Tips for Road Travel

All set for a road trip? I have taken several of them since I was six or seven years old. These road journeys were family holiday tours within South India. The longest among my road trips were the three times I took the road journey from Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) to Mumbai (Maharashtra) and vice versa. It is over 12 years since I took such very long road trips – yet I cherish my memories of traveling through different States, terrains and different cultures. I still travel by road – but often restricted to within Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Here are a few pointers to consider for road travel:

Before you begin your road journey:

• Buy a road map and will work as your good companion during your drive.
• Plan your route.
• Identify points where you may want to take a break or stay at a hotel, if the journey is long.
• Talk to your friends and colleagues, who know the route. They may be able to guide you better – in terms of condition of the road etc.
• Ensure your car is in good condition. Servicing your car, before your journey.
• Take along your driving license and documents of your car including insurance.
• Fill your fuel tank, a day before your start your journey.

On Road

• Take break every two or three hours or whenever you feel tired or drowsy. If there are multiple people in the car, who drives, let them take over (if you are not comfortable driving long hours). Better avoid night travel during long journeys.
• If you are taking breaks ie; if you take your break at the end of your first day travel, on your way to your final destination; if time permits, you can visit the nearby park or go shopping at night.
• Try to get a good sleep at night to continue your next day’s long journey.
• Keep a book / notepad. If you aren’t driving alone, and if you have company, you can ask him/her to jot the places, distances, major spots and funny incidents.

More Tips for Monsoon Travel

Let us look at where to head this monsoon? Find your choice!

• If you like cascading waterfalls, rivers, lakes and streams flowing lively, visit such destinations.
• Looking for lush green and waterfalls? Like mists, which block your way but gives that tender touch and makes you shiver? Try holidaying in hills.
• If you are heading to the hills, check the routes where landslides or similar natural disaster generally occur. If there is an alternative route to the destination, opt for it.
• Take care while selecting cities, which has poor infrastructure like poor drainage system.
  It’s better to skip heavily flooded locales. Also, this goes true for rivers, which start, from mountains.
• Avoid beaches and seas during monsoon.
• If you are heading towards a trekking region, have a stick along with you. Check your path with the stick before you put your feet there.
• Check if your hotel has hot-water running and heaters or keep you warm before you accommodate yourself there.

Checklist for Monsoon Travel

Checklist for monsoon travel:

• Clothes which keep you warm including sweaters and shawl, depending on the place’s climate. Winter dress is a must if you are traveling to a destination where both winter and rain coincides!
• An extra pair of dress as you has to forget washing and drying in a short time gap during the rains.
• Camera and films to shoot pictures of the best of the monsoon season.
• Iron box
• An extra pair of sandals or shoes. Avoid ordinary shoes and sandals. Try to go for a boot shoe. Use a rubber boot especially if you are going for trekking.
• Medicines to combat common illness like vomiting, fever, cold, throat pain, headache and First-aid kit.
• Torch
• Carry candle and matchstick since the chance of power disruption exists.
• Check the condition of tyre, brakes, radiator etc.
• Give your car for service before leaving for a journey.
• Do not depend on landline tele services during monsoon. Tele-communication facilities are at the poor end most of the time when there is heavy down pour.
• Be aware of the nearest hospital, health centers, police station, fire station etc in case of any emergency.
• Do not put your hands close to the firewood or heater when the temperatures are below (-) degree Celsius.
• If both snow and rain occurs together, every evening remove socks, clean legs.
• Always keep a watch on travel time. For instance, if you are considering a forest area, travel during morning. By noon, the wind tends to move higher. Trees are likely to fall down, block the roads, disrupt electricity and vehicles too are likely to be less in number by evening.