Coming home! Jigir Thanda and Kothhu porotta
So all set and done we were very much behind schedule, nothing much but around 2 hours, by the time we checked out from the hotel it was already 3.30 Pm. All I could think was returning back home at the earliest and so it was more like pushing the pedal. Unlike the last time this time there were no other passengers. Her Uncle and Aunt had said that they are visiting friends in that area and they stayed back. Wife was complaining that its because of your speeding that aunt opted for staying back. I had to assure her that those are nothing compared to what some of my friends do.
We were soon out of Madurai town limits and I kept on the pace, wife slowly fell asleep. What better timing and I see good roads ahead. After one hour she wakes up, Where are we? She asks, I say close to Theni, actually I was in Theni. Are you sure? Yes, yesterday were not able to cover the same distance in an hour. Ok, I admit I was doing good speed.
Soon it was past 4.30 Pm and we had reached Theni town from and we decided to take a coffee break. Suddenly my wife remembered about Jigar Thanda and was insisting on the drink, I told her no way as we are now in Theni, we wouldn’t be able to get that here. Probably we can have it the next time that we are in Madurai.
Now there was a small eatery near the teashop that we had stopped. I walk across and asked if they have Kotthu Porotta. The owner says yes and I order two parcel. I told him of our long term wish of savoring this and this put more enthusiasm with the owner who was assuring that it would be the best that you would have had in your life. After paying the shopkeeper I proceed back to the car. By then wifey had fed the child and was sipping the tea ordered earlier.
I put the two packets in back seat and asks out of curiosity what it is I tell her Kothhu Porotta, I could see her eyes wide and almost popping, she asks is that for dinner, no midway snack, since we would be driving and we might be very late for dinner.
After having the tea and paying for it I start once again proceeding to Cambam. The enthusiasm of the drive was still lingering in my foot that the pedal was floored once again. For the first time in history of this vehicle I was touching 120 Kmp.
Ayyappa devotees, it was really surprising about the number of devotees who are traveling through this route. What was more surprising was that some of them were walking their way across to Sabirimala. I was seeing them going from almost much before Cumbam. Their devotion is something that needs to be mentioned, walking without chappals. Amongst them I saw an old person, I think he must be a regular and might be the leader of the group who was the first person who was walking in line.
Soon it is dusk and we stop near Lower Camp, we stopped to take a break as we would be doing the ghats. The reason for the break can also be attributed to the aroma of two packets of Kothu poratta in the back. We soon were devouring it, sad that the same could not be shared with my son who was fast asleep. The food was really delicious and do request to any fellow travelers to this part of the country to definitely try the same if they pass through rural Tamil Nadu.After a 20 minute break we resume our journey.
The climb up hill was really too bad as the roads were filled with potholes and really in a bad shape. I took refuge behind a scorpio after I gave ample space to overtake so that he would be my pilot and he did a good job taking me up all the way to Kumily. Soon we reached Kumily. Wifey wanted to stop at some shop which sells Green tea. I told her that we could get it somewhere near Connemara. The drive continued soon we left Kumily town and we were steadily progressing to Vandiperiyar. Soon we reached Connemara estate and were surprised to find the sales depot closed, I got down and enquired with the person, as to Why? He looked surprised at my question? Saar, today is a Sunday its holiday. Now it was my time to apologise. After driving from Madurai and coming through Tamil Nadu, where most of the shops were open it never occurred to me that the day was Sunday.
All through the downward trip I was expecting to encounter some mist or fog but nothing was seen, we were still expecting them till Mundakayam. It was really surprising that we didn’t see and in the least expected place it was fogging, at the areas after Mundakayam. We soon realized it was futile to go through the thick fog with the Indica Vista standard headlights, we found them inadequate for the purpose. Well its time for pilot vehicle, soon a route bus running enroute was spotted and I kindly took refuge behind him , he was doing it in good speed and so we had to keep in pace with him soon we were nearing Kanjirapally.
I was not sure whether to drive all the way to Kottayam or to take the Pala route and from there the road to Piravam via Uzhavoor. I suggested that we stop for dinner at Kanjirappally, wife was like no I think we could do it at Pala, where the hotels are familiar with us. Soon after Kanjirapally town we took a left where the board said Pala 22 Kms. The traffic enroute was so heavy, much more than what was seen during the drive from Kumily. I had to slow down drastically, we were not sure whether we would be able to reach Pala at dinner time as most hotels would be closed by the time we reach.
As anticipated by the time we reached Pala , most of the hotels were closed. Just as I realize that we would miss our dinner, I started feeling more hungry. I told my wife that we would check out and see if anything would be available. Soon we were able to spot a roadside shop ( in the local language its called Thattukada). I was like anything would do, soon we were helping ourselves with hot soft porottas and spicy beef curry. Believe me it was fantastic. The taste still lingers in my mouth.
After dinner, it was time to trace our the road to Uzhavoor, I knew the road but there were a couple of turnings which did not have any boards and so it was just guess work as no one was there for asking the route. Soon we spotted on person walking and stopped beside him, our man was like really surprised, I think he felt that we were some gangsters, and was still looking flabbergasted still my wife rolled down the window and asked for the route. We were on the right track. Soon more familiar roads came and reached our quarters by 10.30 pm.
All I wanted was just to lie down. Soon I was l asleep with beautiful memory of the travel. Statistical Details Total km traveled: 557 Km ( Forward was through Kottayam, return through Pala, Uzhavoor) this includes 10km of internal running in Madurai town, thekkady etc) Total fuel consumed: 25.60 litres ( Full tank – 11130- Refilled at Piravam next day-11687{ half kilometer to the pump}) Average mileage: 21.67 ( AC switched on for 15 %) |