Honda once again organised its exciting travel series Drive to Discover, which was in its 13th edition. This time the trip gave us the opportunity to travel through the lush green hills, waterfalls and winding roads of two beautiful states of South India – Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The total distance covered in this journey was about 500 km, and each day of it brought a new experience.
Kochi to Athirappilly
Our journey started from the city of Kochi, where we arrived with about 40 other automobile journalists. It was raining and the convoy of Honda cars left with the sound of Chenda musical instrument. On the first day, I was accompanied by Honda Elevate, which kept moving confidently even on the rough roads. As soon as we left Kochi, we were welcomed by dense forests and green roads.
The fast current of the Chalakudy river flowing along the road and then the sight of an elephant in the forest – this scene was no less than a movie. Our destination was Athirapally Falls, but due to the crowds and the compulsion to view from a distance, we decided to go to Chapra Falls located nearby. The photos taken with Elevate here and the view of the falls in the rain will be forever memorable.
Athirapally to Munnar
Day 2 started with the Honda City e:HEV. This hybrid car was perfectly suited for the route that went through dense rubber plantations and narrow, silent paths. The car was often running in EV mode, which made it feel like we were connecting with nature without any noise.
On the way, we got a chance to drink a local drink “Sharjah” – it is made of milk, banana, Bernvita and dry fruits. Then it started raining – and that too heavily! In such conditions, the City Hybrid completed the journey without any problem. As we drove through the hilly roads and reached Munnar, the light mist, cool breeze and quiet roads made us forget our fatigue and relax us.
Munnar to Kodaikanal
The third day was the longest and the most beautiful. We woke up early in the morning and visited the Munnar Tea Museum, where we learnt about the process and history of tea production. Our companion was the Honda Amaze, which proved to be a fun option for twisty roads with its manual transmission.
The road we took after leaving Munnar was the GAP Road (NH85) – probably the best driving road in India. Wide, fast flowing corners and changing scenery at every turn – it was a dream indeed. Although the Amaze had to work harder on this route, it also became a part of the wonderful experience amid these beautiful views.
After entering Tamil Nadu, as we started climbing towards Kodaikanal, I took the steering again and put the car in the right gear and drove it up efficiently. By evening we reached the hotel and summed up the day as a wonderful trip.
Kodaikanal to Coimbatore
On the last day, our goal was to reach Coimbatore Airport, from where we had our flight. We started the journey at 6:30 am and had with us Honda City CVT, which proved to be a perfect car for this smooth highway drive. While descending the hills, we took some final pictures in the golden morning sun and captured every turn in our eyes and hearts.
The roads were wide, there was less traffic, and the CVT transmission made the drive so smooth that every glimpse of the journey started flashing in the mind. We had a wonderful South Indian lunch on the way and then left for the airport.
Conclusion
Honda Drive to Discover was not just a drive, it was a beautiful journey – a unique opportunity to feel the cars amidst rain-soaked forests, winding mountain paths, serene waterfalls and diverse culture. Amaze, City, Elevate and City Hybrid – every car played its role well in this journey. But the biggest experience was – seeing new places through the windscreen of your car, feeling the route and finding something new at every turn.