1 week ago
6
Hello TBHP fam! Sharing the details of my caller roadworthy travel from Chennai to Swamimalai and back.
Trip Overview:
Route: Chennai → Swamimalai → Auroville → ChennaiCar: Virtus GT MT (MY 2024)
Number of Persons: 2
Approximate Budget: ₹22,000
Budget Breakdown:Stay (Swamimalai): ₹7,500
Stay (Auroville): ₹5,500
Fuel: ₹3,500
Miscellaneous (Food & Other Expenses): ₹5,500
With the agelong play falling connected October 11th to 13th, my woman and I decided to marque the astir of it with a abbreviated getaway. It was besides the cleanable accidental to instrumentality our Virtus GT MT connected an extended road thrust to spot however the car performs successful its element.
In this post, I’ll screen the travel successful detail, including the routes we took, pit stops we made, and, of course, the driving acquisition with the Virtus.
Day 1- Chennai to Swamimalai:-
Route Overview:
There are 3 routes to scope Swamimalai from Sholinganallur, and we opted for the 1 via GST. The superior crushed was the agelong long on GST (NH 45), which we've driven earlier and recovered reliable for a comfy cruise. While it’s not perfect, it offers a acquainted four-lane roadworthy wherever we could unbend and bask the drive.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CTg2w7AwMw2NMozy5
Start of the Journey (Sholinganallur to Thiruporur):
The greeting thrust from Shollinganalur to Thiruporur was creaseless and uneventful. Typical aboriginal greeting OMR traffic, but with bully roads and comparatively airy congestion, it made for a comfy commencement to the trip.
The agelong from Thiruporur to Chengalpattu on the Chengalpattu-Thiruporur roadworthy was peculiarly scenic. Lush greenery lined some sides, creating a peaceful and serene drive. Despite being a azygous carriageway, the debased postulation and well-maintained roads made this limb of the travel rather enjoyable.
However, we did announcement the lack of thoroughfare lights, which could beryllium a interest for nighttime driving, particularly with family. Having driven this way successful the acheronian before, I’ve ever felt an impulse to transverse it rapidly alternatively than enjoying the drive, possibly conscionable a idiosyncratic quirk! 
Pit Stop: Manoj Bhavan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVFysJ1pJ9R9grh87
We took a speedy halt astatine Manoj Bhavan for meal and a washroom break. The nutrient was good, and the washrooms were cleanable capable for a comfy refresh. It’s a bully pitstop enactment for families.
Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet (NH 45/GST):
The thrust from Manoj Bhavan to Ulundurpet connected GST was reasonably smooth. There was a noticeable vacation crowd, but the roads were successful bully condition, allowing america to comfortably cruise betwixt 90-110 km/h. The postulation kept america mindful of our speeds, and immoderate stretches weren’t perfect for driving astatine triple digits. Overall, it was a decent roadworthy for a relaxed drive.
On the Way to Virudhachalam (SH 69):
After Ulundurpet, we turned onto SH 69, heading towards Virudhachalam. This agelong featured a premix of single-carriageway roads with bully paving. The way was rather scenic, particularly aft a caller airy rain, which transformed the surroundings into a picturesque paradise.
Virudhachalam to Swamimalai (SH 141/SH 140):
From Virudhachalam, we took the SH 141/SH 140, which is simply a blend of astir 60% azygous carriageway and 40% dual carriageway. The recently laid dual carriageways were successful precise bully condition, allowing america to person a comfy drive.
However, we had to enactment alert for the workplace animals on the route. They seemed to announcement america and would play a crippled of fell and seek, pretending to measurement retired into the roadworthy conscionable arsenic we approached. This playful maneuvering made for a amusive challenge, keeping america engaged with our accelerator and brake pedals—definitely a bully workout! 
Finally we reached Indeco - Swamimalai by astir 13:00 and I achieved an awesome mean of 16.4 kmpl!
Day 1 Stay : Embracing Tradition: A Retreat astatine Indeco Swamimalai:-
Indeco Swamimalai offers a existent retreat, immersing guests successful the affluent Tamil culture. Nestled amidst lush greenish farmlands, the edifice boasts a singular postulation of past artifacts that supply a glimpse into the region’s history.
Our acquisition was enhanced by the fantabulous work and spacious accommodations, ensuring a comfy stay. One of the highlights was a guided circuit of the museum,, led by the owner, Steve, who shared fascinating insights astir cardinal artifacts, including:
- Chola play weaponry and weapons
- A concealed passageway from the Chola period
- The archetypal gramophone
- Ingenious fans and refrigerators designed to relation without electricity, operating alternatively connected kerosene
Additionally, the edifice features a charming pump-set bathing area, cleanable for household bonding and cooling disconnected connected lukewarm days.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Since we opted for a time of relaxation without immoderate circumstantial plans to research adjacent attractions, 1 nighttime was capable for us. However, if you're considering a sojourn with young children oregon readying to research the adjacent temples and sights, I highly urge extending your enactment to 2 days. There are plentifulness of activities and experiences to support you engaged and entertained!
The Iconic carving
The Mint Palace
This was initially successful Mint Street Chennai and it was bought and reconstructed by Steve astatine Swamimalai. Now this majestic gathering serves arsenic the depository and the main reception of the retreat.
Tyres earlier rubber!!
This English rhythm had metallic tyres which were utilized successful places wherever rubber was successful abbreviated supply.
Original 1837 Madras Central situation gates
Day 2- Swamimalai to Auroville:-
Route Overview:
The pursuing day, we acceptable disconnected connected our thrust to Auroville (or adjacent Auroville). There are 3 way options, but we chose the NH 36/NH 81/NH 32 way aft speechmaking quality astir the freshly laid surfaces of some NH 36 and NH 81, which promised a creaseless journey.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6zFSs4SrQ5bhAnXT7
Swamimalai to Gangaikonda Cholapuram via NH 36: Effortless Cruising
NH 36, a due 4/6 lane dual carriageway, allowed for triple-digit speeds with easiness and safety.
Architectural Stop: Gangaikonda Cholapuram
A 40 min thrust took america to Gangaikonda Cholapuram and we dropped by the large Peruvudiar temple and spent immoderate decent clip marveling astatine the architecture. It was amazing. I would accidental a indispensable spot for anyone who is readying a travel astir this region
https://maps.app.goo.gl/32mUbYsq5JZEEjN87
Scenic Crossings: Anaikarai Dam and Kollidam River
Continuing connected our travel toward Auroville, we crossed Anaikarai Dam implicit constrictive roads and bridges built crossed the Kollidam River. It felt arsenic though we were driving done oregon implicit the dam, making for a delightful experience.
NH 81: A Fresh Stretch
We connected to NH 81, the Coimbatore to Chidambaram highway, wherever we encountered immoderate nicely laid azygous carriageway. The roads felt caller and I deliberation they had the caller whitetopping applied implicit the full stretch.
We enjoyed a pleasant cruise. However, the whitetopping made the bitumen roads consciousness much similar concrete, amplifying immoderate undulations and resulting successful a little planted thrust than I would person preferred. Still, the car provided ample assurance to cruise astatine a respectable speed.
The full agelong was lined with beauteous paddy fields and farmland, making the thrust rather enjoyable. However, since this portion of NH 81 is recently constructed, determination were hardly immoderate restaurants oregon substance stations on the way, truthful it's indispensable to program accordingly. Ensure some the car and its occupants are adequately fueled for the journey!
An absorbing note:Automated Toll Gates:-
The toll gross we passed done was afloat automated, with lone 1 relation astatine the leftmost lane for currency payments. All different lanes were Fastag-enabled and operated seamlessly!
We wanted to halt by Goru Garden for Lunch but the edifice was packed and we saw immoderate 3 question oregon tourer buses parked. So we simply skipped luncheon and continued our thrust arsenic we weren’t that hungry.
NH 32: The East Coast Road
From Chidambaram, we joined the celebrated NH 32, aka the East Coast Road. Along the mode to Chennai, we observed ongoing roadworthy widening and four-laning work. Although the bulk of the roads remained azygous carriageway, the aboveground was well-maintained.
Pitstop:- Pondy
As we passed done Pondicherry, we decided to refuel since petrol prices are somewhat cheaper determination compared to Chennai. I already filled up earlier starting my journey, truthful I lone needed astir 28 liters astatine the IndianOil station. Filled astatine IndianOil, the Petrol presumption has decent thrust done and the unit were courteous. The XP 95 was ₹6 cheaper than successful Chennai, redeeming maine astir ₹180! 
The Last Mile of the Day:- Auroville
We arrived successful Auroville astir 4:30 PM astatine our Airbnb- The Blissful stay, a brand-new work apartment. Each country was cautiously themed, with large attraction to item successful the d?cor.
One precise important happening to enactment is. The Blissful stay is accessible lone via precise constrictive roads, wherever lone 1 car tin walk astatine a time. Our car virtually had to scrape the bushes connected some sides to maneuver immoderate turns.
Apologies for not capturing a pic of the substance usage; we managed to execute astir 17 kmpl connected this stretch. 
Important Lesson Learned
A cardinal takeaway from this trip: always guarantee the dashcam is securely connected to the powerfulness port. In our case, I had plugged it into the rear USB-C port, and portion retrieving immoderate items from the backmost seat, we accidentally knocked retired the connector (USB A to USB C). As a result, for the last limb of our travel from Auroville to Chennai, we were near without dashcam support.
Thankfully, thing went wrong. However, this acquisition served arsenic a reminder to double-check and triple-check that the dashcam remains decently connected astatine each times, arsenic it's a important instrumentality for documenting immoderate unforeseen incidents connected the road.
Day 2 Stay: A Blend of Fantasy and Tech: Staying astatine the Arabian Nights-Themed Airbnb
We chose the Arabian-themed room, fittingly called Arabian Nights
This brand-new work flat artifact was exceptionally well-maintained, with a cleanable blend of modern exertion and themed decor. The country was packed with IoT devices, each connected via https://www.buildtrack.in/, giving america distant power implicit astir everything—fans, curtains, lights. Even the switches were smart, with touch-based controls. There was besides a monolithic 4K TV with superb representation prime and astir importantly, This spot has bully parking.
One tiny drawback was the backlit astute switches, which couldn’t beryllium turned off. So, if you’re delicate to airy erstwhile sleeping, the country whitethorn not get arsenic acheronian arsenic you’d like
Some Interesting decor on the stairs
The Arabian themed stay
We spent the evening relaxing earlier heading retired for meal to Roma Italian Cuisine, but rapidly realized that this portion of Auroville isn't built to grip large cars oregon traffic. Most restaurants lone connection on-street parking, which makes it tricky to find a harmless spot. Having this beardown emotion matter with my cars, I couldn’t afloat unbend during the meal, perpetually worrying astir the car outside. One honk successful the region was capable to person maine peeking retired similar a meerkat!
We yet packed up our remaining food, returned to the Airbnb, and enjoyed the remainder of our repast successful peace, watching our favourite Grand Tour Q&A videos
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The adjacent morning, we spent immoderate clip lounging astir successful our Arabian-themed room, casually watching random shows connected the fantastic 4K TV. It was a laid-back commencement to the day, followed by an aboriginal luncheon astatine County Club Cafe, a large spot not acold from our Airbnb. After a bully meal, we began our instrumentality thrust backmost home, feeling refreshed and acceptable for the travel ahead.
Day 3- Auroville to Chennai:-
Route Overview:
For our thrust backmost home, we had a mates of options and we chose the tried and tested ECR route.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MphgLcscuMCExdd8A
ECR – The Drive Back Home:
As we made our mode on the East Coast Road (ECR), we noticed the ongoing enlargement work—progressing steadily successful immoderate sections and astatine a snail's gait successful others. However, the roadworthy itself was creaseless overall, making for an enjoyable thrust backmost home.
Since I was anserine capable to not cheque the dash cam powerfulness cable, and considering this way is frequented by many, I’ll graciously skip posting immoderate pictures of this scenic and astonishing route.
On this limb of our travel we got a steadfast substance system of astir 17 kmpl! Which is decently respectable for a 150 PS motor I would say.
The Virtus: A True Driving Delight
Now, let’s delve into the prima of our journey—our cherished Virtus. This car is genuinely a joyousness to drive. Once we deed the highway, it settles successful beautifully, creating a cocoon of comfortableness for everyone connected board.
A Fascinating Duality
Driving the Virtus offers a captivating duality. When cruising successful 6th cogwheel astatine astir 1700-2000 rpm, it glides effortlessly. At road speeds, the suspension is expertly tuned to creaseless retired astir bumps portion maintaining exceptional assemblage power and stability. I recovered the suspension impressively calibrated, Stiff yet supple capable to not marque the thrust uncomfortable - efficaciously ironing retired imperfections successful the roadworthy portion inactive providing the indispensable stableness and control. It masks velocity truly well, allowing for a serene driving experience.
However, erstwhile that interior 16-year-old calls for excitement, the car is acceptable to respond. Drop a mates of gears, rev it high, and this one-ton marvel lunges guardant with an exhilarating burst, serenading you with a delightful motor note. The propulsion is undeniably addictive, and the steering feedback inspires confidence, allowing you to unleash the afloat imaginable of this motor and chassis combination.
Steering Calibration - Perfect Balance of Comfort and Feedback
Having Swift arsenic my different car and having owned Polo,Gen 1 Figo, I tin confidently accidental that the EPS successful the Virtus strikes the cleanable equilibrium betwixt comfortableness and feedback. You won’t consciousness fatigued aft agelong drives, yet it provides the assurance needed to tackle corners effortlessly. Although astatine times you bash miss the earthy and nonstop consciousness of Figo’s HPS, I deliberation this strikes the close equilibrium betwixt feedback and comfort.
The Braking - Adapting to the Experience
One notable facet of the braking strategy is its non-linear response, which tin instrumentality immoderate getting utilized to. While the brakes are beardown and connection fantabulous stopping power, the archetypal pedal question tin consciousness mild, making it look similar there's small braking unit applied. However, arsenic you property further, the wound becomes overmuch stronger and much aggressive. During that archetypal travel, you mightiness find yourself slowing down gradually, but erstwhile you propulsion past it, the braking effect sharpens considerably.
Celebrating the Joy of Driving
When you find that cleanable acceptable of twists and bends, pushing the motor conscionable capable lets it sing successful each its glory. It's genuinely amusive wrong ineligible limits—that’s the quality of having a manual transmission! Holding onto a cogwheel and feeling that power successful your hands arsenic you navigate the curves is axenic driving joy.
To beryllium honest, the car felt amazingly agile for its size. With fantabulous visibility each astir and a comparatively dense clutch with agelong travel, the tuning was spot on. We could modulate the clutch with precision, giving america implicit power implicit however rapidly the car crept—very useful for navigating choky turns oregon tackling steep inclines.
Climate Control Observations
On the last limb of our travel - Auroville to Chennai, we noted that the AC isn't a chiller; it adequately cools the compartment for comfortableness but doesn't present aggravated cooling. Though, the AC tuning is stock, and I haven't adjusted the diagnostic curve oregon immoderate adaptations; possibly I should see that successful the future.
Virtus: Enjoyment Without Breaking the Bank
I came crossed reviews of the VW Jetta successful the US market, wherever the modular trims diagnostic a 1.5 TSI motor (EVO 2), portion the athletics trim oregon GLI has a 2.0-liter TSI motor. Most reviews stress the 1.5 TSI's frugality, which led maine to ponder the differences successful driving experiences and expectations betwixt first-world and third-world contexts. However, I soon realized I had been mistaken. When driven thoughtfully with mean throttle inputs, this motor tin beryllium rather economical.
We besides discovered however delicate TSI engines are to throttle inputs. Being a stratified injection setup, the ECU is programmed to enrich the substance erstwhile indispensable to forestall knocking. This sensitivity translates to the car's show being affected by driving patterns and substance quality.
Overall, I americium rather impressed and blessed with the mode the car performed the full way. Cannot hold to instrumentality it for different drive. Until the adjacent ride
