_The beginning It was towards the end of the year 1994 I purchased my first two wheeler a Kinetic Honda scooter . I started riding it to my office and then on two occasions took it to my construction site in Viluppuram 140 km from my place in Tambaram, Chennai. With the confidence gained I wanted to ride much longer. The occasion came when my daughter was about to be born. In April 1995 I rode the scooter from Chennai to Nagercoil, Kanyakumari a 684 km ride in a single day when it was a two lane road and no by_passes. I travelled without much problem in the hot summer. Then times rolled by my daughter was born, educated and married. In the mean time I changed many jobs constructed a house purchased a car and the two wheeler went to the background, used only for occasional local shopping. It was 22 years and I purchased a new scooter an Suzuki Access 125. On may 2017 I thought I will repeat and better my ride more than what I did 22 years ago. So one fine day early in the morning I started off with my scooter and a bag to Nagercoil, Kanyakumari. I had to refuel at least in five places. For breakfast I stopped at Ulundurpet. Though it was hot summer, due to depression the whether was cloudy till Trichy. For lunch I reached Madurai. By this time it has become terribly hot. I stopped for lunch at Hari's restaurant Vegetaraian Thali at Rs.150/- good but price is little bit on the higher side. The hot climate continued till Virudhunagar, By the time I reached Sattur it was raining. With a stop for tea in Tirunelveli I was able to reach Nagercoil at 5.30 pm. So in 13 hrs 685 kms in a scooter. I bettered my record. |
Kanyakumari
AthirapallyAthirapally Falls | In Nagercoil I had to attend personal function for two days. Then for a day I went to Vattakottai near Kanyakumari. A new temple has comeup for Dattatreya. A big one tucked in a Cocoanut grove by the side of the beach. The Vattakottai fort itself is maintained well now and lot of trees are planted. Then we went to the newly constructed Ramayan exhibition in Vivekanda Kendra in Kanyakumari. For other photos of Kanyakumari see my earlier photos in the Kanyakumari page. After two three days again early in the morning I started from Nagercoil and took the Kulasekaram, Nedumangad, Moovattupuzha route avoiding the main towns to Athirapally. I was supposed to have reached in the evening. But the day before my journey I did something utterly foolish, poured too much of Engine oil. So as the engine heated up the oil went upto the air inlet and choked the Air Filter. Since I was not travelling through the main road I could find a mechanic only in a small place called Arakhuzha. The mechanic \cum owner of the Indian workshop helped me a lot rectified it but for getting the Air filter he had to go to Moovattupuzha and then Thodupuzha. Then finally at 7 pm in the night I started again and reached my hotel in Athirapally at 9.30 pm in the night. I was staying in Bethania resorts which is close to the Athirapally falls may be a kilometer before the falls. It is by the side of a river, The place is not expensive, neat and clean, with free breakfast. The breakfast was good, typical Kerala style Puttu and Kadalai curry along with Puri and Potato subji. It was tasty and homely. Staff are courteous. |
I went in peak summer so there was not much water but after rainy season one can see lot of water flowing. The whole place is scenic. The top level is like a river where one can bathe and in the bottom level one can have the full view of the falls.
Chapra & Vazhachal
Snow storm
If you want to enjoy sub zero temperature for an hour go to Snow Storm which is in the road to Chalakudy nearly 15 km from the falls. It is entertaining for mainly kids.
Athirapally to Valparai (through Malakapara forests)
The next day after breakfast I started to Valparai through the Malakapara forest. In the Vazhachal check post one has to make the entry of your vehicle and declare the number of plastic bottles you carry. Retain the form since you will have to handover the same when you exit at Malakapara check post.
This route is one of the scenic routes, less frequented by travelers, with lot of elephants and birds.
This route is one of the scenic routes, less frequented by travelers, with lot of elephants and birds.
Valparai and Sholayar
I reached Aliyar dam by lunch. I took lunch in one of the small time food shops opposite the dam entrance the food was tasty and quality was good. I did not expect it to be. Reached my hotel in Bhavani in the evening. Had a refreshing bath after riding in the scorching sun in the afternoon. Then went to Sangameshwar temple. A beautiful temple. Next day after breakfast started for Chennai through Salem and Vilupuram and reached home in the evening.