Started, early this morning, for Palakkad, on my first long distance drive. The previous one was Bangalore-Mysore-bangalore, a couple of years ago.
Started (trip meter at 0 km, time 4.15 am) from Whitefield, Bangalore, and through Hosur, only to stop for 10 minutes at Krishnagiri (trip meter at 97 km, time 5.45 am) for a coffee, and at Rs. 4, on way side coffee shop. The road all the way was excellent till Krishnagiri (toll ~rs 20), as it is part of the Bangalore-Pondichery Highway (NH47). At Krishnagiri, branched off to NH7, to Dharmapuri. Stopped there for B’fast (trip meter at 144 km, time 6.40 am), for a good pongal, vada with unlimited chutney and sambar, and all in Rs 18.
Headed out of Dharmapuri, at 7.00 am, towards Salem. Was to pass through Salem and continue on NH7 to Coimbatore, but took a diversion, unintentionally, before Salem and landed up in going through Mettur (SH 20) and Bhavani to rejoin NH7 a little later. The loss of speed by taking SH20, in place of NH7 was compensated by the shorter route through SH20.
At two points on the way (when on SH20, and knew I was on the wrong route) was able to access goggle maps on my P1i smart-phone to ascertain my coordinates.
Came back on NH7 and passed through Avinashi, heading for Coimbatore. Was hoping to pass through Coimbatore, and maybe stop for an hour or so there, but realized that the way to Palakkad by-passes the main city through a toll road (toll ~rs 20).
Stopped on the Coimbatore-Palakkad toll road (trip meter at 364 km, time 11.10 am), at an Indian Oil Pump for a refill. A litre at 49 Rs, vis-à-vis at 60 Rs in Shell Pump at Whitefield!
Reached Home at Kalpathy (trip meter at 408 km, time 12.15 pm). A memorable trip, loved it, with good roads!
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