Another great day. I was expecting more pictures of Dhanuskodi in your log

As I have said it previously and repeating again....Nice logs and awesome pics . Waiting for rest of the logs.

Added some more pictures of Dhanuskodi.

Yes mostly roads are good. However, many of the internal roads though in great conditions are narrow and single lane. So speeds are slow.

Some very beautiful captures dichkaun.Loved the Point Calimere captures.

CHeers
Biru

Day 3 - Ramnathpuram to Kanyakumari



Km 990 (0)Km 1000 (10)

Seeing a roadside board pointing left towards Sethu Karai, I turned left. I remembered the name vaguely from the maps I had seen the day before.
The morning was fresh and adventure was in the air.
The road was good with trees and greenery lining the road.
Km 1004 (14)


Peacock
A peacock flew over me into a tree and disappeared. I stop and walk back to click a picture but it disappeared. I would get lucky on my way back.
Km 1006 (16)

Sethu Karai is the place where Lord Ram is said to have constructed a bridge from here over the sea waters to reach Sri Lanka.

Sethu Karai - No sign of the bridge
The Sethu Karai temple is a small temple.

Sethu Karai Temple
Aside from me a bus of tourists was waiting for the temple to open. As I parked my bike, a person appeared out of nowhere to collect the parking ticket. It seemed funny paying for parking in an isolated place like Sethu Karai. I guess it really gets crowded on special days.
Km 1013 (23)


Pet Turkey

Thiruppullani Temple
A few Km later, I take another diversion towards the Erwadi. Knowing of the dargah I expected a lots of shops and small eateries. The shops were closed and the eateries did not exhibit anything interesting to persuade me to stop.

Dargah At Irawadi
Even though there are no trees on this stretch of ECR, the surrounding are green with lots of low-lying areas filled with water.
The weather is gloomy. The sun should have been out by now.

Green Fields
Km 1065 (75)

Pangs of hunger force me to look for something to eat. I wonder why we get hungry at short intervals while driving.
I stop at a small shop at Sayalgudi for breakfast.
I start with Puri which almost everyone else is having. Unfortunately the puris are cold server with piping hot alu sabji. Not content with that I ask for a dosa. The guy does not understands masala dosa. So I just ask for dosa and out come freshly made hot dosa.
Km 1110 (120)

The drive is becoming boring and I am increasingly getting sleepy.
Stopping next to a salt pan, I wash my face. I also wanted to take a hand full of salt and let it sieve through my fingers like the movies.
The salt tastes horrible unlike table salt. I guess this salt goes through several rounds of processing before it reaches our table.

Salt Pans
Km 1146 (156)

Reaching Tuticorin I search for an easy way out. The bypass, though extra wide, is jammed with trucks. After asking a couple of truck drivers, I manage to find the exit roads.
Almost out-of-town, I stop for tea accompanied with cream bun. Being morning, the cream bun is extremely fresh and I relish two of them.
I also withdraw some cash from a nearby ICICI ATM.
The road condition deteriorates after Tuticorin and the going becomes slow navigating around the pot holes.
After a while I reach a junction where there is a large church being constructed. I stop in the shade of the church and watch a ceremony being performed. Though it looked like a marriage with band/baja, the bride and groom were nowhere visible.

Church Ceremony
The new church did not look anything like the old one.

Old Church
Km 1181 (191)

Entering Thiruchendur I am pretty much lost. Surprisingly the town is like a ghost town. The streets are empty and most shops are closed. It just looks weird.
Unable to find anyone to ask for directions, I am tempted to stop and knock on some door. Resisting the urge I take blind turns and navigate around. After one such turns, I see several buses lined up on the road up ahead.
Driving further I see a large temple tower up ahead and I turn towards that. Turning the next bend I see where the town people are.
Up ahead there is a huge crowd gathered near the temple. Apparently some special function.
The temple is next to the beach and several people are bathing and paying obeisance to the god.

Beach Temple
After sticking around the beach for a while I ask a bus driver for direction and head on.
The roads now though narrow, look much better.

Good Road
Km 1202 (212)

The churches of Manapad are visible on the horizon several Km before the village. The Holy Cross Church situated on the hilltop was built-in 1581.

Manapad
However the building looks new, probably recently renovated.

Manapad Church
There were a couple of other large churches being built-in the village which looked grand from a distance.
I wonder why a small village like this needs so many churches.
The Holy Cross Church is located in a beautiful location overlooking a curved shoreline with a beautiful beach.
To my disappointment, there was no natural shade here for a noon siesta. The afternoon sun discouraged me from lingering on much longer.

Manapad
Km 1267 (277)

The road condition deteriorates and potholes appears with more regularity.
The soil has become red which does not seem to support large trees. Mostly there are shrubs and small trees.

Red Soil
Wind mills start appearing on the horizon. As I continue down the road, the frequency increases.

Onto Kanyakumari
By the time I join NH7, I am yearning for Kanyakumari to put my feet up and rest a while.
Km 1277 (287)
Crowds at Kanyakumari
I can understand why Swami Vivekanand had to find an island offshore to meditate. He was running from the crowds.

Vivekanand Rock and Thiruvalluvar Statue
Sitting on the parapet on the edge I waited for the sunset like the thousand others and watched it go down like any other sunset without the serenity of environment to enjoy.

Sunset
The islands offshore light up after dark providing ample opportunity for post card shots.

Night Shot
After lingering around for a while I walk towards the other side of the town towards the Vivekanand Kendra. It is recommended to me for dinner.
The food is simple and tastes fine. But it is expensive for the price.
Returning back to the hotel, I wash clothes before going to sleep.
The night was bad with a few college kids and traffic keeps me waking at night.
Km 1281 (291)

Day end.


Links

Day 0 - 25th Dec 2010: Bangalore to Chidambaram (412 Km) (Photographs)
Day 1 - 26th Dec 2010: Chidambaram to Point Calimere (208 Km) (Photographs)
Day 2 - 27th Dec 2010: Point Calimere to Ramanathapuram (370 Km) (Photographs)
Day 3 - 28th Dec 2010: Ramanathapuram to Kanyakumari (291 Km) (Photographs)
Day 4 - 29th Dec 2010: Kanyakumari to Vathalagundu (413 Km) (Photographs)
Day 5 - 30th Dec 2010: Vathalagundu to Bangalore (508 Km) (Photographs)

All Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu - Dec 2010)
Interesting Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu Selected - Dec 2010)
Route Map (Interactive)(Image)

Day 4 - Kanyakumari to Batlakundu (near Kodai)



Waking up early, I drive down to see the sunrise after a bath.
A huge crowd is already cramped in the small area to waiting for the sun to rise.

Fishermen At Sunrise
Km 1284 (03)Km 1290 (09)


Don Quixote's Giants
The sun is up as I join the NH7. Charging North towards the windmills I think of Don Quixote and whatever I have read of him.
I wish the crowds waited long enough to get a good viewing of the sunrise.
Km 1361 (80)

Discontented with the highway ride, I look for an escape and decide on heading towards Kuttalam/Tenkasi.
So just before Tirunelveli I turn west on a smaller undivided road towards Ambasamudram.
As I stop at a junction to ask for directions, the sight of fresh bhajis made me realize that I need to have some breakfast.
Tea, cake and hot bhajis later, I hit the road.
Driving on the narrow road with little traffic is fun. The overcast skies with a hint of rain in the air make me croak like a frog anticipating rain. The hills up ahead beckon with open arms. It is here that I belong.

Country Roads
Km 1381 (100)

At a junction, after some direction hunting I am directed towards Ambasamudram. The drive continues to be fun with an occasional smattering of rain. Nothing worse enough to force me to stop.

Hills Beckon

Lush Green Fields
Km 1437 (156)


5 Falls at Kuttalam
Kuttalam looks like a popular tourist place. a large number of hotels and eateries line the road. The falls itself are crowded with several people cleansing themselves - probably of their sins.
Km 1442 (161)


Main Falls at Kuttalam
The main falls though much bigger seem to have the same amount of water as 5 falls.
Resisting an attempt to lure me into an oil massage from a persistent sales boy, I move on.

Kerala Oil Massage
Km 1448 (167)

The temple at Tenkasi (South Kasi) is visible from way outside the town. The large size of the Gopuram attracts me to the temple which is surprisingly not thronged by a huge crowd.

Gopuram of Tenkasi Temple
I stop opposite the temple for a guava which attracts me with its bright green color. Once dismounted I continue for a full-fledged tiffin of sweet bun, rice bath, keshri bath, two vada and double coffee.

Tiffin at Pothi Canteen
My stomach leaves Tenkasi in a content state.
Km 1486 (205)Kerala Bike Trip). Instead I decide to head towards Theni via Peraiyur.
Km 1544 (263)

Stopping at an abandoned bus shelter, I sleep a while. My back and legs appreciate the rest and I head on well refreshed.
Km 1558 (277)

Pitter-patter rain drops on the petrol tank.
I stop under a tree and wait. There is no place to sit so I stand. As I am contemplating sitting on the ground, the rain stops and I head on.
Km 1570 (289)

Taking a left to Peraiyur, the road again enters rural Tamil Nadu. There is ragi spread out on the road for free thrashing.
The road is narrow but empty.

Isolated Vistas of Country Roads
Km 1622 (341)

Joining the NH49 (Madurai-Theni road) I stop for tea.
The shop is making fresh boondi.
These are small deep fried dough balls dipped in sugar syrup. When we were kids in Chandigarh, we befriended a nearby temple priest and he would give up lots of boondi in exchange for phantom comics.
Having my fill of boondi, I head toward Theni.
A board says Munnar 100Km. A short run and I am tempted.
Km 1651 (372)Km 1692 (413)

Periyakulam is a disappointment. The lodge on the main street stinks inside out and I decide to take my chance at Dindigul.
The road to Kodaikanal stretches on the left. I know I would come one of these days.
Suddenly out of nowhere, I see a brightly lit building on the right. Slowing down, I find a large hotel in the middle of nowhere.
And even more surprising, the young boys at the reception have a room.
Plonking down the cash, I take the keys before they change their mind.
The bed feels nice and I doze off as soon as I lie down.
Waking up a while later, I take a bath and head out for dinner.
The hotel is located on the outskirts of Batlagundu. Walking up to the town I find several places to eat.
Settling down on one, I order a dosa which was not so nice. So I walk down to a biryani place. The biryani they served was heavily flavoured and spicy rice with chicken separate.
I gobbled it down with a bottle of sprite.
Returning back to the room, I went over the maps. The fact that Kodaikanal was nearby kept coming back to my mind.
Km 1692 (413)

Day end.


Links

Day 0 - 25th Dec 2010: Bangalore to Chidambaram (412 Km) (Photographs)
Day 1 - 26th Dec 2010: Chidambaram to Point Calimere (208 Km) (Photographs)
Day 2 - 27th Dec 2010: Point Calimere to Ramanathapuram (370 Km) (Photographs)
Day 3 - 28th Dec 2010: Ramanathapuram to Kanyakumari (291 Km) (Photographs)
Day 4 - 29th Dec 2010: Kanyakumari to Vathalagundu (413 Km) (Photographs)
Day 5 - 30th Dec 2010: Vathalagundu to Bangalore (508 Km) (Photographs)

All Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu - Dec 2010)
Interesting Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu Selected - Dec 2010)
Route Map (Interactive)(Image)

Day 5 - Batlakundu (near Kodai) to Bangalore

Km 1699 (07)


Sunrise - Kodai Foothills

Distant Waterfall
Km 1725 (33)


Bye-bye Kodaikanal. Some Other Time.
28Km before Kodaikanal, I turn away from the main road with an intention to drive through some unknown hill roads.
The drive through the hills was perfect, like a soothing balm on an aching soul. Stopping often I enjoy the hills and the greenery.
The roads are mostly bad with small stretches of good tar. The wild flowers compensate for hardships of the road.

Mountain Panorama

Good Roads

And Bad Roads

Flowers

Ferns

And Colored Leaves
Km 1746 (54)

Finding a nice rock, I dislodge a chameleon and take its place in the sun. The sun is warm and the breeze cold. Some where far below there is sound of water flowing. Birds chirp as I drift in and out of gentle sleep.

Sunshine Sleep
I wake up startle, not knowing how much time has passed. Aware that I have a long way to go, I head on.
Km 1775 (83)

A few more turns and I realize that I am lost. People are hard to find on these roads and a few I met could not direct me to where I want owing to my lack of knowledge of local language. I continue taking roads by intuition until I top a ridge and reach a village. A jeep driver puts me on the right path.

Shaded Roads
Km 1803 (111)

Descending through 14 hairpin bends, which are hallmark of hill roads in the south, I reach the junction with NH209 (Palani-Dindigul road)

Hairpin Bend 14/14
Driving away from Palani, I am hoping to take the direct road to Vedasandur, not know that I had left that road behind.
Soon I end up in Dindigul and take the NH to Bangalore.
Km 1829 (137)


Highway Safety
Km 1913 (221)

Lunch at Arvind Cafe.
After eating two paronthas, I ask for rice. The lady proprietor is surprised and says something which I assume to mean half. I nod and gobble down a large bowl of rice.
Food is the only entertainment on this road.

Lunch @ Arvind Cafe
Km 1966 (274)

Tired, I find a bus shelter and sleep a while. It is cool in the shade and I wake up only when the sun shines on my face through a hole in the roof.
Km 2000 (308)


Hooray 2000Km
Crossing Salem I hit the 2K mark of this ride. I had hoped for a more picturesque spot (like the 30K of the bike on the Yelagiri ride), but this will have to do.
Km 2052 (360)

I stop for tea at my regular place on the incline North of Thoppur. There is no tea so I settle for a couple of bananas and a biscuit.
Km 2109 (417)


The Last Silhouette. On a trip full of good Silhouettes, it is appropriate that the last one is a Silhouette.
Km 2200 (508)

Basment parking lot at home.
The last stretch from Hosur was painful with bad traffic.
I finally reach home with almost all parts of the body aching. Now for a long sleep.
Links

Day 0 - 25th Dec 2010: Bangalore to Chidambaram (412 Km) (Photographs)
Day 1 - 26th Dec 2010: Chidambaram to Point Calimere (208 Km) (Photographs)
Day 2 - 27th Dec 2010: Point Calimere to Ramanathapuram (370 Km) (Photographs)
Day 3 - 28th Dec 2010: Ramanathapuram to Kanyakumari (291 Km) (Photographs)
Day 4 - 29th Dec 2010: Kanyakumari to Vathalagundu (413 Km) (Photographs)
Day 5 - 30th Dec 2010: Vathalagundu to Bangalore (508 Km) (Photographs)

All Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu - Dec 2010)
Interesting Photographs (Coastal Tamil Nadu Selected - Dec 2010)
Route Map (Interactive)(Image)

Finally posted the last three days.
Sorry for the delay.

Wow!!!
Nice trip

Loved the pics of Dhanuskodi