Indian helicopter drive to Kappad beach

Two international students and I decided to go to Kappad beach on a free Sunday afternoon. According to google.maps the driving distance was about 25 – 30 kilometres. Since two of the students went to the beach before, they knew that the best way to get there was to take the Riksha service. A familiar driver was called and asked to be there within half an hour. He even arrived earlier and we explained him our plan. Apparently, it was cheaper to take the same Riksha back home from the beach and to pay the driver for the hours he had to wait. This was so because the Rikshas from Calicut would charge both ways, your way to the campus and their way back to Calicut. This would be in total more expensive than paying the driver to wait for three or four hours at the beach. 

Upon departure the price was set to 700 Rupees and the journey started. It was a slow and uncomfortable ride, with three men sitting in one Riksha that is not as wide as other Rikshas. In addition, the Indian road has more bumps and humps than an off road racing track. The lack of a proper suspension in a Riksha screams for a roller coaster experience even at slow driving speed. Considering the loudness of the open engine one might understand why drivers jokingly refer to their Riksha as 'Indian helicopter'. One hour later three of us finally landed at the famous Kappad beach. The euphoria might be similar to how Vasca Da Gama felt, when he set foot on the same place in May 1498. He was captain of the first European ship that was to sail around Africa reaching India.

Indeed, the beach was a great place to spend several hours. We stayed until the sunset and when it became dark, we finally decided to go home. Having completely forgotten about the driver, we were looking for him on the parking lot. It took some time until he approached me while the other two students were on their way. I had a mild feeling of doubt whether or not he had already left. However, I reminded myself that we had not paid the ride to the beach yet. When I saw the driver he seemed to be in a hurry and mentioned the time. He did not seem to be angry, rather anxious to go home for dinner. I felt a bit sorry for having made him wait longer than negotiated. However, we told him from the beginning that we wanted to see the sunset. Anyway, finally we were driving back to the campus and when we had to pay, the driver demanded 100 Rupees more than agreed before. This was only fair and everyone got their steak for the day.