My first OTR
4.30 am : woke up and switched off the alarm which was set to go off at 5.00 am
4.35 am : a quick cleaning of my Jeep
5.00 am : woke up Ali and Ganesh
5.15 am : rechecked if they had got up
5.45 am : Ali starts from home
6.10 am : becoming impatient as Ali not yet reached – called Ali and found that he was semi conscious only and he had bad fall from his bike . He says he will reach in 20 min
6.19 am : receive call from Arjun – said I’m waiting and would reach soon
6.25 am : Ali reached and started from home
6.30 am : driving and dressing Ali wound while driving which was in my First aid kit and gave him some of my berak fast ( cake – fish curry and puri )
6.35 am : Meet Arjun and start driving
6.40 am : Fuel the vehicle and wait for the others to come
7.30 am : waited and GANESH JOINED in his 500
8.00 am : break fast
8.45 am : reach destination : ENTRY POINT start with tea
9.00 am : 2 more Jeeps join Dr Jones and 550 Jeep ( don’t know his name )
9.15 am : THIS IS WHEN I STOPPED LOOKING AT MY MOBILE AND WATCH
Vehicles enter and Arka says DO’s and DON’T’s to all of us
A quick photo session and ALI is switched from my vehicle to Arjun and Arjun friends ( Dr Dentist sorry buddy don’t remember your name ) joined me in my Jeep
Water crossing and I take off with my heart beating high – first time practically off the road and into water and slowly crossing it as said by Arka and wow I cross it 75% with Arka showing 2 and I brake – oops that was for me to change to 2nd gear. Get a cold stare and I cross on.
Next comes others and blue gypsy ( Angel ) crosses half way and gets struck . the vehicle is being examined by Arka and then gets back to shore .
Next comes Headers sir . water walk for the gypsy : zoooooom he crosses with his new silencer fitted above the body : Sir the sound is amazing
Now the blue gypsy crosses and wow its does it and claps from everyone and we hop on and move to next place .
We do a little covering of distance and arrives a sand dune and I see all vehicles climbing up . 500 did not make it top and 2nd time I got a cold stare from Arka for not braking well ahead
3 attempts and the fan and belt are gone so the vehicle is moved away and my chance . Praying to almighty I take off and wow there does it my CJ3 climbs it off in one go . proud owner ( Me ) park the vehicle in line and await other to do it.
Now the 3rd place – I’m climbing after 3 jeeps . my chance arrives and I become a little hopeful and I race with 2nd low and with tremendous noise I clear this one too . wow keeping my head up and I go for 2 nd time I get over it and 3 rd time also .
I say to my Jeep – I love you and a nice feel for JeeP.
Dr jones does a narrow track and 550 follows and 3 rd me again and with 2 low I start and I’m not able to make it and I hit something
2nd time I go for it and then I also I hit something , Arka asks me and I say I do know something is hitting below and vehicle does not move.
WOW water pipes and Arka immediately stops other jeeps from taking the track.
We receive a call that all shops are closed and they are making one fan for the 500 so we go to the next spot
4th place this is where it starts – once – nope 70 % coverage only – second time
85 % coverage – third time 3 low and I start with all speed and then drr dr drr dup the engine stops
Battery failure – wow the last thing I ever suspect – then quick search in Arka vehicle for 2 bags the blue bag and the canvas bag for wire and then finally none so run – run – change the battery and restart.
Then one last run up and he engine stops and we see Arjun vehicle is being repaired for steering so next is my Jeep turn so patiently wait .
Angel arrives – yes the blue gypsy with Ali and he found that battery replacing only will work so gives a direct connection and starts with Arka batter in and my Batter in Arkas Jeep
Meanwhile 550 gets sunk in water and a friend who had accompanied is working on it to recover . the 500 Ganesh vehicle also gets ready and everyone is roaring.
Had a quick Mcrennet cupcake and medhu vada with pomfret fish curry and some water and yest physically back into the vehicle .
Just went for small spin and found that Arka was extremely unhappy because they were towing out Arjun Jeep and everyone was standing around the towing rope . quickly ran out of there with the screw driver 24 number – ( thanks Arjun ) and increase the idling of the vehicle and then stood for group photograph and headed out of Palar with the following questions
Is my vehicle bad
Don’t I know to drive
Do I need to buy a new engine
Can I replace the alternator
Looks does not matter only mechanicals do
How much do I need to spend more
What will other think about me
Have I been a spoil sport
With a heavy heart I cross 10 kms and there goes the Angel ( blue Gypsy ) radiator . we get it ready and then 5 kms my vehicle diesel pump fails .
Felt like my first love separation – felt very painful and to add to it – cannot be driven and had to be towed – I was down – I never felt this bad about my vehicle and off all what answers will I give my home back there .
Just ensured none noticed me and started our tow journey – on and on and on for 30 kms .
We reached a nice place – a place for Jeepers but I was down – I see Vinod and Arjun already done with food and are heading back .
We rushed to the food counter and saw everyone with food and water ( sand piper )
A voice hey buddy don’t be so low – Yes Arka’s only we’ll get it ready . immediately check with Ali what had happened and wow I see 2 RINGS above Arkas head – he has diesel pump the accessory which is needed by my vehicle to be driven.
Jumped on the food and I saw Ali missing and saw my vehicle was started
– wow the moment was like seeing your girlfriend after you had got permission from you home . so happy – came back and told everyone and sat and listened to all of them who were speaking . wow nice group is what that ran in my mind.
Now comes the 2 litre water bottles and 5 liter can . Direct water bottle to engine and guess what I’ve the privilege of 2 Seniors with me . Arka and Headers . thank you Headers sir for coming all the way in right hand side with your headlight on full beam . my vehicle did not chrge much so we had to have 2 vehicle parallel .
Thank you very much Headers – Vikram – I learnt patience and helping the co drives attitude from you sir.
Now me and Arka – unlike others a person who has got such a reliable vehicle sitting in my vehicle and holding the water bottles with diesel – “ Attitude to teach and ensure safety and down to earth “ that is what make a newbie like me respect you and listen to you . thank you sir . a whole 70 kms drive till tidel park and stopping in between to refill the water bottle and then smoking . 2 hrs we were at tidel but learnt a lot about Jeeps from the guru directly . thank you for the battery .
The gang of new OTR frinds – group from CTS – peter – petrol head – Vinod – blue thunder – senthil ( I’m bad with names buddies please forgive if I’ve missed out your names )
9.45 pm – SAW THE TIME AGAIN , I was home and quickly sent a reached home message to Arka as promised .
I was too tired yesterday to write but – the first experience was too good. It was like a crash course.
My take always
Never leave the group and go anywhere
Team sprit
Learn and master
Technically what had to be done to a Jeep to make it more reliable.
Now finally for the photograph . very little of them as I was driving and running up and down with battery and spanner and so on.