There are two phases in my life. My life prior to my first solo trip and the life after that.
I am a Hyderabadi and one & 1/2 years ago, in March 2017 I went on a solo trip to Kerala (also, Tamil Nadu).
I have planned this trip to give a try how far I can go out of my comfort zone. I went to Chennai by train and on day one, I got 3 friends who are from Kurnool on their trip to IIT Madras. We spent our time in Marina beach tasting all the varieties of fish that we can able to (spent on). I used City buses and Ola cabs(I got many phone numbers and Ola has got free rides) to travel from place to place.
The next day, I set out my journey to Ernakulam and reached Kochi by Share auto. While walking in the streets of Kochi, I came across Green bikes (Cycles on Rent). Delighted with excitement, I pedaled along all the streets of Kochi. The next day, I rented a motorbike and roamed all places nearby Kochi like Alleppey, Changanacherry, Kottayam, Marari, Kumarokam. While I am busy taking photos at Alleppey beach, a drunken soul interrupted me and only later I came to know that he is an ex-navy officer who lost his love somewhere around that waves. I went to Cherai beach the next day by traveling on a ferry, local bus and hitchhiking. There I got a friend by name Kuzhimon from whom I learned many things about Kerala and kariman fish. I concluded my Kochi trip with a nicely cooked Kariman fish with Kerala rice at Azhardullah restaurant (it is not a restaurant), Fort Kochi.
Next morning I took a bus to reach Munnar. On the bus, I would have died out of boredom if I haven’t happened to meet Free soul (the name I have given to Cristiana). She is a traveler from California. She gave a good company in the bus and we had lunch together once we reached Munnar. I departed for my stay at Devikulam by renting a bike from Pruthvi. That ride is the most amazing one I ever had in my life. At 1500 m elevation where clouds compete with you side by side, Lockhart tea gardens giving you spectacular views, short span drizzles and cool breezes chilling your body, I felt the real meaning of heaven.
After covering all the major (places to visit in Munnar) on the same bike, I headed towards Madurai on a bus the next day. This time on the bus, I met Sathish who is also a Civil Engineer from Madurai. He showed me all the places in Madurai(only temple) and explained the great history of Meenakshamma Temple. I tasted the Madurai's special JIL JIL Jigardanda and left for Mahabalipuram. Exploring Mahabalipuram would have been easier if I got green bikes here too. So, I assigned a lot of work to my legs and finally concluded my trip by visiting the Shore temple. Next day I took Parveen travels to reach Hyderabad from Chennai after doing a quick shopping at T-Nagar.
Italic: Unknowingly I used every single means of transport on my trip.
Bold: These are all the people who made my solo trip non-solo.
View all photos here
I am a Hyderabadi and one & 1/2 years ago, in March 2017 I went on a solo trip to Kerala (also, Tamil Nadu).
I have planned this trip to give a try how far I can go out of my comfort zone. I went to Chennai by train and on day one, I got 3 friends who are from Kurnool on their trip to IIT Madras. We spent our time in Marina beach tasting all the varieties of fish that we can able to (spent on). I used City buses and Ola cabs(I got many phone numbers and Ola has got free rides) to travel from place to place.
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3 friends Harsha, Vinay and Puneeth at Marina Beach
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| On my way to Ernakulam - Aluva, Kerala |
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| With Prasad (next to me) and his friend (The drunken soul) |
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| Alleppey houseboat |
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| Green Bykes (Cycles on rent in Kochi) |
Next morning I took a bus to reach Munnar. On the bus, I would have died out of boredom if I haven’t happened to meet Free soul (the name I have given to Cristiana). She is a traveler from California. She gave a good company in the bus and we had lunch together once we reached Munnar. I departed for my stay at Devikulam by renting a bike from Pruthvi. That ride is the most amazing one I ever had in my life. At 1500 m elevation where clouds compete with you side by side, Lockhart tea gardens giving you spectacular views, short span drizzles and cool breezes chilling your body, I felt the real meaning of heaven.
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| With Cristiana from California |
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| At Munnar Rosegarden |
After covering all the major (places to visit in Munnar) on the same bike, I headed towards Madurai on a bus the next day. This time on the bus, I met Sathish who is also a Civil Engineer from Madurai. He showed me all the places in Madurai(only temple) and explained the great history of Meenakshamma Temple. I tasted the Madurai's special JIL JIL Jigardanda and left for Mahabalipuram. Exploring Mahabalipuram would have been easier if I got green bikes here too. So, I assigned a lot of work to my legs and finally concluded my trip by visiting the Shore temple. Next day I took Parveen travels to reach Hyderabad from Chennai after doing a quick shopping at T-Nagar.
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| The awesome bike ride of my life |
Italic: Unknowingly I used every single means of transport on my trip.
Bold: These are all the people who made my solo trip non-solo.
Go out on your solo trip. Leave baggage, chatter, comfortable hotel rooms, Air-conditioned cars, 5-star restaurants and walk the place meeting people, eating local foods, and sleeping on platforms. I bet you will meet a new person in yourself after returning.
View all photos here
