[roadventures9]

“I love Tar”

I have always thought of myself as a road man. But until recently I was just lavishly dreaming about the thrill of the road from the comforts of my home. Little did I think of hitting the long roads and hitting them alone! My journey started with myself but now I can’t help but share my experiences through my baby Road Ventures.

(My Ride ready for the Drive)



I embarked on the epic 7105 kms The Golden Quadrilateral Drive, through the diverse landscapes of India in my Hyundai Creta and my favourite music. The Golden Quadrilateral is formed by connecting the four metros Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. Below is a near vivid description of this expansive and crazy experience.

Day 1: Gurgaon to Lucknow via Agra
605 kms Drive Time 7 hrs Toll Tax 415/- Diesel 2600@54.98

5:15 I say a silent good bye to my wife and my 1 year old daughter Milli. Leaving them is tough but the excitement of the journey beholds me. With my bags neatly tucked in the boot and my coffee sitting by my side I kick start my journey to Lucknow via Agra covering a distance of 605 kms. Beautiful dawn and the smooth Yamuna Expressway made such an ideal start.

(Yamuna Expressway)


8:15 I arrive at the Taj Mahal in precise 3 hours covering 240 kms. Well not bad eh! Paid Rs. 415 at a single toll which for now covers the journey till Lucknow. A bustling morning scene awaits me with swarms of tourists all around. I felt lucky being an Indian paying only 40 rupees to witness the magnificence and exotic beauty the Taj Mahal. But wait its Caged! Well well it can’t all be perfect

(Taj Mahal)


10:05 So far so good..I strap the seatbelt again and get back on the highway..Lucknow here I come. Oh but what do I see, parked white cars on the left which only means one thing..Interceptors! I screech on the brakes and be civil but as I approach these cars I meet sleeping cops all the way through. Luck is definitely on my side.

13:05 365 kms and another 3 hours later I arrive at
Lucknow. Savouring the delectable Nawabi cuisine I quickly fall into a restful night sleep all ready to hit the road again.

(Hazratganj Market, Lucknow)


Day 2: Lucknow to Varanasi
332 kms Drive Time 7hrs. Toll Tax 250/-

6:15 An early morning man already I am back to the highway heading for Varanasi - the oldest living cities in the world. Excited for my drive of 332 kms I hummed my favourite song.


13:00 I arrive in to Varanasi in great spirits.
The day seemed to lazily stretch in front of me. I visit the the most famous Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva- Kashi Vishwanath. The rickshaw ride was an adventure treat as we sped through water puddles. Practice your haggling skills well before you head to the temple as you will hit by a donation request of 2100!! Guess what I got away with.. a meagre note of 10!

Day 3: Varanasi to Kolkata
730 kms Drive Time 9:30 hrs Toll Tax 690/-

05:00 I head eastwards to the creative territory of West Bengal and make my way into Kolkata. I embraced the road long and hard for the mammoth distance of 730 kms. A total of 9 toll booths embellish this highway. Today was indeed a long day..

(Entering Kolkata)


15:30 Boy was I GLAD to reach my destination. The sights and sounds of Kolkata very swiftly engulfed me. Dine at ____ for a colonial experience but if you are looking for a casual street side go for Rolls. Olypub is a place I would highly recommend to non- vegetarians however even if you are a vegetarian do head there for some gorgeous women..a sight for sore eyes! Okay all went fabulously well until I came across an accident with nobody vouching to help. I continuously dialled the emergency no. 1073 only to get no damn response..authorities please wake up!! Time to move ahead..

(Park Street, Kolkata)


Day 4: Kolkata to Puri
555 kms Drive Time 8:00 hrs Toll Tax 570/-

06:00 I am back to my favourite place, the road, and head out from Kolkata towards Puri (Odisha) . A distance of 555 kms along a hassle free expressway is just what I needed.

14:00 8 hours into my journey I arrive at Puri. A visit to the all famous Jagannath temple was such a dream. Well staying at a Resort I was quoted a hefty price for a ride to the temple. But if you use your charms the locals are very friendly and will give a free lift. In my case Chiko, the pastry chef from the resort offered his chariot for the ride.
Okay, so I definitely do not recommend staying at Aveda. Plush as it may seem it doesn’t live up to the expectations.

(Jaganath Puri Rath)


Day 5: Puri to Vizag.
485 kms Drive Time 6:40 hrs Toll Tax 360/- Diesel 1600@59.45

06:00 By now a trained traveller, I hit the road at sharp 6
to start my drive to Vizag or Vishakapatanam. Covering a distance of 485 kms I wasn’t going to tire myself too much today. Beware of the one and only speed check 5 kms before Vizag.

(Thanks to NHAI)


12:40 Vizag welcome me just after noon. Breath-taking
beaches take any lingering fatigue away. My starving body was seeking more than just scenic views. I head out for some local cuisine and boy was it pocket friendly. A plate of steaming idlis for 20 bucks and another tenner got you sambhar indulgence.

(Welcome to Andhra)


(Vizag)


Day 6: Vizag to Nellore District TADA town
785 kms Drive Time 11:30 hrs. Toll Tax 777/- Diesel 1450@61.14

06:15 A long road today would take me from Vizag to Nellore district about 50 kms from Tirupati. 14 tolls over 785 kms will surely keep you entertained. So get ready to empty your pockets every 50 kms. Some more coffee please!



(Andhra Meal)


17:30 I set foot in my cozy little hotel in the early evening
hours. I am exhausted and since this is a small town with no attractions to lull me I take this opportunity to put my feet up. Excited about what tomorrow has to bring..
Do not refuel at Nellore since diesel prices are sky rocket high at Rs.61.14/
litre!



Day 7 & 8 Nellore to Pondicherry via Chennai
330 kms Drive Time 4:40 hrs Toll Tax 189/- Diesel 2400@58.04

08:20 Okay I am late by usual standards today but not without a fine reason. My better and small half is joining me at Chennai today that is my wife and daughter Mili. I arrive at Chennai airport at 9:30 to pick them up and we head together towards Pondicherry- Family time, lots of smiles, long
halts and a not so long journey of 330 kms.

(Youngest Roadventurer)


(Tamil Meal)


15:00 We arrive at Pondicherry- away from the hustle bustle of
the city a laid back setting indeed. Our home for the next two nights this sure is a relaxing and I am not complaining. Pondicherry has some of the most exotic boutique cafes do not forget to check them out.

(Pondicherry Beach)


Day 9: Pondicherry to Bangalore
373 kms Drive Time 7:30 hrs Toll Tax 130/-

Well rested the three of us bundle in the car and head out to
Bangalore situated at a distance of 373 kms from Pondicherry. The journey is marked by some now unfamiliar family stops like a merry go round ride, western toilets and refreshing coconut water.

(Breakfast Time)


13:30 We reach Bangalore well in time to be somewhat touristy. We went to the all famous MG road `dreaming of pub hoping only to find out that they aren’t serving liquor because of the highway ban. Well not exactly feeling lucky. At least my wife could drain her sorrow at Nalli with some silk shopping.

(Brigade Road, Bangalore)


Day 10 & 11 Bangalore to Goa
Distance 625 kms Drive Time 8:30 hrs Toll Tax 558/- Diesel 2050@55.68

7:30 All my bags are packed I’m ready to go..well we hit the highway again to get to our next destination GOA. A distance of 625 kms marked with 10 toll booths. My daughter aint complaining then why should I. En route we stop at the MHADEI wild life sanctuary known for its lush waterfalls and exotic flora and fauna.



17:30 After nearly 10 hours we arrive at South Goa. Not much that I need to say about my next 2 nights here. Long white sandy beaches, kings beer, family life indeed is beautiful. This is my last stretch with them as they take the flight back home.

(Colva Beach, Goa)



Day 12: Goa to Mahabaleshwar
490 kms Drive Time 8:10 hrs Toll Tax 270/-

6:00 Time to move on again as I gather my meagre belongings
and drive off to Mahabaleshwar. Distance to be covered 490 kms which took me about 8 hours. In addition to the tolls you will have to pay a green tax of Rs. 30 + 20 per person. May the evergreen forest remain evergreen.





13:40 By afternoon I am in the vast, chilly and thick rich green
plateau of Mahabaleshwar. After a brief visit to some temples and lake I just enjoy the sights and sounds nature ad yes the taste of sweet chikis.

(Mahabaleshwar Town)


(Famous Chikki's)



Day 13: Mahabaleshwar to Surat
575 kms Drive Time 8:30 hrs Toll Tax 665 Diesel Karnataka State
2500@56.72

6:30 Early next morning I leave the beautiful Mahabaleshwar for my journey to Surat, Gujarat.
The first major city en route Gujarat from Mumbai. By now driving has become meditative as I move into the enchanting trance of the road for the next 575 kms. Use the Pune expressway for this journey and you will hit a small patch of Karnataka of only 10kms, I recommend you fuel up here.



Mumbai-Pune Expressway



16:00 I arrive into Surat in the early hours of the evening. I am surprised to find such an eclectic mix of ethnic communities here. A stunning setting awaits me with finely carved mosques, Parsi agiaris, European tombs and colonial houses.

Famous Gujarati Thali



Day 14: Surat to Udaipur
525 kms Drive Time 7:25 hrs Toll Tax 280/- Diesel . 900@61.56

7:30 I set out on the road again heading into Udaipur. Sensing the approach of the end of this transformative journey I relish the 525 kms ahead of me. Fuel prices in this part of the country and
exorbitantly high! Anyway fuel up in Rajasthan which is Rs.2 cheaper than Gujarat.


15:00 Set amidst sand dunes, green hills and beautiful lakes the white city of Udaipur is stunning. I enjoy my evening in the tiny by lanes of Chandpole dotted with cafes and the picturesque lakeside walks. What a beautiful end to a journey I shall always remember.



Day 15: Udaipur to Gurgaon
695 kms Drive Time 7:30 hrs Toll Tax 560/- Diesel 2500@60.50

7:00 Take me home country roads, take me home.. I hit the road with mixed feelings-Excitement to go home with an unexplainable sadness for what I leave behind. With 695 kms stretched before my eyes I had time to reflect, absorb and integrate the beauty of my experiences.




Summary
• Total Kms 7105 kms
• Total Drive time 101.35 hrs
• Money Spent on Diesel 20,920/-
• Total Toll Tax 5714/-
• Food Money 12,345/-
• Stay Expense 32900/-

(Toll Tax Slips)

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

[jaunthead]

Wow! I am going to put up a small travelogue of my own and now it seems so puny compared to this.
Great effort! Wish you had added some more details and pictures.

[roadventures9]

i wanted to, but theres a 30 picture limit, and i live to drive cant write

[Bluebird_7]

You already completed what i am wish to do ! Great effort and driving 500+ every day for 12 days is no mean feat, considering the level of concentration one has to maintain while driving on Indian roads. Your travelogue is as swift as your Creta

[Sheel]

Originally Posted by roadventures9

i wanted to, but theres a 30 picture limit, and i live to drive cant write

You may create another post. Better, you start a thread here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/announ...m-section.html

If you have more pictures/narration, please share and or you may ask the mods to move it to Assembly Line and you can do edits/additions there.

Thanks for sharing

[roadventures9]

Originally Posted by Bluebird_7

You already completed what i am wish to do ! Great effort and driving 500+ every day for 12 days is no mean feat, considering the level of concentration one has to maintain while driving on Indian roads. Your travelogue is as swift as your Creta

Indeed, thanks to NHAI for such amazing highway and blood sucking tolls
India is Incredible