29th December 2019- Ramnathpuram to Kanyakumari
Early on the 29th morning, the men went back to Vasantham restaurant in Ramnathpuram for ghee-roasted dosa, idli, vada, and filter coffee. The plan was to ride completely along the Southern part, the Bay of Bengal. After breakfast, they soon passed the Satyawan water plant in Melaselvanur. While traveling across SH 49, they stopped many times to take drone shots.
Lunch was taken at around 2:15 pm in Nadar Uvari. By now, dosa, idli, and vada had become staple diets for them.
Plenty of Red Soil en route
A lot of red soil was visible all around, with windmills scattered across. Just before Kanyakumari, they stopped for some time near the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The men reached Kanyakumari by 3 p.m. and booked Hotel Viswa Residency while within the region. Adequate parking was available here.
After freshening up, DJ and Skanda got ready to move toward Sunset Point in Kanyakumari. This time, they decided to take only the Thunderbird to the location. The area was not a proper beach and it had rocky land. Police did not allow them to park near the main entrance due to renovation work, and they found a different spot at the other end.
The flow of water was pretty strong, and several people were enjoying the baths. A lot of people were present here and the men flew their drones here.
Funny Incident
Here’s an interesting bit. Skanda and DJ found a few people playing cards in one area. Unfortunately, one of them had gone away from his friends and was taking a dump on the shore! With a weird look on their faces, the two decided that they would never come back here.
In the outside area, they bought souvenirs but could not find any fridge magnets. They decided to have an early dinner at hotel Sarvana in Kanyakumari by 7:30 pm.
Vivekananda Memorial
Skanda and DJ found out more about the ticket system at the Vivekananda Memorial and statue after returning to the hotel. They got to know that tickets were of two types- INR 60-70 and INR 500, with fewer people in the latter.
30th Dec- Kanya to Madu
The next day- saw the sunrise. Waited for the counter to open. Took 500 rs. Ticket. The boat takes to Vivekananda. Sat in the boat. Came back to have breakfast at Sarvana.
People stand in lines since 5 am.
Went to the hotel. Bags packed at night. 10 stars.
Up to Madurai- Going from South to Center- reached at 3 pm- 1 to 1.5 hrs as per Google map in town.
M3 boutique hotel- booking in Kanyakumari
Market near Meenakshi temple- Murugan Idly. Origin from Madurai. First shop- still open- 8 countries have their centers. 430 pm. Famous drink- Jigarthanda- after this, Meenakshi temple
Meenakshi Temple has six gates- one of them where they reach- renovation- park. Walked on foot
They take mobiles-camera- everything kept. Longline. 100 rs ticket. Red dress (Vishnu) and black dress (Shiv). Two areas- Devi and Shiv. Tickets for both taken. Very nice darshan- Devi. Tilak- both for him and Skanda. Vertical tilak is Vishnu. Horizontal is Shiv. Both are made horizontally.
Inside sculptures- very beautiful. The museum also presents history. Live performance- Bharat Natyam. Puliyodarai- available at price. Sweet halwa as regular prasadam.
Started. Took their stuff from the gate. Coconut water. 2 types of coconuts- green and orange. Tried the orange- both have different origins. Orange is costlier.
Respectably clean as compared to North. Shopkeepers are active in keeping their surroundings clean.
Back to the bikes- no bikes. Zor ka jhatka. Can’t see
Asked construction person- at 7:30 pm
Rods were to be taken inside. The bike was moved.
Brought it to the hotel.
Madurai- Bun Parotta Kadai- famouss
Buns are over. Parotta we can make- Nonveg packed. The bike started, and reached the traffic signal. Switched off the bike. Not moving forward. 10:30 pm
Trying everything. Neutral. The rear wheel is not moving. DJ called his mechanic in Delhi. Not picking up.
Something is probably stuck in the chain. Skanda tried to look at the mechanic. After 10 mins. The bike started moving. Searching for Skanda. He was looking for him. The tank bag had straps. Became hot and fell into the chain. Did oiling. At the hotel- he got gobi Manchurian and chapatti without onion garlic. Temple areas– people keep checking in all night. 12 am
31st Madurai-Munnar
7:30 – checked out
9:41- Theni- Aranmanai Pudhur locality- Sri Shiva Hotel- breakfast
The plan was to go to Kodai- 70—80 km and then Munnar for the next day. Bypass and Munnar- 2 days instead. Bike risk.
Then- around- flew the drone. The border crossed- Kerala. Roads became bad. TN- roads better than Kerala.
Very pretty towards Munnar. No hurry. Hostel Flutterby- booked bunk beds in the dorm
Went to see nearby areas. Foreigners staying here. Flew drone. The views are v pretty.
The owner said- go to my other property. Move to it. Big groups- accommodate-move to another place
Another place- good for us. Also, v pretty. Munnar city- 15 km. Staying in the midst of the tea garden. Earlier there were hills. Same price.
From 1st property to 2nd– Flutterby Inn. Follow Google Maps- take the sloping road. Unsure. DJ stopped and checked. Got down and checked. No parking inside the property. Street parking. Reached Ali Baba and 41 dishes- famous in Munnar- 5 pm. Very hungry.
Ali Baba- Paper to spread. Questions- puzzle- jumbled words square. Found all till the time food is available. Asked why the word is not available. They said it’s right.
Several hotels in Munnar. Online all full. Wanted to stay away from crowds. Agents -lots of them.
Went to the market. Getting dark. Reached Church. Took it up a slope. Parked here.
Sat in the church. Malayali preaching. Understanding- Father telling the school story of childhood. Someone came from behind. Hindi/English. Gave them coffee.
Went back to the hotel. DJ was carrying dehydrated food. This was also a complete dorm. 2 rooms- 4 beds in each. Both slept in different rooms as they didn’t get single rooms. Slept. Inn located to Palivasal.
