Day 15
27.10.2022 ( Thursday )
Started my trip from Karaikudi to Dhanushkodi through Rameshwaram. A nice place to take some pictures with your bike to be honest. Trip was good. Today was going to be a bit long as I have to got Tuticorin after visiting Rameshwaram. If my friends Nivas and KC was here would have stayed a day here in Paramakudi. My first time going to Rameshwaram, Pambam palam is truly amazing I should also go once on their train ride, It should be fun. Water is so blue, If you are in Chennai you would not see the same color like this. Then visited Dhanuskodi, which was ghosted. It was great ride too, Roads were good too. While Going also saw
After reaching Dhaniuskodi, Visited Rameshwaram temple. Took a bath and visited the temple. Then after that the journey begins to Tuticorin, Was a fun ride along the East coast road. A lot of cows and goats in the road but still was fun. I forgot to take pictures of the cow sign boards placed in the road. Beware of Cows! Also when you start seeing Salt harvesters you know that you have reached Tuticorin. Tuticorin is the second largest producers of salt after Gujarat. Then visited Raja's home directly as I have been already been here for 3 to 4 times. :)
Day 16
28.10.2022 ( Friday )
Today was a total rest day. Slept good and took some rest. My shoulder pain kind of started getting bad or worse. I got pain so planned to visit Physio Doctor again tomorrow. Also had wobble problem in my bike so want to visit RE showroom. Called in Manoj my College friend. Went to D-mart in search for a few things and bought a few Cavin's milkshake, and a bedsheet for my travel. Then went to Manoj's home for a visit. So totally a relaxed day. Took a picture as I was not sure we would meet again.
Day 17
29.10.2022 ( Saturday )
A very happy Saturday, woke up early. Went to RE showroom and asked about the wobble issue. They said that it would be due to the uneven weight in the panniers, so it would wobble. So I just asked them to do a water wash. Waited there around 2 hours and got it. Then decided to visit a Physiotherapist, Looked up google and was able to reach the place. Waited for around 2 hours to meet and but it was totally worth it. :) He calmy asked a lot of questions what I did and what my problem was. Then came to a conclusion that I am having pain due to improper neck position when using phones and computer. Also he suggested not to use Air pillow. Then helped me relieve that pain in 5 minutes which was awesome to experience. Then suggested the exercise Supine scorpion which he recommended and also to do a 10 minute walk before starting my ride. After that in the evening went to Sardar movie with Raja and Manoj. Also took pictures of my bike to send Konnen automotives.
Day 18
30.10.2022 ( Sunday )
A happy Sunday! Had some Chicken in Raja's home, Non-veg after several days. When I sent the pics to Konnen they said that the top pannier is not aligned and I realized that as well. You can see below the first image where the top box seems to be a little downward and then went out and adjusted the top panniers. I already bought a Allen key set which is being useful like this situations. If the issue persists will have to do something in the next place. So slept early as I am going Kanyakumari to meet an another all India rider tomorrow.
Day 19
31.10.2022 ( Monday )
So started my trip from Tuticorin, a good easy ride. First thing I noticed before starting the trip is that the top box did move lower again. So I planned to see a a mechanic in Kanyakumari and the team from Konnen suggested to add two washers to one of the bolts to even out the other one. If you are seeing windmill's you know that you are near Kanyakumari. I think we can see more of them near Marthandam as I was only able to see them just for a few minutes.
Finally reached Kanyakumari and was able to book a room for a good deal. This is where my paid stay starts. Reached the hotel and was able to take some rest but wait I remembered the top box issue. Searched google and went to a Royal Enfield specialist mechanic and we did put the washers. The mechanic suggested to see a welder to see if I can weld some rod from the side for better stability. So again google to the help baby, saw a welder nearby and discussed about potential solutions. Then finally they said to have one rod welded from one of the other rods which is already connecting both the side panniers. (Will take a picture probably tomorrow, I need to show it to the Konnen team as well).
After getting the welding done, planned to visit the beach and see the view. Clouds getting darker as the time goes by, so headed to the room and have a good day sleep. Also was planning to meet brother Sanjay who is at the end of his All India ride but I think we had to move it tomorrow as he reached Kanyakumari late.
Day 20
1.11.2022 ( Tuesday )
Woke up early to see the sunrise from Kanyakumari. 5 am in the morning. Very hard to wake up at that time. Well I had to do it. Point to be noted, I have been to Kanyakumari before several times. I have been disappointed a few times as well because when the clouds are mmm.. mm... cloudy the sunrise happens at 8 or 9 am. I think it was a cloudy day too, I waited around 7 am and left the spot. I was able to capture the Vivekananda rock memorial during the morning. It was glowing like a gem. (As the photo was black and the background of the website is also black please scroll down to read more journal of the day)
After reaching room, me and Sanjay bro planned to meet at 9 am near the beach. Vola! We met finally! I got a chance to ask a lot of questions regarding the trip as he was 2 days shy of finishing his All India ride. You can follow him on this Instagram and YouTube channel. (Malayalam channel). He sponsored my breakfast saying that I am starting my trip and he is ending, a nice guy. He also bought food for a small girl who was asking for money. He is a kind soul too. :) We are planning to meet again if possible in Kochin again. So after meeting him packed my things and headed to Kochin.
You know you have entered Kerala once you see Lottery tickets are being sold. In Tamil Nadu Lottery tickets are banned. The roads are not wide like in Tamil Nadu but I kind of liked because there were a lot of turns and bends coupled with elevated roads. It was a fun ride too. The new highways are great and few parts still construction. Reached Trivandrum much faster than I thought. Then did a bit of search and booked a dorm for ₹250 per day for 6 person dormitory room. It is not a great or good place but I think I can manage it. Hehe - more than 10 years of hostel has shaped me good. (Attached the photo of the welding work which I did in Kanykumari)
Day 21
2.11.2022 ( Wednesday )
A fine morning had good sleep except my dormitory bed was teeny bit small to fit me. Make sure to check if it fits you if you are around 6 feet in height. The next cot is a little bigger so will be changing to that within today. Took my phone looked at Google maps for the top locations to visit, So planned to visit Napier museum. Once I visited, there were no bike parking so had to park it in the street near to the police station. Once I entered got to know that the museum was closed due to cleaning and will open after 1 pm. I also texted Dinesh bro who was kind enough to invite me to lunch so asked him If I take on the offer in Whatsapp message. Then looked and saw that the Zoo was also in the same campus. So entered the zoo and to be honest it was a small zoo but was packed up with most of the Animals and birds not like Vandalur zoo spanned a lot of acres which should be good for the animals but here probably the animals are cramped up in space. While I was in the Zoo Dinesh bro called me and sent me the address to his home. So I cancelled the Napier museum plan and planned to visit Dinesh Bro.
Interesting to see various animals and reptiles. Saw the tiger in a small cage, I personally think there is no power in a tiger when being prisoned in a cage. Maybe I need to avoid seeing animals in the zoo and start going to the forest area to see it. So after a short trip to Zoo, went ahead and travelled to Dinesh's bro home. Only did I know that he met with an accident few days earlier and had his hand fractured. That is why he is not able to host me. He is a great guy, had some tasty fish and rice in his home and met his two kids too. Will have to meet him again once he is fully recovered, Thanks for the invite brother. :) Wish you a speedy recovery. Let me jump back a little bit - I saw the Gaur and was totally astonished by the natural muscles they have. They didn't go to a gym to gain all those packs on their backs. Amazing muscle cuts. To top it off they are herbivores.
After having my lunch had to say bye bye to Dinesh bro. As there were signs of rain to come. After that went to Decathlon to purchase a few shirts and one shorts with pockets with Zip which I am planning to wear during the rides. After that parked my bike and then walked to a nearby camera store to buy J-hook for my camera mount. Finally was able to find it. Probably I will upload photos so that you guys what I am speaking of. After than came to room for a good sleep and as I said earlier shifted my bed to the next one where I can freely move and stretch my legs with no problem.