Day 6: 04/11/2010
Left Kanyakumari early the morning and reached Vattakottai by 7:10am. We didn't know that the fort gate opens at 9am. We requested the the care taker to let us in, we paid the entry fee. Vattakottai circular fort is a seaside fort built in 18th century as a coastal defence-fortification and barracks in the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
few pics of Vattakottai fort
We left Vattakottai by 8am as the care taker has to go out to town. We planned to follow the road which goes by the sea side, most part of the ride was like roller coaster ride as the road was too uneven. But the road was in good condition without much potholes. We were driving mostly alone in this road as the traffic was very less, occasionally few vehicle cross.
we hit the magical number!
When we were nearing Koodankulam we saw more traffic and many people waiting to go for work. This place is famous for Nuclear Power plant, this the 9th power plant in India. After driving for another 25km our luck run out once again, rear tyre got puncture. we were just 10km away from Tiruchendur, people advised us to go back 5km to find a puncture shop. It is difficult to ask help in the plane area where people are afraid to stop. after trying few times one guy stopped and helped me to take the rear tyre to near by puncture shop. This time i was adamant and asked the guy to check it thoroughly, found out that from inside the tyre was teared. I asked him if i can get a new tyre, he told me that he going to put one extra tube inside so that it will protect the main tube, asked me to get the tyre at Tuticorin. I couldn't get anything to return back, so hired on jeep that dropped to the point where the bull was parked.
Now we were driving very careful not to hit any potholes or stones. After 4th puncture you will always feel like anytime the tyre may flatten out. So decide to have lunch at Tiruchendur, had lunch and were ready to start for Rameshwaram when a guy came up & asked "Are you willing to sale the bike, will pay you in cash". This guy was asking the bull for his son, who was on top of the building beside the restaurant, supervising in construction. Asking his father from top to ask us weather we will sale the bike. That guy took our phone and said once you reach back will give you a call. Once again we hit the road and reached Tuticorin by 1pm. I searched many shops for ceat tyre but couldn't find anywhere so decide to put a Dunlop tyre, after bargain we got it for 1500 bucks. We went to near by puncture shop got it replaced and left Tuticorin by 2:30pm. We stopped near Sayalgudi to tank up the bull. We didn't knew the route, so we were checking the route on google map, but it doesn't show the road which we were traveling. We came to know that this was the new ECR road that goes up till Chennai.
New East Coast Road
The ECR road is still under construction at same places. We didn't go to Ramanathpuram instead we took the ECR and took a right into NH49 which goes to Rameshwaram. Driving for another 56km we reached Rameshwaram by 7:30pm. Once again we started to hunt for a good lodge, finally got one which was recently opened for Rs 500 for double room was too good, where other lodges we charging more and rooms were not good. Finally settled and went out to take dinner. by 10pm we hit the bed, as we have to get up early to visit the temple.
Route: Kanyakumari-Tiruchendur-Tuticorin-Rameshwaram
Distance covered: 350KM
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