Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 6

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

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 5

Day 5: 03/11/2010

          Got ready early in the morning and headed toward the beach to see sunrise. It was almost dark when we reach there, tourist were occupying there spot to see the sunrise. Slowly most part of the beach was filled with tourist occupying every space available, it was like a Mela!

  Everybody was there before 5:15 am .....occupying there seat to see the sunrise!

  wide angle view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue

view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue

 sun rays creating beautiful effect at the back of Thiruvalluvar statue!

After that went for beach walk, went to see the Kamarajar Memorial. We had breakfast and went to the lodge, rested for hour. Then took an auto to the place where we had left the bull parked in front yard.

Back tyre got punctured the previous night at 10pm, 4km away from Kanyakumari...not single shop was opened at that time, had to park the bull in front of this house and went to Kanyakumari to search for lodge. Photo was taken next morning.

Just few blocks from the house was the puncture repair shop. We thanked the person who helped us and it was already 11am so decided to go to Boat ride to Vivekananda rock memorial. There was long queue for the boat ride, till kill boredom started taking photos.

fishing boat

The boat ride was very short, reached the place took the ticket and went on for photo shoot. Few photos from Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.

Vivekananda rock memorial

 

 Madhu waited long time to get this shot!

view of Vivekananda rock memorial from Thiruvalluvar statue

We spend almost 2hr to see the beautiful and shrine Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.

  view of Vivekananda rock memorial & Thiruvalluvar statue from the beach

 Then went to have have lunch and planned to rest at lodge & go to see sunset. We didn't the exact place to see the sunset, asking for direction to sunset point we finally make it to that place, by the time we reach there sun was already covered with clouds. We spent some good time enjoying the soothing winds. 

After that we headed to Suchindrum Temple, which was 12km away. We reached there by 6pm, puja was being performed when we entered the temple.  The temple`s musical pillars and an excellent statue of the Hanuman are the main attraction. 

We went back, had dinner and went to bed early. 

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 4

Day 4: 02/11/2010
          Woke up early in the morning and got freshen up & went to 'Periyer Tiger Reserve' paid the entry fee and parked the vehicle in parking lot. Reach the ticket counter to found out that all tickets for morning boat ride is sold out, then thought of  going for trekking, but for trekking you have to book ticket near Ambadi Junction Info Centre. As the next ride was at around 10 am we thought why to waste time and planned to leave Thekkady. While we were returning back an auto driver told us about Elephant camp near by where we can do elephant ride.

woke up early(6am) for boat ride at periyar lake...reached ticket counter by 6:30...all ticket sold out...what next????? then this guy came up n gave info what u can do in Thekkady...!

Then we headed to Elephant Camp. Our elephant was getting ready for ride, mahout was clean the elephant.

ready for ride!

We took the shortest ride available that was for half-an hour. It took us through the estate perimeter one round. Elephant have pool where they are cleaned everyday.

early in the morning mahout cleaning his elephant

       After the elephant ride we went to take breakfast. Returned back to the home-stay and vacated the place and started towards Kanyakumari. The roads were in bad condition after the monsoon. After driving for around 30km we crossed the bad road and moved into good roads. Now we started descending and the weather was getting hotter. Oh we missed the chilled weather of the hills. By around 3 pm we reached Pathanamthitta almost covered 150km and stopped for lunch.

       Most time in this part we had to ask people for road direction. Now the tea estate has been replaced by rubber plantation estate. Most of the hills are covered with rubber trees. Once we reached Adoor and entered on to MC road, it was 4 lane road, newly built and in superb condition...you can easily hit 100km. But driving on this road was monotonous, we were missing the ghat roads where you are more careful looking out for the next curve. Sun was setting down and we were still to reach Trivandrum. by 6:30pm we reached Trivandrum. We planned to halt at this place but as kanyakumari was 90km away instead thought of driving for another 3hrs and reach our destination.

      The roads in Trivandrum were narrow, it took us almost 45mins catch the NH47 which will take us to Nagercoil. NH47 is one of the busiest road of south India, traffic density flowing in this road is too much to handle. 

Taking rest after riding in the busiest NH47 road ...u can't take ur eyes away from this road....if u want to come out safe!!!

After lot of struggle with the traffic we came across the Tamilnadu side of NH47 where the traffic was less compered to that of Kerala side NH47. We reached Nagercoil by 9:30pm and stopped for dinner. Kanyakumari was just 18km away from us. As the fuel was low, we tank up the bull and headed for Kanyakumari. Our luck run out just 4km away from Kanyakumari when 3rd time the rear tyre went flat. It was almost 10pm and all the shops were closed, getting it repaired was out of question. Then came the TN police vehicle, asked what we were doing here 1000km away from Bangalore, we told them that we were on photography tour of south India. The police officer told us to park the vehicle somewhere and go to Kanyakumari. Luckily one guy from Karnataka came to our help when he saw vehicle no plate and asked us to park the bull in-front of his house. We parked the bull near his house and got one auto who dropped us at Kanyakumari. Got a decent lodge near the beach side. By that time it was almost 12am. We were too tired and hit the bed to catch up the sunrise next morning.

Route : Thekkady-Kottarakkara-Trivandrum-Nagercoil-Kanyakumari

Distance Covered : 370KM

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride -Day 3

Day 3: 1st Nov
          Day started with sad note, saw the rear tyre flat once again. As it was early morning there is no chance of getting it repaired, so went to take breakfast. By 9:30 am we got hold of one puncture repair guy. Oh this guy has mobile puncture repair shop, carry everything on his bike. He patched the tube with out taking out the wheel and that too very easily. Just give a call and he will be at your service where ever you are stranded in middle of the road.
          It was almost 11am when started for Udumalapet. After driving for another 17 km we reached the forest check post gate of Indira Gandhi Nation park. The road inside the national forest is small but well maintained, few vehicles moves in this road, so most part in this road we were driving alone. Once again we were stopped by forest check post for checking near Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary. now gradually started driving up the western ghats towards Munnar. There lots of water fall everywhere you see but far way to be captured by camera.

view of distant waterfall

Slowly temperature was also decreasing, we can feel the clod wind. everywhere its greener with lots of vegetation. As we reached 3000m above sea level we can see tea estate everywhere.

tea estate surrounding every hills

never ending road!

  we were almost 30km away from Munnar took pit-stop for photoshot.  You will be mesmerize by the greenery everywhere you see. Most of the the hill are covered with tea plantation and eucalyptus tree plantation.

The Bull n the beautiful western ghats!

Near Eravikulam National park large number of tourist were present to see the nilgiri tahr, roads were packed with tourist vehicle seeing  all this we planned to straight head towards Munnar. Suddenly the hill was covered with fog and visibility dropped to few meters & temperature also dropped drastically now it was chilled climate. As we descended towards Munnar slowly we enter into the nice climate not too cold but the sky was covered with clouds. It was almost 3pm very hungry directly headed to take lunch at restaurant. 

     As we planned to stay the night at Thekkady, we started driving towards Devikulam. We were stopped by Kerala police for vehicle papers checkup. As all papers were clear except that i was caring photocopy of the RC book which was not attested by gazette officer, the officer asked pay fine. I told him all the reason why i was caring the photocopy, he said "only only.......Rs -100" you have to pay fine. After that we stopped 1km away from there for photo shot.

 

  Police stopped the Bull for checking papers

On the way to Devikulam, Oh! remember this place from 2007 new year trip, similar shot i have taken during that trip....not wanted to miss this one....waited long for the mist to clear.....finally got this shot. thanks to Madhu

Roads where very good with occasionally few pot holes. Once again we stopped for photo shot near the top of the hill. 

  mostly it was covered with fog

waited long for the mist clear to get a good snap.....but couldn't wait for long as the road ahead is mesmerizing.....!

 Now almost view of the valley was totally cover with fog, so decided to drive slowly enjoying the awesome road. On the way there were few small waterfalls

Got one good snap of one water wall.

 view of the waterfall

The state highway was well maintained by Kerala. This road was the best road to driving in western ghat. After 2 puncture you have intuition like the pressure is low, so after riding for more then 100km we were always check the tyre pressure. It was getting dark and still we have more distance to cover. We have to drive in night till Thekkady. As vehicle traffic was less it was easy to ride in night till our destination. We reached Thekkady by 8pm and checked in  Harita homestay. Then went to have dinner and night photo shot.

Coffee day Rest house....beautiful wood work....night time looks like a palace!

Madnavi retro coffee bar! .....love to walk on those street at night!

After a good dinner and good night walk with photo shot we went to bed. And already excited for the next day!

Route : Udumalapet - Munnar - Thekkady

Distance Covered: 250KM

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride-Day 2

Day 2: 31st Oct
          Good morning Pollachi, still cloudy and drizzling. Got freshen up and went to take breakfast. by 8:40am we started our journey towards Valparai.

General check up before starting

Reached the ghat section after driving for around 22km, 9am in morning hills are covered with clouds, couldn't take a single pic of Aliyar Dam as the view was blocked by fog.

most of the time it was covered by clouds

Once start climbing up for about 3km you will come to a Monkey fall, big water fall is there - be careful as the name suggest lots of monkeys are there near that place. Few of the monkey tried to open the saddle bag. So one has to guard the motorcycle while other went to see the fall. After driving for another 5km you will come to the starting point of 42 hair pin bend.

 

1 of the 42 hair-pin bend 

Still most part of the hills were covered by clouds couldn't see the beautiful landscape always heard about from friends. Driving slowly we crossed all the hair-pin bend. Its was awesome to ride in these ghats section. Traffic was less so we could enjoy riding slow and mesmerized by the nature. We stopped  near the tea estate to take snaps of Lion Tailed Macaque.

Stopped for taking photos, me & my bull taking rest, madhu chasing Lion-tailed Macaque - Valparai 8KM away

We couldn't take a good photo of Lion tailed macaque, as they were far away on the trees. Once we reached Valparai and asked few people for tourist places to visit near by area. As already we were running behind our planned schedule didn't wanted to waste much of the time so we headed towards suicide point. Why people always name a beautiful view point to suicide point? any hill station you go, you will find one suicide point. Now its greener everywhere because of tea plants. Every hill has been converted into tea estate.

on the way to view point

small house inside the tea estate

There was a temple at the view point - Nallmudai Punjolai. The priest was present when we reach there, he told us about the temple history and performed puja. You can see the border of Kerala from here. As it was cloudy there was no clear view. far away there few water fall.

View of distance waterfall from suicide point

By around 1:30pm we returned back to valparai and planned to head to Munnar. After driving for around 10km the rear tyre got puncture in middle of nowhere, we stopped one guy and asked for the puncture shop, he knew the guy in the puncture shop so he called and told the exact location where we were stranded. he told us that the guy will come in another 15 mins and once again it started drizzling. Waited there for the guy for 30 mins when he didn't turned up because of the rain, madhu walk 2km to reach the nearest communication point where he spoke once again with the mechanic he assured that he will come in 10 mins, but didn't came. Finally we decided to take out the rear wheel and take it to the nearest puncture repair shop. One middle age guy gave me lift till the puncture shop. Once the puncture was repaired once again took lift from a more guy who drop me till the point where the bull was parked. We place the rear wheel and are ready to roll. When ever you are going for long ride don't forgot to carry necessary tools with you! as in our case i was carrying all the tools except foot pump and puncture repair kit. So by 5pm we started from this place, on the way we stopped near Tiger hill view point for photo shot.

View of tiger Hills

View of tiger Hills 

 panoramic view of Tiger hills

It was getting dark when we got down the ghat section, our plan to reach Mannur was not possible so thought to stay in nearest town, then headed towards Udumalaipettai, reached the 8:30pm. Got a decent lodge on Udumalapet - Munnar  road. Had dinner in near by restaurant and went to bed.

Route: Pollachi - Valparai - Udumalapet
Distance Covered: 200KM

Kanyakurmari-Rameshwaram bike ride-Day 1

Long weekend was on the menu we have to take only 3 days leave on 2nd, 3rd & 4th Nov as 1st will be holiday on account of Karnataka Rajyotsav and 5th is Deepawali  and have 10 days in hand for the trip. Few friends were interested to join but due to unavoidable circumstances all dropped out of the plan, So finally me, my bull and madhu were ready for the 8 days biking through the western ghats till the southern most part of India, Kanyakumari.

This bike ride will become one of my longest bike trip i have done. As its going to be longest trip i carried necessary tools required to do basic maintenance job. 



Day 1: 30th Oct
          All the required things are packed into the saddle bag the previous night, tanked up the bull to full tank & was all set for the trip. I started from my room by 6am and reached at madhu's place by 6:30am as planned to had breakfast at madhu's house. Had plenty of idli's with hot samber.
          After pet puja we are all set for our bike trip. Inspected the bike for last time as all was good and ready to roll. By 7.50am we started our longest bike trip from bangalore. Passed Kanakapura town by 9:10am and reached our first pit stop after crossing Kaveri river.

125KM : First break after crossing Kaveri river near Kollegal. Refreshed our self with fresh sugarcane from the fields.

After 15 mins break once again we hit the road, now the roads are passing through villages won't feel like its a National Highway. Once we crossed Chamarajnagar and toched the western ghat we took second pit stop near Dhakam.

 230KM, 2nd Break, BR Hills, Starting of 21 hair pin bend, awesome view of BR Hills

The clouds were gathering when started to go down the hill, and it started raining.

Clouds ready to burst into rain

By the time we reach Sathyamangalam we were fully drenched in rain, rain stopped when we enter the town,stopped for lunch and had south indian thaali. As we had planned to halt at Valparai, we hit the road with out waste much time. Now its like where ever we are heading rain also follows us. By 4:30pm we reached Coimbatore, once again it started raining from here till Pollachi it rained cats & dogs, everywhere roads are flooded with rain water. Reached Pollachi by 6:30pm, as it was raining heavily we parked the bull inside hotel parking lot and took out the poncho & started searching for accommodation. It was like whole town of Pollachi was submerged in water, everywhere 1 feet deep water was running criss- cross for lower grounds. After searching for almost 1 hour got a decent lodge and unpacked the saddle bags and put the wet clothes for drying up. Got freshen up and headed to have dinner, outside still it was drizzling. After good light dinner it was timing for heading to bed.

Day 1 Route: Bangalore - Kanakapura - Chamrajanagar - Satyamangalam - Coimbatore - Pollachi
Distance Covered: 400km

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 1

    Since long time was planning to visit Pondicherry, heard it about from lots of friends who have visited there. And the time was perfect for weekend drive as friday was holiday on account of Ramzan. Plan was to go for this trip with few friends because of unavoidable circumstances most of them dropped out of the trip. So finally decided to do it solo.
       Day 1 : 10 September 2010 - Started early in the morning at around 7:30am from my place, as the traffic was less during morning hour didn't took the elevated expressway till electronic city instead took the normal route. This was my second solo ride for long distance, got habituated of maintaining a decent speed. Any way i never like to go beyond 60km on my odometer. that's way its more pleasure to ride and enjoy the beautiful roads. by the time i reached Krishnagiri, stomach was giving hint to take first pit stop to have breakfast.
     Had to say goodbye to the awesome road of NH7, took left turn on to NH46 and then took a right turn onto NH 66-Puducherry ( or Pondicherry as we know) road, from here one the road is single going through small towns and villages. As bullet tank was half filled while starting the journey thought of filling it on the way so stopped near Thirumagal, filled the upto full tank. It was sunny through out the journey till Tiruavannamalai, so stopped to have coconut i was so thirsty that took 2 big ones.  Arunachaleshwar Temple is beside the main road looks beautiful, was too sunny so didn't took out the camera. Steadily i was maintaining 60km speed, planned to reach Pondicherry by 3 and to have lunch there. Reached Gingee town by at around 1 pm, saw the Gingee fort from road side only as the planned was to reach destination by lunch time. While passing Tindivanam town had a minor accident on the flyover, i bang the truck from behind as was not able to balance after applying brake as result i had broke the headlight, cleared the broken glasses from the road and moved ahead. The road from here was newly laid and traffic was less so cruising along nicely. Reached Pondicherry outskirt by 2:30pm, planned to stay near the sea shore. After search for 30 mins got a decent lodge, that too double bed. Now was the time for searching restaurant to have lunch, as it was already 3:30pm most of the restaurant lunch time was over...finally got a veggie hotel, took one meal. Then headed to my room had shower and got ready & asked few people for royal Enfield workshop, one guy pointed me to Agnes Moto Care few blocks from where i was staying. Purchased the parts needed to replace from auto spare part store, it took more time as i expected - twice the guy fixed the spring in wrong direction and trying hard to headlight mount as the head mechanic was not there at that time, finally i suggest him do in right away and it was done.
    Bye the time repair work was over it was almost dark inquired few people about tourist spot in Pondicherry. Then headed to M.G.Road parked my Bull near Bharathi park as vehicle were not allowed between evening to morning as most of the road was occupied by tourist. While roaming on M.G.road met my college friend, who was also there with his wife came to Pondy for vacation. stayed there till 9pm enjoying the sea side night view. some classical music function was organized there by pondicherry tourism department. As most of restaurant will close down by 9:30pm, hurried back to take dinner. Had chicken biryani full plate, fully satisfied went to bed.
    Didn't took out the camera out of the backpack as it was too sunny. So sorry not photos for day 1.

Route: Bangalore-Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai-Tindivanam-Pondicherry

Distance Covered: 340KM


solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram: Day 2
solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram: Day 3

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 3

Day 3:

          It was raining almost whole night, but i slept well. whole roads are flooded with water, waited till the rains to stop. It was 8am when i came out of the lodge to check the bull parked outside if still ok, clean the bull and it started with a single kick. It was totally cloudy weather so didn't took out the camera. I went to Kamakshi Amman Temple, had darshan of  Goddess Kamakshi. Photography is prohibited inside most of the temple. After temple visit, went to have breakfast this time i had mini idli sambar or 14 idlies, it was good. 
         By 10 am started my journey back to Bangalore. After driving for around 10 km joined the NH 4, from here roads are awesome. Most part of ride it was totally cloudy so it was really cool weather to ride. After around 50km took a left into NH46, drove till Vellore and stopped for refueling. When the roads are very smooth, driving became monotonous and boring when you are driving alone. Driving for another 130 km , reached Krishnagiri by 2:40pm, by this time i was very hungry stopped near Anand Bavan for lunch which about 20km away from Krishnagiri. 
        After good meal and rest, planned to reach Bangalore before evening. I was maintaining decent speed, cross Hosur by 5pm. As it was sunday so most of the traffic was moving towards the city. It took another one n half hour to reach home, by the time i reached home it was 7pm.
       It was good solo ride, with no problem with the bike. Its good to ride in optimum speed so that you don't put too much pressure on the engine and it will give you trouble free ride.


Route: Kanchipuram-Vellore-Krishnagiri-Hosur-Bangalore
Distance covered: 300KM



Total distance covered: 820KM

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 1

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 2

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 2

Day 2:
   Planned to woke up early in the morning to catch sunrise,but slept long and missed the sunrise. Went there for morning walk on M.G.Road, it was not crowded like the night time. The weather was cloudy, so couldn't capture the morning sun. 

view of old harbor

The beach after the old harbor is very dirty. Mostly is occupied by fishermen, people used this place for dumping all garbage, couldn't go because of it.

view of the beach

view of M.G Road

After finishing morning walk, went to room took bath and freshen up. Had breakfast at near by restaurant, then asked the road direction for Auroville. Auroville is 10km away from pondy. This was founded by Mother Mirra Alfassa, the chief disciple of Sri Aurobindo. This place was designed by the French architect Roger Anger. Matri mandir is the spiritual and a physical centre.  

Matri Mandir

Once again i met my college friend in Auroville, saw all the places inside Auroville. 

Infront of Matri mandir

After spending good time at Auroville, came back to Pondy by 11am and  planned to head to Mahabalipuram. I had heard lot about the ECR road, so decided to take the ECR road till Mahabalipuram. The road is well maintained, driving here is real pleasure. On the stopped for lunch, had chicken biryani.. it was yummy, forgot the restaurant name. Reached Mahabalipuram by 2:30, went to Panch Rathas.

 

Panch Rathas

Mahishasuramardini Mandapam

 

Light House

Shore temple

Mahabalipuram beach

   By evening almost visited all the places, then headed to Kachipuram. Reached Kanchipuram by 7:30, it started raining heavy- waited for the rain to stop by then it was already 8:30. Once rain stopped started searching for a lodge and got near the bus stand for Rs 250/- single bed room. Had dinner near the junction in Sri krishna hotel. by 10 pm went to bed.

Route: Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram

Distance Covered: 180KM

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 1

Solo ride to Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram-Kanchipuram : Day 3