Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore

mykal shoemaker · 6th October 2010, 23:58

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.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4437.jpg

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Then it was the turn of Bananas.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4442.jpg

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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.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4453.jpg

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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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 00:10

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.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4474.jpg

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

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4484.jpg

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4485.jpg

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Otherwise,the roads were real good.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4487.jpg

From Kottarakkara to Punalur also was not in good shape.

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Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4493.jpg

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 00:19

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.

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4495.jpg

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4496.jpg

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

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

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mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 00:23

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

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4553.jpg

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4554.jpg

Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore-dsc_4544.jpg

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mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 00:24

Will update later with the Tamil Nadu part later.

ampere · 7th October 2010, 06:26

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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 06:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampere

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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 06:48

And here comes the broadgauge train.

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

aargee · 7th October 2010, 07:46

@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.

ampere · 7th October 2010, 08:04

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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by aargee

@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.

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.

aargee · 7th October 2010, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykal shoemaker

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.

Good ride you had there with Innova; Addicted to driving in rains

? 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.

jacs · 7th October 2010, 11:49

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

.

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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 13:11

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

mykal shoemaker · 7th October 2010, 13:20

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.

6th October 2010, 23:58	#1
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	Right after the rains--A travel from Trivandrum to Bangalore 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 Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 00:10	#2
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	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.
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 00:19	#3
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	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. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 00:23	#4
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	We were reaching the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Here are the last set of pics from Kerala border.
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 00:24	#5
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	Will update later with the Tamil Nadu part later.
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 06:26	#6
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,336 Thanked: 13,623 Times View My Garage	Sorry for my ignorance. Which is this meter gauge line?
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 07:46	#9
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,353 Thanked: 10,062 Times	@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

7th October 2010, 08:04	#10
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,336 Thanked: 13,623 Times View My Garage	Thanks for that info. I traced that line on the maps. The line through the ghats should be real nice!
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 11:49	#13
jacs Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 1,499 Thanked: 1,047 Times View My Garage	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 . Photos are bringing nostalgic feel, have plans for Kerala visit this weekend and next but trying to avoid this weekend due to heavy rains.
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 13:11	#14
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	One we entered TN after Aryankavu border, we were promptly welcomed by many: Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

7th October 2010, 13:20	#15
mykal shoemaker BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 256 Thanked: 60 Times	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. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by mykal shoemaker : 7th October 2010 at 13:21.
	() Thanks