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Hi Everybody

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to India as much as I did and the following are my thoughts having now made this trip twice.

I thought this trip was better than last year. We managed the distances better, and my impression was that we rode last year as a closer group whereas this time we spent more time pottering through the mountains more spread out which I personally enjoyed. Must be my love of riding with no helmet! I can't think of anything that I found difficult this time or anything I would change, as I tend to treat every motorbike trip as an adventure and any problems which occur are all part the experience for me. The only comment I picked up from talking to everyone was that people liked to stop in the chai shops and see a little bit more of Indian life rater than a motorcycle ride that didn't engage with the local population.

Two highlights of the trip for me - one was stopping at that chai shop where the lady made us endless cups of chai and fried bananas and Jef made friends with that lovely dog which was such a delight - had he been a stray I would have wanted to bring him home with me (the dog, not Jef). Another highlight which I enjoyed (but some of you may have found less enteraining and more irritating! ) was the bizarre breakfast we had in the hotel prior to the railway journey. Watching Sahib Kemp take over the running of the kitchen and organising the waiters with Steve knocking out the omelettes missing only a topee hat,a safari suit and the days of Empire to remind us what we used to do in India! I also enjoyed the look on the Indian guide's face who looked very approvingly on what Gordon and Steve were doing. Not sure whether there's a warrant out for our arrest following leaving without paying the bill, but if there is I'm sure it will get lost in Indian bureaucracy!

Thank you all for your company. I have to say I found the whole group charming and great value. I was particularly touched by Damien's quiet looking after me without even mentioning what he was doing. So if Damien's still wandering around India and gets to read this, he gets my personal thanks for quietly organising my luggage having spotted that I couldn't do a damn thing until my painkillers had kicked in and I was taking every opportunity to rest up after the day's ride. Before leaving for India I'd had to have injections in both my knees to kill the pain and increase my mobility - unfortunately I got the timing a bit wrong and they were wearing off during the last 5 -6 days!

Wish me luck for the operation in late March!

I'm looking forward to the photo from Steve of my impromptu inspection of the underneath of an Indian lorry and I still chuckle over Gary's remark that he was impressed with my riding avoiding a kamakasi bus. When I asked if I was close his quote "if you put your tongue out you could have licked it!" was priceless.

Will I go again - emphatically yes, probably with two new knees that the surgeon promises me will perform better than real ones.

See you all soon and my thanks for your company which made it a great holiday.

Best regards

Huw

route

Its all over now !!!!

Jusrt a quick update we are back in our homes same and sound well all except Damion who has been hit with the India Bug and staying a few more weeks I thinks its safe to say that we are all exhausted but greatly enlightened

Tuesday morning at Munnar

7.00am and surprise surprise yesterday it rained not a full on shower but enough to say that it had rained.we had planned a rest day and it was very welcomed simply not getting dressed up in all the motorcycle clothes. Munnar is just a world away from normallity sat here now there areat least three religious factions beating out their messages from speakers dotted around the town and have been so for at last the last hour. Its like being in a Indian version of disneyland with all the piped music.
Yeterday afternoon we hired 3 jeeps and had lunch at an old colonial plantation, followed by a trip to the Spice plantation and an elephant ride    

an update and how to veiw more photos

its currenty 6.00am and I have been sat at the computer for about 30 minutes trying to up load more photos..
 Firstly for Rogers sake, there could well be some spelling and grammer mistakes in these blog entries as now its often dark when I am writing them and as in this case on to what is for me a non standard key board I will try and fix it when I am back.

to view more of the photo and to see them larger just double click in the small pane and you should be redirected to another site  

Munnar

We have made it safe and sound to Munnar a fantastic ride through tea plantations and small little communities which look as if it would be hard to support one family let alone the fifty or so that it must.


I am sat at the computer having just baffled both Roger and Nigel. Roger who is getting more and more like one of the Grumpy old men is totally confused by the finer points of the computer. Now I know that I am far from being confident but Roger defies logic, no matter how many times I explain the reason his only concern is that he can’t see big photos. Just for the record the connection speeds are so long it simply takes too long, currently I am waiting for 27 to load and it’s likely to take an hour or more.

Chris, Rogers long suffering brother in law is learning how to use the computer and my only advice is not to listen to anything Roger says he has this amazing ability to get most things totally wrong but still I hope his heart is in the right place

We arrived at our chosen hotel the Isaac residency totally exhausted and was met with a fantastic welcome.  A special parking for all of the bikes and a covered and more importantly lit repair space had been put aside.So far I have found the service faultless. This evening’s meal taken in the hotel restaurant was probably the best we have had. For once the service was good, slightly too good for Roger as he had barely put his soup spoon down before he was handed his main meal. I had chosen the sizzling chicken and it was delicious, so much so that many of the other chose the same meal and none were disappointed. Sam who is keeping a league table on the state of the showers did however score this hotel lower not because of the condition but the difficult in adjusting the temperature My shower score was much higher it was deliciously hot and I stound for a longtime with it playing on  my rather fatigued butt. The Isaac also had the benefit of being able to have a beer with the meal. I am not quite sure what prevents the other restaurants but I really do miss that cold beer with my meal especailly after a long day, and not that this meal needed improving but it certainly made the experince more enjoyable.

some photos

Coimbatore

Day .. not really sure it all going so fast. We are in Coimbatore having left Ooty yesterday. Ooty sits in a valley and we first had to rise steeply out before a much longer drop down on to the plains on which Coimbatore is situated. The ride was stunning, bend after bend with the occasional 180 or sharper hairpin. All the riders are gaining confidence in the 1950 technology of the Enfield and hopefully learning skills that they can take back to their own machines.


For some reason Alan E was awarded the rider of the day award by the mechanics. I have blown all chances by admitting that I don’t use the clutch to change up. Ivan has not moved this far on yet and the subject caused much Indian conversation. Geoff lost the Chiai challenge and had to buy the whole group tea at our first stop, although the £1.10 that it cost is not going to break the bank.





Entering Coimbatore was a challenge and proves the importance of route planning had we attempted this on day one it would have ended in disaster I am sure but we can down the dual carriageway into Coimbatore which had major “Indian” road works sometimes the dual carriage way was as expected, then without the myriad of cones and signs that you would get in UK it simply changed to having apposing traffic on the same side. The road surface varied from good secure Indian tarmac to basically a field, nevertheless a well compressed field. The SYSTEM worked like a charm and we pulled into the hotel exhausted but all elated. CAG PRIDE is easy to find apposite the bus station and Gps coordinates accurate.

During the evening Geoff took us to an Enfield showroom where we Sam AJ and myself had an interesting time listening to the conversation between two obvious enthusiasts. I have found in India in particular once someone knows that you are genuinely interested they will talk and talk. Geoff’s expertise on the Enfield was more that apparent and I am sure if the workshops had been opened they would have had him in taking bikes to bits. Geoff clearly had more knowledge on the newer bikes and was surprised that there was a 8 months waiting list for models that he has readily available in his Taunton show room


photos are above in little pane more to come

Sams photos updated

Thge first of Sams photos appear in the small pane above

our first update

Day one and we have arrived, despite a long and at times tedious flight we arrived in Calicut at 21.00 local time. The flight from Heathrow could hardly have been better we had one of Emirates newest A380 wide body planes and for all us this was the nicest and best equipped airplanes that any of us had experienced. The personal entertainment centre gave both 240vt power sockets and USB connections so it was not only possible to power up your laptop but also view your own photographs via your USB stick whilst listening to your own music.


The film list was not only comprehensive and up to date but also exceedingly easy to navigate, whilst the seat gave more than adequate legroom to my 6/3 slightly overweight frame.

Our stopover in Dubai was a necessarily long one due to matching planes however once we found some couches to catch some shut eye

Our arrival in India was met with ever widening eyes from those that had never experienced it. First warning comes with the noise of the aeroplanes tyres touching Indian soil, which seems to be taken by those Indians arriving back to their homeland as a signal to jump up and try to retrieve their massively oversized “handheld luggage” from the overhead lockers. The air stewards chosen for this flight must be chosen for their ability to shout and make themselves heard over the noise of the airplane hurtling down the run with the throttles screaming in full reverse.

It seemed that every Indian needed to explore the possibility that it might be just them that would be allowed to stand up and retrieve their bags before dutifully seating when shouted at. Eventually due to sheer numbers there were more passengers prepared to attempt to stand than the hostess could shout at and by sheers numbers mob rule took over. Emirates online booking must be perverse because it always seems that the Indian with the biggest need to get out the plane is always the furthest from the door and starts a charge which would have any rugby coach jealous, remembering of course that the plane has still not come to a distinct stop. I know that this is probably distinctly racist but those famous painting of Rawkes drift or Gordon of Khartoum did spring readily to mind

When the plane does eventually come to a stop the mealie becomes worse with the women joining in. Amazingly without a single comment the British reserve kicks in, and to a man (and woman) our entire group sits stock still waiting for the furore to finish, eventually rising from their seats and recovering their hand luggage and departing the plane probably only 60 seconds after the Indian who won this flights version of the race for the door.

We spilled off the plane into a massive arrivals hall with an equally large number of Indians and their “hand luggage”. I am sure there must be a website somewhere unofficially explaining the maximum size of package that would fit into each locker on every plane ever made and those Indians travelling study it like the racing post because despite the massive size and sheer volume of hand luggage it mercifully fits, either that or the hostess have a special backless locker a bit like Mary Poppins bag that you can just keep stuffing with things that seem impossibly large for the size available.

We then joined the back of one of the mile long queues and the influence of the Rajja steps in and our whole group is ushered to the very front passing our Indian winner of ‘first to the door’ and everyone else.

The second game we then play, and I am afraid are beaten at, is get the luggage from the turntable. Now the Indians play slightly different rules but tactics are similar; it seems that you have to get a luggage trolley and leave it with the remainder of your family as close as you can get to the turntable, and join your team in what appears to be a giant scrum. I know the Indians don’t play rugby but they should try they have a lot of potential if the scrum at the carousel is anything to go by. We were out played, they had a much stronger team and we let ourselves down and scored an own goal; Roger reliving his rugby days took up point and positioned himself at the carousel others formed a line back to our trolleys held back from the front line. This was the first of our many mistakes, our rearguard cleanly failed in checking the state of the trolleys and some time spent here would have saved us the problem of a trolley with a limp (I kid you not, one of our trolleys had a limp when fully loaded it “limped quite badly down to the fact that one wheel was concentric by about 3 inches whether it was made like this or evolved like this couldn’t be seen but limp it did). Now you never see a porter with a limp and there are good reasons why and this trolley was the same it had no place in the departure lounge and should have been relegated to a street corner or similar like you see old Tesco’s trolleys in the UK. However the limp would not be discovered until much later, we were still in with a fighting chance at this time. Bags were seen identified and passed back out of the scrum, our main troops held at the rear of the action. Bag after bag moved to the Brit trolley park and then disaster, Damien’s bag was missing. We had a clear lead, in fact I say we had won but no, Damien’s bag was missing and we were forced to wait longer and longer until every bag was off the plane. We still had a chance to win but could easily pull off a draw. Ted led the assault on the porter, demanding they check to see if the plane was fully unloaded. Roger dropped back exhausted from spotting and passing back, he had rightly taken the initiative at a very early stage having realised that a three two three formation was doomed and had singlehandedly moved into a one two three formation his taking sole resposbinbily for spotting and removing, passing back to the two who passed on to the three who loaded the trolleys.

With the rest of the team ashen we saw our lead from the departures room whittled away and it took far too long for us to realise that Damien’s back had in fact been identified and passed back right at the beginning and was sat at the bottom of the pile on our trolley. The walk through customs was a sorry sight, our trolley limping Ted a broken man, saying you’re sorry come so hard to him and having had to back down from his demand of having the plane taken apart to find Damians bag came partially hard to him especially having just retired and unable to shout through hatch “you will have your dinner when I say”

Sam was still Giggly from her encounter with the Glenfidic hostess and RJ still unable to believe we had shared a plane with Kylie.

It’s now 2.30 am and I was woken by what sounded like Ted who is the bed next to me giving an amplified version of one of Rogers “yawns” only to find that sure enough it was Rogers Yawns but from Four rooms away I did think that perhaps our rooms had some kind of connection like the Whispering gallery in St Pauls but no it was Roger and it was simply him yawning and I knew only too well that this yawning could go on for hours if not days until Roger found a comfortable position and he slipped into the slightly quieter full blooded yawn. I stopped the cups on our bedside table that where rattling in time to his yawns but eventually I had to give up and get up. I really don’t know how Madge puts up with him and if she ever breaks and beats him to death in the middle of the night I would know of at least 100 people who would love to come to court and testify that they would have done exactly the same had it not been that he had locked his room door. At least Roger seems to have found a soul mate in Nigel who even now sat in reception a floor below can be heard echoing Rogers snoring snore for snore unfortunately for everyone at a slightly different speed so that about every five minutes they are in perfect time and all that can be heard is a loud but tuneful burbling a bit like a rocket engine before Ignition or even two Lumber jacks gracefully and tunefully Cutting wood with a double handled saw but for the rest of the time trying to out Bay each other like rutting stags.

Even now an hour after being woken up as they get in into the correct timing they can be heard throughout the hotel.

Geoff Hodges has slipped seamlessly into Dave Holly’s shoes the unflappable and smooth rider that his is. I only have to now see him roll a cigarette at 50mph for the vision to be completed some riders look as if they were born on a bike and both him and Dave fit this description. I failed miserably in my attempts to prise tools out his hands and he has already repaired some of the minor problems we have had.

RJ has been walking and riding with his eyes and mouth almost constantly open since we landed. Tonight he was convinced that I had landed him in a gay hotspot having seen all the male population walking hand in hand his almost constant reply being a slightly taken back and protracted ‘NOoooo’

The trip from the airport to the hotel left him white which with his ruddy completion is no mean feat and I think today’s skirmish from the hotel to the bottom of the Gnats left his rather shell shocked however he has rising to the task taken some good advice from Father Ted at the back and not looked back

Jordan has taken on somewhat of a John Wayne Gait the seat being a bit hard for him. I am not sure what he did to deserve being bounced around on the back of his dad’s bike like he is but it must have been pretty serious.

Today’s ride would have Jef (there is only one F in (g) Jef, proud of me, we left in the daylight and arrived in the daylight. The long and hard climb into the Gnats being nowhere near as auspicious as last year. Huws and my bike being the only ones to have a problem. Huws an annoying electrical glitch we means he keeps blowing fuses and my clutch. The fork on the activator had broken and the cable slipped out resulting in no clutch and some pretty hairy riding. The first time it was repaired it lasted about three minutes and not wishing to bring the convoy to yet another stop I struggled on for thirty OR so minutes rather worryingly swerving in and out of the countless monkeys that live on or close to the road. Not worryingly because of the monkeys, but more so by the fact that about half the group didn’t see them. There had to be at least fifty camped out on or close to the road and both myself at the front and Ted who is gainfully bringing up the rear and saw them but many of the first timers didn’t. However despite looking for an elephant, I didn’t see the one reported to have been seen working in a saw mill, pity really because still have to make up for the one that ‘I didn’t see’ last year.

Sam is doing remarkably well and despite being a bit of a black sheep on the plane leading Roger Ted and myself astray with duty free. On every trip that I do there seems to be a trip comment, last years it was Nigel’s “we were lucky with the weather” and I can remember John Hanifords “this Loir valley is so beautiful, but what’s the name of the river that it follows”. I so want him to come on this trip before he is too old he would be a laugh a minute. I digress. The comment of the trip so far must come from the airhostess who came up to our little drinking party with I am sure a well meant “I am awfully sorry you seem to have drunk all the Glenfiddic on the plane and as there is only an hour before you land.... wait for it.... would you mind drinking the Jack Daniels

When sharing a hotel room, and not being a good sleeper, I find it amazing no matter how quiet I try to be the nosier I am, at least now my luggage is packed as gravity intended heavy things at the bottom and light at the top. All I have to do is find out which way up my bag has been stored on the van and hey presto a quick calculation of weight plunge your hand in at the appropriate level and there it is. God must have wanted this when he (or she, although gravity is technical and not like birds and flowers so more likely he) designed gravity and it works clean pants weigh less than dirty pants (don’t ask why) so they necessarily migrate to a different level. Tee shirts follow the same pattern and being heavier live at a higher level than both clean and dirty pants.

I had a problem with my towel neck wrap today and we hadn’t stopped an hour this evening and Sam has her sewing kit out and sorted the problem tell me which man brings a sewing kit. I mean a real one you can use not the ones you get from hotels. Sam asks relevant questions like how does the clutch work and why does my brakes squeak. Not Man questions which bring numerous problems and debates and defy answering.

photos from 2010 trip

Emailing: map

This is the proposed route that we shall be taking this year it incorporates good scenery some really good touring roads and some challenging climbs

http://www.westwayhotel.com/photo-gallery.html

twenty Eight days to go

indian driving

I am currently reading Sanjeev Bhaskar (Sanjeev Kummar from BBC’s The Kummars at number 42) travelogue of his return to India, INDIA where he gives a wonderful explanation as to the Indians attitude regarding the use of the horn, which I thought was so vivid and accurate I wanted to share it.

The Horn. Oh the multipurpose ubiquitous, impossibly loud horn of the Indian road. People should write poems to its greatness and its infinite variety. Some sound quizzical. Others furious. Some are funny. Some are sombre. In India, the horn is not an instrument of violence or abuse; every truck I have seen has HORN PLEASE emblazoned across the back. To sound ones horn here [India] is merely to express ones existence and to share that joy with everyone else in a several hundred- mile radius. To the uninitiated or the incredibly tired traveller, the constant sound of the horn is just one of the countless challenges of the Indian environment.

Page 191

12 November

Tonight we had the first of what will I am sure will be many great evenings, Richard, Sam,Gary,Jordan,Alan ,Damien, Huw, Steve and Geoff were able to make it and through the marvel of Modern technology we were able to talk ( and see) a bleary eyed Nahas SHAMS in India (it was 2.00am for him and we need to thank him for making the effort)
Elona as always put on a great spread so Nigel Ted and Roger you know what you missed The conversation flowed really well and many interesting point s covered. We are planning to have a least one more evening and a ride out before our departure so watch this space

video

Video to appear on You tube 21 September 2011

showcasing God’s Own Country as a leading destination for wellness and cultural experiences, Kerala Tourism’s ‘Your Moment is Waiting’ destination film is to woo the global market to make the state a ‘must visit’ destination for travellers.

The world premier of the film being launched as part of the global campaign is to take place at Saatchi Gallery, London on September 21 to a select audience of glitterati, literati and business leaders.

Featuring upcoming international model Miriam Ilorah, ‘Your Moment is Waiting’ takes one “through the land, raw and refined, sensual and spiritual, flowing slowly, languorously, stirring memory with desire, the real with the surreal”. It is filmed in key locations in and around Thekkady, Alappuzha, Munnar, Thalassery and Kannur in northern Kerala.

“The film is cinematic in style, is sophisticated and highly emotive. It is not the traditional slide-show of pretty pictures of places and people”, says Secretary, Tourism, V. Venu. The campaign will clearly help to outperform many of its competitors in a very tough global marketplace. “We are reaching out to Experience Seekers. We know that the film will resonate and influence how they think about Kerala as a holiday destination”, he said.

Besides being our main source market, Dr. Venu said Kerala attracts a lot of repeat travellers from the U.K., and it would make great sense to reach out to this loyal and growing market, by premiering the film in London.

The film was conceived by Stark Communications, the brand agency for Kerala Tourism, and directed by renowned director Prakash Varma.

“Kerala Tourism is a superbrand in India and it is continually reinventing itself with innovative ideas and ambitious projects. With this global launch in London, it has once again elevated the bar by being the first destination board to launch its campaign offshore,” he commented.

The film is part of an integrated campaign, kicking off in the U.K. incorporating advertising, public relations activity and social media components. In what is deemed to be another first for a destination board, Kerala Tourism is also targeting iPad users with an in-application advertising campaign.

The U.K. is the largest source market for Kerala Tourism and the State’s nature-based experiences are a huge draw for British travellers seeking more intimate, village experiences. Baby boomers who are getting more interested in their health are also attracted to ayurveda in Kerala.

The campaign would run in all of Kerala Tourism’s major markets around the world from October 2010 until mid 2011. ‘Your Moment is Waiting’ will hit Youtube in the U.K., France and Germany targeting nearly 50 million viewers. The campaign will run in cinemas across the U.K. and CNN in Europe targeting viewers in the key source markets of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.

Keywords: Your Moment is Waiting, Kerala Tourism, Kerala destination film

SUGGESTED ITINERARY AS OF 18 September 2010

S
Day
Monday 31 January Taunton to
Airport and flight
Tuesday 1st February Arrive Calcut Day 01 Arrival Calicut Airport, transfer to hotel

We have an introductory meeting to get to know the Indian staff and our bikes during our welcome Dinner at the hotel.
Hotel Westway
Wednesday
2nd
February Calicut to
WYNAD

95 Km

60 miles
CALICUT – WYNAD
Now you are ready for your adventure! An early start today for a long day's ride through some truly spectacular scenery.

You will ride to Wynad with tracts of forest covering the western flanks of the Niilgiris. The scenery is rich and varied, ranging from plantations of tea, spices, coffee and cocoa to the dry scruffy jungle of the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary.
Hotel Greengates
Thursday
3rd
February
WYNAD to OOty 140 Kms 87.5 miles Toady we will ride to Ooty, A popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty draws a great number of tourists every year. This picturesque town perched on the hills is home to many places of interest and abundant natural beauty.
You will visit masinagudi enroute and We stop for a pleasant lunch at the Bandipur Sanctuary and then headwith its abundant monkeys and scattering of elephants, and deers. You will be at height of 2000 m and our overnight stop in Ooty, 'Queen of the Hill Stations'

Friday
4th
February OOTY to Coimbatore 105 kms 66miles Morning after breakfast see Ooty by motorcycle. Ride up to the Dodabetta Peak for fantastic views of the surrounding plains, English-style public schools and churches, tea gardens and shops. down the hills with more than 24 hairpin bends.



Saturday 5th February COIMBATORE -KODAIKANAL (158km) 100 miles

Today you will ride to Kodiakanal . We stop for a traditional Tamil lunch at the foot of the Palani Hills. We head off in the heat of the day, but temperatures soon drop as we ride up to the hill station of Kodaikanal at 2000 m in just 30 miles. If there’s time, you can take the bike around the paths of the summit, explore on foot or horseback, hire a boat on the lake in town, or just enjoy the local dairy products - cheeses and ice creams - and mushrooms.



Sunday 6th February Kodakanal Munnar 165Kms 104miles

A later start gives us time to cruise back down the hill, to stop for lunch at the restaurant at the foot of the Palani Hills. We then ride across the plains for about an hour, before climbing again through 17 hairpin bends and the start of a road of never-ending tea plantations. After stopping for tea on the edge of the Tata tea estate, the world's largest, with a splendid view over Devikulam Lake we carry on to the enchanting hill station of Munnar, and your hotel.


Monday 7th February FREE DAY no biking

A chance to explore the delights of Munnar and the surrounding area.
Overnight stay at the same hotel as Sunday



Tuesday 8th February Munnar to Thekkady 105 kms 66 miles
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady in the Western Ghats mountain range .Thekkady nestling in the Cardamom Hills through rice paddies and tea plantations
Stopping for tea and small snacks about every hour . Here the views become more sensational as the road gets worse! This route is largely untrodden , we pass through 100 km of the 770 sq. km sanctuary on our bikes. There is an abundance of wildlife, from flora, birds and insects up to bears, leopards, elephants and even tigers, although they keep themselves well hidden usually. And no traffic. The riding is slow, and we will often switch off engines to freewheel down narrow lanes and take in the full sounds of the forest. (There is an easier route available too). After riding to over 2000 m, we finally meet up with the good road again and rejoin the highway for the final short run into Kumily. The temperature here is cooler than by the beach and you can reward yourself with a nice hot shower.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thekkady.


Wednesday 9th February Thekkady to Cochin
Today you will be driven to cochin through the rubber and tea plantations. Your final and longest days ride takes us to Cochin known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Cochin is believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world. With ferry rides commanding its breath taking view as you cruise around man-made islands with lush green lawns sloping down to the water's edge, Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India and recording a history of visitors who came, saw and stayed for hundreds of years. Layered impressions of Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese are contained within its environment. Cochin, one of the oldest port cities of India has very rich cultural past and cosmopolitan association. Also
There should be time for sightseeing in the old town. Famous churches, cathedrals, synagogues and palaces are all within walking distance, and the sights and smells of the famous Chinese fishing nets and the market, with its teas, spices, nuts, fabrics, rosewood, Kathakali masks, cigars

Deliver the bikes and overnight stay at Cochin


Thursday 10th February Cochin to Calicut

Today you will be transferred to Cochin railway station for the spectacular 4 hrs train to Calicut

On arrival at Calicut , you will be met and transfered to the hotel




Friday 11th February
Full day at Calicut
Full Day at leisure and souvenir hunting a must is SM street and scrap yard alley near the railway
Our hotel is a short Taxi ride from the Arabain sea for those that which to go for a swim in the warm waters

Saturday 12th February return flight The Plane flight is late afternoon so we have a full morning and afternoon at the hotel. Rooms must be cleared by 12.00 but as before we can keep one room for all our luggage and still use the swimming pool and shower until we DEPART CALICUT. We take you back to the airport for your flight back home

Sunday 13th February Arrival in Uk travel home and wind down.

Dates

In view of last evening and the fact the plane still has seat I will be looking to start the tour on Monday 31st January returning on the 14th.
the power point of the planned trip is earlier on this blog

Thanks Dave

I need to thank Dave for an excellant evening we had over 25 people attend I have 19 definate "maybes" for the 2011 event. They are always maybe until they pay so I am waiting for the deposits as asked
I am afraid that its a first come first serve I have contacted the plane and they have 22 places at the momen

Thanks also to Geoff from GV for the loan of the bike.

India Powerpoint 2011

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

India Powerpoint 2011

View more presentations from Gordon KEMP.

THE KERALA - TAMIL NADU BIKE TOUR

February 2011

TOUR PROPOSAL

Package includes

Flights

Bikes hire Royal Enfield or left foot gear change bike if desired. Most machines are kick start.

Hotel based bed and breakfast accommodation in twin sharing rooms (single supplement is 218 Euros).

Travel from Taunton and the M5 M4 corridor, to and from airport

The services of an Indian tour guide whilst in India

Back up vehicle and for mechanics (one on motorcycle)

Train fare from Cochin to Calicut

Not included

Evening meals

Beer

Non-accidental damage to machine

Fuel currently less than 80 pence per litre

Visa (required)

Health insurance

It is anticipated that as in previous years we shall travel as one group with a lead bike and tail end Charlie, the backup/ luggage vehicle will bring up the rear. The drop off system is used throughout and will be explained.

We will have at least one of the four mechanics travelling on a motorcycle with the main group. Travelling speed is not great, rarely over 30mph, and on average our daily average speed including stops is unlikely to be over 15 mph and can drop to 10 mph. Early starts are required to arrive at the next hotel at a reasonable hour. The roads are in the main well surfaced and traffic light, however we will go through busy towns and cities.

Riding will normally commence before 08.15 am the day’s mileage varies between 60 and 120 miles and have been planned that they can be easily achieved in a day’s ride including frequent stops, when appropriate, for fuel water and tourist stops.

The hotels some of which we have used before are of high quality and it is expected that your luggage will arrive at the hotel within one hour of our arrival giving you time to wash change and explore the area. We have the services of a tour guide throughout who will answer questions and give advice when necessary.

There is an expectation that riders are committed to one group task throughout the tour. (Scribe, photographer, welfare, fleet manager, loggist, bloggist, entertainments or similar)

There will be a series of get together, including a ride out, planned before our departure day to assist with ice breaking and awareness

Please remember this is not a coach trip, it’s an adventure and things do and will go wrong, no teddy bears out the cot

PROGRAM:

Day 01 Transport arranged from the M5 M4 corridor to Heathrow and scheduled airline to Calicut

Day 02 Arrival Calicut Airport, met by our representative and transferred to hotel.

We have an introductory meeting to get to know each other and our bikes; we finish off the day with our Welcome Dinner at our hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Westway in Calicut (previously used)

Day 03 CALICUT – WYNAD ( 95km 60 miles ) Now you are ready for your adventure! An early start today for a long day's ride through some truly spectacular scenery.

You will ride to Wynad with tracts of forest covering the western flanks of the Niilgiris. The scenery is rich and varied, ranging from plantations of tea, spices, coffee and cocoa to the dry scruffy jungle of the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary.

Overnight stay at hotel Green gates in Wayanad.

Day 04 WYNAD - OOTY (140 km 88 miles ) Today you will ride to Ooty, A popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty draws a great number of tourists every year. This picturesque town perched on the hills is home to many places of interest and abundant natural beauty.

You will visit Masinagudi enroute and We stop for a pleasant lunch at the Bandipur Sanctuary and then headwith its abundant monkeys and scattering of elephants, and deers. You will be at height of 2000 m and our overnight stop in Ooty, 'Queen of the Hill Stations'

Overnight stay at a hotel Monarch (previously used)

Day 05 OOTY - COIMBATORE (105 km 66 miles) Early morning after breakfast see Ooty by motorcycle. Ride up to the Dodabetta Peak for fantastic views of the surrounding plains, or Avalanche Point, where there was snow and an avalanche many years ago! Visit the botanical gardens, English-style public schools and churches, tea gardens and shops.

After the Ooty visit you will ride to Coimbatore through down the hills with more than 24 hairpin bends.

Overnight stay at Hotel CAG PRIDE Coimbatore.

Day 06 COIMBATORE -KODAIKANAL (158km 100 miles )

Today is a long day of nearly 100 miles you will ride to Kodiakanal . We stop at the foot of the Palani Hills. We head off in the heat of the day, but temperatures soon drop as we ride up to the hill station of Kodaikanal at 2000 m in just 30 miles. If there’s time, you can take the bike around the paths of the summit, explore on foot or horseback, hire a boat on the lake in town, or just enjoy the local dairy products - cheeses and ice creams - and mushrooms.

Overnight stay at a hotel Kodai international Kodaikanal.

Day 07 KODAIKANAL – MUNNAR (165 km100 miles).

Another early morning start for another 100 mile day gives us time to cruise back down the hill, to stop for lunch at the restaurant at the foot of the Palani Hills. We then ride across the plains for about an hour, before climbing again through 17 hairpin bends and the start of a road of never-ending tea plantations. After stopping for tea on the edge of the Tata tea estate, the world's largest, with a splendid view over Devikulam Lake we carry on to the enchanting hill station of Munnar, and your hotel. Overnight stay at hotel Issac residency n the heart of Munnar.

Day 08 MUNNAR (free day) no biking a chance to relax recharge the batteries and explore the delights of Munnar and the surrounding area..

Second night at hotel Issac residency in the heart of Munnar, a hill station that is home to the state's finest tea plantations. A quick getaway from Kerala's bustling towns and cities, Munnar will take you away from the noise and pollution of urban living. Issacs Residency is right in the heart of the quaint town of Munnar. Recently refurbished, Its central location makes Issacs Residency an ideal base from which to explore Munnar and its environs.

Day 09 MUNNAR - THEKKADY ( 105 kms 66 miles)

After an early breakfast, ride to Thekkady in the Western Ghats mountain range to Thekkady nestling in the Cardamom Hills through rice paddies and tea plantations

Stopping for tea and small snacks about every hour. Here the views become more sensational as the road gets challenging! We pass through 100 km of the 770 sq. km sanctuary on our bikes. There is an abundance of wildlife, from flora, birds and insects up to bears, leopards, elephants and even tigers, although they keep themselves well hidden usually. And no traffic. The riding is slow, and we will often switch off engines to freewheel down narrow lanes and take in the full sounds of the forest. (There is an easier route available too). After riding to over 2000 m, we finally meet up with the main road again and rejoin the highway for the final short run into Kumily. The temperature here is cooler than by the beach and you can reward yourself with a nice hot shower.

Afternoon so you can decide what you want to do. If you would like, there is a 4 Pm start to take the Periyar Lake boat trip to see the wild elephants, or you can take a plantation tour and an elephant ride, or just take a walk around the town, take in the sights, do some shopping and enjoy the atmosphere.

Overnight stay Hotel tree tops in Thekkady. (Previously used)

Day 10 THEKKADY - COCHIN ( 190 KM 120 miles )

Our longest day and final ride. Today you will ride Cochin through the rubber and tea plantations. Cochin, one of the oldest port cities of India has very rich cultural past and cosmopolitan association. Also known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Cochin is believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world. With ferry rides commanding its breath taking view as you cruise around man-made islands with lush green lawns sloping down to the water's edge, Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India and recording a history of visitors who came, saw and stayed for hundreds of years. Layered impressions of Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese are contained within its environment.

Deliver the bikes and overnight stay at Hotel Mermaid Cochin

Day 11 COCHIN - CALICUT

Today you will be transferred to Cochin railway station for the train to Calicut

On arrival at Calicut , you will be met and transferred to the hotel for our final two nights stay at Hotel Westway the same hotel as our first night

Day 12 CALICUT

Full Day at leisure

Overnight stay at

Day 13 DEPART CALICUT. We take you back to the airport for your flight back home

Day 14 Arrive Heathrow and transport back to home

Hotels Envisaged

City	Hotels	Room Category	No.of nights
Calicut	Hotel Westway	Standard	01
Wynad	Green Gates	Standard	01
Ooty	Monarch	Deluxe Queen	01
Coimbatore	CAG pride	Standard	01
Kodaikanal	Kodai Inetrnational	Standard	01
Munnar	Issac Residency	Standard	02
Thekkady	Tree Top	Deluxe	01
Cochin	Mermaid	Standard	01
Calicut	Hotel Westway	Standard	02

THE COST INCLUDES

• Accommodation based on twin sharing basis from 1200 hours on day 01 till Noon hours of day 12 as per itinerary in hotels mentioned or similar.
• Accommodation on bed and breakfast basis throughout.
• Dinner on day 01
• 15 nos of Enfield bullet for the tour.
• 04 accompanying Mechanic throughout the tour
• 01 Luggage van throughout
• 01 Accompanying escort from Destination Indus throughout the tour
• AC chair car Tran tickets for the Cochin – Calicut train journey
• Assistance at airports and railway station.

THE COST EXCLUDES

• Any meals other than those mentioned above.

• All optional are charged

• tips, insurance, and all items of personal nature.

• Any services not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.

• Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and flight delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes etc.