Drive to Lonavla.
Finally it happened.I was wanting to take the car for a long drive for quite some time.Several constraints prevent me from
going too far so i was quite happy when my friend and i decide to go on a trip to Lonavla which is not very far but
neverthless is be a enjoyable drive.
I left home on saturday (6 oct) @ 8:05 AM.I filled in petrol in the Civic with about 2500 bucks of fuel which came to 33.2
litres approx.Checked in air pressure but as i had just filled in air a week ago as expected the attendant only checked the pressure without filling in much air.Also paid a visit to the local temple as i usually pay a visit on every sat and sun.
I had to pick up my friend from Airoli.Reached there at his place at around 9:30AM.The drive to Lonavla from Airoli is pretty simple in the sense one has to keep going straight and avoid any flyovers which would take you to
Vashi.We must have hit the expressway at around 10:35 AM as there were some traffic jams on the way.Once on the highway
it was a pleasurable cruise all the way.
As expected the car is a dream to drive.Speeds varied from 80-95 KMPH with the needle hovering at 2-2.5K RPMS.It was steady at 2.5K when @90 KMPH.Occassinally on a flat and straiht road i would find the car crossing the ton mark but keeping speed limits & safety in mind i reduced speed to around 80-90.The car is very stable at that range unlike my oldie 800 which tends to bob up and down when it reached the 80KMPH mark.
We drove to Tiger point and if you have been there then you would know that are many steep inclines and curves.When i reached the first incline,please note that this was the 1st time i had driven the car on a proper Ghat section in the period that i have owned this Car,i sought of fumbled.I assumed the car won't make the steep curve in second and sloted in 1st.There was some clutch slipping and some high rpm revving as i manage to somehow take the curve.On the second steep curve i figured the car would take it in second gear itself and i mananged to breeze past same and the rest that followed.I don't know how other people drive their Civic's but i took most of the ghat section in second and thirds for most of the time.In total there were 4 passengers and the a/c was on.May be some of you could share your experiences on the twisties.But one thing is for sure the car is absolutely fun to drive around the bends.
We visted a couple points and also the wax musuem.The same has many life like celebrity statues and one could feel as the person would suddenly come alive and start talking.Even the eyes of some of the statues were life like.We headed back home at around 3:30 PM after lunch at Mac Donalds and suprisingly found little traffic in front of us.May be 3:30 is the right time to leave back to mumbai from Lonavla.We also encountered heavy showers on the way back but felt safe and comfortable in the
Civic's cabin.The wipers did their job well but have become noisy.contrary to what some people say i found the wiper design to be quite effective where the glass area cleared is more than in a standard configuration.Only when the wiper speed was set it to it's lowest speed did the water from the top of the glass flowed down occassionaly.
Total distance traveled was 256 kms.I am guestimating the FE to be atleast around 15KMPL as out of the fuel pumped in approximately half has been used up.Not bad for a 1.8L sedan.Below are some pics of the trip.I hope you like them.
At the turn to the Airoli-Mlund bridge.
Approaching one of the tunnels.
Inside the tunnel.
At one of the points
Breathing fresh air for the first time with me.
Can't help notice the litter people throw admist all the beautiful surroundings.
Monkeys watching humans :-)
Camels avaiable for a ride @ 100 bucks for adults.