Let me not break the suspense by asking too many questions and await the log.

Day One
Plans were laid long back, but could only get leaves approved from 6 to 13 Apr 2012. As mentioned above in the map, that was the plan; to start from Marina (second longest beach in the world), ride through ECR towards all the secluded beaches in the south, just 2 states for that matter.

Plan was to stay at Kodiakarai a.k.a Point Calimere, but those jokers, red tapists, though they'd rooms, they said they didn't get some order (what bloody order) & people who approve are on leave. So much for the bureaucracy in this country!!! Didn't want to encourage bribes either, so this starts as failure #1 & so I start moving towards Rameshwaram.

Thanks to Ananth, who suggested me staying at Mandapam where one can find an accommodation for sure. That is the best stay ever in my life; open the door & you're welcome by Bay of Bengal

Some pics...


ODO


Marina




Lovely ECR

and then some customary pics follows...





Breakfast time at Surguru


I couldn't resist myself after watching such a scenary between Pondi & Karaikaal. BTW, if any of you think this pic is good, awesome etc, forget it!!! Its something that pics cannot explain in reality.

Is this a Coastal Ride?


Yep, I have travelled on those roads at different periods of my life. I have no idea how things have changed in these years! But yes, very beautiful till you enter Goa.

There will be a next time RG !

All the best!

After this Ananth suggested visiting Tranquebar or Tharangambady; some pics...











Had the car not been there, ppl would certainly believe this is 19th century photo


Enroute to Point Calimere




No more talk about Point Calimere for the kind of frustration about accommodation!!! But wait...Mandapam TTDC was one awesome place to stay; open the rear door & you see the beach. Don't believe me? Here's the proof...



Let's recap the distance of day 1


Tks Da1AnOnlyHermit; roads were very inviting & the ride was much enjoyable. Yes, there will be next time
Day 2 follows...

Day Two
Woke up with sever throat infection; I hadn't noticed it much previous day because of the enjoyable ride; I almost had to starve for the rest of the day because there was not a single good vegetarian hotel (all serves veg & non-veg) from Ramnadu upto Rameshwaram. So when I tried finding a veg hotel at Mandapam, I couldn't. I'd to survive with Nice & Good day. Whew!!! These are the names of the biscuits; how ironical?

So despite the throat infection, I couldn't resist going out as this is how the scene looked outside when I opened up the door



and then the otherside, this is how the Moon appeared...






Some customary pics around TTDC





Finally I got myself prepared to go to Rameshwaram & Dhanushkodi; this is how the road lay ahead

It was a mixed feeling of amazement, scary & exciting to know that I was riding on the landscape that is surrounded by water on both the sides







Wait a minute...what did I see?


Beautiful bridge isn't it?




Whoa!!! This is Sea, not some junk polluted river

Take a close look


What's that?
Also there's a significant thing in the below pic; you can see the roadway, railway & waterway on the same pic; had there been an airport closer by, would've been a very rare place in the face of Earth

Taking a closer look


Even closer


The bridge


Sea




Enroute to Danushkodi

Hi Ganesh, Am not yet started reading your log but am pretty excited, Lets see how it goes

Enroute is to Kothandaramar Temple; the whole place is simply awesome; when you actually think that the water bodies you see on both the sides are Sea, it simply shivers the body





Then I see this at a great distance; had to use digital zoom


Enter the sands enroute to Gulf of Mannar










All the above seems exciting isn't it? Well, its not that simple. May be a bike like Rx or KTM would fair well; let me explain. The distance from paved road to Gulf of Mannar is about 12 Kms all in & around the Sea with sands all over. The rulers of these sands are only 4X4; I was the only joker to ride a single cylinder, single wheel powered motorcycle getting fried in the Sun while all the crowd in the 4X4 kept watching me like a Monkey . I never bother on those line, I can happily say today that I rode almost into the ocean & 6 Kms before the Indian coastal border, makes me happy

You couldn't push the vehicle on the sand as it wouldn't move, accelerate hard & the rear wheel sinks to sand, so one has to accelerate moderate & then push. And all this circus has to be done only on the trails of the 4X4. You also have to keep an eye for the oncoming vehicle otherwise they start cursing you as if you burned their family or they offer you immediate help...needless to say on what accounts

But all this troublesome is only for the first 100 feet or so after which the sands are little wet & you get traction & you can start riding.

I couldn't ride all way upto 12 Kms for 2 reasons that...
1. I didn't anticipate so much of heat & didn't carry enough water. By the time I rode 12 Kms, I was completely exhausted. The very thought that I should also be riding back so much distance made me to return
2. My sore in the throat was getting intense & I had to return to get something. Ideally 6 Kms on a paved road with CBR can be done in 3 minutes or less & I've done that. But on sand, its all a different game altogether. It took about 45 minutes for me to just return, that was quickest compared to onward journey of over an hour+

Despite all this, I never failed to have some fun...




For the maps...

You took the CBR there??? Wow!!! During our trip last month, we parked the bikes at Rameswaran since we didn't know the route on the sand and went in the 4x4 to Dhanushkodi... From the pic you posted it seems you didn't go till where the church and railways station was before being cyclone hit.... You missed it!!!

Check here for the pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6039475&type=3

Yes, I'd to forgo them; like I said before, had I made those 12 Kms, I might've to be carried for another 20+ Kms to a hospital in 4X4 along with my CBR & you might not even see this T'Log here I'd to cut off in between as I wasn't sweating anymore despite my jacket & gloves. Can you believe? I'd one complete 2 litre of Aquafina in one go after I came back?

PS - I was able to recall your trip for some reason when I was there; initially, I'd even thought that I made a mistake by riding on the sands & it would've been easier with the group.

Some pics around...






One word of caution for people who take motorcycles...well see the pics for yourself & decide


It took about 2 hours for me to clean it spotless

After this I visited Ramar Padham (yes there's one more here at Mandapam apart from Point Calimere); infact there're about 22 theerthas (don't ask me to list, I don't know) here at Rameshwaram. Every heroic character from the epic Ramayana has been devoted a theertha here. I'd like to visit this place probably with a group next time.

Enroute this happened


Some views from Ramar Padham








That day night...no Moon though


End of the day...


Let's recap the map of day 2

Day Three
Before proceeding, would like to say a few words about TTDC Mandapam. Its a kind of shabby place (has bar facility for people who prefer) & they also have attached hotel for food serving veg & non veg. I couldn't get food as their staffs were on leave when I was there. Otherwise, they charge less, very friendly people. All they need is no ruckus, calm & quiet people who simply stay without making noise or troubles. They were eager to know about my trip & amazed to see & hear such kind of biking group exists. The only drawback being is that, Mandapam is about 15 Kms before Rameshwaram.

Day 3, my ride plan was to visit Sethukarai, Tiruchendur, Kanyakumari & then stay at my Aunt's house at Nagercoil where a big cousin reunion was planned.

Sethukarai...

aargee pics are really good,your ride is more of a success than failure to me.