Reuniting with family against all odds: My 36-hour COVID Odyssey

My parents reached out to the top authorities at different levels and obtained a border crossing pass online for reuniting the child with family.

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A 36-Hour, 1750 KM Nonstop COVID-19 Odyssey: Reuniting with Family Against All Odds

This is a long-pending travelogue that took years to draft, with its own challenges and needing lots of time to consolidate. I firmed up the entire travelogue once I got access to this forum and had the license to share. I was on this job for the last 30 days to put things together and finalize the flow. The incidents in this travelogue were penned from my memory and with the help of my parents who helped in filling the gaps of my memory.

2020's Unexpected COVID Magic

We were back from an Australian trip in early 2020 after a year-end vacation, slowly but surely, the news of covid getting spread across the globe started making headlines. On our way back from Australia we had a layover at KL Malaysia, and we noticed few foreign nationals were wearing masks, and we thought it was a routine hygiene practice in those parts of the world. It took time for us to realize the intensity once we were back in our country. News started pouring in that many countries have started closing their borders and the aviation sector started cancelling their schedules to specific countries. Around us things were normal as usual.

Easter was approaching and my school spring holidays started, I was thrilled as we always celebrated Easter at our hometown (Kerala - Thrissur) with my grandparents. I hopped into the first plane (Skoda Rapid) with my velliappa (Appa’s big brother) and my cousins (Chechi & Varghese) to our hometown. Velliappa was given the grand task to drop all grandchildren to our grandparent’s home for a few weeks before Easter. This vacation was my first daring adventure, as I had never stayed away from my parents. I was their little kid, always under their wings. But with Chechi and Varghese by my side, I bravely took up the challenge, knowing my Appa and Amma were just a call away. Appa, Amma, Velliappa, and Velliamma were supposed to join us for Easter in the coming days.

Life was a delightful whirl of activities at my grandparents’ home. One fine day, my Amma checked if they should come to pick me up and return during the Easter week. Lost in the excitement of new adventures, I confidently told Amma I was fine staying put. Little did I know, my innocent decision was about to make my Appa and Amma race against time like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

On the other hand, without my knowledge the global scene was changing in a matter of seconds, and I was at my grandparents’ home blissfully unaware of what was to come. Covid found it’s accelerator and the first case were reported in Kerala, the healthcare system, the people and news channels united and the battle was about to begin!

The Mighty Battle

On 24th March 2020 the lockdown for 21 days was announced by our prime minister, Amma was devastated by this news. Being a child, felt hurt and slowly the realization started kicking in faster than nitrous, and the news of the lockdown was accepted by me, as I had no choice and was counting days. My Amma was only watching the news channels to figure a way out to get me back. Days passed on and each state started bringing in their own restrictions for entry and exit. The challenges started growing and the restrictions for children and senior citizens were implemented for travelling and stepping out of home. I was used to a BLR lifestyle and with the cold BLR climate. To make things worse at my grandparents’ place, Thrissur was notoriously known to be extremely hot, with temperatures like 35 degrees being completely normal! Sun and Covid restricted me and my cousins inside the house, we Frankenstein many inventions and manufactured many sanitizers to beat Covid during these days just using leaves and water! But none of these inventions was recognized even at the grass level, but one of our “sanitizers” was an amazing bug repellent.

Once lockdown gotten over, each state had pass system and passes were only given for emergencies. Each state border had different criteria for entry and exits, border crossings and vehicle movement was not allowed. Few more days passed, and my stay was now more than 40 days. Appa and Amma were knocking on authorities doors to bring me back.

In Kerala health system and officials were vigilant, any travel, any people coming from other states and countries were identified, traced, and sent to quarantine centers for 14 to 21 days. Despite all of these events my parents decided to pick me up back. They reached out to the top authorities at different levels and obtained a border crossing pass online for reuniting the child with family. This pass had certain conditions and specific conditions to be adhered to at different state borders. Using this pass, you need not get into quarantine in Kerala but need to get back to Bangalore, Karnataka and go for 14 days quarantine. Your phone's locations will be monitored, and you need to report at each check post on your travel.

The travel pass was obtained for my Appa and Amma to pick me up and travel back to Bangalore. The pass obtained was for the longest route and it was the only choice and availability at that time.

Entry pass issued for Kerala & Karnataka

Road taken was not the best route, the route had deviations and many roads or parts of it were sealed due to the covid protocols and the road taken was way longer than the normal way. This was the map followed- BLR - Chikmagalur - Mangalore - Thalapady check post -Manjeshwaram - Kasaragod - Mahe - Calicut - Thrissur and on the way back was Thrissur - Calicut - Koduvally - Thamarassery - Adivaram - Vythiri - Wayanad- Meenangadi- Kattikulam - Bavali Checkpost – Nagarhole forest check post – Mandya – Mysore road – BLR.

The pass was approved on May 30th 20, entry to Kerala was on 3rd June 20 and exit via Bavali check post on 4th June 2020. My parents had approximately 3 days’ time to plan the travel, the approximate drive was for 36 hours nonstop and we need to cover 1750 kilometers up and down with lots of road deviations as the route we got once we enter Kerala was going through a national highways construction this was a stretch from Kasaragod to Thrissur which is almost the 50 percent of the road trip . Also, there is a time allotted at all check posts and you need to hit the check post on time to complete the protocol checks, there was no surety if the trip can be accomplished, at any point in time district authority can cancel the pass and send my parents to quarantine at that specific location stating any reasons relevant to the health checks. My Appa and Amma had enough, and they were in for the game.

The Beast Of A Machine! To Keep Up The Fun Of Driving And The Safety Of My Family.

Which car should we choose for the journey, given the numerous hurdles ahead? The route was far from promising, with several areas where road work had begun but was left incomplete due to Covid. We had to meet various time slots at border check posts, take numerous shortcuts, and navigate through rough terrains. We needed a machine that would ensure our safety, keep up with the demanding journey, never let us down and which can give us more gallons per liter as we were not sure about the availability of fuel due to the restrictions. The criteria were clear: it had to be a car capable of running nonstop for the next 48 hours, meeting all our requirements without fail.

My family chose our exhilarating, speed demon of a car, our beloved "Ameo" from the Volkswagen stable—a pure German by design and gene, built to conquer Indian roads. This machine is every driver's dream once they get behind the wheel. It can effortlessly exceed the 150 km/h mark with just a touch on the throttle. This beauty boasts ample luggage space with it’s giant boot and offers the assurance of top-notch safety. Proven to run continuously without losing power, the Ameo is a bigger, more practical version of the Polo, perfect for city conditions and long drives alike. Our Ameo was a 1.5 TDI, top-of-the-line manual, a thrilling beast ready to reunite our family.

Ameo's original MRF tires needed replacing before the trip. We could only find replacements at the VW dealership, so we opted for Pirelli tires and had basic oil checks done at the VW service center.

After the tire change and checkup at VW BLR

Ameo was a 2017 model, registered in 2018. This 1.5 TDI diesel engine beastly Machine boasted 109 BHP and 250 NM of torque. On highways, it delivered an impressive fuel efficiency of 22-23 KM/L, and even in the peak traffic of Bangalore, it managed to give 16+ KM/L. We owned the top-of-the-line trim, gleaming in white, which served us reliably until it clocked 112,000 kilometers before he moved to a passionate BHPien who loved this beauty at first sight. Ameo had a stunning and capable cruise control, it stood planted on road on high speeds, the engine mill produces a sweet music and at all signals when the light turns green, it creates envy to the fellow traffic with its launch power and torque. A true drive machine for the passionate drive heads. The sleek, aerodynamic design of the Ameo cut through the wind effortlessly, making it feel like driving a well-oiled machine with precision and grace. Its powerful engine roared with a throaty growl, a symphony of engineering prowess, while the sport-tuned suspension hugged the curves of the road, providing a thrilling driving experience. Fun fact: The most powerful model of the Skoda Rapid came with the Ameo’s TDI.

The happiest Me on the day of Ameo delivery!

Ameo was a practical choice for the Indian market. The TDI variant with manual gearbox proved to be a trouble-free high-performance vehicle. The more we drove it, the more we fell in love with its capabilities. Initially, I was skeptical about choosing the Ameo due to its looks, but my family wanted a compact, practical sedan with adequate power and a decent boot for frequent city drives and highway journeys.

Ameo fit the bill perfectly with its German engineering. Just after two highway trips, it became my favorite. Till the day we sold it, Ameo remained a steadfast companion. For anyone who’s still unsure about picking up a well-maintained Ameo TDI, I say go for it without hesitation. It's always a worthwhile choice (unless it’s a DSG, you should check it out before buying it).

The Thrilling Journey For The Next 36 Hours Begins!

Appa and Amma started most challenging trip of all time with the hope to pick me and come back safely. The journey started by 4:00 am, From our home, nice road corridor was near and they took same route to hit Mangalore highway. As per what they described, almost every district had a check post and health officers appointed. Initial 3 hours was a breeze, and their target was to exit Karnataka and enter Thalapady check post at 12:30 pm. Almost till 8 am things were going as per plan and our Ameo was really pushing hard to meet the timelines and the district health check post officials made quick clearances after the basic pass check. Initial hectic check happened somewhere at Dakshin, Karnataka where car was stopped and checked for all documents and travel permit. Amma was asked to sit in the car and Appa was asked to join the big line for verification of passes and basic temperature checks. It took more than 30 mins to clear and the task to make up the 30 mins added to the challenge. Route had twists and turns before hitting the Mangalore Thalapady border. The car had laptops, multiple smartphones, chargers and power-banks to ensure the gadgets were working. Our trusted partner throughout the trip was Google maps and the first attempt to hit the Thalapady check post got messed up as the map took my parents to a sub road check post instead of Thalapady check post. As the drive was also keeping time in hand my parents never realized the map was taking them to a different Kerala border check post. Appa is not familiar with this route as we normally cross the TN borders and get to Kerala from TN. My parents crossed the Karnataka border before 12:00 pm and there was no checking and the barricade was open, once they crossed the Karnataka border it striked my parents that it's a wrong check post as the map deviated from highway. As there was no time to waste, Appa pushed to the Kerala border where the car was stopped with a lot of mud heaps blocking the entry. Officer at the check post came out and told you are not supposed to come this way, and you need to continue on the highway and hit the check post. The language was Malayalam, and Appa showed him all the documents to let the car in, but the officer was helpless and asked them to return. They took a turn and pushed back to the Karnataka border, now the officers blocked the car and started the conversation like you guys can't enter Karnataka and how can you just like that get in. Appa told them we just crossed 5 mins back and it was our fault that we never realized the route was wrong. The officers were not that friendly and kept pushing back. We were losing time, and we had to be there at the check post for clearance by 12:30 pm. Time was running and the discussion was not reaching anywhere, Appa slowly started losing patience and then the locals intervened and after a lot of discussions vehicle number was noted and the check post was open to go back to Karnataka. Now the Google maps was acting weird and was showing different routes to the actual Thalapady check post. Appa got down and asked the locals for help and it was a village and only Kannada with broken Malayalam was working, somehow, they guided my parents to the highway and they hit the check post at 12.30 pm.

On the way near Chikkamagaluru

Check post clearance at Karnataka was a breeze, they took the token collected from Hassan and gave the exit clearance quickly. Entry to Kerala was a big circus, there were temporary sheds where the health officers were deployed, the first check was to stand in the line waiting for turns to check the temperature and then the token number was called. You need to talk on a mic for the officers to converse with you. After the basic questions and checking the reasons, my parents were asked to move for police clearance, they checked the passes, took the mobile numbers and checked the phones for Android or apple for tracking purposes. After an hour my parents got cleared to enter Kerala. Time was running and the next target In-front was to pick me and drive the whole way back to the check post at Bavali by 6:30 am the next day. So, each and every minute was precious and any time lost need to be made up on the road.

After getting clearance at the check post, they need to go through Manjeshwaram to reach Thrissur. This is going to be time consuming and stressful as the roads are in bad shape due to road widening and highway construction. Manjeshwaram to Calicut was the difficult phase of drive as the highway construction was halfway and cars were travelling at 30 to 40 km and it was a two way. Overtaking was out of the question and keeping up with the pace was a problem with manual gear shifts. The stress was building as Appa and Amma was getting back-to-back calls from the Kerala health department asking to report to district quarantine centers for quarantine and each time they have to explain the pass details and have to give assurance that they will not get down from the car or enter anywhere in Kerala. There were strict protocols, and many areas police and health department stopped Ameo with Karnataka registration. Once they reached Mahe my parents got calls from health and police asking them to stop and move forward for quarantine else they will be forced to file FIR for violating the law of the land and being a threat to the citizens. It took a lot of time and effort to convince both departments and share all details with promises. The government authorities told them to notify them once they reach Thrissur at my grandparents’ home and they will accompany to check if the norms are getting violated. With all these conditions they were allowed to move forward, there were small monsoon showers, and the road was dusty. As the work was happening there were areas where the roads were equal to off roads. Finally, by 10:00 pm my parents hit the grandparents’ home, and I was almost in tears seeing them. No words could explain the relief I had seeing them. They were not allowed to step out of the car and my grandmother gave dinner in my hand for my parents and packed up breakfast for the next day. My grandparents were not happy with the restrictions implemented for them. Their children are struggling and they came till the gate and going back without entering the house. Appa and Amma was watchful, and they can't imagine my grandparents getting unwell. My parents sat in the car had dinner and I told bye to my grandparents and quickly started back. Each and every time when a police vehicle approached us we got strange looks and we had small chit chats.

I was comfortable at the back bed, which was cozy, it was slightly drizzling. Ameo was picking up speed on the sublines entering the highway. It was almost 10:30 pm and we just crossed the Thrissur town and got on the Calicut route. It was after a long gap I was going out; little did I imagine that I would be stuck like this. I can see relief on my Amma's face, and I know what we all have gone through as a family. If I hear my parents right, things like this were never experienced in their lifetime. Before this something happened was the floods in Kerala, but my grandparents were not impacted. Slowly I noticed that the Kerala government state buses were piloted by highway patrol and health department vehicles and on checking with my parents I realized that these buses are coming from the airport and the travelers from other countries are taken to quarantine centers for the next 21 days.

The Google Maps Saga

Our Google Maps Saga was reaching its climax. It was raining, and the lights of oncoming traffic blinked through the haze. Road widening and deviations slowed us down, and labor shortages due to Covid meant everything was progressing at a snail's pace. Trailing behind a highway patrol Innova escorting international travelers, our speed was reduced to under 50 km/h.
Slowly, the traffic began to clear. We were just crossing Calicut as the clock struck 2:00 am. Appa and Amma were in a deep discussion, trying to find the fastest route to reach the check post by 6:00 am. The road widening had already eaten up four hours of our journey, a drive that should have taken less than three hours. Google Maps had been our guide, leading us through numerous side lanes and interior roads. Things seemed manageable until we took a right turn onto a dark, narrow lane.

We traveled about 600 to 700 meters down this pitch-black road, surrounded by small houses. The road narrowed further, with no space to turn around. Appa, sensing the tension, asked Amma to zoom in on the map to see where this road led. The path was barely wide enough for our Ameo with its mirrors unfolded. A small obstacle could cause a significant delay, creating a traffic jam in this cramped space. As we pressed on, looking for an exit, we noticed it was getting tighter and tighter. We hoped for a turn, a way out, but there were none. Then, we encountered a large water tank obstructing the path in front of a house a little bit projected to the road. We were stuck; moving the tank seemed the only option, but it was filled with over 1000 liters of water. The thought of emptying it was out of the question as it might lead to conflict in this water-scarce area.

Our Ameo idled, the soft yet intimidating purr of its 1.5-liter TDI engine of a heart, the only sound in the silent night. All lights were on—headlights, fog lamps, and hazard lights—as it drizzled lightly. It felt like the climax of a horror thriller. "Reverse," Appa suggested with determination. Amma looked bewildered. Reversing more than a kilometer on this narrow, twisted road seemed daunting, but options were limited.Appa was ready for the challenge. I was thrilled by the unfolding drama but knew that one mistake could damage our Ameo. With time slipping away, Amma was anxious, but Appa's confidence was unwavering and stronger than a Volvo. He was planning the careful reverse maneuver, a complex dance through twists and turns, that even Michael Jackson couldn’t figure out. Google Maps may have led us astray, but I was sure Appa's skill and resolve would get us through this night.

“Angels are with us, and they come to support you whenever you are in need”, that is my Amma’s belief! Amma always tells me that there will be “Angles everywhere to help you if you do the things right and ethically”, I must agree that she is right. We had an unknown Angle, God had kept for us that night, The lights of the house where the tank was kept, were switched On, An elderly man close to his sixties came out and looked at our plight. My Appa got down, the man smiled and asked in local language “How come this way?”. This question had it all. Appa briefed him about the travel story and told him we are on a non-stop drive to get this little kid back home, pointing to me. Uncle bent and looked through the window and saw me, awake at that time and staring at the water tank. Uncle without any doubt told my Appa, you are losing time, let’s push this out and in the whole process they ended up pouring out some water to make this happen. Appa realized the water wasted that night is going to build scarcity for the family for the next few days. Appa thanked him and told this was a big help that night. That uncle told us to ditch the google map and guided us to cross a few streets to hit a better road, we thanked him and moved on. It was a big relief; we crossed a few small towns and crossed some market roads to hit Koduvally. A 22 Kilometer journey had a story of a lifetime. Now we had close to 100 Kilometers to hit the Bavali check post where we need to cross at 6:30 am as per the pass issued. Time was close to 3:00 am and Amma said, “let’s park somewhere and take a quick nap and start off by 4:00 am, we should be able to make it by 6:30 am to the check post”. We started searching for a space that is ok to park the car and should be safe. We identified a petrol bunk where many trucks were parked, as it was the time of Covid, and we had a different state car we never wanted to venture to the common parking lot and stayed away. We parked our car under a high mask light on the opposite side of the road. Ameo was running with Ac on, Appa tried to keep the window a little low for fresh air, but the rain gods had different plans. It was pouring down and the water drops falling on the roof of the car was not music to our ears. We all tried sleeping for some time, but it was not fruitful, finally we decided to start off targeting the check post and planned to refuel at a good petrol bunk on the way.

After a brief rest, Appa seemed restored of tiredness, and our Ameo was performing superbly despite the light rain and fog. We soon reached the Thamarassery Ghats section, a picturesque area with fog and a gentle drizzle. We rolled down our windows to enjoy the cool, refreshing breeze of the early morning, creating a memorable moment for all of us. Appa, who loves driving through Ghats and is skilled at navigating their curves, adoptedly maneuvered us through the winding roads. In no time, we passed through Adivaram, then on to Lakkidi where we stopped at the Barath petroleum pump for fueling. It was early morning and there was no rush, the pump toilets were clean, we freshened up and Ameo was full after his hearty meal of Diesel and a side of more Diesel. We were all fresh and took the route: Kalpetta, Wayanad, and Meenagadi route to Bavali. Since our exit route was through the Bavali check post, we deviated towards the Kenichira route, where the roads became more challenging.

Once again, we encountered highway construction, and Google Maps directed us onto routes that were still under development. Our Ameo handled the off-roading experience brilliantly, traversing through mud heaps, splashing through puddles, and tackling freshly metal-ed roads with ease. Appa pushed the car to maintain our schedule, and Ameo responded with enthusiasm, showcasing it’s robust suspension system. As the hours ticked by, we made significant progress, crossing through Kattikulam and entering the Begur forest reserve. The journey took us through lush greenery and serene landscapes, eventually bringing us to the Bavali check post.

Bavali is not just a mere border crossing; it is where Kerala and Karnataka are gently separated by the enchanting Bavali river. As you traverse the Bavali bridge, you leave behind the lush greenery of Kerala and step into the wild embrace of Karnataka. Once across the Bavali river, you are greeted by the Karnataka check post, a gateway to the majestic Nagarhole tiger reserve. The journey continues through this verdant sanctuary until you bid farewell at the forest check post in Nagarhole, having been cradled by nature's serene yet untamed beauty.

Bavali Check Post And The Truckers !

It was 6:15 am and we encountered a formidable queue of trucks waiting to cross the border. There were numerous trucks lined up, and we seemed to be the last to arrive at the check post. As we took our position behind the trucks, the truck drivers gestured us to move forward, explaining that car movement through this check post is limited; most people typically take the Muthanga route to cross the border. We advanced, passing at least 30 to 40 trucks until we reached the barrier at the check post entrance.
Upon reaching the barricade, a police officer instructed Appa to take all documents and approach the check post for clearance. He directed Appa to park our car at a distance and walk to the check post. The officers verified the documents and informed Appa that both the health officers and the RDO from both states needed to clear us. After the initial checks, the officer asked Appa to cross the Bavali bridge and queue on the Karnataka side for the RDO officer's clearance.

Appa quickly crossed the bridge and took his place in the queue. By then, it was around 6:45 am, and he overheard truck drivers complaining that they had been stuck for an entire day waiting for the RDO clearance. The wait continued until 8:30 am when the RDO officer arrived and swiftly processed the documents. They checked the passes, monitored temperatures, collected addresses and phone numbers, and issued the entry pass with vehicle number and passenger names. Officials also briefed us on the quarantine norms. Appa hurriedly collected the pass and dashed back to the car to join the line for clearance from the Kerala border. As we lined up, health officials and other government representatives approached our car, took photographs, checked the entry pass issued by Karnataka, monitored our temperatures, collected our details, and instructed us to quarantine for 14 days upon reaching our destination. Once all this was done, the police and RTO officials began allowing vehicles to pass one by one. Suddenly, one of the officers signaled us to move forward past the truck in front. As Appa advanced, a truck driver abruptly moved his vehicle forward, blocking our path. The truck driver was agitated and quite mad, feeling we had cut ahead, but Appa explained that he was merely following the officer's instructions. Despite Appa’s offer to wait, the officer insisted we move ahead, leading to a confrontation with the truck driver, marking the beginning of our tussle with the truckers.

Duel Truck

Who remembers Duel from 1971? Well, if you don’t, the next part should give you Déjà vu!c

This story is not told to my grandparents - Our families' epic journey begins here! Our adventure through the Nagarhole forest was marked by an unexpected clash with a trucker that tested our resolve and determination and Ameo’s wrath. As we crossed the Bavali bridge to enter Karnataka, our encounter with the trucker escalated. The trucker, filled with agitation, inched closer to our Ameo, pushing Appa to stay at high speeds. Despite Appa's attempts to maintain peace, the trucker remained relentless, creating a tense atmosphere.

Appa kept his composure, instructing me to get up from the bed and buckle up as we sensed the trucker's growing frustration. Our plan to pause for breakfast was hit out like a home-run as the trucker continued his aggressive maneuvers, inching closer with every opportunity. The narrow forest road and the huge line of trucks made it impossible to escape this tense game of cat and mouse.

When the check post finally opened, vehicles were allowed to pass in batches, nullifying our idea of quickly getting ahead. Appa pulled over to the side to let the trucker pass, hoping to defuse the situation, but the trucker too stopped to the side and waited for us to join the party(If Ameo could move on his own he would’ve shown that truck who’s the BOSS). Looking at his attitude and fatigue building up, Appa decided to continue and got back on the road. Mr. Trucker just cut across from the side and continued to be in front of us blocking our path and continued the harassment by not giving side and applying sudden brakes. Appa, tired but undeterred, saw an opportunity to overtake, and dear reader, I would say that Ameo and my Appa had a silent conversation moments before, since he gunned it across the road hitting 4900 RPM(we can easily hit over 120 at 2500 RPM)!

The trucker’s erratic and must I say childish driving, sudden brakes, and blocking attempts tested our nerves. Appa’s priority was our safety, and despite the fatigue from 24 hours of non-stop driving, his focus was unwavering. The honking and close encounters were nerve-wracking, built like parts from Duel, but my parents’ presence of mind and calm manners under pressure were . We were sure nothing was going to happen as we were sure about the safety of the car and to the max it may end up with small starches.

In a strategic move, Appa pulled over again better than Charles Leclerc pulling-over for a pit stop, allowing the trucker to pass while we took a much-needed break and had our breakfast, which was packed by my grandmother the previous night. After 20 minutes, we resumed our journey, determined to reach the Nagarhole forest check post. In no time we realized that the trucker was waiting for us to start the battle again. Trucker got back to the road and tried blocking us again. As my Appa saw the trucker ahead, Appa skillfully overtook him, securing a safe distance before reaching the forest check post. At the check post, the Karnataka cops and forest officials provided much-needed relief. The trucker and Appa exchanged words, but we were finally free from the stress and risk. With the trucker stuck in the long queue for clearance, we moved forward, no longer burdened by the tension.

A Hilarious Yet Timely Encounter Unfolded

Now we have completed around 31 hours of our relentless journey. It is 11:00 am, and we have finally reached the normal roads of Karnataka via Hunsur. I slept for some time and got up to witness a fierce encounter with a cop guarding a district health outpost. We were cruising at a good speed, eager to reach home, hoping all would go well in the next few hours.

On our way, we failed to notice a district administration health check post far down the road, marked only by signs in Kannada. The officials later informed us that the boards instructed travelers to stop and report to the health outpost for hand sealing and quarantine. Our Ameo, being a KA central registered car, quickly caught the cop's attention, and he mistook us for trying to evade the procedure. Sitting next to the sign with no reaction as we approached, we never realized there was a health outpost to monitor travelers from other states.

We crossed the boarding, and the cop, enraged, began chasing us, waving his stick furiously. He was not friendly, raising his voice and striking our Ameo, which was unacceptable. Appa rolled down the window and spoke to the cop softly and gently settled the issue, an unexpected response for the cop. The cop backed off hearing this and guided to the health check post which was located down the road. We took a U-turn and reported to the health department. We briefed the officials on the misunderstanding caused by the boarding and lack of barricades. They seemed unfriendly and overworked, so we decided not to waste more time. The health workers collected our details, stamped the quarantine release date ( 18th June 2020) on the backs of our hands, and instructed us to stay home for 14 days. Free to go, we continued our journey.

Seal for Man & The Machine

Ameo crunched more miles in style and my tired eyes were closing on and off, I could hear my Amma’s voice like music and she was making fun of me. Saying this is how you get screwed if you ditch Appa and Amma, she is referring to the dialogue which I made while going to my grandparents home. I told them “I needed a CHANGE and let me take this up” . She articulates this dialogue till date with my actions and the sunglasses I had during that time. She still asks me do you need some CHANGE and I end up with no words! Ameo was moving and some music was playing we were somewhere close to Mandya and have almost touched 35 hours of drive, suddenly Appa pulled over Ameo to the roadside shade and told need a quick break as he was losing focus, he took a quick nap and I see my Amma awake and vigilant asking me to be silent. In exactly 15 minutes Appa gets up, washes his face and we are back on the road.

When nearing our home my parents want to pick the essentials for the next 14 days quarantine as we don’t want to trouble anyone with the same. Apart from the daily essential grocery my parents have stocked all medicines and stuff needed for emergencies if something went wrong. When we neared our society Appa stopped by a nearby supermarket and Amma got down fully decked with Masks, Gloves , Sanitizers and picked everything we needed for the next 14 days. We soon entered our society and informed the association members about our travel and our plans of quarantine. They thanked us for informing and asked to let them know if we need any help. By God's grace we reached back safely and it was the best drive we had. We as a family enjoy road trips and we prefer to go by road, wherever possible. My parents are the real enthusiasts from whom I have got the madness. The reason I love this trip the most is that I experienced the warmth and care my parents had for me . This trip was going forward with HOPE and each and every challenge came across was taken up without any hesitation or fear as my parents had the aim that was Me. We hit our sweet home by around 4:30 pm and soon took a hot shower and a Dettol bath. All the clothes, masks, gloves were packed tightly and disposed of. After I took a bath I noticed a small package wrapped in gift wrapping. I opened it and found a small toy Camaro! My parents told they wanted to give me a little surprise and that's what they got. Afterwards we called our families and told them we reached safely, we had our grandparents and all family members talking to us back-to-back throughout this 36 hour journey to keep us awake. That day we slept early, and we slept like never before.

Two Things That Happened The Next Day Once We Woke Up

The next day we woke up hearing the calling bell around 9:00 am where the uncle who comes to clean the car, woke us up to inform us that even after multiple washes there are many tar dots on our AMEO! Thanks to the road widening and tarring that was happening on the Thrissur Calicut route along with the rains, the chase we did with the highway patrol vehicle ensured this splashed tar on our Ameo. Appa spoke to the uncle through the window and told him to stay away as we were in quarantine, he was puzzled as he knows how much we love our cars and the extent we go to make our vehicles as new. Appa told him not to try anymore to remove the same and we will take professional help to get this out.

Second thing was that latter around 11:00 am my Appa got a call from the cyber police department of Kerala asking us where we are?. Appa told them about the travel and the pass category which allowed us to travel and get back to the place where we started. The Police officer was kind and patiently listened to our story and told Appa that they have monitored our travel through the details of our phones collected and there were around 20+ places according to the system we have broken the quarantines norms, we have not reported to the district quarantine centers and have crossed the border. So before taking action he just took a chance and tried calling my Appa and Amma, he understood and asked about the little hero(me) and advised us to be watchful of any covid symptoms and to seek help if needed. He took the pass details used for travel and told Appa that they will pass this to the Karnataka cyber cell to verify the start and end time and if everything matches, they will clear this. The first thing we did after the quarantine was to give our AMEO Kuttan (that is how Amma calls him) the pampering he deserved. We took him to the best detailing studio in town, where the experts worked their magic for three meticulous hours.

A Word Of Apology To All My Forum Members

Apologies for the late long tale, and we have only few photos to accompany this journey. This drive was purely an emotional odyssey, riddled with hurdles. All the images are etched in our minds and hearts. Numerous family members, friends, and kind strangers—government officials, petrol pump attendants, police, small shopkeepers—connected with us as we crossed each district milestone. I salute their tireless efforts, support, and the help they extended.

I will never forget the gaze of the uncle who stooped to peer at me on that narrow road, and the health department official who advised my Appa to keep the car door closed if there was a child inside. The gentle raindrops that slipped through the slightly open windows, kissing my cheeks as we rested at Koduvally, remain vivid. The policeman at the Kerala border, who noticed our new set of Pirelli tires and suggested checking the air pressure, and the aunty who stamped a matching seal on my little hand—each moment, each gesture, is unforgettable. The trucker uncle we made dizzy on our route, the furious cop waving his stick at the health checkpoint, and the sight of my grandparents as Ameo moved forward—all these fragments form the mosaic of our journey. This trip was driven by hope, care and the warmth of my parents, my guiding stars. Each challenge was met with resolve, for their aim was me, their little hero.

I know you might be thinking this little one had made life miserable for his parents, you are right, but you see they love me a lot.

Your Little Ewan !

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