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Above the clouds at Roque de los Muchachos: 28th October 2020
Today was my last day at Rivendell and an opportunity to visit the highest point of the island which is locate in the north of the island providing views across the Caldera all the way to the very southern tip of the island. It was going to be along long drive as I first had get out of the Caldera. It was a beautiful morning and had views across to the top ridge of the Caldera where I would be heading towards. After leaving the Caldera I headed towards Tazacorte before climbing up long winding road to Tijarafe. One the way I stopped off at ‘Mirador del El Time’ viewpoint…
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Staying at the Rivendell in the Caldera: 22nd October 2020
I called Alison at the Rivendell Centre to check if the road to Rivendell centre had reopened after the storm. She said that the road down to the base of the Caldera should be open and I was welcome to stay with them. I checked out from Pension La Cubana and drove over the top of the island to town of Los Llanos where I took the small road into the basin of the Caldera. I stopped in Los Llanos to stock up on food from the supermarket as the hostel is self-catering. Just as I started to drive down the road I came across a barrier saying the road…
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Cycle Tour of Devon and Cornwall: Day 6
20th September 2020 Route: Liskeard to Bodmin Distance: 19.1 mile (30.6 km) Elevation: 0.4 miles (0.6 Km) I woke to a lovely sunny morning. I made my porridge and then packed up my bags and headed out on my route towards Bodmin. The owner of the campsite was also a keen cyclist and he over took me as I rode out through the nearby village of St Cleer. The village is famous for the holy well and has a pretty church. I then took the road towards St Neot. Just outside St Cleer I came across the remains of the 9th century Celtic Cross commemorating King Doniert who was the last…
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Mysore to Madikeri
I left Mysore to head back up into the western ghat hills to the region of Coorg in Karnataka. The drive from Mysore to town of Madikeri was great passing through the lowlands before climbing up into the hills which are a major coffee growing region. I recently brought a camera for my bike helmet as some of you have been asking what it is like to drive on Indian roads. The video below captures some of my journey from Mysore to Madikeri. I have also captured some of the hazards when driving in India! I arrived in Madikeri mid-afternoon and checked in the hostel which is outside of the…
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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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Kanyakumari to Madurai
I left Kanyakumari to start my journey towards the north of India. My first stop was Madurai which is one of the oldest cities in India and the cultural centre of Tamil Nadu. It was a 4 hour drive to Madurai but I stopped off occasionally to take in the scenery and to have a chai break. I arrived in Madurai at mid-day and checked in to the homestay I had booked. The homestay was on the outer edge of the city in a quiet residential area. I had a great room on the top of the families house with a roof terrace for myself. After refreshening up I explored…
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Tharangambadi to Trichy via Kumbakonam and Thanjavur
I left Tharangambadi just as the sun was rising. I headed out on the highway towards the temple town Kumbakonam. Arrived mid-morning and parked by the large Mahamaham tank in the centre of the town. It is a sacred sight for Hindus as they believe every 12 years India’s holiest rivers including the Ganges flow into it. The town is famous for the large number of temples (18 in total) which all are adorned with decorated temple gates. was The base of the temple chariot used for various festivals was parked in the street near one of the temple gates. Inside the temple was the thick rope used to pull…
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Pondicherry to Tharangambadi
I woke early to explore the beach and backwaters that were close to the hotel I was staying at just outside Pondicherry. Paradise beach is next to an extensive network of backwaters. It was great to arrive just as the sun was rising and the mist was clearing from the backwaters. Locals were out fishing and the estuary was teeming with birdlife. I watched a beautiful white bearded kingfisher diving into the water just next to where I parked the bike. A large fishing community stretches along the beach. I watched as the last of the night fishing boats arrived back on shore and observed the other fishermen prepare their…
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Exploring Chennai
Bavrah took me to the colourfully decorated Kapaleeshwarar Temple in the Mylapore neighbourhood. We arrived in the early morning when the temple was busy with worshippers. The large temple complex is home to a herd of sacred cowes which had been brightly decorated with coloured horns and faces. A large tank (pool) is located just outside the temple where traditionally worshippers would come to bath before entering the temple. The pool is no longer used for this purpose and whilst we were there we watched workmen tying together barrels to create a floating stage for a festival which will be taking place the following week. After visiting the temple we…
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Exploring around Varkala
I hired a scooter so I could explore the surrounding coastline around Varkala. I first travelled south to Anjengo district which is the site of Anjengo fort. The fort is one of the earliest British settlements in India. Anjengo is an anglicised name ‘Anchuthengu’ meaning ‘five coconut trees’. The East India Company established a fort here in 1690. The fort is also the one of the earliest sites of rebellion against colonial rule in 1721 with the local chieftain capturing the fort for 6 months after massacring all the British soldiers. Next to the fort is a 130 metre tall lighthouse. The original lighthouse guided in the British boats to…