Day 7 – Ponnani to Tellicherry aka Thalaserry (Kanyakumari to Leh Cycling)

Arriving at Mahe, Puducherry
Arriving at Mahe, Puducherry
As seen from Kadalundikadavu Bridge
As seen from Kadalundikadavu Bridge
Lost in the sea
Lost in the sea

I once read somewhere that the art of travel is to deviate from one’s plans and I have realized it often over time. The same goes with today as well. I left Ponnani very early in the morning, before the sun was out, and took a different route today instead of the national highway. I travel as if I am a local, thanks to the GPS in my phone and my good travel IQ. The route I was on took me from one of the best areas of Central Kerala, I would say.
On my way came the most scenic view of today as seen from the Kadalundikadavu Bridge, the Arabian Sea running into and making waves in the backwaters. This view was awe-inspiring and I remained on the empty Kadalundikadavu Bridge for about 20 mins to enjoy the view and the endless sea. I was headed for Kozhikode today and reached there at 10 am only. Having enough time on my hands for the day, I checked my GPS and learnt that Mahe, Puducherry was 65 km. Without second thought, I decided to make my day’s halt there after spending some time in Kozhikode city and its beautiful beach. I took the beach route to go to Mahe.
By 2:30 pm, I reached Mahe and this city captured my heart completely. The hunt for a lodge began but this small city have very few lodges and all were full. I went to New Mahe, but the same thing happened: no room available. I was told to go to Tellicherry, 8 km from Mahe where I could find accommodation. I wanted to explore Mahe and its beaches, so thought of taking a day off from cycling and came to Tellicherry and found a tourist home, where I am staying.
The best part of this kind of life is that I decide my day’s off on my own and do not have to be at the beck and call of someone else. I am a bit tired as I cycled 143.5 km today, but am feeling stronger day by day.