We left from Cochin to go to Ponnani. Roads were as bad as
ever and it was getting more dangerous for us to cycle. Also, there were
stretches where the roads were getting done up. As we reached Telecherry, the girls
got split up into 2-3 groups and each one ended up taking a different route. It
took us a long time to get everyone together.
All this time, we were also trying to get accommodation in Ponnani.
It is a very small place and there were no hotels there. Finally we got in
touch with a local MP who said we could stay at his house in the village.
However, when we got in touch with the house, they mentioned that there is no
water at all and they will find it difficult to host so many of us. We had to
then think of an alternative solution.
After a discussion with the whole team, it was decided that
we should not cycle anymore in Kerala, due to the dangers of cycling on the
narrow roads. We had a few more near accidents today as well and our members
were really lucky to even be alive. We then spoke with our accommodation in
Cochin and they were extremely generous in allowing us to come a day earlier.
We then got onto the truck and went directly to Cochin.
We reached the hotel at around 11pm at night and OH MY
GOD!!! We had landed in the middle of heaven. Thanks to the leader, we were
ending our expedition in 7 star luxury, in a resort called Carnoustie, one of
the most beautiful and luxurious properties that we have ever seen. Our clothes
were so dirty that we felt we should have dinner standing up :)
We stayed in individual cottages that had their own swimming
pools!!! The girls had a great time at the resort for a whole day before we
left back to Bangalore. Luckily for us, SCOTT had allowed us to purchase the
cycles at a lower cost. While a few girls wanted the cycles, the rest were
bought by the resort.
It was a great end to a great cycle rally :)
