Day 14: Thu 23 Nov 17 - Vagamon to Pala, 112 km - total so far: 973 km

112km, started at 1,100m above sea level - climbed 1,500 total - descended 2,344 - 17 to 37deg, cool and windy in the mountains to start then fine and warm on the plains.

Slept ok, but didn’t enjoy the board-like bed with a slightly convex shape. They have dressed up the hotel to look like a million bucks but forgot the basics. Once again I couldn’t take advantage of that lovely cool mountain air as there were no screens on the doors or windows and no aircon. The ceiling fan was nice though and I got sufficient sleep.

Up at 5:30am so I’d be able to see the area in the light. The little access road to the hotel is lined with market stalls selling cheap toys; stuffed teddy bears and the like, which seems out of character with the surrounding area. A popular spot for local tourists here, mainly for the views, farm tourism, the cool air and a nearby forest apparently.

Brekky was at 7:30am (scheduled for 7, we knew it wouldn’t happen at 7, the hotels just don’t do on time) and we were underway by about 8:10am.

Although we shed over 2,000m today there were still stacks of up-hill sections, some of them gust-busting. However some of the descents were steep too, long (up to an hour) and exhilarating. Mostly tea plantations in the hills but once we were back near the plains the staple crops returned along with rubber plantations for the first time. Oh and the cool mountain air was replaced with the heat and humidity of the lowlands. Many of the roads are well shaded with overhanging trees so that’s a relief in the heat of the day. The mountains are picturesque but a little hard on the old legs after awhile.
Stopped at the Indian Coffee House, Pala for lunch and coffee; 62km mark. The main meal was dosa with a beetroot filling. Side dishes were veg curry and coconut chutney. Very nice. A sweet coffee and fruit cake was served to finish off.

Took a bit of effort to get going after relaxing and eating but we were soon back in the groove. The hills weren’t through with us today, these were shorter but certainly not sweeter. Had a smoothing cool and sweet thick shake at the 86km mark and then it was a fast flat ride to the hotel, Suvasam Lake Resort. The whole group somehow sparked up and found new legs. Arrived about 5:30pm, in fairly reasonable condition, considering what we had been through.

Dinner was an in-house buffet, Indian and delicious. Early night followed.


View from my balcony this morning

Tea on the way out of Vagamon

Mechanical harvesting using hedge clippers

At the top of the first of many climbs today

On the way down


Rubber plantation


Lunch, dosa with a beetroot filling

A waiter at the Indian Coffee House

Indian Coffee House

Another grand church

A lot of flash houses on the ride today

Indian taxi

Resort foyer

View from my room

Fishermen returning with their catch










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