Kottapuram to Kozhikode; "as the crow doesn't fly".

Distance "as the crow flies" is a familiar term while heading to any destination. Expedition NW3, Jan 2014 stretched from Kollam to Kottapuram, spanning around 180KM. The same distance will be covered in Jan 2015, over 7 days. 

Expedition NW3(K4)- LEG-1- Kollam to Kottapuram.

Expedition NW3 K4 - Leg-1, 180KM, Same as what we covered in Jan 2014.

Day-1, was the launch from Kollam boat jetty, we halted at Kureepuzha for the school visit and did a total of 8KM to halt at Dalavapuram. Day-2, we covered close to 18KM with midpoint at Alumkadavu (loved the food there) and calling Vallikavu for the night halt.  Day-3, we left for Aaratupuzha via Valiazheekal, doing one school session at Mangalam and the neighbourhood meeting at Vettathkadavu, covering a total distance of 17KM. Day-4, was the trip to Thottapally for the school visit and then on to Karumadi for the evening neighbourhood meeting, covering 21KM. Day-5, was partially night kayaking from Karumadi to Allapuzha, school visit and reaching Muhamma for the neighbourhood meeting, coving a total of 29KM. Day-6, the trip from Muhamma to Panangad, via Thavanakadavu took us 35KM. Day-7, was the trip from Panangad to Edavanakadu, going past Cochin port, covering a distance of 36KM. Day-8, the final day was a breeze as we left Edavanakadu for Kottapuram, covering a distance of only 16KM.

The distance pretty much would be same "as the crow flies", except for the deviation that takes us east from Allapuzha, we covered 180KM in 8 days. We plan to cover a minimum of 2 neighbourhood meetings and 4 school interactions during leg-1 of NW3-K4, 2015.

Expedition NW3-K4 - LEG-2- Kottapuram  to Kozhikode

Now looking at the new leg that we plan to cover in Expedition NW3-K4 (Kollam-Kochi-Kottapuram-Kozhikode), "as the crow flies" distance is only 120KM! Is it....?

Expedition NW3 K4 - Leg-2, 160KM, to be covered in Jan 2015.

Coming to waypoints on this leg, Day-8 is from Kottapuram to Edaithiruthy, a distance of 27KM. Day-9 is from Edaithiruthy to Chettuva, distance of 24KM. Day-10 is from Chettuva to Valiancode, distance of 26KM. Day-11, is from Valiancode to Unniyal, distance of 25KM. Day-12, is from Unniyal to Kollakkal , a distance of 27KM. Day-13, is from Kollakkal to Kozhikode, distance of around 30KM, as the landing is not finalized. We plan to cover a minimum of 2 Neighbourhood groups and 3 schools.

The Leg-2, Kottapuram to Kozhikode is a historical trading route; disuse has made this stretch literally unkempt. The fact that there is multiple opening to sea and the estuaries have single point opening to sea, tidal movements will have to be carefully managed. Water hyacinth and other blockages are also expected. To top it all, the route is not as straight compared to Leg-1! As we shared in the beginning, "as the crow flies" distance is only 120Km from Kottapuram to Kozhikode, the real kayaking distance is close to 160KM.

This additional 40KM, without the dredged channel, tidal flows that are predicted to be stronger, blockages on the way, all make Leg-2 interesting and challenging! It’s really "as the crow doesn’t fly'!