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Solo road trip to the Himalayas to celebrate my Bolero's 10th birthday

23rd July 2024, 15:25 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

The journey has been a tapestry of beautiful places, from enchanting pine forests to breathtaking views at 15,000 feet, where snow-capped mountains meet the sky.

BHPian PointZero recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Ten years have passed, filled with countless trips and unforgettable memories, and throughout it all, The ‘Lazy-Turtle' has been our faithful companion, conquering every terrain and weather. I only began using Google Maps recently, but whenever I glance at my timeline, it's evident how deeply connected I am to the Himalayas. I always had the intention of writing user reviews for Lazy-Turtle (Mahindra Bolero SLX - Year 2013) after 3 years, 5 years, 100,000 km, and 150,000 km. However, the review blog never materialized, and suddenly, I realized what Lazy-Turtle was all about. I felt a sense of regret for not documenting my experiences with Lazy-Turtle through a blog, which inspired me to embark on a solo trip in tribute to its adventurous decade.

There was never any doubt that we would choose the Himalayas again to celebrate the freedom and endurance of the last 10 years. However, with a tight schedule, I was concerned about finding the perfect place where we could truly enjoy ourselves.

I constantly look for new places that can be explored over an extended weekend, often scrolling through my previous journeys, it struck me that retracing the first route where Lazy-Turtle embarked on a family trip to the Himalayas is not a bad idea, especially since it's one of my favourites, I decided to choose the Old Silk Route for my solo journey.

Timeline from Google map

Lazy Turtle after 10 years

Before embarking on this journey, let's review some of the major trips where Lazy-Turtle has been my reliable companion, demonstrating its proven track record over the past decade. While I may not have an exact count of the smaller trips, the ones listed here should provide an overall picture of Lazy-Turtle's performance.

The journey was brief, and since the plan was straightforward, there wasn't much preparation required apart from packing a few warm clothes, charging the camera, and grabbing some chocolates to starve off hunger on the highway. Since winter had yet to arrive in Bengal, there wasn't much fog on the highway, and I arrived at Behrampur Pappu Dhaba before 10 AM. After enjoying a satisfying plate of chicken rice for breakfast-cum-lunch, I took a short break and then continued towards Siliguri. Another break in Dalkhola for a cup of tea, and I reached Siliguri by 7:00 PM, completing an hour's journey including breaks. I had an early dinner and found a budget-friendly and secure place to park and stay for the night.

The Silk Route Story:

Due to going to bed early the night before, my body clock malfunctioned, and I woke up a little earlier than usual. Instead of lazing around in the hotel, I decided to leave early and spend some time on the way. Since I didn't have precise information about the timing of the permission, which had changed multiple times during the COVID season, it seemed prudent to reach Rongli police station early and use the time to manage any uncertainties.

Before reaching Rongli, I came across a place where my family and I had taken an old picture on Lazy-Turtle's first trip. I took a break, compared the picture with a current one from 10 years later, and noticed that not much had changed except for the wider tar road. I reminisced about those times for a few moments before continuing towards Rongli.

The Sikkim police have now established a procedure for Private Agencies to obtain permits. I discovered that the current season is ideal for witnessing blooming flowers, adorning the hillsides along the roads, and finally, arguing a forest entry fee per passenger at the Padamchen checkpost, a regulation that started 2-3 years ago and was new to me. With the roads mostly empty and fewer visitors due to exam season, I relished every moment of my solo journey, taking countless breaks to savor Zuluk. I realized I had arrived without realizing it and continued towards Thambi. Thambi was its usual quiet self due to the off-season. I paused for a cup of tea and witnessed a mesmerizing live timelapse of clouds drifting across the sky. During this break, the most captivating sight was the playful game of hide and seek between the clouds and the sun. The snow-capped mountains, viewed from various angles, made each breath a reminder of freedom and simplicity.

With no plans for the rest of the day, I decided to spend more time in Thambi, a choice that proved to be a wise one as I continued towards Gnathang Valley. A few kilometres from Thambi, I noticed that the road had doubled in width, its dark, wide tar surface starkly contrasting with the peaceful surroundings. I could easily imagine that during the peak visitor season, this road would be used like a race track by rental cars. The scenery changed dramatically after Laxman Chowk; the landscape was covered with red, dying plants, seemingly awaiting for the arrival of winter and the first snowfall.

Due to the off-season, I was able to find a homestay easily and at a minimal price. I didn't encounter any other tourists during my stay, which made me feel like a member of the family. Watching the sunset with a cup of tea on the homestay's porch was a delightful addition to my day. The homestay was situated in a picturesque location, slightly higher than other accommodations near the police station. While the uphill hike might pose a challenge for some, I found the location attractive, especially with the room offering a clear view of the Krishna Mandir in the valley. Dinner was simple yet delicious, and the hospitality was outstanding. The evening was spent chatting with the host and exchanging stories about our families and cultures.

Continue reading PointZero's road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

 
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