Team-BHP > Travelogues


Reply
  Search this Thread
15,694 views
Old 7th November 2008, 16:31   #31
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 6 - 21st May 2008 - Wednesday - Part II

Few more pics of the same day......some are on the way back from Rohtang...

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1573.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1576.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1578.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1580.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1586.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1591.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1593.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1595.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1597.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1598.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1601.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1603.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1607.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1610.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1594.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1611.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1616.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1617.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1618.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1621.jpg
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 8th November 2008, 11:16   #32
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 6 - 21st May 2008 - Wednesday - Part III

Some more pics of the same day....

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1622.jpg

Got a chance to take a hele ride on the way down. the flight was 10 min long, a circle over Rohtang Pass.
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1633.jpg

[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1643.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Our ride after the trip to Rohtang Pass
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1645.jpg
Attached Thumbnails
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1635.jpg  

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1641.jpg  

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1642.jpg  

KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 9th November 2008, 00:03   #33
Senior - BHPian
 
ramkya1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Palakkad, Keral
Posts: 1,826
Thanked: 431 Times

Kaushik,

Those are some awesome shots... speaks a billion words.

Thanks for sharing.

--Ramky
ramkya1 is offline  
Old 10th November 2008, 10:08   #34
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times

Thanx a lot brother!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ramkya1 View Post
Kaushik,

Those are some awesome shots... speaks a billion words.

Thanks for sharing.

--Ramky
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 10th November 2008, 14:15   #35
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 7 - 22nd May 2008 - Thursday

Guys this is long post but let me tell you "Its worth a read" . . . Was a happening day!!!

Going to Rohtang and back was a great driving experience but now it was time to turn back. We left Manali and were still undecided about the way forward.

We left after breakfast and decided to visit the famous Baijnath Temple since it was on the way to Mandi. Driving thru Palampur and its tea estates was amazing – thick, beautiful, well maintained tea gardens and greenery all around.

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1505.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1506.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1509.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1513.jpg

The temple was one of its kind and extremely peaceful. The serene surroundings just added to the feel.

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1515.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1519.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1523.jpg
View from the Temple...
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1525.jpg

We moved on further and were still confused about where to go next. I suggested Chandigarh but Varun thought it was no point going there and we rather pass through Shimla or just go head back to Karnal directly.

According to me passing through Shimla made no sense because we dint have enough time and the best we could have done was to drive through the market there which was going to be like any other commercial hill station.

We had a big fight in the middle of the road !!!! We finally decided to just drive to Karnal but via Chandigarh (a compromise of sorts). Varun is a diehard cricket fan so I (barely) convinced him by the “laalach” of buying a nice cricket bat in Chandigarh.

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1651.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1653.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1661.jpg

As far as i was concerned – I had heard a lot about Chandigarh being a well planned city, just wanted to see it since we had come all the way. We drove thru Chandigarh and finally reached Karnal by dinner. Chandigarh is definitely impressive as far as city planning is concerned – definitely one of the best planned cities in India – specially the provision of separate roads for cycles & motorcycles. All roads are lined with trees on both sides & on the divider also. Something to learn, Mumbai !!

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1666.jpg

Our plan was to reach Panipat/Sonipat and stop there for the night. BUT, as we left Karnal we were stuck in this MASSIVE god forbidden traffic jam which took away at least 3 hrs. Varun went to sleep and the decision of what is to be done was left to me. I decided to drive through the night (now a common thing for us !!!) and see where we can reach by morning. I crossed Delhi and took the Gurgaon-Jaipur Expressway. Arround 75 Kms in to the expressway there was another huge traffic jam due to a truck hitting into a diversion. This was the point at which Varun got up. I told him that we were still in Sonipat and the situation does seem to be getting any better any time soon. He went to sleep again and got up only when we were a few Kms away from Jaipur. He was surprised to see the signboards around but was happy since we were now ahead of our schedule.

He got back onto the wheel and we headed to our next destination ….The Ajmer Dargah.

Last edited by KSM-Vtec : 10th November 2008 at 14:17.
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 10th November 2008, 17:19   #36
BHPian
 
f1fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 701
Thanked: 48 Times
Amazing snaps

Really have to admit that those are some excellent snaps of Rohtang.
f1fan is offline  
Old 10th November 2008, 17:36   #37
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 8 - 23rd May 2008 - Friday

It was my chance to sleep now after the long drive through the night, but couldn’t get sound sleep since it was too bright

We reached Ajmer in time for a late, light, quick breakfast and we were ready to visit the Dargah. This was one of the most troubling experiences, memorabole for all the wrong reasons. The multitude of people, all falling over each other to get tourist business, the numerous shops selling carpets, topis, lungis, food etc. The beggars who wudnt leave your side till u r in the car & then too they would run behind the car. Very pure and peaceful place but in all this mess, I din’t even get time to visit the shrine properly, observe the beauty of the whole dargah. Just that I was shocked to see so many people all around …..sorry no pics of the Dargah…not allowed I guess.

We had our lunch & head to Udaipur.We reached Udaipur by late afternoon & rested till sunset … Evening in Udaipur was beautiful, as evidenced by the pics attached …

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1671.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1673.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1674.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1675.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1682.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1686.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1690.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1697.jpg

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1706.jpg
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 10th November 2008, 17:44   #38
BHPian
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Marlborough, MA/Bangalore
Posts: 345
Thanked: 59 Times

Great travelogue and pix ! Thanks for sharing.

Regards
Rex
rex_varghese is offline  
Old 11th November 2008, 09:44   #39
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times

my pleasure rex!!!

Will be posting the last 2 days soon....day 9 morning was in udaipur and then we left for baroda. Stayed overnight in baroda and then left for mumbai on day 10.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rex_varghese View Post
Great travelogue and pix ! Thanks for sharing.

Regards
Rex

Last edited by KSM-Vtec : 11th November 2008 at 09:55.
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 17th November 2008, 16:55   #40
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 9 - 24th May 2008 - Saturday

We got up leisurely after a good night's sleep which we had managed to get due to the relaxed schedule of the previous evening. We had a nice and heavy breakfast after which we were going to see the lake and the city palace.

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1715.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1716.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1718.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1720.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1721.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1722.jpg

After a short visit at the lake we moved on to the palace where we had enough to see - it was a very huge and magnificent palace of the Rajputs of Udaipur. There were almost 100 rooms in the palace where things like thrones, furniture, guns, cannons, cooking vessels, idols of various gods and goddesses etc were on display. There are three storeys with a lot of secret escape routes within the palace - the incidences relating to these escape routes are exciting & interesting.

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1724.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1732.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1733.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1748.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1760.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1767.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1771.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1775.jpg

By around lunch time we were done with our visit at the palace and then we went for some shopping. Having bought the stuff we required we moved on towards Baroda. Was a very fast and smooth drive and we reached Baroda by around 4 in the afternoon. By then our stomachs were rumbling for food and we decided to get back to our normal diet since we were nearing the end of our trip and we decided to go to Mc Donald’s !!!!


Had a maharaja mc chicken value meal upsized and then we were off to meet varuns naani and stay in her house for the night…..
The trip was almost coming to an end.... and we just felt like going on ..........
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 18th November 2008, 00:15   #41
BHPian
 
IndianNomad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 155
Thanked: 35 Times

Nice travelogue and good pictures.

BTW what was the total cost of the trip, like fuel, average fuel economy etc....
IndianNomad is offline  
Old 18th November 2008, 09:40   #42
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times

We spent something like 45k

Car Rent - 10K
Fuel - 16K
Toll - 2K
Food & Stay - 15K

FE was 16 with 100% AC


Quote:
Originally Posted by IndianNomad View Post
Nice travelogue and good pictures.

BTW what was the total cost of the trip, like fuel, average fuel economy etc....
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 18th November 2008, 12:18   #43
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times
Day 10 - 25th May 2008 - Sunday - The Last Day

The last day - all that was left was a drive back from Baroda to Mumbai. We wished to take a different route and explore other places, but that was sadly not to be.

The only attraction for me on the way back was the Sardar Patel Ring Road – NE 1, little less than 100kms of straight, smooth, faultless road. You just don’t have to step off the accelerator for anything, just hold the steering wheel tight and sit back and relax. We did a constant 160 in our tube tire santro, which I think is really commendable for the car to handle.
The joy ride was over and now we were to face the traffic on the way due to the construction work happening all the way almost upto the MH border.Welcome Home !!

Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1782.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1784.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1787.jpg
Mumbai Roadsters – Touring the North-dscn1788.jpg

It was around 5:30 in the evening and we touched the outskirts of Mumbai. It was going to be one long boring drive in the traffic of the Mumbai western express highway. I dropped varun in Borivali and then rushed home because my dad was leaving for a 10 day trip that evening…….

And thus end the exploits of Varun & myself - first time road trip-ers. We went with a lot of excitement & expectations in mind, and India provided us with a lot more. The sights and sounds of the North won't ever leave me. I have relived the whole trip again and again while narrating it to my friends (esp Ra & Mi) and family... and i just don't seem to get bored of it.

The Varun & Kaushik who had gone for this trip never returned. The 2 excited mumbaikars never returned. Who returned were the 2 Roadsters who had been humbled by the beauty of india, 2 tigers who had tasted blood & were ready for more.

Attachment 71375

And more is about to happen - we leave on 22/11 to conquer the south !!! And yes, i ll share it all with you after we are back. Til then, Adios !!!!

Last edited by KSM-Vtec : 18th November 2008 at 12:35.
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 18th November 2008, 14:37   #44
BHPian
 
IndianNomad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hyderabad
Posts: 155
Thanked: 35 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM-Vtec View Post
We spent something like 45k

Car Rent - 10K
Fuel - 16K
Toll - 2K
Food & Stay - 15K

FE was 16 with 100% AC
Looks like the Toll turned out to be expensive compared to others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KSM-Vtec View Post
And more is about to happen - we leave on 22/11 to conquer the south !!! And yes, i ll share it all with you after we are back. Til then, Adios !!!!
4 days to go, so which places have you decided on.
IndianNomad is offline  
Old 18th November 2008, 17:04   #45
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times

Ya the toll includes the road tax we had to pay since we had take a taxi on self drive.

Ya its just 4 days away and we are planning to visit -
1. Puttaparthi
2. Pondi
3. Kodai
4. Kanyakumari
5. Alapuzha
6. Munnar
7. Ooty
8. Mysore
9. Jog Falls
10.Goa


Quote:
Originally Posted by IndianNomad View Post
Looks like the Toll turned out to be expensive compared to others.



4 days to go, so which places have you decided on.
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks