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Chennai
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Steering an Indian experience
The guiding force.
You need a vehicle with good brakes and a good horn, plus plenty of good luck, to travel safely in India, feel the two drivers (one among them is a woman) of the Mercedes 1820 truck which arrived in Kochi two days back, carrying 10 tourists from Europe and New Zealand.
Sonia Kamphuis and Richard Dene, truck drivers from New Zealand and Britain respectively, took turns in steering the vehicle through over 9,000 km of congested alleys and highways in India. "Apart from steering the vehicle, we act as guides for those who go on expeditions. No accident so far, despite the crowded, chaotic and noisy towns and cities that we passed through. Nowhere else would one find so many people on the roads as in Kerala," says Sonia, who cheerfully posed for a photograph in the drivers seat.
Many drivers out here find it difficult to believe that a woman steers the huge truck. Motorists often take a close look, even slow down while overtaking. On a few occasions, bike riders veered to the roadside and waited to take a clear look at the driver. All this was very exciting, says Sonia.
Richard is used to carrying around tourists in the truck, which has power steering and is fitted with a kitchen grill. It also has space for storing camping equipment and other utensils. He had taken guests on a tour of Africa, before coming to India. "We usually take tourists on overland trips lasting for a couple of months. The present group of 10 tourists from Britain, Ireland and New Zealand got together in Chennai in early February and decided to go around the country in the truck. We pitch tents and camp in quiet areas where there are no hotels. The guests take turns at cooking," he says.
Put up at Biju's Tourist Home, Canon Shed Road, they will leave for Ooty on Saturday and from there to North India, ending the journey in Kathmandu by April 15. "The crew have been coming here often for well past a decade and have established quite a good rapport with us," say Thomas and Joseph of the hotel.
On the move.
The youngest of the group is 21-year-old Alexandra, a sales assistant in Britain. "What attracted me most about Kerala is the houseboats in which you can enjoy a silent cruise for hours, as compared to the noisy and polluted roads. Unfortunately, my boyfriend who is a hairdresser in England, could not join me on the trip. I feel that India, particularly Kerala, is among the safest places in the globe," she says.
The oldest in the group is 65-year-old Kevin, whom the members refer to as `Chuckles', because of his cheerful disposition. The lone couple is Tony Byrne and Janet Byrne, both 60. "We are celebrating retirement. We enjoy overland trips and were interested in discovering more of Indian culture. Having read a lot of India, we were ready for the crowds and the high temperature in some areas," says Janet.
Many in the group found it queer that in India, strikes are called at the drop of a hat. "We have been seeing all the strikes which take place here. There was movie strike on Thursday in Kerala. Moreover, Indians seem to enjoy a lot more public holidays than us," says Richard.
By John L Paul
Photo: H. Vibhu
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Life
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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