[Wild&Beyond]

JUST COMPLETED 11 YEARS OF FULL TIME TRAVEL DRIVING ACROSS INDIA AND LIVING OUT OF HOME FOR OVER 250DAYS A YEAR!!!

People say I was born a truck driver in my past life. I've driven quite a bit across India and drove up to Leh from Bangalore via West India and drove back 'solo' via Central India for 8 years straight between 2012 and 2019. Similarly drove to the North East & Bhutan via East India and returned solo via Central to the East of India for at-least 5 times in the last 9 years and many many other overland tours. Traveling to the Himalayas has been what I ended up doing more than forests, coasts and other regions which I believed I loved equally but the figures speak otherwise - "traveled to the Indian Himalayan region over 75 times in the last 17years" - so .

While driving in different regions,, terrains, conditions, day or night is what I've done a lot, travel is my first love hence I've backpacked and hitch-hiked too. My biggest hitch hiking trip was in Nov 2011, when I hitchhiked for free in trucks from Bangalore to Kohima to attend my first Hornbill Festival there.

I've owned a Tata Indica DLE 2000 Model, Fiat Sienna 1.6ELX 100BHP 2003 Model, Tata Xenon 3.0L Turbo 4x2 115BHP 2013 Model, Ford Endeavour 2.5L Turbo 4x4 Manual 2006 Model, Ford Endeavour 3.0L Turbo 4x4 AT 154BHP 2011 Model, Ford Endeavour 3.0L Thunder Plus Manual 154BHP 4x4 2009 Model, Isuzu D-Max 2.5L 4x4 V-Cross 133PS 2018 Model apart from using many other SUVs, Jeeps locally in different regions. I currently drive (you can say literally live out of) a remapped Isuzu V-Cross 2019 with a custom roof top tent.

Team-BHP had been a favourite hang out to learn about what other auto enthusiasts did and learnt many a thing from them. Particularly loved the travelogues and deep technical reviews and discussions.

I've been on this brilliant Indian Automobile Forum some years ago as WhiteAttraction (am still so embarrassed with this name ) when I was driving a white Sienna 1.6ELX. I was a member of the PalioUsersGroup too and active from time to time here. I've been a Mechanical Engineer working in the IT Industry as head of business for over 20 years before I put a stop to my career end of 2011. And this was to pursue my passion for travel, wildlife and nature full time. Launched a niche travel company in 2013 which I still run called #wildnbeyond (on Insta & FB) and offer many unique experiences including personally led overland tours to Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Arunachal, Bhutan, Nagaland, Meghalaya, etc. every year for about 8 years on the trot - COVID didn't allow me couldn't do everything I planned in 2020 - and then I continued doing what I do best "driving across India seasonally" -FULL TIME!!!

I just rejoined and here I am now eager to be part of this esteemed forum once again.

[DessertOnWheels]

You are qualified enough to:

- be a new car reviewer.
- be a Long term car reviewer.
- be a New car adviser
- be an ‘Any car’ adviser.
- be an ‘Any route’ adviser.
- be a Road Trip consultant.
- make us insanely jealous.

Just write on. A whole lot of us are glued on.

[TheManualGear]

You are my guru; I want to be your chela. Hands off to you for this ultra insane achievement. God this guy is making me burn out of jealousy.

[Wild&Beyond]

Originally Posted by DessertOnWheels

You are qualified enough to:

- be a new car reviewer.

Thank you! I hope to write on the following topics sometime in future: driving habits, driving etiquette, survival driving, reviews of the vehicles I've driven, road trips to exciting destinations, touring, how not to over prepare for mega trips, share stories from my travels etc but the insanely jealousy bit is something you will have to stomach in exchange for the insight

Originally Posted by TheManualGear

You are my guru; I want to be your chela. Hands off to you for this ultra insane achievement. God this guy is making me burn out of jealousy.

Thanks, I just did and continue to do what makes me happy

[Tassem]

Welcome Mansoor! We're on the same Isuzu whatsapp group. Your expeditions have always been a joy to follow!

[Pythonista]

Wow! Now, that is an achievement to be proud of. Eagerly waiting for more posts from you.

PS: It would be great if you could post some more pics of your V-Cross. It looks fab.

[aMadNomad]

Hi Mansoor Sir! We met way back in 2013 when you were just starting out and Juz Anna introduced us in Bangalore. Good to hear that your teacher plans worked out so well for you

Cheers,
Ashish

[Wild&Beyond]

Originally Posted by Tassem

Welcome Mansoor! We're on the same Isuzu whatsapp group. Your expeditions have always been a joy to follow!

Thanks, Tassem, Yes, I have seen you on the group - nice to see you here

Originally Posted by aMadNomad

Good to hear that your teacher plans worked out so well for you

Hi Ashish,

I didn't understand the teacher part you mentioned.

Originally Posted by Pythonista

It would be great if you could post some more pics of your V-Cross. It looks fab.

Thank you, yes will surely share more pics soon.

[love_travelling]

Originally Posted by DessertOnWheels

You are qualified enough to:
- make us insanely jealous.

The insanely jealous is SO SPOT ON... Damn!!!!