My name is Ikbal, and this my life story of a road trip undertaken for a poignant purpose: to visit the family of our late colleague from Jeddah, Kamal Pasha, in Tamil Nadu, which then turned into an incredible cross-state adventure.
The initial plan involved a large group of colleagues, but it eventually came down to four of us: Shihab, Rasheedkka, Naushad, and myself.
Day 1: The Road to Melur and the Windmill Kingdom
The Journey Begins
Rasheedkka and I arrived early in Perinthalmanna, where Naushad soon met us in his brand-new Swift car. After picking up Shihab just before Mannarkkad, we had breakfast and started our journey towards our primary destination: Melur, near Madurai.
We quickly crossed Palakkad town. Although the initial stretch through the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border was beautiful, the road condition in the Palakkad area was poor. However, the moment we crossed into Tamil Nadu, the roads transformed into smooth, wide highways—a stark contrast.
The Endless Windmills
Our journey was soon dominated by a mesmerizing sight: hundreds of windmills of various sizes, shapes, and companies, some turning gracefully and some static. It was a fascinating spectacle. We stopped briefly to take photos, but after hours of driving, the windmill farms seemed endless, eventually becoming monotonous.
We passed Pollachi and continued on the new highway, enjoying the endless chatter and shared memories. Having worked together for years, Rasheedkka, Shihab, Naushad, and I had stories and anecdotes that could last weeks, making the long journey highly entertaining.
A Refreshing Break
Around 12:30 PM, we took a break at a petrol station. Near the roadside, vendors were selling guava and sugarcane juice. We all enjoyed a glass of fresh sugarcane juice and bought some delicious guavas, which the vendor claimed came from the nearby hills.
Melur and the Jigar Thanda
After passing Dindigul, we started hunting for a good lunch spot, which proved difficult. Finally, at a place called Natham, we found a busy, promising restaurant. We were seated in the AC room and enjoyed a filling meal of Tamil Nadu-style Thalappakatti biriyani and Hyderabadi biriyani.
By 3:30 PM, we arrived at Kamal Pasha's family home in Melur. There, I finally got to taste Jigar Thanda, the famous Madurai beverage I had been planning to try—served right in their house. We spent half an hour with the family, handing over the financial aid we had collected, and then departed.
The Change of Plan
We had three possible routes for the return: Dhanushkodi/Rameshwaram, Kodaikanal, or a route through Cumbum, Theni, and Idukki. We chose the shortest and most scenic option: the Cumbum-Theni-Idukki route.
Heading back, we encountered a series of toll plazas—a sharp contrast to the free roads we had taken earlier. We noticed that hundreds of places in Tamil Nadu have names ending with 'petti' (box). We stopped for a break as the sun was setting in a small village. That night, we found a lodge in the town of Andipatti and checked in for the night.
Day 2: Dams, Grapes, and the Highlands
🏞️ Vaigai Dam and Reservoir
We woke up early and headed to our first attraction: the Vaigai Dam. This colossal structure across the Vaigai River provides irrigation water to five districts of Tamil Nadu for crops like cotton, pulses, rice, corn, and vegetables. We walked atop the dam and were amazed by the vast reservoir, which looked like a massive inland lake. After exploring the dam and its surrounding park, we drove towards Theni.
🍇 Theni and Cumbum's Vineyards
We stopped for breakfast in Theni town, enjoying poori and bajji. Though we always hear the places mentioned together, we realized that Theni and Cumbum are 40 kilometers apart. Our goal was the famous Cumbum vineyards.
After a scenic drive, we reached the vineyards. A section of the vast field was specifically manicured for tourists to take photos. Since it wasn't peak season, the grapes were just beginning to ripen. Nearby shops sold grape wine and juice. We spent some time taking pictures and enjoying the greenery.
⛰️ Scaling the Idukki Hills
From Cumbum, we started our ascent via the Ghat road towards Kerala. We passed huge penstock pipes (used in hydroelectric projects) and soon reached Kumily. We briefly considered visiting Thekkady but dropped the plan due to the time commitment.
We drove through the spectacular natural beauty of the Idukki district, winding down the hills through endless tea plantations. We stopped at a shop within the AVT plantation and purchased tea, coffee, and cardamom.
🦅 Parunthumpara: The Eagle Rock
Our next scenic stop was Parunthumpara, a beautiful viewpoint. The main attraction here is the stunning view of the surrounding hills and a rock formation that resembles an eagle's head. After walking around and soaking in the breathtaking views, we started the final descent toward the plains.
🏡 The Journey Home
We reluctantly bypassed other popular destinations like Vagamon, as our goal was to reach home that same night.
The long drive back was filled with more stories and reflection. Just past Muvattupuzha, we made a couple of quick, meaningful visits: we stopped to see our former colleagues, Ashraf and Sister Salooja, and visited Fasil's house.
Finally, late into the night, we arrived back home. The trip, driven by compassion and punctuated by beautiful landscapes, from the flatlands of Tamil Nadu to the misty peaks of Kerala, was a successful and deeply memorable one.
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