Road Trip of a lifetime...So far Hi guys!!
This is my first Travelogue ever and I would like to share my experience from this Road Trip, which indeed is the best Road Trip of my life...So far.
I was unable to maintain a logbook due as I am a bit lazy but will make sure I have it in my future trips as I realized now the importance of it.
Some Stats:
Total Distance covered: 5866 Kms
No. of States: 8 (Went to J&K By Flight)
The Car: Mahindra Scorpio Turbo GLX 2.6 2003 Model
Travelers: Me, My younger Bro, My friend and my Chacha Ji(Dad's younger brother). On the way back my cousin joined us from Srinagar.
Trip Itinerary: Plan was to leave Bangalore early on 17th, reach Delhi by 19th as the flight to Srinagar was on the 20th. Then halt at Srinagar for 2 days. Leave Srinagar on 22nd and overnight halt at Delhi. Delhi sight seeing till the 23rd afternoon and reach Agra by evening. Night halt in Agra, visit Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri on 24th and reach Ajmer by evening and night halt at Ajmer. Visit Dargah on 25th and then reach Jodhpur by evening. Halt at Jodhpur on 26th and 27th and leave for Bangalore on 28th morning and reach by evening of 1st March.
So here we go:
As my Dad was in the Army, I have travelled through out India, mostly in Trains. I just loved the thought of traveling in a train and still do. As a kid, when I looked out of the train, I used to see lots of Trucks, and other vehicles and used to wonder whether I would ever be able to travel such a long distance by road when I grow up. It seemed to be a very distant possibility then, but I thought that once you grow up you have the freedom to go anywhere. But I didn't realize one thing that, as you grow up, you get so engrossed in your work life so much that you sometimes forget that there is another life waiting for you which you always dreamed of.
Last year I came across this wonderful site while browsing the net. I was really fortunate to have read some of the best experiences of Road Travel you can find on the net. And then the desire to take the uncharted territory and reclaim that part of your life which you had always dreamt of reignited in me again. I was initially planning for the ultimate destination- LADAKH but got a firm no from my parents, and I had to keep it in the back-burner for the time being. Then out of nowhere got the chance to at least do a road trip to Srinagar as my Cousin sister was getting married in Feb and the groom was from Srinagar.
We had to attend the reception there and everyone was thinking about flying directly from B'lore to Srinagar. But I had other ideas. During a dinner conversation I brought up the idea to travel to Srinagar by Road. But Dad
insisted that it is impossible at this time of the year. Showed him the numerous travelogues of people having gone to Ladakh let alone Srinagar. But he was not convinced saying that at that time, the roads are not good and safe due to snowfall. So, I had to alter the plan and suggested that we can go all the way to Delhi in the Scorpio, park the car at a friends place and take the flight to Srinagar.
Surprisingly, my Mom agreed without any convincing but it was a Herculean task to convince my Dad. He was adamant and was trying to change our mind till the last minute and even offered to sponsor our Plane Tickets from B'lore to Srinagar. But even he knew that we wont fall for that bait.
So after getting the required permission, 4 of us, me, my younger bro, my Chacha ji and my friend came on board. Most of the times things went according to plan and at times we altered the plan on the move. Before we began the trip I was wondering whether it would turn out to be as exciting as the other travelogues, or we would get bored after the initial excitement settles down.
Well, as it turned out this trip was quite adventurous and full of excitement. We learnt quite a few things. My Chachaji for instance learnt how to use the Seat belt, My brother learnt how to remove the stepney from the Scorpio, and I learnt how to remove a tyre which got stuck in the Desert sand. But above all, we all got a first hand lesson on the diversity of our country, where you hear a new language or a new accent every 100kms.
Someone had rightly said that every Indian is a Road map. Whenever we were in a dilemma or confusion, there was someone there to guide us. Through this trip, we found out that India was indeed a kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions.
I would like to thank all my fellow Bhpians for posting their logs and sharing their experiences which in turn helped us a lot. And a very big heartfelt thank-you to the one and only HV Kumar Sir. He is a gem of a person, I have rarely seen a guy who is so helpful and concerned. I was really touched when he not only guided us to the right direction but called up to make sure that we have reached our destination. He helped me even when I called him well past midnight. Hats off to you sir. Only regret is that, I couldn't meet you. Well, I guess, there is always a next time.
So guys, please check out the teaser pictures. More pics will follow soon. |