Changed: Kochi!

 
The biggest change to the Malabar Rampage since last year is that we will visit an extra city: Kochi (also known as Cochin). We always used to recommend taking a brief stop in this city, in between the stops of Alappuzha and  Kozhikode, but now participants will have a lot more time to explore. Kochi has been an important trading center for centuries and as such is uniquely multicultural, with several important landmarks to show for it. Most famous are the Chinese fishing nets, pictured above, but equally interesting is Fort Kochin, home to India’s most ancient community of Jews.
 

The Same: The Other Locations!

 
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: that’s what we think about all the other stops on the Malabar Rampage. We’ll still start in Trivandrum, and of course our next stop has to be Allapuzha, or should we say the “Venice of the East“. Just like last year, we’ll stop in Kozhikode, Mangalore, and Murudeshwara. And, naturally, we still finish off in Panaji, the capital of glorious Goa!
 

Changed: Wifi!

 
Another exciting change to the Malabar Rampage is that, this year all rickshaws will have built-in wifi. The engines may still be basic (and temperamental!) but we reckon this technological addition will make for an even better adventure. Now it’ll be even easier to keep your social media profiles updated (we know you all love Instagram…) , to make plans with other teams, and to avoid getting lost. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road!
 
 

The Same: Everything Else!

 

Pretty much everything else on the Malabar Rampage will be the same! There’ll be different teams, new costumes, and fresh adventures to be had. However, we’re expecting the same madness, hilarity, and life-changing memories as ever. We can’t wait — see you in Chennai!
 

 
 

Day 4 Belgaum to Kolhapur

 

The fourth day of Deccan odyssey 2017 started from Belgaum. It had been a long night for many of the participants and when the teams came to the Lobby they were sharing the stories with me. Michel, one of the Bhaji boys (Team 2) was the earliest for the breakfast. The rest of the teams arrived at 8 am. for briefing. Being a short day of just 120 km, Team 3 the French connection decided to take a detour to a water falls recommended in the day sheet. Before 8.30 am. all the teams left for the day from the base hotel. The tempo traveler in which I was travelling took just 3 hours to reach the base hotel in Kolhapur. The first team to arrive in Kolhapur was team 2. They checked in first and went to look around the town. By 5 PM all the teams checked in the hotel and the uneventful day came to end. In the night teams searched for a good pub and the recommended bar in the day sheet was selected to wind off.
 

Day 5 Kolhapur to Pune

 
As per the day plan this was the longest day in the whole trip. The base hotel on the day was located in the outer suburbs on the Bombay bypass from Pune. Considering that in mind I briefed them at 8 AM at the hotel and explained them what is it going to be to find the hotel. Everything went smoothly and the teams arrived at the base hotel around 5.30 PM. The teams had no outing that day and all of them went to bed early. Me and support crew had tough time finding a hotel nearby and eventually landed up in a hotel which was 3 KM away from the base hotel.
 

Day 6 Pune to Aurangabad

All the teams were early to the breakfast and briefing was at 8 AM sharp. Ferrying out of Pune was a challenge that day and I gave them a rough idea how the roads were going to be. There was no evidence of rain on the road from the previous as the sun was bright and shining on Pune that morning. The Support crew and I had breakfast and started at 8.30 AM. For me to get out of Pune traffic took about 3 hours. When it was around 1 PM, I received a message from Team 2 that their ‘engine died’. The support crew got to them just minutes later. Eventfully we found out that the team had lost the fuel tank and covered it with tape. The act had choked the fuel flow and caused the problem. It was really a long day and teams were really tiered when they reached the base hotel. The base hotel had a lovely bar and the teams got up there and had fun.
 
 

 

Goa

 
The Union territory of Goa is the smallest state in India, but one of the most popular to visit, and it’s immediately easy to see why. The coast is lined with golden sands, home to beaches of every variety: secret coves and luxury resorts, hippy hangouts and party paradise. But Goa isn’t just beaches. The territory has a rich history, due to centuries of trade and colonialism, and the state is a mix of Islamic, Hindu, and Portuguese elements, and more.
 

 
Nowhere is the incredible cultural history more evident than Goa’s incredible cuisine. Eating some of best food in India is a great way to start the Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge: with freshly-caught seafood and fiery spices, what more can you want? Colonial history is also visible in the architecture and atmospheric streets. Panaji’s latin quarter, lined with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, is like nowhere else in India. If amazing buildings aren’t your thing, head inland to Goa’s lush countryside.
 

Karnataka

 

 
The Deccan Odyssey Rickshaw Challenge doesn’t visit Karnataka for long, only spending one night there: in the city of Belagavi. Karnataka is fascinating and large, though, extending hundreds of miles inland, dominating much of Southern India. Places of note include Hampi, which was once the second largest city of earth, and Mysuru, the grand palace city. Karnataka also include modern cities like Bangalore and Mangalore, sites of religious pilgrimage like Murudeshwara, and beautiful countryside of rolling hills, jungles, and national parks.
 
 
 

Maharashtra

 

 
Maharashtra is where teams on the Deccan Odyssey will spend most of their time, but they will only scratch the surface of India’s third-largest, and second-most-populous state. Luckily, there’s quite the surface: including Mumbai, one of the greatest cities on earth.  There’s also Pune, the ninth largest city in India, and Nagpur, not far behind. For city life, there aren’t many places better than Maharashtra. However, there’s so much more to the state than urban living.
 

 
There is supreme nature: luscious vineyards, myriad beaches, and incredible natural park filled with exotic wildlife. And there’s an incredible amount of history. Look out for religious monuments, colonial relics, and best of all, the astonishing caves of Ellora and Ajanta, which the Deccan Odyssey will visit. You can even find a mini Taj Mahal, pictured above, in Aurangabad.

 

Charity

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
A big part of any rickshaw challenge is giving back to local communities and this year’s Malabar Rampage was no different. The event raised money for Round Table India’s Freedom Through Education programme, and participants also had a great time visiting schools and getting to know the young students.
 
 
 

Going the Extra Mile

 

 
 

 
 
One of the many challenges on this year’s challenge was to take photos with people with impressive moustaches. Many succeeded, but a couple of teams went one step further, and got moustaches themselves. Impressive work.
 
 

Beaches

 

 
 

 
The Malabar Coast is famous for its incredible beaches: here is just a taster of the golden sands that teams visited last week.
 
 

Great Sights

 

 
 
 

 
 
Here are two fantastic sights on the Malabar Rampage. First, the giant statue of Shiva at Mudureshwara. Secondly, lots of our rickshaws lined up. Both beautiful in their own way.
 
 

The Award Ceremony

 

 
 
Sadly, the Malabar Rampage had to finish sometime. However, the end of a Travel Scientists‘ event means one thing: time for the finishing party. There were three prizes awarded: the Bonkers trophy (for the craziest team), the Charity trophy (for the participants who raised most for charitable causes) and the overall trophy, for the team who, well, deserved it.
 
 
 
 

 
 

Firstly, Time to Relax

 

 
 

 
Before a long journey, it’s only right that teams had the chance to have a few beers and relax by the beach.
 
 

But Soon, Time to Get Serious

 

 
 
Participants had a lot to learn, but there are no better teachers than Princely and the Rickshaw Challenge gang.
 
 

And Suddenly: On the Road!

 

 
 
 

 
 
After a weekend of intense training, the teams hit the road. Departing Trivandrum, their first task was to head to Alleppey (Alapuzzha), the Venice of the East. On the second day driving, teams traveled North to Cochin (Kochi), the historic trading city.
 
 

Of Course, There were Fantastic Costumes

 

 

 
It’s not a Rickshaw Challenge without teams dressing up, and the Malabar Rampage 2017 has had plenty of that.
 
 

Everyone Made Friends With Locals

 

 

 
 
As ever, locals were keen to chat, take photos, or offer directions.

And There Was Time for Games Too

 

 
 
Is there a better way to make friends than sport? Not according to our teams. Whether it was a kickabout or some cricket, great fun was had.
 
 

Participants had to Make Traditional Chai Tea

 

 

 
 
It’s not just a race through India, there are challenges too. Teams had to learn how to make chai tea, and you can see, they had a fantastic time doing so!
 

And Get Friendly with Animals

 

 
 

 
India is blessed with incredible wildlife, so pariticpants were keen to get as close up as they could.
 
 

Learning to Fish the Indian Way

 

 
Kochi is famous for its ancient Chinese fishing nets, and on the teams got to give the old system a try. Whether they mastered it enough to help the locals is up for debate…
 
 

Breakdowns Occurred… But were Quickly Fixed

 

 
 
Rickshaws can be temperamental machines, as all the Malabar Rampage 2017 participants will have learned. However, there is always someone on hand to help, particularly the dedicated local crew with us on the challenge. As one of the participants put it, “Big Clap for these guys! They keep our Rickshaws safe by working until late at night! Nothing but love for them.”
 
 
 

 
 

Kerala

 

 
Kerala is known as “God’s Own Country”, an entirely understandable notion to anyone who has visited this narrow slice of South Indian Coast. Nowhere better exemplifies the peace and tranquility of Southern India, a world away from the mega-cities further north. With almost 600km of coastline, there are beaches of every variety. However, it is slightly inland where you can find Kerala’s true gems. The state’s famous backwaters, centered around Alappuzha (the “Venice of the East“), are a vast network of interlinked canals, lined with palm trees and houseboats.
 
 

 
Further inland you’ll find the glorious Western ghats, a peaceful mountain range covered with green plantations, and home to some of the world’s most vibrant biodiversity. Kerala is not just notable for nature, though. It’s also rich with history, particularly due to its long tradition of trading spices. Many visiting cultures made their mark on this state, and their presence remains. In Kochi, you can still see ancient Chinese fishing nets, pictured above, and meet the oldest Jewish community in India.
 
 

Karnataka

 

 
Of the three states visited on the Malabar Rampage, Karnataka is by far the largest. On this rickshaw challenge we stay by the coast, but the state extends hundreds of kilometers inland, covering much of Southern India. Within its vast area, you’ll find the ancient ruins of Hampi, once the second largest city on earth, and Mysuru (known as Mysore), with its glorious palaces and rich history. Karnataka is also a paradise for nature lovers: its rolling hills are covered in fertile soil, while its jungles and national parks are filled with exotic animals.
 
 

The cities of Karnataka showcase a mixture of modern and traditional. Mangalore and Bangalore are thriving hubs of industry and business, progressive and cosmopolitan, where you can find fast-paced living and contemporary fine dining. However, the state’s ancient ruins and religious monuments maintain a link to the past. It’s impossible not to be wowed by the gigantic statue of Shiva at Murudeshwara, viewed from the adjoining temple’s towering gopuram, to which pilgrims flock.

Goa

 

 
 
Despite being the smallest of the states visited on the Malabar Rampage, the Union territory of Goa has everything. Its famously pristine beaches cover virtually every inch of the state’s coastline: from hidden coves to packed resorts, there’s a spot of golden sand for everyone, from hippies to 5-star-hotel lovers, whether you want an all-night party or a long day’s tan. However, there’s much more to Goa than seaside paradise. For a start, the cuisine rivals that of any state in India: Hindu, Islamic, and Portuguese influences combine to create all sorts of exotic dishes, featuring fiery spices and freshly-caught seafood.
 
 

 
 
The Portuguese also left Goa with unique and atmospheric historic heritage. The old quarter of the capital Panaji, with cobbled streets and coloured buildings, is like nowhere else on the sub-continent. Baroque architecture and imposing white churches are an vivid reminder of colonial times. If you ever tire of beaches and historic buildings, head inland to Goa’s lush countryside.
 
 

 
 

Cardamon

 
Both green and black cardamom seeds are essential South Indian spices and are popular all over the region. Green cardamom is the most popular, and most versatile,  used in everything from spice mixes (like garam masala) to desserts. Black cardamom has a powerful, smoky taste, and the pod can be incredibly spicy. As well as its delicious flavour, cardamom is revered for its health benefits: it’s said to possess numerous favourable qualities, including being anti-carcinogenic, anti-depressant, a detoxicant, and a cure for gum disease! By weight, it is the world’s third most expensive spice.
 

Tamarind

 
Tamarind is actually a fruit, whose insides are sour though they can become sweeter, depending on ripeness. Often used as a paste, it’s an important feature of South Indian cuisine, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, where it’s mixed with chilli powder, and Tamilnadu, where it is the most commonly used souring agent. Used in everything from stews to sauces, desserts to drinks, it’s also prominent in the West as an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.
 
 

Red Chilli

 
Perhaps the most famous of all essential South Indian spices is red chilli. Brought to India by the Portuguese, their former colony of Goa is still known for its chilli-based curries like Vindaloo. However, chilli is now an important part of cooking all over South India, and three-quarters of chillis exported from India actually come from Andhra Pradesh, not coincidentally known as home to the spiciest food on the subcontinent. Chillis are usually dried and ground up into a powder, though can be used whole, for example in tadka. If you can handle the spice, they also regarded as good for your health.
 
 

Turmeric

Black Pepper

 
Though popular worldwide, black pepper is native to South India, originating in the Western Ghats and the Malabar Coast. The heavy, regular, rainfall of the region provides the perfect conditions for growing the spice, which the area still exports to much of the world. Usually ground straight onto dishes, black pepper is also very good for your health: it speeding up the metabolism, strengthening bones, and protects the liver!
 
 

Clove

 
Though originally found on Indonesia’s Maluku islands, cloves are now one of the essential South Indian spices. The dried flower buds provide a characteristicly warm flavour, and the whole bud is often cooked in oil or ghee to spice a dish, though too much can overpower other flavours. Cloves have long be known to be healthy, and play a role in tradition Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
 
 

Nutmeg

 
Nutmeg is the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, which also originated in the Maluku Islands of Indonesia; another spice, mace, is derived from the seed’s dark red shell. Ground then dried, nutmeg adds warth to a dish and is often used in biryanis, although, unlike in Western cuisine, South Indians rarely add it to desserts. While nutmeg contains many healthy nutrients, and in medium doses is an effective anti-depressant, avoid consuming large quantities: it’s actually a dangerously powerful hallucinogenic!
 
 

Cassia (or cinnamon)

 
Cassia, derived from the bark of a Chinese evergreen tree, is one of the essential South Indian spices, and is often sold abroad by the name cinnamon. True (Ceylon) cinnamon, derived from Sri Lanka, is rarer. Cassia, sometimes known as Chinese cinnamon, has a slightly sweeter taste than its namesake and is another spice that Indians use to flavour savoury dishes, while being a popular dessert topping in the West.
 

Taste the essential South Indian spices!

If you want to experience true South Indian food, as well the region’s glorious scenery and thriving culture, why not join us for a Rickshaw Challenge adventure rally? The next race is the Classic Run, a week long trip from Chennai to Trivandrum, beginning on December 28th 2016. You’ll have the chance to experience the wonderful cuisines — and essential South Indian spices — of Tamilnadu and Kerala, while having the adventure of a lifetime!
 

Get to know our challenge better and keep up with events on The Rickshaw Challenge blog.
Check out the scores at GamingZion.
 

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