Day 27: Kayamkulam – Thiruvananthapuram

I had an uneasy sleep, disturbed by mosquitos and policemen. In the morning, there was a slight drizzle, but not enough to even wet the topsoil. We set off at a relaxed pace, stopping by Kollam (Quilon - 36km) for breakfast at ten. After this it became really hot. Since our aim was to reach Trivandrum tonight, it was imperative that we cover as much as possible before stopping for grub.

I used to stop in the shade of a tree, then wait for a cloud to come in from the east and cycle in the shade of the cloud while it lasted. This technique of “riding the clouds” was very successful and we reached Parapalli (62km) for lunch, after which we relaxed in a nice shady spot on a disused old highway stretch.

Refreshed, we took off in the evening over the slightly hilly road to make Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram - 110km) by darkfall. Once there, we found that accommodation earlier assured by Krishnan’s contact did not materialize. So we took the highway right into the city centre and enquired at the YMCA. Expensive accomodation (by our standards). Decided to go to our good friends the police. But first had grub – “Bombay meals” at a highway restaurant. We then enquired at a nearby PS, but it was small and they could not help us. It was by now ten pm. One policeman recommended a “Rajdhani Yatri Nivas” near the temple. Too expensive, we discovered, after we cycled the 2km there. At a nearby lodge, there might have been accomodation but no water. Ditch.

So finally we completed full circle by coming back to the secretariat, near which is the main police control room. A large place, they allowed us to sleep in the hall under a fan (luxury!)

In the course of the day, I met Rehman, my counterpart in Trivandrum Engg College, who was overwhelmed to meet the first IITians in his life, and that too in extremely unusual circumstances.

Estimate of distance covered today: 110km