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-   -   Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/90092-right-after-rains-travel-trivandrum-bangalore.html)

I did a Kallambalam(Trivandrum dist.) to Bangalore trip 2 days back through MC road,NH 208,NH7.

Eventhough I'm following this route from past 2 years, this journey was something special.
Rain drops changes everything you see on the road.

Started my journey near Kallambalam.
The new flower in the garden was well dressed at early morning.
Couldn't resist the beauty.





Then it was the turn of Bananas. :)



When I started the trip,The road and scenes around the roads were not so welcoming. There was heavy rains over past 24 hours and it created overflowing rivers and water logging everywhere.






These were the scenes within first 10 KMs of the journey.

We normally used to follow the route:
Kallambalam--Pallickal--Chadayamangalam--Ayoor--Anchal--Kulathupuzha--Thenmala

Kallambalam, Kerala to Thenmala, Kerala - Google Maps

The road towards Anchal from Ayoor was closed due to heavy rains and damages to roads,and we'd to take MC road to reach Kottarakkara to get into NH 208.






Every 3 or 5 KM gap,we'd the same situation.Overflowing water on all small bridges.






Otherwise,the roads were real good.



From Kottarakkara to Punalur also was not in good shape.

Once we reached Punalur,rains settled finally and the way forward was so colourful with the after effects of rain and sun rays over them.




The meter gauge line.(where last train serviced on 20th Oct 2010)




Water ushering through rocks and forming small falls on each and every turnings on roads.

We were reaching the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
Here are the last set of pics from Kerala border.

Will update later with the Tamil Nadu part later.

Sorry for my ignorance. Which is this meter gauge line?

Kollam-Chengotta (Shengottai)

Its being converted to broadgauge line.

The Tamil Nadu part and some portion of Kerala (Kollam-Punalur) were already converted/work in progress. Punalur -Shengottai line was operational till October 20th.

108-year-old train on Sengottai-Punalur route ends scenic run - The Times of India

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEjL6Jw8YNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiNZAnC706g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anln-u2LUyE

And here comes the broadgauge train. :)

YouTube - Kollam - Punalur Broad gauge Inauguration ( Video from Karikode )

@Mykal - I initially thought what's big deal in travelling from TVM-BLR; but having seen the pics, yes it indeed A BIG DEAL!!!

You really were pushed to travel aren't you? I vouch, I wouldn't dare taking my WagonR in rains, unless I know every foot of the road; yes, I do take sometimes to office when it rains, but, like I said, I know the location of every pothole. Wouldn't risk otherwise. BTW, what were you driving?

Pic 4474 looks real scary to me!!! Pic 4453 & 4484 are really great to look at the scenics. Very beautiful; typical KL.

Thanks for that info. I traced that line on the maps. The line through the ghats should be real nice!

It was kind of 50-50(50% - love to drive on rainy season and 50% - was forced to return to Bangalore on monday evening). :)

Infact,I found a real new world just after rains --on those very same road,where you commuted 100s of times.I noticed this on my recent Ooty trip and now getting addicted to these rain journeys.


I was driving an Innova.

Good ride you had there with Innova; Addicted to driving in rains :Shockked:? I like to drive in rains only on the known roads & strict NO to unknown roads.

I once experienced my WagonR being lifted off by water when tailgating an Octavia & ever since then I'm very much apprehended driving in rains. But not so much when it comes to riding a scooter or motorcycle on wet tarmac.

Mykal,

Nice thread, many of the non natives will never knew Kerala floods like this. Lucky you were not on your OHC Vtec, else would have required a winch van to take you out of the ocean.

Saw in news about broadguaging Kollam - Chenkottai. Anyways, you have captured tomorrow's history :D.

Photos are bringing nostalgic feel, have plans for Kerala visit this weekend and next but trying to avoid this weekend due to heavy rains.

One we entered TN after Aryankavu border, we were promptly welcomed by many:

All of them wished us good journey ahead and their wish came true.
The stretch from Thenkashi to Madurai (it joins NH7 at Thirumangalam,20 KM ahead of Madurai) was an absolute pleasure.