London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 78 – 13 November 2016
A Flat Battery and a Warm Welcome in Chennai
Every great road trip has its little dramas, and today began with one of them.
After settling into our hotel in Eluru last night, we made a simple but costly mistake.
We forgot to switch the fridge from 12-volt battery power to gas before going to bed.
The result became apparent first thing in the morning.
The leisure battery had drained completely overnight, and when we turned the key, Kontiki refused to start.
Not exactly the start we had planned for the day.
We tried the usual solutions first.
A couple of nearby vehicles kindly offered to help us with jump leads, but despite several attempts, the engine stubbornly refused to fire into life.
Now, one thing we had learned during our travels through India is that whenever two people stop to look at something, a crowd soon gathers.
And whenever a crowd gathers, someone usually wants to help.
Within minutes, a small audience had assembled around Kontiki.
People were asking questions, offering suggestions, and examining our motorhome with great curiosity.
Rather than worrying about the attention, we decided to make the most of it.
Soon, several enthusiastic volunteers lined up behind the motorhome.
With a collective effort, plenty of pushing, and a little determination, Kontiki finally roared back into life.
Success!
After thanking our impromptu rescue team, we quickly got moving before the engine had a chance to change its mind.
With Mahesh navigating using Google Maps, we were soon guided back onto the highway heading south towards Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.
The weather continued to favour us.
Clear skies and warm sunshine accompanied us for most of the day, although we did experience a brief and rather unexpected shower during the afternoon.
The rain lasted only about fifteen minutes, but it was unusual for that time of year and provided a welcome break from the heat.
One of the real pleasures of travelling through India is the endless variety of roadside cafés, tea stalls, and restaurants.
Unlike motorway services in many countries, Indian roadside eateries often serve freshly prepared food full of flavour and character.
Throughout the day we made a couple of stops for tea, snacks, and a leisurely meal, enjoying the simple pleasures of life on the road.
As the miles rolled by, Chennai drew steadily closer.
By around 6:00 pm, we finally reached the sprawling city.
The sun was already beginning to set, and the evening traffic was building, but thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Google Maps guided us efficiently through the busy streets to our accommodation for the night—the City Home Hotel.
Finding the hotel was easy.
Finding somewhere to park a large motorhome was not.
The hotel was located on a busy main road, and available parking was almost non-existent.
Thankfully, the hotel staff were extremely accommodating.
After hearing about our journey, they allowed us to park directly outside the entrance.
The arrangement was not perfect—the front of Kontiki actually protruded slightly onto the road—but it was safe and convenient.
As soon as we parked, however, Kontiki became the centre of attention.
People stopped to stare.
Others peered through the windows.
Many studied the large route map displayed on the side of the motorhome.
Before long, a small crowd had gathered.
The hotel watchman soon found himself promoted to the role of unofficial tour guide.
With great enthusiasm, he began explaining our London-to-Mumbai route to anyone who would listen, proudly pointing out the countries we had travelled through and the thousands of miles we had covered.
At the same time, he kept a watchful eye on Kontiki, ensuring that nobody got too curious.
It was wonderful to see the interest our journey generated.
After freshening up, we headed out in search of dinner.
We found a local restaurant serving excellent food, and to our delight, they also had beer available.
That may not sound unusual, but in many parts of India, alcohol is either restricted or unavailable in restaurants, so this felt like a small victory.
The meal was delicious and exactly what we needed after a long day on the road.
Later, we enjoyed a pleasant walk back through the busy Chennai streets before returning to the hotel.
With full stomachs and another successful day behind us, we settled down for the night.
Mumbai was now getting closer with every passing day.
Distance travelled: Approx. 480 km (300 miles)
Route: Eluru, Andhra Pradesh to Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Weather: Warm and sunny with a brief unexpected rain shower
Highlights: Reaching Chennai and experiencing another example of Indian hospitality
Most memorable moment: A crowd of helpful strangers pushing Kontiki back to life after the battery went flat
Vehicle update: Running well after the suspension repairs; minor battery issue resolved
Accommodation: City Home Hotel, Chennai
Dinner: Delicious local meal with the bonus of finding a restaurant serving beer
Mood of the day: Amused, grateful, and excited to be steadily closing the distance to Mumbai
“In India, a breakdown rarely remains your problem for long. Before you know it, a crowd appears, advice flows freely, and somehow the job gets done.”
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki explores Chennai before continuing westwards on the final stages of our epic London-to-Mumbai road adventure.
