The Southern Sally: 5 - "The Ride to Rameshwaram..."

Rameshwaram was a place I always wanted to visit...

Especially after watching Chennai Express :p

I had heard raving reviews from my cousin who visited Dhanushkodi (Land's End or Ghost Town) and  wanted to off road on my Bull in the marsh/beach/bog/shoal terrain of Rameshwaram-Dhanushkodi stretch. Therefore Rameshwaram got included in the Southern Sally.  

After sumptuous breakfast; courtesy- Club Mahindra Puducherry, I continued via the ECR and took the Neyveli-Kumbakonam-Pattukottai-Mannarguddi-Ramnathpuram route to reach Rameshwaram.

Google maps told me I'd take about 8 hours. I told myself to take around 9.5 hours, take pleanty of short pit-stops for rest, grub, snaps and simply absorb the countryside..

After the Neyveli by-pass, bang smack in-the-middle-of-nowhere is a small refreshments place - Only Coffee! Contrary to the name they also serve tea, biscuits, chocolate and snacks. They also sell handicrafts and cottage-industry driven products like handmade soap, honey, spices, coffee filters and cups. 

Ideal break point in the journey, this provided ample rest, heavenly coffee and curious glaces at my Bull and riding gear. I loved the Copper tumblers in which "degree coffee" was served... the aroma is still fresh in my mind...

The countryside was spectacular with a myriad of colors and aromas of the earth. a plethora of images - bridges, streams, paddy fields, fruit orchards, glimpses of coastline and smiles from locals were dotted along the journey.

The Pambam bridge announced my arrival at the "Gulf of Mannar Biosphere" area into Rameshwaram.

My bull... on the spectacular Pambam Bridge

Pambam Road bridge which recently got a facelift and restoration work.

 Pambam Road bridge heralded my arrival into Mannar area. Its an overwhelming feeling... 320 degrees of water around me... It takes some time getting used to so much water. One can almost feel the rise and ebb of the water... No words I can use here completely describe the awe-inspiring ride on the Pambam.

A Panorama of Pambam Road bridge. 320 degrees of water... unnerving!!

I reached Rameshwaram by late evening and checked into my hotel. A generous portion of Blue Label (from Pondy) on ice did more than good to my aching bones after 400 km on the Bull. I needed the night's rest to gear up for the epic off-road challenge next morning...

Tomorrow... Land's end!