This leg of the journey was supposed to be around 75 kms long. We set out at about 9 30 am. We got that late because its not possible to leave early with the temperature at Kumily. Its practically impossible to cycle before 9 am, and we need to get to Shantampara before 5 pm. We hit the state highway 19 which was supposed to take us to Shantampara and Munnar. Throught out the day we were more or less steadly climbing, but the climbing was never boring beacuse we were cyling throught dense cardomom estates. Either side was thick vegitations with the trees overhanging on to the road. Below the trees on either side was cardomom plantations all the way to Shantampara. The weather was awesome. Cold and chilly but since we were cyclying and getting warm in the same time the surrounding temperature suited us perfectly. Initially we were wearing sweater while starting from Murikkadi, Kumali and stuff beacuase of the cold, but soon we removed it as it began to retain the heat that we generated due to the cycling.
Like usual we had lunch on the way at 2pm. This time we had lunch at Nedumkandam. When we were like 15kms away from Shantampara, just 1km from Udumbumchola (:P) town we found a waiting shed on the roadside. Without thinking much we drove into the shed as we were really tired. Just as we left we noticed that the back wheel of A-200 is flat like it happened at Kollam. We were like properly trapped. We dont have the solution to fix the puncture. We filled air into the tyre like we did at Kollam hoping it would last and tried cycling to the next puncture shop. You cant find a puncture repair shop in the middle of a forest. The air was not lasting more than 5 mins. We got the cycle to the next town and found out that the next puncture shop was 18kms away just after Shantampara. There was a slight chance of finding a person capable of fixing puncture 4kms away. We attempted the 4 kms away shop but finding that the air was not lasting enough ,we realised this way we cant get to the destination before nightfall.The next puncture shop is infact a few kms after the destination. Finding no other option we called for an auto to take us to the puncture shop.
Rejit uncle joined us from Shantampara and helped us find a puncture shop. After repairing the puncture we finally got back to house at Shantampara at around 6 30. I was chatting with Rejit uncle while Neeraj was uploading the photos.When it was my turn to do the blog, I was feeling sleepy.Switched on the comp, and before I could do anything I slept off . Woke up next morning. Now destination Adimali via Munnar
Until next post
Alex
Like usual we had lunch on the way at 2pm. This time we had lunch at Nedumkandam. When we were like 15kms away from Shantampara, just 1km from Udumbumchola (:P) town we found a waiting shed on the roadside. Without thinking much we drove into the shed as we were really tired. Just as we left we noticed that the back wheel of A-200 is flat like it happened at Kollam. We were like properly trapped. We dont have the solution to fix the puncture. We filled air into the tyre like we did at Kollam hoping it would last and tried cycling to the next puncture shop. You cant find a puncture repair shop in the middle of a forest. The air was not lasting more than 5 mins. We got the cycle to the next town and found out that the next puncture shop was 18kms away just after Shantampara. There was a slight chance of finding a person capable of fixing puncture 4kms away. We attempted the 4 kms away shop but finding that the air was not lasting enough ,we realised this way we cant get to the destination before nightfall.The next puncture shop is infact a few kms after the destination. Finding no other option we called for an auto to take us to the puncture shop.
Rejit uncle joined us from Shantampara and helped us find a puncture shop. After repairing the puncture we finally got back to house at Shantampara at around 6 30. I was chatting with Rejit uncle while Neeraj was uploading the photos.When it was my turn to do the blog, I was feeling sleepy.Switched on the comp, and before I could do anything I slept off . Woke up next morning. Now destination Adimali via Munnar
Until next post
Alex