Ernakulam, India
We made it!!! Arrived over the finish line at 3.55pm, 44th out of 67 teams. What a mad adventure. Sad saying goodbye to the Rickshaw :-( looking forwards to the party tonight... A big thank you for all the donations!! @
Kerala, India
Day 14 and we're on the home straight! Drove about 300km in 11 hrs yesterday so awarded ourselves with a lie in this morn (7.45am) Passing through lots of communist towns which we didn't expect. Red everywhere! Funny seeing how suprised the locals look when we drive past. Had group of school girls running alongside the Rickshaw laughing and asking for chocolate. Still got crazy bus drivers terrorising the roads and it's HOT. Can we make it??@
Kerala, India
Day 13 and the finish is in sight. Stayed near Bekal last night in a 'deluxe' room (ie hovel) after driving around in the dark for an hour trying to find somewhere. Not easy when your headlight illuminates a maximum 10cm of potholed road in front of you. Up before 6am this morning and aiming to do 300km if possible. Come on you Rickshaw!
Karnataka, India
Day 12! Up early for 2 hours of body surfing in the sea (Andy & Dai) Road in terrible condition, massive pot holes & works going on everywhere. Getting hacked off with buses. Buses overtaking then stopping right in front of us. Buses beeping really loud at our ear level. Buses pulling out without checking the road or indicating. Buses. Rickshaw frame falling apart due to bumpiness so had it welded on the roadside for 60p.
Karnataka, India
Day 11. Left Panjim early to avoid traffic. Yogesh joined us to Karwar and introduced us to dosa and double chai! Getting hot now, been swapping driving every hour in midday heat. Found amazing place to stay just as the sun was setting, a resort right on the beach in Byndoor. Our own little hut, a clean towel and a nice mattress! Luxury @
Goa, India
Day 10. Breakfast by the beach at Malwan. Went along narrow bumpy coastal roads before pushing the rickshaw (it stalled and wouldn't start again) onto a little ferry to cross the river into Goa. Arrived to mad traffic in Panjim and met Andy and Dai's mate Yogesh. Had yummy Goan dinner with fish and coconut. Not long to go!
Maharashtra, India
Came off the highway and drove along fully pot-holes roads in the countryside full of palm trees and beautiful rivers. Met a couple of guys running the length of India - made us feel quite lazy! Finally saw the sea and ran into the warm water with nobody on the beach but a few kids playing cricket. From the desert to the tropical beaches in a tiny rickshaw.
Maharashtra, India
Finally got everything fixed (wasn't any transmission oil in the engine) and did a good stint to Sangmeshwar via winding mountain roads with amazing views. Stayed the night at a place with a really nice but crazy manager. He set up our dinner on the stage of a wedding reception hall and insisted on us ordering an extra main course which he ate himself (and ate Laura's chips too). He made Dai eat so much he spewed. The manager woke us up this morning at 6am by shining torches into our faces. Great characters in India. Now on the misty road along highway 17.
Maharashtra, India
The morning couldn't have gone worse! The americans' rickshaw wouldn't start and when we left for the road we got about 2km before our engine just packed up, plus the clutch is on its way out. It's cold this morning so getting some chai. That'll cheer us up!@
Maharashtra, India
As the sun was going down we couldn't find hotel so were driving in the dark against full beam headlights. Then the electrics went and so had no horn or lights. Saved by American Rickshaw runners who we followed with a torch strapped to the front of the rickshaw. Made to a hotel with rooms. Phew!
