It was a move I assumed would give Ernest time to get ahead as the
two of us were travelling with different objectives. Ernest wanted to
cycle around the world in record time. I wanted to explore and cycle
with no destination, time or distance in mind. The sole reason he
hung about was for financial reasons.
Malappuram – Chennai – 61 km
I got on the bike shortly past 8h00 for the easy ride into Chennai.
The closer to the city, the more hectic the traffic, and I was chuffed
when I reached my destination unscathed. The lack of directions was
one problem and asking for directions another, as the reply was, “Go
straight” while pointing either left or right.
Eventually, I found the Broadlands Lodge, where I again ran into
Ernest, which was not unusual as we both sought the most
inexpensive accommodation.
Chennai
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I came to a point where I had to
decide where to go from India. I had a few blissful months of no
choices but then I had to make the call. The Indian-Myanmar land
border was closed, and one had to fly out of India to reach other
Asian countries, i.e., Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The other option was to continue north to Nepal to secure a permit to
enter Tibet and from there onwards to China. The downside was that
once over the Himalayas and in China, one would be in a desert area.
I had cycled through enough deserts to last me several lifetimes—the
idea of cycling through another was enough to put me off the whole
idea.