I went on a solo trip to Ajanta-Ellora in my Jeep Compass petrol AT. There were several firsts on this trip
- My fist ever solo road trip
- First road trip of my Jeep Compass
- First time drove on the Samruddhi Mahamarg (legal limit 120 KMPH)
- Writing first travelogue
The plan
It was an impromptu decision. The year was ending, work was slow in the last week, I wanted to visit Ajanta-Allora for some time now and wanted to take my new Compass out on to the real highways. I just made up the plan to visit Aurangabad and Ajanta-Ellora on 27th. Wife wasn’t keen on the historic places or the day long 8 hour drive. I had always wanted to go on a solo trip, so that was it. Made up the itinerary. In addition to Ajanta and Ellora caves, I wanted to check out local Aurangabad attractions like Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki and Aurangzeb’s tomb if time permitted. I wanted to visit next day and it was going to be a 2 nights trip, so I scoured the various websites for hotels. Due to last moment and year ending, there were no rooms available. Called a couple of hotels, nobody had any rooms. Finally, after some searching found a hotel named Capital O Gajanan Heritage at 51% discounted price on Agoda. The photos looked decent, and price was very tempting so booked it. It was going to backfire. But more on that later.
Preparations
The car was new so nothing to be done on the car front. Still took her for a spin the night before to make sure everything was fine. Filled up the tires to the recommended pressure. I had ordered the 70mai battery jump starter kit, but it wouldn’t arrive before the trip. Not that a brand-new car would need it, but you never know. Packed lots of snacks, water, medicines, and I was ready to go. The fuel tank was at 74% so would not need to refuel till I had reached Aurangabad.
Day 1 - Mumbai to Aurangabad
I planned to leave at 7 AM but left at 8:15. It was going to be an 8 hour drive and with breaks in between, I thought I would reach the hotel by 5 and then I can go visit Bibi ka Maqbara same day.
Trip starts
I immediately regretted leaving an hour late as I met morning Mumbai traffic.
Took me 2 and a half hours to reach Bhiwandi, about 53 KMs. Took my first break for breakfast.
After a quick break, I hit the road again. I wasn't hungry so did not half for lunch, only took a couple of stretching breaks in between and halted at around 4:15 for another snack break.
Huge trailer just passed by from inches away
On a quick break
I wanted to check how far Bibi ka Maqbara was from the hotel which I had not checked previously and that's when I realised that the hotel I had booked in hurry wasn't in Aurangabad but in Kannad, a good 60 KMs away from Aurangabad! I would get there by 5:30 but Bibi ka Maqbara was another hour's drive from there. I called the hotel to confirm if what I was seeing on Google maps was right, and I got connected to OYO. That's when I realised it was an OYO hotel. That's not good. I have read enough bad things about OYO. They confirmed the hotel was indeed 60 KMs away from Aurangabad but also assured me that my room was booked and reserved. Visiting Bibi ka Maqbara that day was now out of question. Small inconvenience I thought, I'll adjust my itinerary and visit it on another day. Let's head to hotel.
Jeep Compass in the evening Sun
The hotel saga
Finding the hotel proved challenging. As usual, the place where Google suggested the hotel would be, was wrong. I turned off Google map and asked the locals till I found the hotel and I realised I had drove past it few minutes back. Any way after about 15-20 minutes I reached the hotel, and there another surprise was waiting for me. The hotel had print outs on the door proclaiming they had no tie-ups with any online travel websites.
I presented the Agoda confirmation email to the hotel owner. He said they had tie-up with OYO, but they don't have it anymore and still OYO keeps selling their rooms and travellers like mine end up visiting thinking they have a reservation. I called OYO, and they simply washed their hands off. I asked them you had confirmed by reservation just an hour ago, and the agent was like, yes we confirmed the reservation, but if now the hotel is denying you the room, talk to Agoda because you have booked with them! It was unbelievable! Agoda is selling a Capital O property (I came to know Capital O is OYO's brand for “3 star” category hotels) and OYO is just shrugging it off. Here I am, after a 9 hour drive, at a place which is 60 KMs from my intended destination and I don't even have a booking for which I had paid in full in advance.
I wasn't angry actually at that point. I just wanted a room. The hotel had two rooms available which they showed me, and I took one which I found better. I would deal with Agoda and OYO later. I was there to explore the historical places and I needed the hotel just as a base to crash for 2 nights. I wasn't going to let this spoil my mood. I checked in and that was the end of the day.
PS: Agoda refunded the money.