"It is not always the destination that makes the journey worthwhile." proverb [unknown]
Exactly my experience on travelling (Sep 16-18, 06) to the Mookambika Devi Temple at Kollur, South Karnataka.
After a 11 hr journey from Kerala we touched base at 12 in the noon, more than 3 hours late. Blame it on the rain and the sorry state of roads in the Kozhikkode - Mangalore section of the NH-17, especially Suratkal. In retrospect we would have been better off if we had come by rail upto Mangalore Junction (railhead for Kerala bound trains / 130 km by road)or either Udipi (70 km) or Kundapura (30 km) - all major stops on the Konkan Route. Bus services are aplenty from these locations to Kollur.
Awash in greenery after unexpectedly heavy rains, the last leg of the route from Kundapura to Kollur was a soothing sight to my jaded city bred eyes. Winding roads through forest area’s with bridges over the Souparnika and Agnithirtha rivers and glimpses of Kodajadri hills through shifting fog are definite to gladden anyone’s heart. The roads though narrow are in good shape. To really enjoy the trip, you have to go by bus, that too in the most old, rickety and "open to the elements" sort that you can find. This slow journey will surely beat zipping by in your car or the newer AC/ DVD coaches.