Second long trip
Okay, so I know that I've been in hibernation for a while and it's high time I came back. This is more of a travelogue than a review because, now I've become used to the Scorpio. It's no longer a stranger but a good friend.
Two weeks ago, we planned a pretty long drive to Chidambaram where my aunt lives. We decided to go to Rameswaram on the way, see the Pamban bridge and the temple and also see the Velankanni shrine.
So, when going from home, we went to Tuticorin first (didn't stop there though) and then took the East Coast Road (ECR). Man, gone are the days, one had to fear and loathe two-way roads. The ECR was absolute driving heaven (while driving, I was constantly reminded of the Top gear episode, 'In search of driving heaven.' Sometimes, the road was nearly geometrically straight for a full three kilometres!
I drove for the entire trip at speeds ranging from 90 to 110 kph. Touched 115 once but didn't like or want to go like that because after all, it's not a sports car. Moreover, the engine starts to voice it's discomfort slightly after crossing the 2600 RPM mark.
Of course, a coastal road (any road in India for that matter) just implies cattle. The ECR was strewn with cows and goats and in case the cattle decided to give you a break, the speed breakers were present to give you a headache but it wasn't that bad because the smooth and straight road was more than enough to relieve the mind.
We started at about 5:30 in the morning from Nagercoil. Till Tirunelveli, it was the NH44 we stayed on after which we took a detour via the Tuticorin highway.
Side note: zoom in a little on the pic and you can see all the dirt accumulated on the windshield after just 75 kms.
After reaching Tuticorin, we headed on to the East Coast Road towards Rameswaram.
After all, the driver needs his nutrition
After finishing our breakfast, we headed straight to Rameswaram. Stopped on the popular Pamban bridge. Often a bus would whizz past us and the whole, I repeat, the whole bridge would start to oscillate up and down!
Views like this which bring out a rounded and rich look to the Scorp are the ones I love the most:
A middle row view of the bridge:
The driving heaven I mentioned earlier. Honestly, even the four-laned highway has horrible and lethal undulations in some places (wonder what the idiots are collecting toll for) while this was absolute bliss to drive.
Had a quick stroll through the Rameswaram temple (famous for the long corridors). Of course we didn't enter the centre (we're not supposed to as only Hindus are allowed) and after that, we went straight to the famous Velankanni shrine. Here also, we took a quick stroll and continued on with our journey as we didn't want to get stuck in traffic and also didn't want to drive in the night.
Finally we reached Chidambaram, spent two days there. I for one, think that despite being a 2-tonne monster and having a large 2.2 litre engine under the hood, if driven properly, the Scorpio is happy to give you 15 kms to the litre or more always (which is usually not that easy because the manufacturers claims are always more by a significant margin). The fuel gauge doesn't drop at saddening speeds which is a delight, especially on long trips.
Backwaters near Pichavaram, Chidambaram
Total distance covered from Nagercoil - Rameswaram - Velankanni - Chidambaram, including the small trips within Chidambaram was about 743 kms.
For the return trip, we took the road to Trichy and then came by the four-lane highway. The route till we reached Trichy was horrible with road construction going on for 25 kilometres at a stretch! Why can't the road-laying people just do 5 kms at a stretch and do the work quickly instead of making a whole 25 kms into a tortoise-speed zone?
After reaching the four-lane, things took a turn for the better but there was one thing that really annoyed the life out of me. The metal barriers placed carelessly on a national highway! The authorities say that they are there to avoid accidents and I say that there cannot be more stupid people than that. The barriers cause more accidents than ever. I mean, imagine you're doing 120 kph and all of a sudden, three barriers placed in a zig-zag manner pop up out of nowhere? Not only is it freakishly scary but also, it's a major stress factor for the drivers. Maybe a new method of population control?
Things were nice till we reached Madurai. Here, the Kanyakumari-Srinagar highway and the Chennai highway join together. Now what's so bad in that? Well, the four-lane abruptly disappeared near Madurai, and for the next ten kilometres, we had to ply on one of the worst roads in India. The worst part? It's a national highway! Shame on you, Indian roadways!
After that nightmare though, we joined the NH44 in Thirumangalam and the moment we joined that highway, a toll-booth came! Like, seriously? So we have to pay for torture, huh? We have a very long way to go, dear country.
After that, it was a straight route back home. Speeds were again in the usual 90 to 110 kph range. The funny thing is, out on the highway, the Scorpio really messes with your perception of speed because the engine almost tells you, "this speed is like butter for me," in a soothing tone. 110 feels like 90, 100 feels like 70 and 80 feels like 40! We went for a refuelling. I came down to 85 from 100 and dad asked, "Why did you slow down so much? The fuel station's still half-a-kilometre away." I could only grin and reply, "Dad, I'm doing 85," and he was like, "WHAT? Are you sure you're not doing 50?"
In all, the trip clocked 1402 kms. Another wonderful driving experience. Sure, we saw Audi's, Mercs and Beemers but I no longer get that, "wish I could get one of those," feeling. You know what I mean!