[Red Liner]

This trip happened per chance.

A very close friend called me early December and asked if I wanted to do the Sabari Mala darshan. His friends uncle was posted as the ACP in charge of Sabari Mala for three days (its a prestigious rotation arrangement), and we could sneak in and out.

With this as the precursor, I set about mapping a small itinerary for my solo trip.

Game on!

This was going to be a motorcycle ride on a 2014 Duke 390 which belongs to fellow inmate/member Katoom. He had kindly lent the bike to me for a few months.

[Red Liner]

Day 1
Bangalore - Friend's farm house close by to Varkala

I got an early start. I had about 700+ kms to cover and it was not going to be easy on the Duke 390, considering I was spoilt silly by the Versys' class leading suspension and ability to bull doze everything on the roads.

This also meant just breakfast - no lunch - and a straight dinner halt with my friend. Therefore no pictures, and I remember halting just thrice during the journey.

Except this one

I managed to reach my friend's farm house by 6 in the evening, which was fantastic timing for me. I did not exceed 90 kmph throughout this trip as I wasn't very comfortable pushing such a light bike to light speed on our highways.

The next day was a relax time by the backwaters which his farm house sits by.

Quiet time bird watching

We were up early the next day. It was time for our Sabari Mala Darshan for which preparations were already on.

The Sabari Mala Darshan was absolutely amazing. We took two cars and managed to drive right in thanks to the "Uncle". He arranged pretty much everything for us. I am not used to walking barefoot at all, and the entire exercise of walking up and down a few kilometres at best was excruciating with all the stones providing me with a free acupuncture session I did not ask for. We spent the night atop, ensuring we got an early morning darshan as well.

All that pain meant, the next destination had to be relaxing as hell, so off I was to Sin City Varkala

[Red Liner]

Varkala was closeby, so it was a no brainer - and I have never been there before. I hooked up a bed in the shared dorm with Zostel, and it was fabulous for two nights.

I need a sugar mommy

[Red Liner]

With Varkala out of the way, I needed some fresh water to rinse all that sea salt off myself. To the pristine waterfalls of Courtallam we go!

Are you feeling it already?!









After reaching Courtallam and unpacking at a local hotel, it was time to hit all the major falls before the evening. A backpack, my swim shorts, and a towel and we're off.


Approaching Old Courtallam Falls









To feel the fury of the water billowing down is an understatement

https://youtu.be/qiMlpSSTozE

Bath done, it was time for a selfie


The five falls were meh after the Old falls. I didn't bother getting in.

I took a quick short ride to Palaruvi falls which was on the Kerala side and inside the reserve forest. You'll need to jump into a bus organised by the forest department who will drive you along with the rest of the batch to the falls which is a small hike up.


First glimpse




The bath was refreshing. I felt like the Liril Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBvWQUrmhms

This is the main falls, which as you can see are best viewed from a distance.

[Red Liner]

Sea - Check. Waterfalls - Check. What next? Mountains!

From Courtallam, my decision was to ride to Kodaikanal. The ride was absolutely gorgeous.

[Red Liner]

Day 1 was spent cosying up in Kodaikanal.

[Red Liner]

Day 2 was spent exploring the hinterlands of Kodai. I had a local friend who decided to play tour guide extraordinaire, and I wasn't disappointed. Visibility was under 5 feet as we started climbing.

[Red Liner]

Managed to cover many of the lakes surrounding Kodaikanal barring Berijam lake.

[Red Liner]

My cousins were down from the States, and I wanted to go see them. Coimbatore was just a short ride away. So that will be my next halt. I rode via Palani, and the roads and scenic vistas were absolutely breath taking! I much prefer this "longer" route now compared to the regular Kodai route from near Madurai. Picture bombs away...

[Red Liner]

My friend has a micro forest/homestay/retreat center near Anaikatti, and I decided to pay him a visit after spending a night with my cousins. I hooked up with another local friend and the two of us went out exploring the beautiful hinterlands.

Made a few friends




















Somewhere as we were paddling along we ran right into a local fest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQX5Tnv0EM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpnXkE7p_HI

And that was that. It was time to head back home to Bangalore, but a great few days well spent, I must admit!

Many thanks to member Katoom for having lent me his steed

[ampere]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[ashwinprakas]

I am offended!

You should've PM'd me when you were in KL, I stay at Trivandrum/Kollam and am barely 30km's or so away from Varkala either way.

We also do have a fairly active Tbhp community in the Travancore region, we could've planned a ride to Ponmudi along with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts in the vicinity namely Kozhissery.

Anyhow, do let us know when you come by next time, would love to meet-up in person.

BTW, Awesome ride!

Cheers,
A.P.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

I am offended!

You should've PM'd me when you were in KL, I stay at Trivandrum/Kollam and am barely 30km's or so away from Varkala either way.

We also do have a fairly active Tbhp community in the Travancore region, we could've planned a ride to Ponmudi along with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts in the vicinity namely Kozhissery.

Anyhow, do let us know when you come by next time, would love to meet-up in person.

BTW, Awesome ride!

Cheers,
A.P.

Next time man. I don't know why, but it did not strike me at all. I was in TVM meeting some other friends of mine i hadn't seen in a while.

We will catch up for sure..scores to settle am sure

[ampere]

Wow! One awesome ride that would have been! All around the best of the places! I am yet to explore around Coimbatore! Hopefully some day!