderance to getting out to these areas.

 

[RB]

Enjoying your report. We are just back from India too & we were amazed at some of the changes from our previous visit in 2007-so many Suzuki Swifts & Hyundai I20's amongst other things.