Expedition NW3 2014 - Day 8 & beyond

Sunrise on way from Edavanakad to Munambam

Day 8 - After a bout of black  sweet tea, we departed Edavanakadu at 5:45AM as the locals advised us about the receding tide. The trip to Kottapuram was as magical as Kayankulam Kayal, the placed was filled with Chinese nets(pictured below).

Anees, paddling along Chinese nets.

The chinese nets have taken over NW3, not seen this concentration anywhere along the 180KM stretch.

We took leisure in taking snaps of the arriving day. Just north of the Maliankara Bridge, we stopped at the wayside Kappikada for some Puttu, Kadalakari, Cherupayar, Pappadam and hot tea.

Trawlers near Munambam harbour

We reached Munambam harbour around 8:30AM; it was a sight to adore for the neatly lined trawlers of all hues. Munamabam was perhaps the busiest fishing port as compared to Neendakara  or Azheekal.

One of the unfinished works of Mr. Lenin, Munambam

Sree Narayana Guru, oil on canvas, Mr. Lenin, Munambam

Posing on the Chinese net with Mr. Lenin

We were about to turn right to Kottapuram, when we saw a person operating the Chinese net. He called us home for tea and we complied. Mr Lenin explained how the nets work and showed us the catch of the day, that he would sell. He shared how he gave up life as an artist and photographer. His wife complained about a lost artist and showed us the work of art Mr Lenin had done, but left unfinished. She shared their story about how they lost their home to the Tsunami of 2004, build a house with the relief funds and were able to make ends meet, thanks to their son working in the Indian Air force. We promised to send Mr Lenin painting material on our return and felt really touched by his story.

There is Kottapuram!

Kottapuram bridge, and the town in the background

After tea, we paddled on to see the oyster farms that CMFRI(Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute) had installed on the route to Kottapuram. Our paddling started going even more slower on seeing the Kottapuram bridge and the town itself in a distance.

Once a key port in the ancient city of Muziris, roads led to the decline of Kottapuram.

The feeling of end, to the 8 days journey was weighting in. We lined up under the Kottapuram bridge and started synchronized paddling, heading for the Kottapuram Jetty. Kottapuram was a bustling trading post, with boats of all kinds coming to the southern end of Muziris - the famed trading post of ancient Malabar. It was 10, when we hauled the kayaks and posed for pictures.....disappearing to the nearby Kappikada for the last meal of this great expedition.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, Bishop of Kottapuram, calling for the need to save our water resources.

The final function at Kottapuram parish hall.

Post lunch the Bishop of Kottapuram,  Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Karikkassery, presided over the closing ceremony with school children as audience.  Mr Hamsaka, a local truck operator was called in to haul the 3 kayaks back to Changanacherry. It was 3:30PM, when we left Kottapuram to reach Changanacherry by 7:30. En-route we stopped at Akkarakalam to handover the kayak that Kalypso adventure had given for the expedition. A wonderful journey was concluding. Murgan took the evening train to Bangalroe and Aneese did the same to Kannur.

Rotarians at Cochin

Presidents and Secretaries of Kochin city and Queen city Rotary club.

I spent the first half of the next day to clean the equipment off Salt and dry it for storage. The right hand had some swelling, that was it, I had survived paddling 180Km over 8 days!  On 21st evening, we were called to Rotary Club of Cochin city and Queen City for a talk, at Ernakulam.

Murugan, Anees & Vipin

The journey had ended, but the spirit lives on.......till we reconvene as a bigger group in Jan 2015. This expedition gave us one big learning - "In life, you dont need much to live"; we slep in tent, ate from local tea shops and were so tired that it did not matter, where we slept of how many mosquitos we had for company!

A lot of folks were the reason for this expedition. Arjun and Kasimka - the 2 rice boat men, Vishal of Kalypso who said from the begining "Go for it", Jeyash Puthuparambil who extended any support he could do, Dr. Manoj CN who brought Mathrubhumi to sponsor the event along with Pelican Foundation, Amurtha Sebastian for her passion and drive, Shafeeq, Shambhu and Vinod of Mthrubhumi Seed, Joseph uncle at Dalavapuram, the poor lady with a big heart at Pallathuruthy, our families  - who managed affairs back home for close to 10 days, our parents who supported the spirit of adventure we were born with and almighty who positoned helpful people on our path.

Looking forward to the NW3 Expedition 2015....keep watching for the post in June!