Coimbatore
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Madurai to Coimbatore via Theni and Pollachi
I left Madurai and continued my journey north. I decided to stop in the transit hub of Theni as the motorbike was due a service as I had already clocked up over 1500 km. The ride to Theni was good along the highway and took me towards the base of the Agamalai Forest Hills. Once I arrived in Theni I checked into the hotel and headed out to explore the surrounding area as the town was a busy and dusty transport hub. I looked on Google maps and saw that the large Melmangalam reservoir and dam were located 30 minutes from the town. I rode out to the reservoir which…
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Coimbatore to Vallikkapatta
I woke early to catch the 8.30 train from Coimbatore to Tirur which is the closest train station to Vallikkapatta in Kerala where my friend Hari is from. I brought an unreserved SL ticket which allowed me to sit anywhere on the train in the sleeper carriages which during the day are converted back into seating. I checked with a local guy if there was any particular carriage I needed to board. He was going in the same direction as me and so he accompanied me onto the train and we found a seat together. He spoke good English and so we had a long conversation to pass the time.…
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Kodaikanal to Coimbatore
Today I start heading out towards Vallikkapatta outside of Manjeri in Kerala where I will stay with an old friend Hari and his family. To break up the journey I decided to stop over in Coimbatore from where I will be able to catch a train to Tirur and a bus to Malappuram where I will meet Hari. The bus service from Kodaikanal was limited as it is a remote hill station. I planned to catch the 10.30 bus to Palani from where I could change buses to Pollachi and then onto Coimbinatore. I woke at 7.30 to pack my bags and have my last breakfast in the cafe next…
