[akroy]

Update: 7:50AM

Departure times took a beat already. They should have passed Barddhaman by now but Arindam is still waiting for GSMINC to come. After multiple calls, looks like GSMINC is sleeping to eternity (Lagta hai raat ka daroo abhi tak utra nahi). Arindam still trying hard.

Anyway, doing Etawah today will be big challenge. THey can reach only by midnight.

hvkumar Update: Kumar is 30 minutes away from Gangtok. He started from Kolkata after changing his tyres last evening and did a whole night drive.

Abhi

[akroy]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Dont tell me that you are hitching a ride with the GQX2 team upto delhi for your Photoblog

MC, check the PNR number.
It is 2DN Rajdhani (which is NDL - Kolkata) that too on 13th April. How can he catch the train when he himself is in Kolkata (that too First AC ticket)?

Agar pakarna hi tha then he could have taken a flight instead (same or lesser price of 1A ticket).

Looks like This is a prank !!

Another point is Tirtha prefers driver seat (which GSMINC will not allow) and no interferences in highways (read as ALONE)

Abhi

[btirthankar]

ok rally resumed. After thousands of km in non-swifts, the first few kms in the GSM car: 'swift is a desire'. I'll enjoy the bacseat journey.

[akroy]

Update: 8:45AM

THey were reaching Dakshineshwar Bridge via Belghoria Expressway. I think there is one more passenger accompanying them till Delhi who will be hallucinating nonstop in the rear seat. Arindam was tight lipped though but thats my guess.

Originally Posted by btirthankar

ok rally resumed. After thousands of km in non-swifts, the first few kms in the GSM car: 'swift is a desire'. I'll enjoy the bacseat journey.

Ok, that confirms my guess.
So you are going till Delhi and returning by Rajdhani. You could have got an Air-ticket at the same price/lesser to 1AC or may be you have got a new job in Indian Railways.

[phamilyman]

okay - confirmed with our man that he is actually in the car - will be meeting with them at ~10 (if all goes well) - if I get late, nothing else tirthankar will surely be awake

[akroy]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

okay - confirmed with our man that he is actually in the car - will be meeting with them at ~10 (if all goes well) - if I get late, nothing else tirthankar will surely be awake

Hitanshu, where are you meeting them at 10 (AM or PM)? At AM they will be at Panagarh/Durgapur and PM at Kanpur (if everything goes well)

Abhi

[phamilyman]

lol - take a guess yaar

[akroy]

Update: 10:30AM

They were passing DarjeelingMore. So far smooth and fast drive.

Originally Posted by phamilyman

lol - take a guess yaar

Have a nice meet which was once known as @ Manchester of East
Uff, I still miss the good non-veg food there.

Abhi

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by akroy

MC, check the PNR number.
It is 2DN Rajdhani (which is NDL - Kolkata) that too on 13th April. How can he catch the train when he himself is in Kolkata (that too First AC ticket)?

Agar pakarna hi tha then he could have taken a flight instead (same or lesser price of 1A ticket).

Wrong.

I have travelled quite a few times on Delhi - Hyd Rajdhani in 1A which is a slightly larger distance than Del - Kolkata. Fare Rs 3500/-. Any Del - CCU flight in the present day is not lesser than 5K. So, 1A is cheaper. Plus if you are travelling in 1A whichever train it be, you are made to feel like royalty (even more in Rajdhani, with Fine China Plates et al).

TB, my man, I'm left speechless and envious. There you are travelling the country shooting at sight and will whereas, me a normal soul is engaged in the mundane chores of life

[btirthankar]

I'm impressed by the swift. Its a Gem. good NVH, acceleration, suspension, handing, braking cornering, hi speed stability, I'm at the backseat and so far no discomfort. 9\10 for swift da loca ratan.

[MileCruncher]

where have thou reached?

[mobike008]

Great going guys. Basu, nice talking to you just now.

Look forward to backseat pictures ( for a change)

[akroy]

Update 4:45PM

They passed Sasaram and were about 90km from Varanasi. They could average close to 80km which means GQ is complete and fast in WB and Bihar (except Panagarh and a few stretch in jharkhand).
Allahabad is the key. If they can negotiate faster, they can reach closer to Delhi by midnight. Dont know whether they plan a full night drive or a halt somewhere!! Which even they are planning now (that was expected as they got delayed by 3-4 hours to start from Kolkata)

Abhi

[phamilyman]

and by now, some 48km to Varanasi

Pics once I meet them at night!!

[btirthankar]

till some time ago we were breathing Gobar Scents after entering Bhaiyyaland

But Cheerios! as we draw closer to Varanasi we are getting scents of camphor in the air. so driving now without AC to breathe Holy Air