30-33 Goa

11h Jan 08 > Day-29: Kovilpatti - K' Kumari - Alleppy 400Kms

So we left Kanya Kumari beach (Cape Comorin - southernmost tip of India) at 10:30AM and headed past Nagerkoil and through Kerala's lush green cocunut-tree country to Allapuzgha (a.k.a.Alleppy). NH-47, though pretty smooth and clean in Kerala, was just a 2-lane undivided road with heavy mixed traffic. Our average dropped to 30 KMPH. There were continous towns and cities, with hardly any stretches of rural areas; though cococnut trees & banana plantations were still plentiful by the roadside.

Gokulam Residency -on beach road where we stayed in Allapuzha

Few Kms before reaching Alleppy, on the NH047 highway, we stoppped in front of a Garage, with a line of Willys Jeeps - all refurbished, with a shining looks, for sale! A 1960 model was for Rs 75,000/- and a 1980 model for Rs 1.25 Lacs. They looked pretty neat ... and a tempting buy!

Alleppy to Kannur

Refurbished Willy's Jeeps on Sale

Kerala Ends here .. last bus stop and Welcome to Karnataka!

We left Kerala and entered Karanataka (after Kasargod) and then crossed Netravati River and passed through Mangalore town, without stopping. After another 60 Kms we reached the point where we had to go off NH-17 some 5KMs to see Udipi's famous Sri Krishna Temple. However, we could not go inside teh Temple as there was a huge queue and we would have lost 2-3 hours waiting there. Neither did we see any special fast-lane Q's ( Like in Tamilnadu, with payment of Rs. 50-100) .... which means all devotees, here in Udipi, are equal! Took pictures of temple from outside, offered our humble prayer to Lord Krishna from the roadside and left to rejoin NH17.

Above pictures: Scenic beauty & greenery along the NH-17 route in Kerala & Karnataka

Sri Krishna Temple at Udipi (R) ... and two Rathams outside (L)

The drive on Kranataka portion of NH17 was most scenic and road quality & traffic pretty good (unlike heavy traffic in Kerala sections). The amazing stretch just past Kundapuram, with NH-17 running between the Malabar Sea on the left and an inland river on the right was a real highlight!

Sri Krishna Temple

We stopped for 10 mins at *exactly* the above spot and we took several pictures there. Amazing spot, this really .... sea water on one side, river water on otherside of road .... and we in the middle were drinking Coconut Water!!

Karwar coastal road and beach was a surprisingly nice place too! We stayed right on the beach road (also NH17) at a Hotel Bhadra. It was a good place to stay and we voted that as the *best* place we stayed on the whole tour, taking all aspects into account .... i.e. in terms of Value for Money (DBL at 550/-), surroundings, beach, facilities, services & food etc!

Marvanthe Beach

Karwar

On the bridge over Gangavali River (near Gokarn) approaching Ankola

14th Jan 08 > Day-32: Karwar to Chiplun - 411 Kms

Today we started from Karwar at 6:30AM and drove up north through Goa and into Maharashtra to Chiplun ... just a stone-throw away from Thane and completion of GIRT.

The beautiful Karwar Beach

Malabar Sea & Marvanthe Beach on left, a fresh-water River on the Right and NH-17 in the middle, heading North to Karwar & Goa

Marvanthe Beach .... a few KMs north of Kondapuram

Karwar Bay ....... as we approach Karwar town

Karwar Beach ... looks better than Chowpatti & Marine Drive of Mumbai

Malabar Coastline and an island in the sea ... as we near Karwar

Aproaching Maharashtra now ..... .last few Kms in Goa

The drive through Sindudurg and Ratnagiri districts was very scenic, hilly (ghats) & green .... with plenty of twists and turns on the road. With very low traffic and excellent road surface, we felt this part of the drive was the most enjoyable portion! Of course our average has dropped to 35 KMPH on this section, due to ups & downs and curves (Keep your Nerve on the Curves was a frequent sign post here).

15th Jan 08 > Day-33: Chiplun to Thane - 270 Kms

We left Chiplun at 6:50AM and reached Thane at 1:00PM after a last leg of 270Kms today. The NH-17 portions today was also superb drive and scenic all the way till Panvel. But after that it was the usual 6-lane traffic of trucks, buses and cars moving into Mumbai. The final tally then of GIRT 9388 Kms in 33 days.

Ghats ..... as we head out of Chiplun on NH-17 .... on final lap