[Akshay6988]

Originally Posted by ramnaresh_2000

Do I regret my decision to do unplanned trip? No way. It was a great learning experience on how not to do a road trip. We will be well prepared for the next trip, thanks to the lessons learned. Until then keep revving and keep smiling.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I could relate to it ! I've read n number of travelogues here on TBHP but never got to read any with "disasters" Overall I would say your trip was success, sans the accident and the cab owner over charging you. The crowding at temples, hotel booking not available, google maps taking you to somewhere else is all part of the parcel in a road trip ! You learn and grow through these experiences Lovely pictures though, hope your next road trip is a great one.

[HTC]

Looks like you and family enjoyed the trip even with so many hiccups. Trust me, you will remember this trip for many more years.

"Disaster trip" - definitely NOT.
"Disaster to pocket" - Maybe

[Kosfactor]

Takes courage to pen all this down! It is indeed a how NOT to travel guide.

You may add one more point to your list.

You don't always have to do the planning, let someone else in the family take the responsibility as well.

[ramnaresh_2000]

Originally Posted by Akshay6988

Lovely pictures though, hope your next road trip is a great one.

Originally Posted by WorkingGuru

Beautiful pictures!

Originally Posted by Ankur@VNS

In fact the photographs attached are quite amazing and fantastic.

Thank you for the compliments on the pictures. Looks like my investment in Samsung Note 20 Ultra mobile is showing it's worth. Attaching more pictures from another mobile.

More pictures from Mandal Patti:







Bird Eye Chillies in Madikeri homestay plantation: Don't judge these chillies by their size. As per the owner they are very spicy and only 2 chillies should be used while cooking curry.







Coffee Plantation in the homestay: Not the best quality beans. It depends on the soil.



Murudeshwar Gopuram: See the windows on the Gopuram? The lift facility is available which has separate ticket and will take you to the top of the gopuram.



Hampi Temple Koneru (Temple Tank): The koneru is filled with fishes. The security guard also mentioned that there are crocodiles in it, but we did not notice any. You can feed the fish with puffed rice and bread which is sold there. The fish were not touching the puffed rice (maybe they got bored).







Frangipani tree that stands forlorn inside the temple campus: as per the guide we hired, this tree is 150 years old and still blossoms during the season.

[vinu_h]

Originally Posted by ramnaresh_2000

Never book a self driving taxi without getting full billing process. The owners will hide information conveniently and over charge us.

Not everything can be organised remotely, so such incidents will happen. All you can do is cherish the good stuff that happened and move on. I'm eager to see the T&C that you signed for the self drive car.

[One]

Originally Posted by msdivy

Adding a couple more:
* It is never a good idea to hire a private car. You might have gotten into trouble if the police were involved.

Any reason for this - sometimes cars are borrowed/ given to friends for similar reasons. Or even spouse driving a car not registered in name. What issues can arise from this considering the rule that the car owner is liable for any accidents?

[MobilisAdvento]

Thanks for sharing your experience. From the travellogue I cn feel the ordeals you went through in the entire journey, however it's the experience that counts finally. Overall you have enjoyed the majority of the trips apart from the mentioned "disasters". Definitely, the experiences will make your future trips much smooth and exciting.

[vinu_h]

Originally Posted by One

Any reason for this - sometimes cars are borrowed/ given to friends for similar reasons. Or even spouse driving a car not registered in name. What issues can arise from this considering the rule that the car owner is liable for any accidents?

Law does not permit putting private vehicle(white number plate) to commercial use(yellow). I'm also assuming that it is a violation of the insurance policy.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by One

Any reason for this - sometimes cars are borrowed/ given to friends for similar reasons. Or even spouse driving a car not registered in name. What issues can arise from this considering the rule that the car owner is liable for any accidents?

The definition of Innova in this case as per Motor Vehicles Act is,

“private service vehicle” means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more than six persons excluding the driver and ordinarily used by or on behalf of the owner of such vehicle for the purpose of carrying persons for, or in connection with, his trade or business otherwise than for hire or reward but does not include a motor vehicle used for public purposes;

This means the owner has to vouch that the vehicle is being employed for his personal use and is not given on hire.

So when you tell your side of the story to Police and if you mention it was hired for x amount, they *can* seize the vehicle.

[kiran_aithal]

Nice travelogue and details. The photos are amazing.
Looks like this trip is outcome of 'too long WFH' disaster

BTW, for routes (and stays too) you could have just searched in this forum. There are plenty of route queries and travelogues by fellow BHPians. And many are frequently updated too.

[Thermodynamics]

Nice travelogue, great pictures.

Originally Posted by ramnaresh_2000

Never take your eyes of the road while driving at a speed of 20 kmph also.... Never get distracted while driving. Your co-passenger should not be nagging you or distracting you.
... Do I regret my decision to do unplanned trip? No way. It was a great learning experience on how not to do a road trip.

Slow speed accidents are usually unavoidable. They happen in a split second distraction or misjudgement. These are part and parcel of vehicle ownership. This incident also emphasizes the need to maintain a safe distance from vehicle ahead especially on inclines/curvy/hilly stretches.

In these long trips, having some one chit chatting is so invaluable. You know, fatigue and sleepy driving are a bigger threat. But yes, requests to take eyes off the road should be politely ignored. I'm glad you kept the spirit high, kept your cool and didn't allow the minor mishap spoil the sport.

Happy travels!

[chinkara]

Originally Posted by GutsyGibbon

.....disaster is when an SUV turns turtle and we had to abandon the trip

Why would you abandon your trip for something as minor as that?

In our Jaisalmer trip, our Wagon R was rammed by a truck and turned turtle. We got the mechanicals checked at the closest ASS in Behror and continued. Everywhere people gathered to see the car with paint scraped in the roof..

[Spinnerr]

@ramnaresh_2000

Thank you for sharing such a transparent travelogue.
disaster or not, experience is everything.

++ for keeping it real. I really appreciate that, only a few can pen it down with such grace.

Originally Posted by ramnaresh_2000

Disaster 5 - ...The owner from the Ertiga (who was from Bangalore) lost his cool and started abusing and tried to hit me (which I blocked with my amazing reflexes - thanks to my school teachers for training me for this day from my childhood)....

this one had me in splits, trying to picture myself is such a situation, with good ol reflex paying off. Reminded me of the flying chalk and duster days.

[Raghu M]

Man, that's not so bad after all. It's a pretty decent trip. You have all of that happen to someone or the other every time. Agreed the planning could have been better, but don't we all learn from mistakes? I was reading curiously to see if something really struck so bad. I don't think even the small accident is a disaster, though no one wants to be in such a situation. You have your tips and tricks for the next trip. I am sure, you will enjoy the next one (you did enjoy this one too, just that some incidents clouded the mood). Happy driving!

[One]

Originally Posted by vinu_h

Law does not permit putting private vehicle(white number plate) to commercial use(yellow). I'm also assuming that it is a violation of the insurance policy.

Originally Posted by msdivy

So when you tell your side of the story to Police and if you mention it was hired for x amount, they *can* seize the vehicle.

Yes indeed. But this is done regularly and typically the instructions from the owner being that one doesn't mention it was hired.