Day 1: 11th July 2014
After a late but sumptuous lunch we left Yellapur by 17:00. We were heading towards Supa Dam. We reached Supa Dam around 18:30, but we were not allowed to go towards the dam. It was restricted and we did not want to try too. All were exhausted by now. For me it was the need to reach the resort before dark. I hate the Londa Mollem Road for the enormous potholes it has till the Goa Check post. Being dark and heavy rains I will have many parameters to handle, and that at the end of a 24 hour driving session was not very much welcome. So I kind of started to drive with destination in mind!
But then before leaving the Supa Dam Check Post I did ask, whether we would be able to see the reservoir in our onward journey and the reply from the guard was in the affirmative.
We drove on, and soon we saw a sign board. We immediately aligned our distance and time of arrival at the resort. To me it looked like we would reach by 21:00 hours at the resort. But I kept telling the team 20:00 hours would be more like it.
I was upset that we would be the last to arrive. I was upset that we would have to crash land into HVK gathering in the middle of a happening dinner, I was upset that at the end of the day it is a mad rush for time. But I tried not to show my anxiety!
But anyways the drive has to continue, we had some 60 odd kilometers of which nearly 30 was pathetic!
Ramnagar will join us to the Londa Ponda state highway I was quite anxious about the drive ahead But the view of Supa Reservoir and cool breeze along with the drizzle was amazing This was the last photo stop for the drive
It was 19:15 already, 60 odd kilometers to go, and I definitely am worried. The rains started to pour, high beams, low beams nothing seemed to help, but I was still keeping a good pace. The team mates kind of pitched in with support, I now had 3 more pair of eyes. Finally without much issues we joined the Londa Ponda Highway. Confirmed the same with a chai wallah and we moved on!
I really don't know how many times I kept on telling to myself and to the team, never ever come this way to Goa. The road is absolutely in shambles, truck traffic, the curves in the ghat sections have potholes that can swallow a small hatch, oncoming traffic never cares about you, they are always on high beams, add to it the rains - you are doomed!! Yes I indeed was feeling the word DOOM. But I had a mission I had to reach the resort before it is too late, before the HVK team disperses at least. Now I was starting to forget dinner also! But I kept on telling the team we will reach in style for the get together.
I looked at the time for one last time, it was showing 20:00, my first promise was broken. Team seemed to have noticed that, but they trusted me, what else could they do! Signboard says 30 to Mollem, and what happened afterwards was one of the best dirt track driving I've ever had in my life. Team, I believe was thinking it was normal to me, but it wasn't. I've completed that entire section in third gear with both hands on the steering and dedicated legs to accelerator and brakes. I had wheel spins, tyres screeching, rpms over 4K, speeds under 60, but that was one hell of a drive!!
Finally when I arrived at Dudh Sagar Resort and parked with a sense of accomplishment, the clock stayed put at 20:30 hours. It seemed time stood still for me! I walked out of the car, and asked the designated car parking lot to the alert security of the resort. He points to me to a secure location and I took civvy and parked there.
That was an 814KMs for the drive, 24 hours that was what it was!!
It was raining and was a 22 degree at Mollem, the entry to Goa.
I wanted a bed, forget dinner, I rushed to the resort reception. A very welcoming resort staff greets us and asks me the first question "How many cars are expected? How many were with you? When will they reach? " I stood there
Something's not right! I did not want to call HVK. Definitely not now. I called Jeep Captain, Jeep Girl answered. They were some 1 hour away from the resort, they were towing a broken down Scorpio for the last 100 KMs or so!! But I got assurances that they are going to be there soon, but the others must reach earlier.
Fair enough, I was dead tired. What else could I do. Ordered some refreshers and sat down looking towards the road! A funny looking black Fortuner with no bumpers and big tires landed up there. I could not hide my amusement and my laugh, it looked funny! It reminded me of a Chicken without feathers ready to be cooked, may be a fat duck!!
But before my amusement was over an ambulance turned up at the resort. They were asking for the route of the convoy to some resort staff. I was confused, I ran down to get some info. Seems a biker in the convoy had a fall and that was all we know.
Impatiently I occupied my seat overlooking the road, our team silent.
Finally by 21:30 Jeep Captain lands up declaring how heroically he towed a Scorpio for over 102 kilometers in the bad roads under heavy rains. Yes indeed it is a commendable support in tough times, but that was not what I wanted to hear. Finally some one broke the news that the biker had a fall, and had a fracture and hence the ambulance, but he was quite Ok, nothing as we all feared seeing an ambulance.
Slowly the group started trickling in, all headed directly for the dinner spread. I saw a tired HVK coming in. He acknowledged me in the crowd, and I left him be since I can get him relatively free the next day morning. Everybody seemed to be too tired for a greeting and I thought it was best for us to finish dinner and retire.
We finished off dinner and presented ourselves to the designated member of HVK O team for our room keys. He acknowledged and gave the keys the very next minute. Stunning co-ordination and planning had gone in there.
We all took our bags and walked to the room. There were 4 beds already made and waiting. I just dumped my bag and crashed on to a bed. I never even realized that I was already sleep walking before I hit the bed!!
Tomorrow is another day, but for today I needed my sleep! I deserve it!
Absolutely!!