Life has a funny way of bringing people together for unexpected journeys. Recently, my friends and I went on a road trip that had a very special meaning. We wanted to visit the family of our late colleague from Jeddah, Kamal Pasha. His family lives in a town called Melur in Tamil Nadu. What started as a simple trip to pay our respects soon turned into an amazing adventure across two different states. It was a journey filled with memories, laughter, changing landscapes, and the strong bond of friendship.
At first, many of our old work friends wanted to join us. We planned for a big group. But as the travel day came closer, people got busy with their lives and work. In the end, it was just the four of us: Shihab, Rasheedkka, Naushad, and myself. Even though our group was small, our spirits were high. We knew this was going to be a road trip to remember.
AISHABIL TRIP AT A GLANCE
- 📍 Destination: Melur (Tamil Nadu) and Idukki (Kerala)
- 📅 Date of Journey: March 2, 2023
- 🚆 Transport Mode: Naushad's New Maruti Swift
- 👥 Companions: Shihab, Rasheedkka, and Naushad
Day 1: The Road to Melur and the Windmill Kingdom
The Journey Begins in Kerala
Our adventure started very early in the morning. Rasheedkka and I met up in the town of Perinthalmanna. The air was cool, and the streets were still sleepy. Soon, Naushad arrived with a big smile in his brand-new Maruti Swift car. The new car smell and the comfortable seats made us even more excited for the long drive ahead. We drove towards Mannarkkad to pick up our fourth crew member, Shihab.
After everyone was finally together, we stopped for a quick, hot breakfast. With full stomachs and happy hearts, we officially started our journey towards Melur, near the famous city of Madurai. The morning drive was peaceful. We quickly crossed Palakkad town. The first part of the road near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border was full of beautiful green trees, but the road itself was very bumpy and broken.
A beutiful sunset at Tamil Nadu village.However, the moment we crossed the border into Tamil Nadu, everything changed like magic. The bumpy roads disappeared. Instead, we were driving on wide, smooth, black highways. It was a stark contrast, and Naushad was thrilled to finally cruise smoothly in his new car.
The Endless Windmills of Tamil Nadu
As we drove deeper into Tamil Nadu, the green forests of Kerala were replaced by dry, flat lands. Suddenly, a mesmerizing sight appeared on the horizon. We saw hundreds of giant windmills reaching up to the sky. They were everywhere! There were windmills of all sizes, shapes, and brands. Some were turning gracefully in the wind, making a soft swoosh sound, while others stood completely still.
It was a fascinating spectacle, like something out of a science fiction movie. We had to stop the car on the side of the road to take some group photos with the giant fans in the background. But as we drove for another hour, the windmill farms just kept going. What started as an amazing sight soon became a normal, endless pattern. We passed the town of Pollachi and kept moving on the new highway.
😂 ishabil fun
Because we had worked together for years in Jeddah, our car was filled with endless chatter. Rasheedkka, Shihab, Naushad, and I had enough funny office stories and inside jokes to last for weeks! We laughed so hard that the long hours in the car felt like minutes.
A Refreshing Break and the Biriyani Hunt
By 12:30 PM, the Tamil Nadu sun was beating down, and we were feeling thirsty. We pulled into a petrol station for a short break. Right outside on the roadside, local vendors had set up small stalls selling fresh fruits. We saw a man crushing fresh sugarcane, so we all bought a tall glass of cool sugarcane juice. It was exactly what we needed! We also bought some sweet, green guavas that the vendor promised were freshly picked from the hills nearby.
After passing the big town of Dindigul, our stomachs started to rumble loudly. It was time for lunch. Finding a good, clean family restaurant on these long stretches of highway proved to be quite difficult. We drove for miles looking for the right spot. Finally, in a bustling place called Natham, we spotted a restaurant with a lot of cars parked outside. That is always a good sign of tasty food.
We rushed inside and were happy to find an air-conditioned family room. The heat outside was forgotten as we ordered big plates of Tamil Nadu-style Thalappakatti biriyani and spicy Hyderabadi biriyani. The food was rich, full of flavor, and very filling.
Melur and the Famous Jigar Thanda
By 3:30 PM, we finally reached our main destination: Kamal Pasha's family home in Melur. It was an emotional moment for all of us. Walking into the house without him felt strange, but seeing his family brought back many fond memories of our days working together. We spent about half an hour with them, sharing stories of Kamal from Jeddah, and handing over the financial aid we had collected from his former colleagues. It felt good to support them.
While we were there, his family treated us with great hospitality. I finally got to taste a drink I had been dreaming about for a long time: Jigar Thanda! This is a very famous, sweet, cold milk beverage from the Madurai area. It was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. Having it served with so much love right in their home made it taste even better.
The Change of Plan and the Town of Boxes
With our mission completed, we stood by the car and discussed our route back home. We had three choices. First, we could go to Dhanushkodi and Rameshwaram. Second, we could drive up to the cool hills of Kodaikanal. Third, we could take the route through Cumbum, Theni, and finally cross into the Idukki hills of Kerala. We chose the third option because it was the shortest and promised beautiful scenery.
As we started our journey back as the sun began to set, we noticed something funny. Almost every small village we passed had a name ending with the word "petti," which means "box" in the local language. We saw Usilampatti, Andipatti, and many more! We also had to pay at a series of toll plazas, which was a sharp contrast to the completely free roads we had enjoyed in the morning.
By nightfall, we were tired. We found a small, decent lodge in the town of Andipatti. We checked in, washed up, had a light dinner, and fell asleep instantly, resting up for the next day of exploration.
Day 2: Dams, Grapes, and the Highlands
The Colossal Vaigai Dam
We woke up bright and early on the second day. The air in Andipatti was fresh. Our first stop of the day was the famous Vaigai Dam, located just a short drive from our lodge. As we approached, we could see the massive concrete walls of the dam rising high above the ground.
We parked the car and took a walk along the top of the dam. The view was incredible. On one side, there was a beautiful, well-maintained park with flowers and fountains. On the other side was a vast reservoir of deep blue water that stretched out so far it looked like an inland ocean.
💡 ishabil fact
The Vaigai Dam is incredibly important for South India. Built across the Vaigai River, it stores and provides vital irrigation water to five whole districts in Tamil Nadu! Farmers rely on this water to grow essential crops like cotton, rice, corn, and vegetables.
Breakfast in Theni and the Vineyards of Cumbum
After enjoying the morning breeze at the dam, we drove into Theni town to find breakfast. We found a small local eatery and ordered piping hot poori with potato curry, along with some crispy, deep-fried bajji. In Kerala, we always hear the names "Theni" and "Cumbum" said together as if they are the same place. But during this drive, we realized they are actually about 40 kilometers apart!
Our main goal for the morning was to visit the famous Cumbum grape vineyards. The drive there was very scenic, with farm fields on both sides of the road. When we arrived, we saw vast stretches of grapevines supported by wooden poles. A special section of the vineyard was neatly manicured just for tourists to walk through and take photos.
Since it was not the peak harvest season, the grapes were still small and green, just beginning to ripen. Still, the lush green leaves made for a perfect photo background. Near the entrance, there were small shops selling pure grape wine, fresh grape juice, and raisins. We bought a few bottles to take home to our families, tasted some sweet juice, and enjoyed the peaceful farm atmosphere.
📌 ishabil tips
If you want to see the vineyards full of dark, ripe purple grapes, try to plan your road trip between February and April. However, even in the off-season, the green vineyards are a fantastic, quiet place for photography and buying fresh farm products.
Scaling the Idukki Hills
Leaving the flat plains of Cumbum behind, it was time to head back into Kerala. We started our steep climb up the winding Ghat road. As we gained altitude, the temperature dropped, and we could feel the cool mountain air. We drove past huge, thick penstock pipes running down the mountainside, which are used to carry water for hydroelectric power projects.
Soon, we reached the border town of Kumily. We thought about taking a detour to the famous Thekkady wildlife sanctuary, but we realized it would take too much time, and we needed to get home by night. So, we continued our drive through the spectacular natural beauty of the Idukki district.
The landscape changed drastically. Instead of dry plains, we were now driving through endless, rolling hills covered in bright green tea plantations. It looked like a soft green carpet draped over the mountains. We stopped the car near an AVT plantation estate. There was a small factory outlet shop where we bought some top-quality tea dust, strong coffee powder, and fresh, aromatic cardamom.
Parunthumpara: The Eagle Rock
As we continued to wind down the mountain roads, we decided to make one final scenic stop at a place called Parunthumpara. The name translates to "Eagle Rock." It is a stunning, high-altitude viewpoint that offers a wide, open view of the surrounding mountain valleys.
We walked carefully along the grassy ridges. The main attraction is a massive rock formation that genuinely looks like the sharp head of an eagle looking out over the forest. The wind was blowing fiercely up here. We stood silently for a few minutes, soaking in the breathtaking views and the peace of the high mountains before starting our final descent toward the lower plains of Kerala.
The Journey Home and Final Thoughts
We reluctantly drove past the turnoff for Vagamon, another beautiful hill station. We were tired, and our main goal now was simply to reach our homes safely that same night. The long drive down from the hills was filled with more stories, but also quiet moments of reflection. We thought about Kamal Pasha, life, and how lucky we were to have good health and great friends.
Just after we crossed the busy town of Muvattupuzha, we made a few final, meaningful stops. We took quick detours to visit some other former work colleagues who lived nearby. We stopped for a warm cup of tea with Ashraf and Sister Salooja, and then paid a quick visit to Fasil's house. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends face-to-face instead of just through a phone screen.
Finally, late into the dark night, the four of us arrived back in our hometown. The road trip was officially over. What began as a journey driven by compassion and duty to a friend's family had blossomed into a deeply memorable adventure. From the hot, flat windmill lands of Tamil Nadu to the misty, green tea peaks of Kerala, this trip reminded us that the best parts of travel are the people you journey with and the people you meet along the way.
Read Tamil Nadu Hill Stations & Culture
- Chennai Coastal Walk & Hubs
- Cumbum & Theni Agricultural Valleys
- Kodaikanal: Misty Mountains with Family
- Ooty Family Vacation: High up in the Nilgiris
- Nostalgic Ooty Toy Train Ride from Mettupalayam
- Isha Foundation: A Quiet Spiritual Retreat (Coimbatore)
- The Mettupalam tragedy
- Read my all travel stories
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