Since the trekking community at SA were starved of long bike rides, it was decided to take up the next mission on bikes.
It was decided that two hills close to Tirukkalukkunram be conquered by the team on 26th August 2006.
At 0645HRS sharp the team meets up at Tidel and starts off at a furious pace by 7am towards the mission obective #01. The team stops just ahead of Mamallapuram to pack some mission supplies and refresh themselves with some hot coffee.
The team started off again and headed towards the first hill. Though the terrain was un-motorable near the hill, the team decided to pursue the mission objective.
Finally the team started climbing at about 930HRS. Braving the hot sun and the exhaustion caused by dehydration, the team climbed up relentlessly on the rocky and steep hill which had only shrubs that didnt provide much shade. The team eventually reached the top by about 1030 HRS.
To rejuvenate themselves the team had a quick breakfast atop the hill enjoying the magnificent views of the villages spread below its feet.
The team was resting itself and preparing itself to accomplish the next mission which was supposed to be slightly easier since it was a hill with proper steps to climb. But the team was preparing itself against the tough autumn sun.
The team started to climb down at about 1115 HRS and started off towards the next destination.
This was the Tirukalukundram hill. This was more of a gentle climb on the steps leading to the temple atop. The team reached the hilltop at around 1230HRS and after a quick photo session started climbing downhill. Since the sun had heated up the rocky surface which burnt our bare feet, the return was more of a run rather than a walk.
Thereafter the team decided to celebrate the successful completion of the mission and headed towards mamallapuram.
After spending a little time around the small but beautiful lighthouse at mamallapuram the team had lunch along the beachshore with the mamallapuram shore temple as the backdrop.
The picture to the right is the view of the temple from the restaurant.
Satisfied with a fun filled bike-cum-trek expedition the team returned to chennai before it was dusk.
image archive:
http://picasaweb.google.com/balasubramaniam/MamalaHills
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