Chennai: The elections are finally over and if you are someone who placed the democratic duty of voting first before heading out for summer holidays – give yourself a pat on the back.
Now, it’s time to vacate the city and explore. But planning a trip involves and a lot of work. Before you hit the road, here are some must-dos, checklists.
Inspect your ride
A lot more than fuel and prayer are needed for a safe trip on Indian roads. So, before you hit the road, give your car (or bike) for a thorough service inspection to a (trusted) mechanic. From brakes to wipers, have everything checked and get engine oil changed if necessary. Fill the tanks, set optimum prescribed tyre pressure and take your ride for a longish drive to make sure everything is okay.
Avoid hotspots
If you are a ‘mountain’ person planning to head to Ooty or Kodaikanal, think twice! They would be packed to the brim with tourists and more people heading there would place strain on the already fragile ecology of the two most popular hill destinations in Tamilnadu. Head out to less-visited places like Kolli Hills instead and enjoy nature’s untouched beauty.
Plan your route
The trip isn’t above destination, it’s about the journey too. So find a scenic route to take and see if there are beautiful spots or historically/culturally important sites that you can stop at and explore. Also planning a route beforehand is essential if you are tripping a schedule and budget as it can help avoid last minute surprises like roadblocks. Don’t hesitate to stop and ask the locals while en-route.
Pre-book
With online portals offering huge discounts and competitive rates on hotels and flight charges (that keep fluctuating), it would be prudent to plan your travel months in advance and book when rates are cheap.
Prepare for unexpected
Carry enough cash and keep spare is the ground rule. You cannot always rely on ATMs and banks. Also, don’t keep all the cash in one place. Pack first aid kit and common drugs that one may need (for flu, fever, headache etc). If not you, your co-trippers may need it. Save emergency helpline numbers. Take a puncture kit if you are driving. Always carry clean water and use the loo wherever you find one. If you are traveling in buses, the last point is vital as you never know when the drivers get the mood to stop.