Team-BHP > Travelogues


Reply
  Search this Thread
340,414 views
Old 19th February 2010, 13:00   #61
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

Pic 1: Heading for Rohtang Pass. For the first time ever, we use the heater in the car!

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0187.jpg

Pic 2: We get to the top and take a look at the data logged by our old Garmin GPS. Here -

0.0 - shows our current speed - 0 km/hr - the car is stationary
3409 - distance covered so far from Bangalore - 3409 kms
40.9 - Average speed - 40.9 km/hr
70:40 -Driving time - 70 hours, 40 minutes
12.9 - current altitude - 12,900 feet.
146 - top speed achieved - 146 km/hr.

Maybe I was not being totally honest when I said we drive at 90km/hr all the time. We hit 146 km/hr on the Mumbai - Pune Expressway. See, we were driving at around 90 km/hr on the expressway and saw Ikons, Skodas and Santros overtaking us left, right and centre (literally). But when a Maruti 800 blitzed us, our fragile egos were shattered and threw the 90 km/hr rule book out of the window.

The next one hour was spent putting all those Marutis, Ikons, Santros and the Skodas behind us.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0141.jpg

Pic 3: Snow! Finally!

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04516.jpg

Pic 4: A guy promised us soft snow a few kms away. So we got ourselves three pure bred Arabian horses - Hrithik, Shah Rukh and Jeetendra.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0097.jpg

Pic 5: Astride our AWD vehicle equipped with traction control. It's slow, suspension is suspect but grip is amazing.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0110.jpg

Pic 6: Finally got us here. Hmm. Not bad.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0120.jpg

Pic 7: Proper snow finally! But coming to think of it, I used to see the same white cold powdery stuff in our old Allwyn Refrigerator.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04526.jpg

Pic 8: My friend wants to take the picture of our donkeys, but guide comes in the middle and poses for the camera.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0127.jpg

Pic 9: Since we didn't acclimitize ourselves to the height properly, all of us start getting headches. We quickly head back down.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0172.jpg

Pic 10: Don't know what's the big deal about the "scary" La Paz (Bolivia) road that Jeremy Clarkson & others took in Top Gear Season 14. They ought to come down here!

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0174.jpg
SmartCat is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 19th February 2010, 13:13   #62
Senior - BHPian
 
prince_pervez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Redwood shores, CA, USA
Posts: 4,210
Thanked: 51 Times

Wow! Pictures right from page one are breathtaking. Thanks for sharing em bro!
No punctures! Thats something buddy.
prince_pervez is offline  
Old 19th February 2010, 13:35   #63
Senior - BHPian
 
aargee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TSTN
Posts: 6,230
Thanked: 9,597 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcat View Post
Nothing beats NFS III and NFS Porsche Unleased right?
though an ; YES, I still play Porsche Unleashed & NFSIII; like NFS6 too. Good going on your travelogue; somehow I'm addicted to your pictures; your friend whoever you took along is an amazing guy; did very good captures
aargee is online now  
Old 19th February 2010, 13:51   #64
BHPian
 
ishotmydog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Pune
Posts: 593
Thanked: 18 Times

that last picture left me speechless, have never seen a road like that!

is that a two way road?
ishotmydog is offline  
Old 19th February 2010, 16:58   #65
BHPian
 
srikanthpotluri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 472
Thanked: 769 Times

Last few pictures were amazing, continue or you are fined
srikanthpotluri is offline  
Old 19th February 2010, 17:16   #66
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

Quote:
is that a two way road?
You can't expect one-way roads in the Himalayas

You will find mostly find army trucks, cargo trucks, taxis (sumo & Qualis mostly), mini-buses and if you are lucky, a small gang of bikers on Bullets coming from the opposite side.

Pic 1: Impossible to be on 12 - 15 day trips without carrying laptops and USB internet connection.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04539.jpg

Pic 2: We drive down to Dharmashala to say 'Hello' to Dalai Lama. When you walk, turn all the cylinders and pray, all your wishes come true. We wished for "World Peace".

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04540.jpg

Vid 1: This is a short 10 second video. Truly unique way of praying - it's like fluid in motion.



Pic 3: We exit Himachal Pradesh from Pathankot (Punjab) and head towards Agra.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04614.jpg

Pic 4: Mandatory Taj Mahal shot

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04596.jpg

Pic 5: Mandatory 'couple photograph' with Taj in the background. I know, the person on the left is a guy, and I know it looks a bit.. . But traditions have to be respected & followed.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0057.jpg

Last edited by SmartCat : 19th February 2010 at 17:23.
SmartCat is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 19th February 2010, 17:42   #67
Senior - BHPian
 
KSM-Vtec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra
Posts: 1,562
Thanked: 446 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcat View Post
You can't expect one-way roads in the Himalayas

Impossible to be on 12 - 15 day trips without carrying laptops and USB internet connection.
Completely agree with both the points. Very few/hardly any roads are oneway.

This time was the first time we took a laptop along for a road trip and surly was very helpful as we could write about the trip real time.
KSM-Vtec is offline  
Old 19th February 2010, 20:40   #68
MX6
Senior - BHPian
 
MX6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: City of seven islands.
Posts: 2,877
Thanked: 231 Times

That photo with the towel on the head is amazing. Had me in splits there. Is that you?
MX6 is offline  
Old 20th February 2010, 00:16   #69
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

That was my friend. I'm the Taj Mahal guy with the spectacles. I guess the stock market had crashed during our trip - that explains the towel on the head.

After Agra, we drive towards Jhansi (UP) via Gwalior (MP). Near Modena/Gwalior (MP), we notice heavily armed police (equipped with modern guns) patrolling the highways and towns in their Gypsies. In Jhansi, we step on the gas after noticing that every other biker has a pillion rider carrying a large rifle.

We don't suspect anything, and drive on. This Google maps link gives an idea about where we are going -
madhya pradesh road map - Google Maps

Our idea is to get to Nagpur via Agra - Gwalior - Jhansi - Sagar - Seoni - Nagpur. We check our road map - this is a national highway (NH 25 I think)

Pic 1: We stopover at a local dhaba in MP, just after Jhansi. Simple rotis with onions and pickles. We wolf it down. The guy in the photo is wondering if we've come from another planet. We had no idea what's in store for us.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04619.jpg

Pic 2: Conversation with the locals has us a bit worried. The dhaba owner asks us if we intend to take "that car" to Seoni. Hmm? What kind of question is that?

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04618.jpg

Pic 3: "Nah! I'm pretty sure the road will be like the Golden Quadrilateral."

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04621.jpg

Pic 4: We drive till 11:30 PM to reach Lalitpur on pretty OKish road. Found a shockingly brilliant & clean lodge for just Rs. 300/day.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-dsc04623.jpg

Vid 1: Pictures or videos don't do justice to the road conditions after Lalitpur. Miles after mile of slushy "roads". We were the only private vehicle on the "road" - the rest were Mahindra Commander share-taxis and large trucks. While overtaking us, we could see the bewildered look on their faces. Our average speed drops to 15 km/hr.



Vid 2: This was our national highway in 2005. Hopefully, things are better now. These are actually some of the better sections of the road - we dare not get down in the worser sections.



Pic 5: We get so frustrated that we stopped using the camera and wanted only one thing - to get home. The road after Seoni was pretty good. We reached Hyderabad via Nagpur. Hyderabad - we got lost inside the city - after spending 1 hour asking for directions for the Bangalore highway, we finally decided to hire an auto to take us to the highway.

And when we got to the Hyderabad - Bangalore highway, we only looked back to take this picture.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-picture-020.jpg
SmartCat is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 20th February 2010, 05:37   #70
Senior - BHPian
 
aargee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TSTN
Posts: 6,230
Thanked: 9,597 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcat View Post
The guy in the photo is wondering if we've come from another planet. We had no idea what's in store for us.

Pic 2: Conversation with the locals has us a bit worried. The dhaba owner asks us if we intend to take "that car" to Seoni. Hmm? What kind of question is that?
But why? What's the reason for the army & rifles? Did you find out?
aargee is online now  
Old 20th February 2010, 10:23   #71
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

Morena is in Chambal Valley. Does the name ring a bell? People (even trucks) avoid travelling in this area in the night because of kidnappings & highway robberies. We thankfully got out of this area by evening.

It was not the 'army' though - probaby CRPF.

The place in MP is Morena, not Modena (home of Ferrari, Lambo, Maserati) as mentioned in my previous post!

Last edited by SmartCat : 20th February 2010 at 10:27.
SmartCat is offline  
Old 20th February 2010, 10:37   #72
Senior - BHPian
 
aargee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TSTN
Posts: 6,230
Thanked: 9,597 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcat View Post
Morena is in Chambal Valley. Does the name ring a bell? People (even trucks) avoid travelling in this area in the night because of kidnappings & highway robberies. We thankfully got out of this area by evening.
Chambal valley gave rise to the former MP


Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcat View Post
The place in MP is Morena, not Modena (home of Ferrari, Lambo, Maserati) as mentioned in my previous post!
aargee is online now  
Old 20th February 2010, 15:42   #73
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

Photos of a short trip to Nandi Hills (60 km from Bangalore)

Pic 1: Biggest change inside the car after marriage - Lord Ganesh now travels with us!

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0396.jpg

Pic 2: 1 hour to get out of the city traffic, 1 hour to get to the summit of Nandi Hills.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0393.jpg

Pic 3: We get to the top. Mandatory "Recently Married - holding hands type" couple photograph - the missus and myself.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0417.jpg

Pic 4: Monkey finds a strategic position to keep an eye on tourists carrying Bingo or Lays chips.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0408.jpg

Pic 5: Seems like a tough guy. Wouldn't let us get in. I guess we'll have to walk to see the sunset.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0409.jpg

Pic 6: Wifey goes "Oh Cho Chweeet" looking at the puppy.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0413.jpg

Pic 7: We get into the temple, the boys (brother & BIL) stay out claiming that their shoe laces are stuck.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0427.jpg

Pic 8: Sun starts setting.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0436.jpg

Pic 9: Hmm. Is this guy following us?

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0445.jpg

Pic 10: Bro shows off his "Mission Impossible" Tom Cruise style rock climbing skills.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0456.jpg

Pic 11: We finally head back home. Happy to see that the monkey is gone. Brother In Law shows his "cool & handsome" look he uses to impress girls.

100,000 kms on Indian Highways, 6 treks & a Couple of Flights-img_0507.jpg
SmartCat is offline  
Old 20th February 2010, 15:55   #74
BHPian
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thane
Posts: 64
Thanked: 6 Times

Excellent pics.........

In one of your pic in coastal KA the date is 27-7-2005. During that period it was raining cats and dogs in MH and Mumbai. How did you survive the rain fury or it didn't rain that much in KA?
viv1984 is offline  
Old 20th February 2010, 17:16   #75
Team-BHP Support
 
SmartCat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 6,334
Thanked: 42,098 Times

Did the Mumbai floods happen in that month? It was the usual heavy rains in coastal Karnataka - no devastation as such.

Nandi Hills - Continued:

On our way back home from Nandi Hills. Video is 1 minute 11 seconds long, and shows why xenon lamps are a 'must-have' accessory for night driving. Of course, ample use of dim-dip is required so as to not blind the oncoming traffic.

SmartCat 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