[n_aditya]

Team-BHP was invited to drive the Honda Amaze as part of the Discover Amazing India media drive.



This is a four part web series which explores some of the most beautiful places in India. These episodes are being developed after identifying locations through a contest, inviting participation from viewers. The first episode featured Chetan Bhagat visiting the Holy Rosary Church at Shettihalli village in the Hassan district of Karnataka, which is submerged in the waters of the Hemavati river.

My round entailed driving to the Rann of Kutch, India's salt flats and exploring the famous Rann Utsav.

A total of 9 cars were allocated to us for the drive. Out of these, one was an automatic and the remaining were manuals - 4 diesels and 4 petrols. The manual cars were the recently launched VX (O) grade, featuring A/V Navigation and positioned above the existing VX grade. This variant also has white illumination for the speedometer with blue gradation and new electrically-folding ORVMs. The rear defogger is now available from the SX grade upwards.



Team-BHP has a dedicated thread on this variant. Read more here.

[n_aditya]

The plan was to reach Ahmedabad early in the morning, where Honda had arranged a press conference at the Gateway Hotel:


After breakfast, we were briefed on the route we would be taking - drive to Bhuj, with a stopover for lunch on the way and then reach the Rann Utsav, which is around 80 kms further up:


The drive would cover around 450+ kms of smooth roads, all through Gujarat. With the briefing completed, we were handed over the keys to our respective cars. Each car was shared between 3 journos.

The line-up at the hotel:


Flag off:




Wonderful roads all through Gujarat. I should say, I can't remember seeing a single pothole all the way!!!


We stopped to get some pics of the car by the sunset:

[n_aditya]

After a few hours, we reached our destination - Tent City at Dhordo, where the Rann Utsav was scheduled. It was nearing 10 pm:


Parked our cars in the open but safe lot:


The entrance to the Rann Utsav:


Huge reception area for the check-in formalities:


Check-in done, we had to leave our bags at the reception and head to dinner.

The Rann Utsav has 9 clusters. Each cluster houses 60 tents which are fully furnished with an air-conditioner, round the clock electricity, hot kettle for coffee and a proper bathroom:






I was tired and sleepy, as my flight from Bangalore to Ahmedabad was at 6 am that morning and I was up since 2 am. The bed was comfortable...I quickly fell asleep.

[n_aditya]

Good morning.

Remember I mentioned 60 tents in a single cluster? This is how big it gets, and there are 9 such clusters:


The weather was dry and cold, but after a quick (cold) shower, I headed to the massive dining area for breakfast:


The walls of the Rann Utsav were beautifully painted in all its traditional glory:








We then drove to the White Rann - a vast area of salt flats, which one has to really see to believe. The drive was through a massive desert land of soft sand:




BSF personnel keeping a watch. The border is just 150 kms from this place:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTyWDTij5ig

The White Rann. It was like nothing I had ever seen before:




There was salt all around and as far as I could see. I could feel the salt crunching under the car's tyres and under my feet. Here is how it looks:




Some parts of the White Rann still have puddles of water:

[n_aditya]

After our shoot at the White Rann, we returned back to the Rann Utsav facility, which was just a few kilometres away. It was lunchtime and I was craving for some Gujarati fare.

Bon Appétit - The jalebis were so yummy that they were treated like the main course instead of dessert . Crispy, hot & lip-smacking!


We went out to a sunset point nearby. Kalo Dungar is apparently the highest point in Kutch. More information about this place can be found here. We parked the cars and walked around waiting for the sun to set:








One of the many two-seater open-top vehicles available for a ride:








The vast expanse of the salt flats:

[n_aditya]

The next morning, a delicious Gujarati breakfast again :


We were led to an open area behind the parking lot of the Rann Utsav grounds. Honda had set up an obstacle course of sorts - orange traffic cones that we were supposed to drive through in a zigzag manner. I was wondering what the importance of this was, since the sandy area wasn't the best place to test a car's handling or body roll. Nevertheless, we had fun:










Just as I was wrapping up, I noticed these ATVs having a blast:




The Polaris ATVs are rented out to those who want to explore the sands of Kutch. Rs. 2,500 for 30 minutes. Expensive, yet must be fun!! Am sure one can bargain down the price:

[n_aditya]

Some random shots from the Rann Utsav.

Getting ready for a performance:






Cycles to explore the vast grounds:




Tandem cycling, para-motoring & ATVs - What's your thrill?


A temple on the grounds to offer prayers:




And a well-stocked library too:


The road that leads to the Utsav:


Electric 3-wheelers are used to ferry guests around:






Motorickshaw Jugaad - A wonderful thread on this breed of vehicles:

[n_aditya]

And finally, before winding up, it was time to hit the sands again and have some fun:








Here is a video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L23O8Q0fzBs

All you need to know about the Amaze: Link.

Disclaimer : Honda invited Team-BHP for this drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this event.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to Travelogues. Thanks for sharing!

[grand@rao]

Hi Aditya,

As a newbie this is my first comment and let me be the first one to take this opportunity to thank you for this thread and pictures. The beauty of the white desert is something which cannot be described in words, excellent narration and picture. A must visit to explore the white desert on a FULL MOON DAY.

Please keep up the good work.

[Nissan1180]

Great pictures and interesting narration.
The picture of the camel with the caption made me
How was the weather? Did it go sub zero in the night?

[polo_ankit]

This looks like fun. Till when is the utsav on? Can we take our own cars there?

[SS-Traveller]

Thanks for sharing the experience. You've obviously had loads of fun! The Rann Utsav has been on my bucket list for some time, though I don't foresee a visit there very soon. That's one part of Gujarat I haven't been to.

Originally Posted by n_aditya

The jalebis... were treated like the main course instead of dessert . Crispy, hot & lip-smacking!

Jalebis (and gulab jamuns) in Gujarat are neither main course, nor dessert. They are actually starters! And combined with fafda and very milky chai, they become breakfast, or even high tea.

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Cycles to explore the vast grounds:

That is interesting. Wonder if cities in Gujarat are also making bicycles available for rent and going green lately.

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Motorickshaw Jugaad...

It's actually called the chhakda.

[tiger_stripes]

Nice pictures and the facilities look good. Thanks for sharing! Will try to plan a trip sometimes.

Originally Posted by polo_ankit

This looks like fun. Till when is the utsav on? Can we take our own cars there?

Just saw the ad on TV that it will run till 6th March.

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Jalebis (and gulab jamuns) in Gujarat are neither main course, nor dessert. They are actually starters! And combined with fafda and very milky chai, they become breakfast, or even high tea.

True! Had been to Ahmedabad on Dusshera day, and there were long lines early in the morning to buy fafda & jalebi before stocks run out.

[sudev]

LOvely...heading that way soon. Will camp out in white rann under a full moon sky.