Do you know Manifesting works! Here is the story of how I manifested Annapoorna Sambhar and Coffee!
Post HBC’s Danushkodi ride – which I could not go because of my cousin visiting us the exact weekend – in the group they were planning a ride to Cherai Beach in Kochi – for the Independence Day long weekend.
Guests were expected around that time too – so I did not sign up for it.
Few weeks back I started missing the Annapoorna Coffee and Sambhar. I was thinking wish I could make a trip to Coimbatore.
Those of you who do not know Annapoorna – you should watch this first. I will wait while you watch this.
Waiting…
Ok continuing the story. The long weekend got freed up as there was a change in plans. At the same time Val announced in the group that slot has opened for 2.
I got permission from my Mother, Son and Wife – dont remember the exact order 🙂 – and signed up.
Then the drop outs started. It was to be 10 members I think.. but one of by one they kept dropping off.
On the eve of the trip – I was the only one jumping with enthusiasm. Only 5 were left and among them only 1 – I think Sujay – said let’s do it.
Val recommended I lead the ride – as I was familiar with Coimbatore roads.
The rendezvous point – as usual for all the South rides was the Continental building at Electronic City. Reporting time was 5:15 AM. I reached by 5:26 AM.
Vibhor and Vivek were there before me – so the trip was on. Phoo – I need not go back home with my tail pipe folded – because I only have permission for a group ride – solo rides are out of syllabus for me.
Thats Vibhor Vivek ( Walmarts as Sujay called them both ) and me.
Vineet and Sujay joined a bit later. They were coming from Hennur!
Our trip started at 5:45AM – Aug 15th.
3 CB 350 Highness – 2 black, and 1 Green – mine.
2 CB 350 RS – a Red and a Blue one.
We took the Attibelle-Royapettai-Dharmapuri road. Around 7:30 AM we took a short break to stretch and kept riding till we reached Sai Sangeet around 8:15AM. Traffic was light – it was smooth sailing. Luckily no hint of rains.
Sai Sangeet was full – long weekend. There was a 20 minute wait for the table.
Note to self. Return if I carry Kerala chips should not park here in this gully next to the Hotel.
The tall guy at the back – Sujoy and Vinnet to his left.
We resumed journey and we stopped at a scenic spot before Salem for some photo ops.
After a while we crossed Kaveri River and we stopped on the bridge. Since 2006 I have been crossing this bridge but this was the first time I stopped here.
After Erode and some 70Kms before Coimbatore – we got into the best stretch of this entire trip – a well laid 3 laner.
We reached Annapoorna and parked our bikes. Now the trip had majority Vegetarians – 3 vs 2. For the 2 I gave the option to walk to Haribhavanam 2 blocks away – but they decided to check out Annapoorna.
And I had my Onion Dosa and Coffee. Bliss. Manifested!
Vibhor had the infamous Cream bun.
It was around 2:30 PM when we left Annapoorna. We still had another 177 kms, and map was showing 3.5 Hours.
I was confident we could reach by 6:30 PM – even with sufficient breaks.
Little did we know what was in store for us.
For a very long stretch – the Salem-Kochi highway was a one laner – without any median.
We had to ride on the left overtaking lorries and buses – from the left. This was still ok.
Once we entered Kerala – Vibhor warned us – dont over speed they have cameras everywhere.
And true to that – there will be these over head cameras at regular intervals and everyone would slow down to 60 KMPH. The road signs said 50 KMPH limit.
One of the signals I spotted a RE biker – he was going to Thrissur from Bangalore – and he confirmed about the cameras. I started following him for a while till I lost him.
Then it started raining. We found a tea shop and settled there to wait the rain out.
The rain was not stopping. We decided to resume.
We were greeted with some beautiful scenery. Just before we entered a tunnel there was clouds – like smoke – going from the mountains to the clouds. What a sight!
We did not stop to take it in – it was getting dark and we wanted to cover as much as possible in day light.
And if rain was not enough – we were soon slowed down by heavy traffic – because of construction and road diversions.
And things got worse once it became dark. Sujoy had a brush with a Toyota Corolla in all the traffic mess.
We then stopped and took stock. Sujoy suggested we all have our blinkers On and we stay together. So other cars and vehicles can spot us better and will be careful around us. The power of group rides!
Sujoy and Vineet had extra fog lights – apparently these are banned in Kerala – but they turned it on. Vineet started leading and we all followed him blind.
And a new problem surfaced. Fogging inside my helmet. Once I tried to keep the front lens up – for better visibility and less fogging – and a car in front splashed water inside my helmet and face. Yuk.
Finally after riding forever – we got off the highway and the rain relented. The last 18-20 kms was in beautiful village roads – one laner – but nice winding roads – and we reached the hotel around 9PM.
Pratap Sir was waiting for us there and we all checked in.
Because of all the drop outs – each one of us had a room for ourselves!
My gloves and Shoe were fully drenched. Dried them Jugaad mode.
Next day morning – it was Breakfast at Pratap Sir’s home. It was a rain drenched day.
God’s own country. No one can argue with this.
We had delicious dosa idly vada – and we could also taste some of the creations of Mrs. Eswary – a very energetic entrepreneur!
I have tried this Puliyinchi pickle during Onam Sadhya. Also got her Lemon pickle – which was even better and everyone at home loved it.
Highly recommend – https://wa.me/c/919074620947 – check this Whatsapp link to order.
Post breakfast we had to go to Honda Big wing in Kochi – again through the 18-20 kms of nice beautiful winding roads.
Saw this bizarre apartment! Thought it was Total Environment – but it was from Good Earth Builder. This is how Apartments should be!
We waited and waited – but the rain just will not relent. We decided to go ahead in pouring rain – and to make matters worse Kochi had traffic as bad as Bangalore.
On the other side of the rain drenched ride – a feast was awaiting us.
Pratap Sir had arranged a sumptuous Kerala Thali for us. It was in this beautiful resort – one side was the Sea and other side was the backwaters.
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Sunday morning wanted to push off by 5ish.. was ready by 4:45 AM.
And finally by 6 we pushed off. After checking tyre pressure and lubing the chains. Thanks Vineet!
And we reached Annapoorna around 10:45 AM for brunch.
We again took the Dharmapuri-Royapettai-Attibele road. There was mad traffic at Royapettai – the returning holiday crowd had figured out the best kept secret – to avoid the Krishnagiri Hosur stretch and all were clogging up the small roads in Royapettai.
Luckily we zig zagged through the traffic – and reached Attibele in the middle of a heavy downpour.
And the customary trip stats.
In summary – each trip teaches a few lessons. I have to improve my rain gear. These guys were well prepared – had rain gloves and covers for their shoes. Entire ride my feet were drenched. My hands were also fully wet the entire time.
And the lights – I thought the lights were stock lights are sufficient. They are completely inadequate. During rains and with my helmet visibility diminished – these lights are a joke. I am ready to pay a fine if they catch me – cannot risk riding without the aux lights.
And the ride – I will do it again if I get another chance. Yes it was rain soaked and was full of traffic and bad roads at places – but there were some dream stretches – and that is worth all the trouble.
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