Anita Nair,

writer

nI often drive down with my family from Bangalore to Kerala, though I don’t drive myself and let my husband take charge of the car. My favourite part of the journey is the four-hour drive from this place called Gundulpet to Calicut.

Most of this drive is through a forested area, some of which is part of the Bandipur reserve forest. Driving through the lonely forest road is an immensely peaceful experience, with just a hint of adventure, since you can come across herds of deer or even the stray elephant if you are lucky. One is not allowed to stop here, but once out of the forest, we always stop at one of the shacks and have hot coffee and snacks.

The ghats section of this route is beautiful. There is a small village along this route where all the inhabitants are gold jewellers. This is the last leg of the journey and from the hilly roads of the ghats, one drives down right to the sea in Calicut ? as heady a feeling as any.