[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

It is indeed Coimbatore - Palghat highway.

I have seen some Town-to-Town buses of KSRTC buses between Palghat and Coimbatore (white coloured body), on this route.

Could be closer to Palakkad in that case - buses from Chittoor, Nenmara side maybe

Only a couple of pictures today. Can you spot the differences?

The first one looks like the Cbe-Palakkad near Navakkarai and the second one looks like the Palakkad - Mannarkad section just after Olavakkod - NH 47 and NH213 respectively

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

The weather was pleasant and the drive to Palghat was enjoyable. We made good time - the Palakkad 'Churam' (ghat) is a childs' play when compare to the ones in Maharashtra. But, I have experienced one particular phenomenon here more than once - howling winds. The winds attack you with so much force, that you can feel it dragging you away from the intended path - two wheelers must be having a tough time.

The phenomenon is quite famous as the Palakkadan Kaatu (Palakkad's winds), when the monsoon winds gains speed and funnels through the Palakkad Gap. But the photos are of the Palakkad-Mannarkad Highway - just before the twin hair pin bends near Mannarkad, whereas Palakkad Churam is actually the Walayar Churam, on NH47 - not actually a churam by road. You can see the churam when you take the train from Palakkad to Coimbatore (not on the return, though). Palakkad to Coimbatore is an altitude climb of just 400m

[vrprabhu]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

The first one looks like the Cbe-Palakkad near Navakkarai and the second one looks like the Palakkad - Mannarkad section just after Olavakkod - NH 47 and NH213 respectively

You are right, I guess. Why guess? Because, I am really not upto-date / knowledge-able regarding the lay of the land... Just make a note of the prominent places / junctions when I travel by road - that's it.

The difference I had in mind was more like the subtle differences between Kerala and TN.

And, see the yellow borders on the road? Once, while caught in a torrential rain, this line proved to be a boon. When the line was visible in the passenger side mirror, I knew I had room to maneuver, and no risk of running off the road. BTW, any idea what is the difference between the broken white lines and continuous white line on a highway?

Finally, I thought this was NH213 -

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

The phenomenon is quite famous as the Palakkadan Kaatu (Palakkad's winds), when the monsoon winds gains speed and funnels through the Palakkad Gap.

Palakkad Churam is actually the Walayar Churam, on NH47 - not actually a churam by road.

One more interesting fact. Now, if I am wrong about the place, wonder how forceful the wind will be at the actual place

Never realised that the train was going through the churam - it was more like the jungle either side - which I thought was a part of the silent valley. Am I right about the silent valley part, by any chance?

This is the signal for the narrow bridge -



The bike seems to be waiting for it to go green.

And, I remember a similar signal arrangement - pretty long ago - at one particular bridge in Ernakulam / Kochi / Mattancherry. The bridge was a pretty old one at that time itself. Used to be fun, when you were parked at the head of the queue - to see a long line of vehicles to cross the bridge, and signal turning green after the last vehicle had passed. Always used to wonder about the time / motion study done by the people who had installed it there - nicely synchronised. Now, had the same phenomenon existed in Pune, there would have been chaos daily!

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

what is the difference between the broken white lines and continuous white line on a highway?

Broken white line....you can overtake the vehicle ahead crossing this line.
continuous white line....you can't overtake the vehicle ahead crossing this line.

The road pic you posted has broken white line at center means you can overtake the vehicle ahead by moving your car in the opposite lane crossing this line. For continuous white line at center, its vice versa. ex. two pics of post no 389
Mostly at road curves, you will find continuous white line at center. ex. First two pics in the post no 390

[MX6]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

BTW, any idea what is the difference between the broken white lines and continuous white line on a highway?

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

Broken white line....you can overtake the vehicle ahead crossing this line.
continuous white line....you can't overtake the vehicle ahead crossing this line.

That is only in foreign countries. In India this is what it means.

Solid white line - Authorities swindled 50% of amount allocated for that stretch of road.
Broken white line - Authorities swindled 70% of amount allocated for that stretch of road.
Bhatkal kind of road - Authorities swindled 100% of amount allocated for that stretch of road since last 10 years.




Anyway, in US/ UK there used to be Solid line alongside broken white line as well. Depending on which side of the solid line the broken white line is painted, passing is admitted for traffic on that side.

As you drive, if the solid line is next to you and the broken line is on the other side, then you should not pass/ overtake.

As you drive, if the broken white line is closer to your wheels and the solid white line on the other side, you may pass/ overtake provided it is safe.

If it's broken white line, then traffic on either side may pass/ over take when safe.

If it's solid white line, then no passing/ over taking as AP bhau stated.

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

One more interesting fact. Now, if I am wrong about the place, wonder how forceful the wind will be at the actual place

Never realised that the train was going through the churam - it was more like the jungle either side - which I thought was a part of the silent valley. Am I right about the silent valley part, by any chance?

Yes, after Palakkad the wind is extremely forceful and dusty due to the lesser vegetation in these parts!!

As I said, the churam is not a very steep one. It starts after Kanjikode (around 100m above msl) , where a board 'Ghat begins' is installed by the railways and ends after nearly 15kms just before Madukkarai (around 300m above msl) with a 'Ghat ends' board. So you can see that the gradient is quite steep for a train, and hence the circuitous route onwards, but on the way back it is a straight plunge!!

This is not the Silent Valley, but called Walayar forests. But you can say this is the southern most end of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, of which silent valley is a part. Last month a lone tusker tried to attack a train , but ran away when the driver blared the horn The driver had initially stopped the train on seeing the elephant.

Silent Valley is further 30 kms into Palakkad - you need to take a right just before reaching Mannarkad.

Sorry for the long drawn out explanation - being a sunday and cooped up inside a room, I've nothing else to do

[vrprabhu]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

This is not the Silent Valley, but called Walayar forests. But you can say this is the southern most end of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, of which silent valley is a part.

Last month a lone tusker tried to attack a train , but ran away when the driver blared the horn

You are welcome, mm! I enjoyed reading it - and made up my mind to travel by the passenger train between Coimbatore and Palghat next time. May be I'll get lucky and see the tusker!! The express train go by pretty fast - hard to get the 'chugging along' feeling.... which can be best felt in the Londa-Madgaon section.



AP & MX6 - thanks. You made me realise that I have broken the law several times.. I thought that the rule was applicable only in the cities / towns and not on highways. (Nowadays I am seeing double white and double yellow lines in many cities - may be these places are more progressive than US and UK!?)


I understand your angst, MX6 - but how do you expect the people in this trade to feed their family and build their mansions? (BTW, do I hear some one griping similarly about software codes and microsoft monopoly.... - especially when every version seem to harp on 'new', 'improved' and 'more productive' - meaning the earlier versions weren't??)



The final leg towards Calicut was pretty uneventful. Only, this scene reminded that at many places Kerala is still the same - electric and telephone wires still running above the road and side by side ....


Coming up - Kozhikhode beach!! Not the one where everybody goes, but the one which is farther away from the city. And, it looks like there is a lot of sprucing up activity going on.

[vrprabhu]

Everything is getting commercialised these days! Even a small town like Calicut is now hustling and bustling...

In the earlier days, nobody used to venture this side of Calicut - I am visiting after a gap of more than two years. If this appeared to be a crowd to me, just imagine how isolated it would have been earlier?

And, what do I see? All sorts of activity going on to 'beautify' the place. Wonder why people think they can create / make things more beautiful than the way nature made them??









Catch of the day! It being rainy season, fishermen don't venture into the sea. This is probably for their own consumption. Don't know the names / varieties - but the spotted fish is supposed to be a delicacy!

[vrprabhu]

So many happenings over the last few weeks..... was unable to make any progress here!

But, there is progress on other fronts - which means I have to wind up the posts quickly.

Because, I am facing a relocation - and the new place will not permit me to enjoy the free time or liberty which I am enjoying right now. (In fact, I am seeking the help of fellow t-bhpians on a separate thread, on how to go about setting up my life in the new place)

A few highlights of the journey from Mangalore to Pune - the pictures are of the places upto Ankola....

Man and his avarice - I leave you to draw your own conclusion. Actually, what caught my fancy was the name of the river!! I have gone up and down this road several times, but this name didn't register till that day. An unique name, I guess....












My avarice....



A few decades of patient development / growth cut short?



The road is tilted, not the camera. But look at the tanker - wonder how the driver keeps his balance? Talk about safety beginning at home (after all the tanker is carrying gas ...)





This is what NH17 is all about. Stretches like this make you feel like sing - at least, I did!! Marvanthe and somewhere before Ankola. (At rest of the places, like the last one down below, I was cursing)






Thanks to all those who went through this thread with patience. And, a mere thanks won't do to those whose contributed with their knowledge, insight, history, geography, and philosophy too! I really enjoyed posting my experiences here, and it was indeed my way to beat the stress at work!!

Hope I can remain in touch with all of you.

[TaureanBull]

Thanks alot for a nice thread. Its a pity to see the thread coming to an abrupt and untimely end. Where would you be going from Poona? If you dont mind sharing.

Relocation is sometimes real pain and drains out the entire energy. Hope that you relocate with ease and have a nice time at new place.

[MX6]

Sad to hear that you are leaving poona VRP.
And I didn't know the bridge across River Seetha (seetha nadi for locals) had a strange name! I always knew it as bridge across Seetha Nadi! I used to always wonder how many names in that stretch started with letter S, like Seetha, Sowparnika, Swarna, Sharavati etc.
Let's meet over tea before you leave Poona, if you haven't left already that is.

[vrprabhu]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

Where would you be going from Poona? If you dont mind sharing.

Relocation is sometimes real pain and drains out the entire energy. Hope that you relocate with ease and have a nice time at new place.

Thanks a lot, TB! Who knows - I might even revive this thread later!!

I am going to Gurgaon. Have already started a thread for that!! And, have received pretty good response from fellow bhpians from Gurgaon!!!

You are right - relocation is a pain. I had spent the best part of my life (45+ years) living in rented house and moving from place to place and house to house. (I got fed up of the never ending demanding for higher rent, and purchased a flat at Pune three years ago - and see what happens ).

But, I have plenty of experience in relocation, because my history is like this -

Chennai (born and studied) - Pondicherry : 5 years (started working at 19) - Hubli : 2 years - Chennai : 3 years - Ahmednagar : 4 years - Chennai : 7 years - Pune : 6 years - Gurgaon : ??? years?!

You know what - every place I go, I get to meet some new people, visit new places and make good friendship. At many places, I was blessed with these - it is the others who take my departure to heart, more than me!!

Thanks again!!

Originally Posted by MX6

Let's meet over tea before you leave Poona, if you haven't left already that is.

My departure is likely to be abrupt - but I will definitely let you know when I will be back here for the shifting. May be we can substitute the tea with 'ganna ras' - at you know where.

Actually, the day before, I was all set for going down to Baramati, (agro tourism visit) and wanted to call you. But reading the posts on Diwali celebrations (esp. AP's) etc., I thought this was the time to spent with the family....

BTW, I found out where BigWheels place is last week - while going to drop my wife at Panvel, I took the old road and drove liesurely - and there it was. Pity, I had just sped past - twice - on the meet day


Hope your leg is healing and the eye is back to normal - guess Shiva is sending you a message to take it easy :-)

[StarVegabond]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

I am going to Gurgaon. Have already started a thread for that!! And, have received pretty good response from fellow bhpians from Gurgaon!!!

You are right - relocation is a pain. I had spent the best part of my life (45+ years) living in rented house and moving from place to place and house to house. (I got fed up of the never ending demanding for higher rent, and purchased a flat at Pune three years ago - and see what happens ).

But, I have plenty of experience in relocation, because my history is like this -

Chennai (born and studied) - Pondicherry : 5 years (started working at 19) - Hubli : 2 years - Chennai : 3 years - Ahmednagar : 4 years - Chennai : 7 years - Pune : 6 years - Gurgaon : ??? years?!

You know what - every place I go, I get to meet some new people, visit new places and make good friendship. At many places, I was blessed with these - it is the others who take my departure to heart, more than me!!

Hi Prabhumam

I see that you have been a real vagabond all your earning life.
your last paragraph/sentence above says it all. That is the life of a person on the move.

i see several similarities when i look at your milestones compared to that of mine. I also share your pain of re-locations viz.

Wish you all the best with your new career as well as place of living.

[MX6]

VRP. I'll atleast come to the station/ airport if time is tight. Here's a secret I'm letting out. I might be closing the magnificent maharashtra log and starting a new one in a new state myself.
Incidentally, relocation is indeed a pain. And I went through the worst in UK. Especially shifting thrice from city to city when my baby was expected. Not to mention 3 holidays to europe during that time too. There was a lot of moving around. But then life has to go on.
I lived for 17 years in chennai. Relocated 4 times in that period. And then to Udupi, Pilani, Mumbai (6 houses in Mumbai in this period), US, Pune, Trivandrum, Mumbai, US, Chennai, Singapore, Mumbai, UK, Mumbai, Pune and next no idea.
With a house full of goodies, and a car, staring at a new place is a frighful proposition. Especially shifting everything from telephone to internet to gas connection. Sigh.

I look forward to one ganna ras with you before you toddle off. And who knows? our paths might cross again!

[ASHISHPALLOD]

@vrp,

hmmm, relocating to jaggery village?

we need to meet before you relocate.

how about tea/coffee/ganna rus meet on 19th in Pune in the evening if you are in pune? [ i am in pune on that day to leave toward MP].

@mx6,
whats your say about this small meet?

[vrprabhu]

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Wish you all the best with your new career as well as place of living.

Thanks, SV! It was nice interacting with you - hope I'll be able to do so atleast on and off.

Originally Posted by MX6

Here's a secret I'm letting out. I might be closing the magnificent maharashtra log and starting a new one in a new state myself.

I look forward to one ganna ras with you before you toddle off. And who knows? our paths might cross again!

Oh no! You are closing your treasure chest? I was looking forward to your other travels (and some travails, too).

Where ever you go, I am sure you'll continue to keep your wanderlust alive. So best wishes - and good luck.

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

@vrp,

hmmm, relocating to jaggery village?

we need to meet before you relocate.

how about tea/coffee/ganna rus meet on 19th in Pune in the evening if you are in pune? [ i am in pune on that day to leave toward MP].

@mx6,
whats your say about this small meet?

AP, my date of departure is not decided - I may have to go off all of a sudden.

But, I'll be back in Pune by March / April (have to wind up my affairs here - I mean the flat which I have here, so don't get any ideas ). I'll make sure to have a spare two / three days and we can surely meet.

BTW, now you know why I couldn't make a firm commitment for Kaas and visit to other places. I am still regretting missing the Pune-Mumbai mega meet....