Year 3 -20 February 2026 –Munnar Return to Kochi
We were on the road at 8.30am having had an early breakfast. It was a shame to leave Tall Trees which had been cool and in such a lovely setting.
We then drove all the way back to Kochi (about 135km) a different route this time. The road was relatively quiet and so we made good progress and a lot of road works were going on.
Agil suggested we stopped at a Chocolate factory but we did not fancy that nor the Flora/Fauna park which looked like for the kids. We passed a nice waterfall bit we did not pass through the jungle as we had on the way to Munnar from Kumily.
We had now experienced about a week of Indian driving which is very different to the UK. The horn is used a lot to let vehicle know you are passing or want them to move over which they seem slow to do. It was mostly used by our driver to tell the motorcycle and tuk tuks to move to the side so we could pass. The buses are terrible and overtake in ridiculous situations and think they own the road. Cars, lorries and buses think nothing of trying to overtake and o often blind corners. Despite all this there are lots of near misses and we did not see an accident but many close shaves. There is no real road rage and I think the Indian’s have got used to this form of driving and road usage. Speed signs seems to be ignored and your just push in at a junction and force your way across and you never ever let anyone in. It is just the way it is.
We continued and stopped to get some drink and then a supermarket to get some provisions. We then came straight to the Bolgatty Palace having come through busy Kochi and its usual traffic.
We eventually got to the marina about 1.30pm (So with stops some 5 hours). We then got all our stuff on board. In discussing with the agent the boat on the hammerhead had gone and so we prepared to move and luckily it was high tide. We therefore threw off the ropes and pulled up the anchor which was covered in mud. Paul stayed ashore and we motored round and came alongside the hammered and moored. In about 20 minutes we were settled and we then got them to connect up the electricity. Mark cleaned the mud off the anchor and then we filled the starboard tank. As the showers are not great here we can fill up and use the starboard tank leaving the port with Stormbird made water. We will use bottled water for drinking.
Once settled Paul and Mark went off for a swim. I unpacked and had a little rest before I joined them. It was a lot hotter here and so it was good to cool down in the pool. We swam and chilled until it began to get dark. The bar was not open.
There was a large exhibition going in and the music was quite loud. This got worse when we returned to Stormbird and you could feel the low beat almost fibrating our bodies even though we were some way from the show.
We decided to stay onboard and cooked sausages with red cabbage and pasta with a tomato sauce.
As I write this the beat is going. It had been a good trip and we had seen a lot. However, it was good to see Stormbird and she looked good albeit bird pooh on the deck which I will wash off tomorrow.
The picture of the day is the three of us at breakfast before we left.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
In year three I will be going from Thailand to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives and then on to Mauritius, Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I am looking for crew from Mauritius/ Reunion Island to Cape Town (mid June to end of July) and from Cape Town to the Azores and then to the UK (mid August onwards). If of any interest do email me.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com