[vineet_k21]

I saw the Azure Blue but didn't like when compared to Red beauty! I had a wine red Alto which I sold recently and am upgrading to Linea so the F. Red color reminds me of my old car also. My only worry whether the F.red color would need frequent waxing etc. My current silver Santro is with me for 6 years but never required a touch-up.

[VahanPujari]

16th Aug’09

Left Home at 5.40 A.M. for Goa in my Linea. Previous evening – checked everything – Oil, Coolant etc. Somehow I always find Coolant slightly lower than Min mark. It was late evening so added some water there (Only slightly – actually do not prefer to add anything other than recommended coolant there)

The route taken was

Vashi-Panvel
Pune thro’ Expressway
Kolhapur (straight from Expressway exit)
Shankheswar (From here took a right from the highway)
Gadhhinglaj
Ajra
Amboli Ghat
Sawantwadi
Goa

Took a breakfast halt at Lonavala Toll booth at around 7.15 am. Got the Fuel tank full & set air pressure to 33 psi in all 4 tyres.

Journey thro’ Mumbai-Pune ExpressWay was a breeze. I frequently crossed 165 kmph & almost touched 170 kmph once or twice. Unlike previously, this time Linea felt planted all along ExpressWay at those high speeds.

At around 11.45 am, took another break for tea just before Kolhapur. Its here that I noticed that left side wiper nozzle is loose. Though that plastic part does not seem broken, I tried to fix it in its slot but could not. Shall ask TASS to do it.

..Continued..

[VahanPujari]

All along the journey, I noticed 2 things:

• As mentioned earlier, Brakes are simply superb, inspiring confidence.

• The cooling reduces considerably while climbing steep ghats. This is my 2nd such experience & this time I got the AC drain pipe checked earlier – no blockage with pool of water always found underneath the car after parking her. I remember TASS saying earlier (which was confirmed by top Fiat official) that when the load increases substantially on the engine, it starts cutting off items contributing to the load. 1st item in priority seems to be the AC. This was also discussed in some threads here & is present in all Fiat cars & some other cars also

..Continued..

[VahanPujari]

The inside road after turning right from Pune-Kolhapur Highway is Single/ Double lane full of potholes. However, After crossing Gadhinglaj & Ajra, it turns very scenic. Here are a few pics

[geeash]

My only worry whether the F.red color would need frequent waxing etc

Yes it does. it is very tough to maintain dark colours. i have had a black santro and a kyara verna and paprika red ikon as well. but linea collects more dust as it is a bigger car than any of the above. you need to hire a cleaner who should come behind you in auto to clean the car in every signal it stops . good luck

[VahanPujari]

The next stop which is Amboli Ghat is a superb Hill Station with scenic beauty. We stopped here for Lunch. When we left the restaurant, it started raining heavily. We went to a mind-blowing point called Mahadevgadh Point. Its on the Hill & surrounded by Valley on 3 sides. Since it was drizzling, the valley was filled with Clouds but I can say that the nature was at its best. Can’t get any better than this. Savour some pics…

[Pragmites]

Originally Posted by geeash

Yes it does. it is very tough to maintain dark colours. i have had a black santro and a kyara verna and paprika red ikon as well. but linea collects more dust as it is a bigger car than any of the above. you need to hire a cleaner who should come behind you in auto to clean the car in every signal it stops . good luck

Yes I had a black Siena too. Instead of having a cleaner following me, I had 2 cleaners, one at home and 1 athe office. This time I got a F.Red Flamenco which is not as difficult as the black. But the pleasure of the Linea in Flamenco Red is worth the extra effort.

[Pragmites]

@VP
One thing is for sure. Monkeys are not interested in Lineas
Great pics of nature at its best. Wish i could say the same about our roads

[VahanPujari]

Some 3-5 kms ahead of Amboli Ghat, there are several Water falls. The first one is the biggest & was crowded like a mela when we passed thro’. On our return journey in early morning, there was no one & hence able to click some clear pics.

The entire Amboli Ghat was steep, with hairpin bends & with lots of scenic spots. It felt lovely driving through Amboli Ghat

[VahanPujari]

Reached Calangute by 6 p.m. Checked in Calangute Residency in a Sea-facing room.

Sunset @ Calangute Beach (pardon for Pic quality as it was getting dark & pic was taken on mobile cam)



Some pics from Fort Aguada..

[VahanPujari]

Fort Aguada Beach is also called Sinquerim Beach. There is a Summit point & on both sides of it there are 2 Taj properties. From this Point, one can look at the beach stretch of Sinquerim, Candolim, & Calangute

[FastLove]

Lovely Pics ! Very informative Travelogue ! Have you also tried the Mahad Road for Goa anytime ? That is the old route and also very scenic ! Linea Stands out in the picture and well said pragmites - Monkeys not interested in Linea

[VahanPujari]

Originally Posted by FastLove

Lovely Pics ! Very informative Travelogue ! Have you also tried the Mahad Road for Goa anytime ? That is the old route and also very scenic ! Linea Stands out in the picture and well said pragmites - Monkeys not interested in Linea

I know about that old scenic route. Actually, the night before I was leaving, I researched T-BHP & net for the route till 2 am (& then got up at 4.15 am to leave at 5.30 am!!). That old route seems to be extremely scenic but I was alone to drive & the drive was going to be about 12 hours. The old route NH17 is only a double lane route & I thought it could be tiresome so took the simpler & faster Expressway route. Had there been a group, would have surely gone by that route.

Would like to mention 2 things:

12 hours journey (driving time 10 Hours) from Mumbai to Goa & 11 Hours journey (driving time 9 hours) back meant that I try to get used to Dead Pedal. And boy!! It was so comfortable. It feels nearer to clutch but the left side inside is farther & hence left foot was comfortably slid in. Got used to it but dunno in city it might not be very useful

other thing is the comfort. After driving 12 hours, there is not an ounce of any fatique & I was raring to go for another 3-4 hours if needed. Does that mean that sitting position & seats are extremely good? You bet !

Just FYI - I keep the seat on the top most position or 1 stroke below. Horizontally, its slided back long so that my long legs (height 5.10 feet) i.e. knees do not touch the dash or steering. Steering is always in the lowest position. Right Arm rests on the arm rest on the right door. Left Arm rests on middle arm rest. This means I hold the steering at bottom-half on both sides. This position is automatically developed but there is no strain anywhere hence I think it suits me

[funkydude]

VahanPujari Congrats!! for your new Linea. This beauty looks dazzling in Red.

BTW nice write up with well supported pics.

[VahanPujari]

I always used to see 2-3 Lineas everyday in Goa & most are not the same.

Last week saw a F. Red Active Linea. Seems it was brand new recently delivered. Close inspection burnt my heart - there were no scratches no swirl marks. My linea has so many of them. But took heart from the fact that from a distance even merely 4-5 feet, she still looks shining brand new with those scratches / swirls not visible