The End...
Hi Everyone
Well the great news is we made it... 2570km across India in our little Tuk...amazingly Hermione (as she is now know) has only cost us 800 rupees from start to finish and has required no major repairs :)
It's been a pretty mad race, we came in 10th on day 12 jointly with our Canadian friends from Canuck Tuk [One](index.php?mode=teamwebsites&name=canucktuk-1) [Two](index.php?mode=teamwebsites&name=canucktuk-1) and have spent the last few hours partying with some of the other early arrivers. and
I'm not in a real state at the moment to give you any deep reflections on the trip and what it has meant to me, instead I would just like to say a huge thank you to Kieran...without whom I wouldn't be here, he drove us across India spectacularly and deserves a prize just for that; I would also like to thanks our new Canadian friends...without them we just wouldn't have made it! and finally I would like to thank all of you for sponsoring us and making this possible
Hope you are well and will see you all soon
Matt
Kerala, India
Almost made it 20km of the worst roads past Kasaragod has taken its toll, but hopefully we can limp to Cochin
Crank it Up!
Hi Everyone
So after our holiday in Goa...which claimed a few stomachs (mine included) we have spent two days of pretty uneventful time on the road traveling first to Bhatkal and now to Kasaragod...its been hard going and long Km's and this has taken its toll on our shaws...they really are getting pretty ill...poor things...today the second Cancuk Tuk broke a crankshaft which has forced us into an early stop...so time to chill out and have a beer.
Peace
Matt
Karnataka, India
Safe after a long day driving, day off took a toll with 4 people ill, but convoy still made 260km
Going, Goa, Gone
Hi all
Sorry I haven't blogged for a while the last few days have been a bit devoid of net connection. Quick recap...since the last blog we have had our little Rickshaw serviced...by a pretty crooked Bajaj dealer, although we were not stung the worst out of the group, one of the Canadian tucks (Teds) failed to get up a bridge after its service...which caused us a small delay...although Ted then found beer in a dry state so that's a pretty good result
We then travlled through the mountains (lovely) although I did stupidly jump out of the rickshaw and almost get left behind by Grant (my temporary driver) who didn't even notice I had left...video I am sure to follow.
From here we set up to travel around Mumbia; and in doing so found our first corrupt cop...a story to relive in person I assure you...before heading south via Chiplun (a place of little note) to Goa where I am currently writing this blog from a tent on the beach :)
The next day will give us some downtime to relax before we make a break for Cochin and the finish.
Thanks for following...as soon as we have more net bandwidth we will get the videos and some of the amazing photos online
If you want a more detailed review of these days I suggest youu hit [Tamara's blog](index.php?mode=teamwebsites&name=canuck-tuk2&page=blog&id=35729) from the Canuck Tuck crew...she's a much better writer than me :)...and to our Canadian followers comments recieved and all will be acted upon!
Peace
Matt
Maharashtra, India
Another 298km today takes us to striking distance of Goa and a day off,wish us luck
Not, Punjab, India
Another slow day as we traveld 200km through the Jawar hills, all set to pass Mumbai tomorow and make up some miles
Vapi, Dapi, Napi :)
Hi All
Well we didn't give up... The Canadians and us have been a bit held up today and have only made around 120KM taking us to Napi. We pulled in today to get a full service on all three Tuks...around 800 rupees for us but after finding a few major problems with one of the Canadian shaws we have had to stay here for the night in the most expensive hotel of the whole trip.
In other news it's Kieran's Birthday today so please if your following the blog let him know that you love him with a comment!
So far the run really isn't shaping up to be all we hoped...its long hard days of slogging travel with very little to show for it; in terms of meeting locals or seeing any Indian culture that isn't by a roadside...adventure...hmmm we hope it will improve but right now its one day at a time.
The main thing for us is the really great people we are traveling with if it hadn't been for the Canadian's we wouldn't be here now so a big a shout out to them, we really can't thank them enough!
Oh and if your reading this...as Kieran about his custom pants...pictures to follow.
Peace
Matt
Gujarat, India
Another 260k day brings us to Surat, tierd unhappy and ready to call it quits
City Driving...Bad Times
Hi all, well its day 3 and after a mamoth 240km run we reacg Ahmadabad with our Anglo Canadian Convoy...all I can say is that city driving is insane and our drivers (Kieran Especialy) should be credited with getting us all through it in one piece...would have bought them a beer... but Gujarat is a dry state :(...well its an early start tomorrow to try and get out of this city and back onto NH8 before the rest of India wakes up, so night all take care!
Matt
