Tuesday 5th Nov
After we had left the Dining Room of the Savoy Hotel (this
is a Hotel which I would not recommend because the Service was so
poor). We were spoken to by a fellow Guest who was a Sikh he is
employed by Ricket & Colmans and I had reason to believe that he was
the chief Representative for the whole of Southern India, he had a
Chaufer driven Car, he was at first, very interested in the Motor
Caravan and when we told him of what we had in mind to do, he
gave us a good route to follow where we could see things of interest
so we decided on this, left the Hotel and went towards Coimbatore
we first had to come down through the mountains which was 7500ft
descent, this proved a slow drive because of the many twists and
Turns and U Turns, the narrow bridges and at times single
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line traffic needed extreme caution, driving at this descent I
put the Ban into second gear and thus let the engine do the work
of holding it, but it was a good ashplate [asphalt] road. There are 14
hairpin bends in this descent. The scenery was marvelous and
we saw Monkeys climbing. The descent was completed in about
just under Two hours and then once again we were on the Flat road
and headed for Coimbatore and then on towards Paighat1, which we
reached after asking several times for the road to Trichur2 we did
eventually find it, we were directed by a Policeman but it proved
wrong and we found ourselves driving through one of the busiest market
places in India, and to get back on to the right road we had to
go back and follow the one way streets which would allow us
to keep turning Right until we found ourselves back to the
Policeman who had mis directed us. We got on towards Trichur
This road proved to be as bad as any we had driven on in India
in fact it was difficult to get into Third gear because of the rough
surface. It was almost noon when we had started and by now
darkness would soon arrive and we wanted to get off the road for
the night, we came to a Bungalow which laid back in its own
grounds, so we went in to ask if we could Park for the night. It
was difficult for both sides because neither could understand each
other but finally we managed to explain by showing them
the Motor Caravan. They, at last, understood and consented so
we drove in. The mother had an inspection of the Van and gave
1 now Palakkad
2 now Thrissur
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orders to one of the daughters who within minutes came out
with Two cups of Hot Milk, more orders were given and we
were given a Fish supper. This was embarrassing for us as we
had only needed to get into the grounds for a night stop, we were
asked to sleep inside, but declined. The eldest of the daughters
could speak a little English and this was an advantage as she
could translate it to her Mother. There were eight children.
After we had been there about an hour the Master arrived and after
his wife had explained he came to us and spoke to us in English
every offer of help was given but we finally slept in the Van
The milage read at 11651
Wednesday 6th Nov.
We were up by 6.30 had a cup of Tea and Biscuits and then prepared
to pack the Van ready to be off, thus being as little trouble as possible to
our “Hosts” but they were up ad about and we were told that we
were 17 miles from Trichur we were asked to have breakfast but we
declined, then 2 cups of hot milk were brought to us and “Father”
explained that they were disappointed that we had not slept in their
House, but as we wanted to be the least of trouble he accepted, the
conversation changed to Cars and he asked the question that almost
everyone had asked before How much did you pay for the Van?
Up to this point we had regarded this question as inquisitive but
he explained to us about the cost of Cars in India, he owned
a 1961 Morris Oxford and he had paid 15000 Rupees for it
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that is equivalent to around £800 but the car was in good condition
despite being 13 years of age. The Car produced in India is
the Ambassador and the price of that new is almost £2000. It is
highly likely that a car of 13 years of age would find a buyer in the
English Garages today but he was interested in the pieces of
the new Cars on sale in England and I offered to send literature
to him on my return. It is the Import Duty for Cars into India
that causes the high prices. As we have brought our in as Tourist
we have a Carnet on it which will prevent us selling it whilst we
are here, before we went on our way we were again offered
Breakfast or anything we wanted on route Milk Bread etc.
I have the address and will write to them at a later date. As we
had expected we got back on to the bad roads and this went on
for miles, in fact the roads were so bad on this National Highway
that we altered one course and diverted to the State Highway, this
is a secondary road but it would eventually bring us to the place
on our list TRIVANDRUM, at first there was little or no improvement
in the condition of the roads but after about 80 miles it was better
but still there were the Pot holes and diversions through very
rough ground. One stretch of road was being made and
we noticed that only Women were employed, they collect Stones
put them into the baskets and carry these baskets on their heads
they also use Red earth. We saw no Men. As we passed
through the Village we saw Elephants at work they were
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pulling Tree Trunks along the road by means of a rope fixed
in their mouths. We saw no signs of any Monkeys today, but the
Towns Village and every place were crowded with people.
There is no gap between the Villiages you always see people
where ever you may be. We managed to reach TRIVANDRUM
and went along the road to KOVALAM a distance of 16 Km and
this place was where we were making for because of the ITDC
(India Tourist Development Cooperation) we found it quite
easily and Elsie booked in the Two nights. We had done 204
miles today and the Milage reading is now 11855. It is of
interest to any traveller, if like us, you have a few days wait
at Madras for the next sailing to take a Tour from Madras
and visit the following places on your circular route:-
Bangalore, Ootacamund, Coimbatore, Paighat, Trichur,
Cochin, Trivandrum, Kovalam, Cape Comorin, Magercoil,
Madurai, Thansavar, Kumbakonam, Pondicherry then on to
Madras. the Temples of Madurai, Thansavar and
Kumbakonam are interesting, and the Town of Pondicherry
a French Town founded by Mathais Ashram. At Madras
you have The ITDC Shore Cttages where you and stay
Thursday 7th Nov.
We find this cottage quite ideal, with the beach only a few
yards away, the Palm Trees at the foot of the Sun Lounge.
We watch the Fisherman in their boats Punting along and
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riding the waves, they return with baskets of Fish, it appeared
to us that they Auction it as they bring it out of the Boat. We lazied
about on the beach than had a swim. It was just a lazy day for us
This ITDC & its bungalows is a place that you could recommend to
any tourist, we shall stay until Saturday, Good Parking with Guards
keeping watch. Facilities include 2 Rooms and Sun Lounge Bathroom
Toilet, Electric Kettle, Hot Water Electric light Twin Beds
Air Conditioners Radio Refrigerator Good Wardrobe Writing desk
It is a complete Bungalow, Fly doors to Sun Lounge etc.
We went to Dinner by were not satisfied tonight.
Friday 8th Nov
It was a day of complete rest we just remained in the
Bungalow. Weather was glorious so we just sat in the Sun
Lounge and watched the Fishermen and Boats sailing
Parties arrive and leave within 30 minutes of each other.
The natives in this area are much darker skinned than
those of other parts of India. Women go to the rocks and
get basket fulls of Mussells which the Fishermen get from
diving they fill their Boats and pull into the rocks where
the womenfolk wait. The cleaner girl was surprised
with the Water Purifier and took a glassful of water to
the Manager who then asked for the makers name and
address. The water which they claim to be drinking
water is Brown in colour but the Purifier cleans it.
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