[GhatWanderer]

Hello fellow BHPians,

I'm absolutely delighted that my membership request has been approved, and I'm truly excited to finally be a part of this wonderful community after being an avid reader for many years. A big thank you to the moderators for maintaining such a high-quality platform and for this opportunity.

My passion for automobiles and the open road wasn't sparked by speed or glamour, but rather by the rhythmic rumble of my grandfather's Mahindra MM540 navigating the beautiful, winding roads of the Nilgiris during my childhood. That particular Jeep, sadly, is no longer with us, having been lost in an accident some years ago. The memories forged within it, traversing those misty hills, thus remain particularly cherished and tinged with a touch of nostalgia. Those early experiences instilled a deep appreciation for purposeful vehicles, the joy of exploration, and the stories held within every journey.

Today, my daily drive is a Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI MT, a car I genuinely enjoy, especially when navigating the extensive ghat sections I frequently travel for both work and leisure across Southern India. Beyond just driving, I'm deeply passionate about visiting wildlife sanctuaries and I spend a fair bit of time meticulously documenting these trips – routes, observations, photographs – building detailed travel diaries along the way.

What has always drawn me to Team-BHP is the sheer depth, authenticity, and unbiased nature of the content here. The incredibly detailed official reviews are an invaluable resource, and the travelogues shared by members are a constant source of inspiration and practical knowledge – the dedication to quality is palpable and something I deeply respect.

I'm primarily here eager to learn from the collective wisdom and experience of this community. Perhaps down the line, once I've found my footing, I hope I might be able to contribute some of my own documented travel experiences from the Ghats and wildlife circuits, should they meet the standards here. I'm also keenly following discussions around capable vehicles like the Jimny and Thar, potentially for future explorations!

Looking forward to participating constructively, learning loads, and engaging with fellow enthusiasts.

Warm regards,
GhatWanderer

[Dippy]

Hey there,

Welcome aboard GhatWanderer. I really like your handle and after reading your intro, i can see where that comes from.

TH MM540 was one of the classic Mahindras of its time and many of us have experienced it first hand including myself. The MM540 is actually where the Thar story began.

Seeing your interest in travel, it would really be awesome to read your experiences, especially those from the wildlife sanctuaries. Looking forward to them.

And while you are at it, why not post an ownership review of your Skoda Rapid as well?

See you around in the discussions.

[Kosfactor]

Welcome aboard Dear GhatWanderer - Nilgiris has 'actual' ghat roads, so your handle is very apt.

I remember fondly about a certain dark green flat fender Jeep coming down from the hills to my ancestral home. Often overloaded with people as well as special treats from the hills as well as stories around the dinner table.

Looking forward to reading your travelogues

[GhatWanderer]

Thrilled that the handle resonates – it truly is born from those misty, winding roads and that sturdy MM540. Glad to hear you have fond memories of that classic too; it's amazing how those older machines carved out the path for legends like the Thar today!

Absolutely bursting with ideas for travelogues, especially from the wildlife trips! It's just a matter of collating years of scattered notes and photos into something coherent and, more importantly, up to Team-BHP standards! Consider them a high-priority project once I've navigated the forum waters a bit more confidently.

An ownership review of the Rapid, you say? That's a fantastic suggestion! I've poured over so many ownership reviews here myself. It's had its share of 'character-building' moments, including a couple of BCM failures and the occasional ABS light throwing a party, so the review will definitely be a warts-and-all look at the ownership experience!

Looking forward to soaking in more knowledge and hopefully bumping into you in the travel or technical sections!

_____

Thank you so much, Kosfactor! It's an honour to be welcomed by a Distinguished BHPian.
Haha, yes, the Nilgiris definitely provide the "actual" raw material for the handle! Glad it struck a chord.

And wow – your memory of the dark green flat fender Jeep just gave me goosebumps! That image of it arriving overloaded with people, treats, and stories... that perfectly captures the magic and nostalgia I feel about my grandfather's MM540 and those trips. It wasn't just a vehicle, it was a vessel for adventures and shared moments. It's wonderful to know that memory resonates with others too.

Your anticipation for the travelogues adds a good kind of pressure! �� I'm genuinely excited about the prospect of sharing those journeys, hoping they can capture some of the spirit of those old hill-bound Jeep tales.

Really looking forward to learning from your vast experience on the forum!

[hwymoose]

Awesome to see you here, Welcome. I myself travel with my Scorpio in the hills & just enjoy the drive in the Nigiris, I can only imagine your fond memories. Lookin forward. Good luck.