11th October 2021 Monday
I woke up to the 4.30 am alarm. Started to get ready leisurely. Left Sudha's home at 6:20 am after having a black tea. She wanted to pack my morning breakfast which I declined, gently. Eating a Dosa or idly at a road side shop is much easier. Moreover there is no need for me to disturb her morning chores.I did not use mobile GPS , instead relied on people interaction at every cross roads to find my route.
From Pugalur in Karur, I was riding through Muthur, Gangeyam, Palladum and at Sulur got into Salem kochi highway. I was riding in the outskirts of Coimbatore.
Near Karur at the beginning of the ride.
Passing the outskirts of Coimbatore
I was stopped by the Kerala police at the Walayar check post. After pulling to side, the police asked evida pogunnu ? I said Kochi. He asked whether I have taken Vaccine for Covid and I said yes . Then he asked whether I have taken both doses and I confirmed by nodding head and patting my luggage saying the certificate of vaccination was there inside. Then he let me pass through.
The clouds were getting dark and I was praying for a ride without rain. Mainly because, in a heavy rain I cannot continue riding without the GPS mount on the bike. Anyway this time I could try that transparent pouch to cover my mobile while mounted.
I was very excited to go through the Kuthiran tunnel. It is the longest tunnel in south India at present, stretching for 1 km. It has reduced the distance between Kochi-Palakkad to 3 km lesser and also paved a solution to, otherwise, an accident prone zone.
Kuthiran Tunnel
Kuthiran Tunnel
A drizzle on the way made me stop and have a brunch at a small hotel on the highway in Naduthara. Had ghee roast dosai, Vadai and a black tea/ Kattan chaya. I called up my school days friend Ajayan, who lives in Koratty He said he will meet me on the highway near Chalakudy. I got on to the bike after my brunch. I switched on the GPS in mobile and mounted it with a transparent rain pouch. I was able to use the touch screen. Most of this trip, I was not using gloves in order to take more snaps with mobile phone and also with DSLR. But I know I am jeopardizing my safety.
I met Ajayan at Chalakudy signal in Highway and we went to Venus hotel to have tea. Since it was 12 pm and was time for lunch they did not serve tea and so we had Soda that was available. I told Ajayan to join me tomorrow at Kochi to go around for sight seeing.
I left Chalakudy and was riding with the GPS in mobile connected to my Bluetooth Headset.
I stopped at hotel Periyar to take a snap at Aluva junction. Hotel Periyar is located on the picturesque river bank and is our favorite spot to stay during family trips to Kochi. I missed a right turn and was redirected in a different route to Fort Kochi. I ended up in a dead end of the sea at Vypin, Kochi and the route was showing dots leading to sea. And there was no road. Then I saw bikes and car standing in Queue towards the sea. Then it flashed in my brain, scenes of cars carried in ferry in Kerala. I asked the auto driver, Can I take my bike in the ferry. He said in funny tone in Malayalam, "that is what it meant for !!!"
It was a great experience. Took ticket for Rs 10/- and rode my bike into the ferry. It was more like standing in a traffic jam on a bridge. I was finding it very difficult to balance my bike in riding position, with the ferry encountering the rough waves. The girls in the scooters , standing beside me, were casual as they were used to that ferry ride
Ferry ride with bike.
Ferry ride with bikes
Ferry ride with bikes
I checked into Gostops kochi, a backpackers hostel at Calvathy road, Fort Kochi. I took an air conditioned Dormitory for 2 days. The cost was Rs 400 per day. I was settling down slowly in my dormitory. There was no one to share the six bed dormitory. Thank God. Pandemic Era ! I place all my luggage in the under bed storage metal trolley. After changing into normal dress from riding suit, I set out to find a hotel to have authentic Malabar Parrota and beef curry.
Stairs to Dormitory
Passage way leading to Balcony
Balcony, Gostops kochi opposite to Coast guard Office
Balcony, Gostops kochi.
My Bunker bed
I was walking in the direction towards Fort kochi beach expecting to find eateries there. But they were all selling sea foods at Vasco Da Gama square. After inquiring an auto driver, I found that I have to go to Kunnumupuram junction which is 1 km away. Then I walked in those old 15th century streets to reach the Lucky star hotel at Kunnumupuram junction. Had 3 parotta ,a dry beef curry and a kattan chaya. The bill was Rs 124/- I also bought 1 kg Nendram bananas for Rs 40/-
Streets of Fort Kochi
Road leading to Kunnumupuram Junction from Aspin wall, Fort Kochi.
Streets of Fort Kochi
15th century Buildings
Streets of Fort Kochi
Chinese fishing nets.
Beach, Fort kochi.
Streets of Fort Kochi.
Vasco Da Gama square, Fort Kochi
The Lucky star hotel, Kunnumupuram junction, Fort Kochi.
The front desk staff, Jorbin, at the hostel was very helpful. I went to bed after having few bananas , checking messages, calling loved ones and making a thanks giving prayer for the safe journey so far. The next day I was planing to do sight seeing around Fort Kochi. But there was rain in the evening. The end odometer reading was 55598 km.
Gostopskochi, Calvathy road, Fort Kochi.
Karur to Kochi Route Map.
Total distance covered : 330 km
No fuel stops and did not hit reserve.
