As promised upon completion here goes my travelogue but will not be as exhaustive as Mr. Kumar or others haven’t got the gear such as GPS etc…
As I was going to be doing the driving all alone had to face a lot of flak from my near and dear ones as to why I was not taking the driver with me.. Had to convince them that the only best seats in my Pajero are the front two and it would be difficult for me to forgo that comfort.
Starting Point: Andheri(W) Chandan Cinema
Starting Time: 0330 hrs
Travelling Buddy: My teenage daughter Richa
Overnight had driven over from Pune reaching Andheri 1900 hrs with the view of having and nice nap of 5-6 hrs for an early start. Reaching at my uncle’s place which I was visiting after a long time ended up chit chatting till 2300 hrs, finally had to settle down and managed 3 hrs of sleep. After a quick shower and cup of tea set off exactly at 0330 hrs with the daunting task of having to travel 970 kms up to Bhilwara before sundown...
Took 15 mins to reach Ghodbunder Naka going on the Western Exp Hwy hitting NH-8. Going through Manor upto Pardi which was @ 146 kms required a bit of extra cautious driving due to the fact it was still dark and there were a lot of trucks on the road. Still made good time and reached Pardi by 0530 hrs. Pardi to Ankleshwar @ 143 kms was done in another 2 hrs. On the way saw a dead body on the right hand side of the road.. maybe a hit and run case during the night and the police having not yet responded as usual to the situation.
0730 hrs having decided not to let the tank go below the last quarter had a quick bite and loo break just outside Ankleshwar @ 15 mins.
Now the trouble started with all the work that is going on on this stretch i.e. 6 lanning and the overhead bridges… It was difficult to get any speed with all the changing of route from left to right and vice versa. So frustrating… Can’t believe that we intend to become a super power and developed country and we are unable to improve things without disturbing the existing infrastructure. Took almost 3 hrs to do the 100 odd kms before I could hit the Baroda – Ahm E-eway. I thank my stars for having listened to Mr. Kumar and others who adviced me to complete this stretch before morning rush started.
1015 hrs hit the e-way and then it was smooth sailing up to the exit at Naroda Link road. Did the 96 kms in just 45 mins. Very impressed with the quality of the surface and the various exit’s that have been constructed. Pity though that it is not six lane e-way. Though still better than the e-way between Pune- Mumbai.
Passing thru Naroda Link road made it via Prantij to Himmatnagar @ 72 kms in 1 hr. This road is also very impressive and hardly any traffic. 1145 hrs stopped outside Himmatnagar for lunch and a much needed break.
Restarted at 1230 hrs towards Udaipur, the route really has a lot of character with all the mountains and the slow curvy road a pleasure to drive even though the sun was beating down very hard. Shamlaji was a bit crowded with lots of buses and jeeps parked on the roadside.
Was bypassing Udaipur @ 175 kms by 1430 hrs on route to Chittorgarh on NH-76. Very nice road with minimum traffic. On route hit by high winds and slight drizzle which was quite welcome.
Hit Chittorgarh at 1530 hrs fortunately the railway crossing was open so could pass through with no problems. Changed over from NH-76 to NH-79 but for about 25kms outside Chittorgarh road works were on reducing speeds drastically. Managed to reach Bhilwara 1645 hrs. This was going to be my overnight halt.
Had covered @970 kms in about 14 hrs with one refueling stop and cumulative break of around 1 hr included. I was very satisfied as my previous best being 600 kms in one go. I did not feel very tired except a bit queasy in the head probably due to being standstill after such a long drive.
Date: 10-5-08
Starting Point: Bhilwara
Starting Time: 1530 hrs
Travelling Buddy: Wifey, my two daughters and my MIL.
The night went on till 0130 hrs visiting the umpteen relatives that I had in Bhilwara. Had planned to make an early start towards Jaipur but that went out of the window due to the late night. Further there were still some relatives who I had to visit which was differed to the morning.
Left Bhilwara 1500 hrs with my additional passengers and off course all the new luggage that wifey had managed to gather in Bhilwara. Joining NH-79 just outside of Bhilwara headed towards Bijainagar, Nassirabad and Kishangarh. The route is 4 lane highway but lot of trucks carrying fodder which somehow are so loaded that they end up taking 1.5 lanes. At Kishangarh joined the 6 lane highway towards Jaipur. This is also a fantastic road but unfortunately the truck drivers are such a pain… Truck in the middle lane being overtaken by another in the right most lane. Finally figured out that the best way for me to proceed will be in the left most lane and believe me I was doing 140 kmph for miles in this lane with nobody to bother.
Hit Gandhi circle in Jaipur at 1830 hrs @ 270 km with one fuel stop. Jaipur was going to be my halt for the next 7 days.
Big video made of the route.. and some stills which i shall share.
Some photos attached
Jal Mahal from Nahargarh Fort… soon to be converted into 7 star Hotel
World largest Cannon.. Unfortunately never fired
Nahargarh fort.. Location of Jodha Akbar shooting… some dance scene tells my wife
Amber fort from Nahargarh
View of Vidhan Sabha from Jaigarh Fort RTDC restaurant
View of Amber fort from the road leading to it
Imposing gate inside Amber Fort
Birla Mandir
Date: 11-5-08
Evening: RR v/s DD …. IPL T20
RR star captain.. Warney
Graeme Smithyyyyyyyyy
RR star all rounder.. Watson
RR star bowler… Tanveer
RR paid supporter… Swehta Salve
RR loudest supporter… Ila Arun.. Haala Bol
Madam in trouble..
Rahul Bose with Richa
So much for today... shall continue