(^72) Udupi – Mangalore (Mangalura) – 60 km
By following the highway to Mangalore (not the same connotation to “highway”
as most are used to), the traffic was, as they say in India, “very congested and
oll”. All one could do was hope for the best. We had to dive out of the way to
avoid traffic that overtook disregarding oncoming vehicles. Amanda claimed she
wasn’t cycling any further and was taking a bus but always got back on the bike.
Ultimately, we safely crawled into Mangalore, albeit in horrendous traffic and
following a wrong turn at one of the intersections.
The next day was spent exploring the city, which, due to the lack of important
temples (which turned out to be hectic), had an “off-the-beaten path” feel.
Ernest sent a message stating he wasn’t far away and was going like the
clappers to catch us as he was entirely out of money. I knew this wasn’t a good
idea but sympathy made Amanda and I stay an extra night to let him catch up.
Ernest arrived a tad worse for wear—dirty, sweaty and minus a few kilograms.
Unfortunately, he was completely broke, and we pitied him, so we invited him to
share our space. We even had a cold beer ready, though he was disappointed
we only bought him one.
Our lives weren’t our own anymore, and as Ernest wanted to rest and watch
cricket, we did nothing the following day but lay around while our guest watched
TV.
leana
(Leana)
#1