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3600+ KM with my two beloved (my wife & my bike)
Did a 3656 km trip from Mumbai mainly covering Rajasthan but also covering Agra therefore crossing 6 states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) from 12-24th Nov (9 riding days, balance was stay at friends place in Gurgaon) with my wife as pillion
Did a 3656 km trip from Mumbai mainly covering Rajasthan but also covering Agra therefore crossing 6 states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) from 12-24th Nov (9 riding days, balance was stay at friends place in Gurgaon) with my wife as pillion
Details in consice manner first:
Day 1: Mumbai - Ahemdabad via VV Nagar (my Engg college)
Started: 6:15 AM
End: 8:00 PM
Kms done: 560
Day 2: Ahemdabad - Mt Abu - Sirohi
Started: 11:00 AM (major stomach ache at night / early morning)
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 300
Day 3: Sirohi - Jodhpur - Beawer
Started: 9:00 AM
End: 11:45 PM
Kms done: 375
Day 4: Beawer - Ajmer - Gurgaon
Started: 10:30 AM
End: 10:45 PM
Kms done: 475
Day 8: Gurgaon - Agra - Gurgaon
Started: 07:30 AM
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 425
Day 10: Gurgaon - Jaipur - Ajmer
Started: 08:30 AM
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 400
Day 11: Ajmer - Pushkar - Udaipur
Started: 08:30 AM
End: 08:00 PM
Kms done: 310
Day 12: Udaipur - Vadodara
Started: 02:00 PM
End: 09:00 PM
Kms done: 375
Day 13: Vadodara - Mumbai
Started: 10:00 AM
End: 07:15 PM
Kms done: 450
Except Day 1 & Day 13, visits to popular monuments / sightseeing was also done.
Detailed report:
Like many other riders, I have had the keeda of doing a long ride for some time. The same really started to take shape once I bought a second hand bullet (thunderbird) in end Sep 2007. Though I also have a LML Adreno (not in position to do a long ride) and a P150 (incomplete papers), bullet always felt like the best tourer considering safety and comfort.
So I had the bike, but the other most important aspect was missing - leave from office. To add to the complexity, this required that both me and my wife gets 2 week leaves at the same time. We wanted to take the leaves from 27th Oct but due to work exigencies were able to finalise it from 9th till 25th. We celebrated diwali at home and due to prior commitments, left for alibaug (murud, zanjira etc) on 10th morning with few friends in their car and came back only on 11th night (around 11PM). We did our packing till 2 AM and I was really tired as I also drove the way back from alibaug. Woke up at 5 - 5.15 AM and left home at 6.15 AM.
As regards the bike, got the servicing done a few days ago, changed the tire tubes (bought originals from grant road) - came out as a wise decision (will be explained in detail later), changed engine, clutch and gear oil. I also packed the following:- spare tube- clutch cable- accelator cable- spare head lamp bulb- spare indicator bulb- box of screwdrivers- plass- torch- relispray- moov- dettol- band aids- crape bandages- other medicines such as crocin, disprine etc
I had also bought cramster saddle bag for bullets a few days ago and realised during packing that it is a must during any long rides, certainly when riding with a pillion।
Day 1 -2
We left home at 6.15 on 12th. I was wearing my wife's helmet since the visor on my helmet was broken and I did not get a chance to replace it due to busy schedules prior to the ride. We got the same fixed at Vapi. It was here that I realised that oil was coming out from the air filter box due to extra oil in engine - opened up the air filter, cleaned it and continued on the way. Ride till Surat is very comfortable and my wife rode for few kms. It was awesome looking at the reactions - some were awed, some surprised and some were just plain *******s, trying to race with us, trying to prove that they cant lose to a female irrespective of the size of their bike or the fact that wife was anyway not riding fast - she was riding generally at 70-75 Km/hr. But then thats the way it was. But best reaction was from other females - either in some car, as pillion or whom we were passing by. I could sense the feeling of appreciation in them. More so, when we were riding through smaller places (Ahd - Abu Road).
Leaving home
http://i3.tinypic.com/6t2nlsg.jpg
Wife riding the bike
http://i19.tinypic.com/6wnz66f.jpg
Anyways, coming back to the journey, we had our lunch at Bharuch and another break outside Vadodara. Wife wanted to stretch and we found a wooden bed on a side where she lie down for some time. From there, we stopped next at Vallabh Vidya Nagar (detour from Anand) - this was where I did my engineering and wanted to show my wife my college, hostel etc. When we reached there, we found that the college was closed on account of diwali holidays. Anyways showed her college, hostel, girl hostel (I had spent considerable time outside this hostel), theatre where we used to see 'those' kind of movies. It was fun. I sent messages to some of my close engg college friends and then left for Ahemdabad.
Reminded me of 'Jab we met'
http://i9.tinypic.com/80ou9eh.jpg
On way to vallabh vidya nagar
http://i7.tinypic.com/8bxw602.jpg
Reached outskirts of the city by around 7:00-7:15. However, by the time we reached the friends place it was past 8:00. Had dinner, chatted for a while and then I went to sleep. Woke up at 2:30 AM with severe stomach ache and from then on sleeping became really difficult. Finally, other woke up around 6:30 - 7:00 and then took some medicines. Friend's mother gave some home prepared remedy which helped and then I spent next 2 hours in the toilet but was now feeling much better. Again slept for some time and when I woke I was much better. Got ready and left for Abu at around 11 AM. Original plan was to leave by 7:30 - 8:00 had gone for a toss.
Day 1: Mumbai - Ahemdabad via VV Nagar (my Engg college)
Started: 6:15 AM
End: 8:00 PM
Kms done: 560
Day 2: Ahemdabad - Mt Abu - Sirohi
Started: 11:00 AM (major stomach ache at night / early morning)
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 300
Day 3: Sirohi - Jodhpur - Beawer
Started: 9:00 AM
End: 11:45 PM
Kms done: 375
Day 4: Beawer - Ajmer - Gurgaon
Started: 10:30 AM
End: 10:45 PM
Kms done: 475
Day 8: Gurgaon - Agra - Gurgaon
Started: 07:30 AM
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 425
Day 10: Gurgaon - Jaipur - Ajmer
Started: 08:30 AM
End: 10:30 PM
Kms done: 400
Day 11: Ajmer - Pushkar - Udaipur
Started: 08:30 AM
End: 08:00 PM
Kms done: 310
Day 12: Udaipur - Vadodara
Started: 02:00 PM
End: 09:00 PM
Kms done: 375
Day 13: Vadodara - Mumbai
Started: 10:00 AM
End: 07:15 PM
Kms done: 450
Except Day 1 & Day 13, visits to popular monuments / sightseeing was also done.
Detailed report:
Like many other riders, I have had the keeda of doing a long ride for some time. The same really started to take shape once I bought a second hand bullet (thunderbird) in end Sep 2007. Though I also have a LML Adreno (not in position to do a long ride) and a P150 (incomplete papers), bullet always felt like the best tourer considering safety and comfort.
So I had the bike, but the other most important aspect was missing - leave from office. To add to the complexity, this required that both me and my wife gets 2 week leaves at the same time. We wanted to take the leaves from 27th Oct but due to work exigencies were able to finalise it from 9th till 25th. We celebrated diwali at home and due to prior commitments, left for alibaug (murud, zanjira etc) on 10th morning with few friends in their car and came back only on 11th night (around 11PM). We did our packing till 2 AM and I was really tired as I also drove the way back from alibaug. Woke up at 5 - 5.15 AM and left home at 6.15 AM.
As regards the bike, got the servicing done a few days ago, changed the tire tubes (bought originals from grant road) - came out as a wise decision (will be explained in detail later), changed engine, clutch and gear oil. I also packed the following:- spare tube- clutch cable- accelator cable- spare head lamp bulb- spare indicator bulb- box of screwdrivers- plass- torch- relispray- moov- dettol- band aids- crape bandages- other medicines such as crocin, disprine etc
I had also bought cramster saddle bag for bullets a few days ago and realised during packing that it is a must during any long rides, certainly when riding with a pillion।
Day 1 -2
We left home at 6.15 on 12th. I was wearing my wife's helmet since the visor on my helmet was broken and I did not get a chance to replace it due to busy schedules prior to the ride. We got the same fixed at Vapi. It was here that I realised that oil was coming out from the air filter box due to extra oil in engine - opened up the air filter, cleaned it and continued on the way. Ride till Surat is very comfortable and my wife rode for few kms. It was awesome looking at the reactions - some were awed, some surprised and some were just plain *******s, trying to race with us, trying to prove that they cant lose to a female irrespective of the size of their bike or the fact that wife was anyway not riding fast - she was riding generally at 70-75 Km/hr. But then thats the way it was. But best reaction was from other females - either in some car, as pillion or whom we were passing by. I could sense the feeling of appreciation in them. More so, when we were riding through smaller places (Ahd - Abu Road).
Leaving home
http://i3.tinypic.com/6t2nlsg.jpg
Wife riding the bike
http://i19.tinypic.com/6wnz66f.jpg
Anyways, coming back to the journey, we had our lunch at Bharuch and another break outside Vadodara. Wife wanted to stretch and we found a wooden bed on a side where she lie down for some time. From there, we stopped next at Vallabh Vidya Nagar (detour from Anand) - this was where I did my engineering and wanted to show my wife my college, hostel etc. When we reached there, we found that the college was closed on account of diwali holidays. Anyways showed her college, hostel, girl hostel (I had spent considerable time outside this hostel), theatre where we used to see 'those' kind of movies. It was fun. I sent messages to some of my close engg college friends and then left for Ahemdabad.
Reminded me of 'Jab we met'
http://i9.tinypic.com/80ou9eh.jpg
On way to vallabh vidya nagar
http://i7.tinypic.com/8bxw602.jpg
Reached outskirts of the city by around 7:00-7:15. However, by the time we reached the friends place it was past 8:00. Had dinner, chatted for a while and then I went to sleep. Woke up at 2:30 AM with severe stomach ache and from then on sleeping became really difficult. Finally, other woke up around 6:30 - 7:00 and then took some medicines. Friend's mother gave some home prepared remedy which helped and then I spent next 2 hours in the toilet but was now feeling much better. Again slept for some time and when I woke I was much better. Got ready and left for Abu at around 11 AM. Original plan was to leave by 7:30 - 8:00 had gone for a toss.
Anyways, the roads were great till about 50 km from Abu road and we enjoyed the way. BTW my wife shoe's soles had almost given away and we stopped at some midway towns to look for shoes. Did not find any one reasonable enough hence bought feviquick. Also took some detour since wife wanted to see some village - However, the attempt was unsuccessful as all we could see was some shanties. With road widening (4 laning work) work going on around Abu road, the speed considerably reduced. Also there was loads of dust - impact of that would be covered later.
The friend we stayed with at Ahemdabad
http://i16.tinypic.com/7whktpt.jpg
Starting for Mt Abu
http://i9.tinypic.com/8fdrvid.jpg
On way to Abu Road
http://i2.tinypic.com/8fww949.jpg
Resting at closed tax collection centre outside Abu road
http://i10.tinypic.com/6z9pfup.jpg
At Mt Abu visited the Dilwara temple (no photos as camera's not allowed).. reached the temple just in time... I had been to Mt Abu before but my wife was seeing it for the first time.. the intricate marble work is amazing... then visited the nakki lake.. did not spent much time there as it was too crowded and I did not want to carry our luggage around... asked one of the passer by to click our photo and his wife forgot her purse around us... had to spend some time looking for them in such crowd... Mt Abu was so very crowded due to post Diwali holidays with loads of Gujarati people visiting / staying at the Mt Abu during this period. It was already dark by the time we headed down from Mt Abu... I had not planned to do any night riding so the my headlight was only 35W bulb... was being blinded by the oncoming traffic so I chose to follow a bolero on the way down.. it greatly reduced the effort...
The photo clicked by the person who's wife forgot her purse
http://i2.tinypic.com/6ovs85d.jpg
We had planned to go to Jaisalmer from Mt Abu. However, due to miscommunication from some passer by we went on the Jodhpur route and then thought that let it be.. since I was not feeling too good because of the stomach ache and my wife being allergic to dust was also not feeling great... so changed our program and headed towards Jodhpur.. Had our first meal of the day (khicdi for me) on the way... took our first break at Sirohi... checked a couple of hotels before finalizing one (travelling with female takes some more effort).. BTW always remember to negotiate the tariff.. I did that with hotels wherever I stayed and got decent results... atleast 20-25% reduction is always possible... it was almost 11 PM before we could settle in..
http://i6.tinypic.com/6xujoub.jpg
The friend we stayed with at Ahemdabad
http://i16.tinypic.com/7whktpt.jpg
Starting for Mt Abu
http://i9.tinypic.com/8fdrvid.jpg
On way to Abu Road
http://i2.tinypic.com/8fww949.jpg
Resting at closed tax collection centre outside Abu road
http://i10.tinypic.com/6z9pfup.jpg
At Mt Abu visited the Dilwara temple (no photos as camera's not allowed).. reached the temple just in time... I had been to Mt Abu before but my wife was seeing it for the first time.. the intricate marble work is amazing... then visited the nakki lake.. did not spent much time there as it was too crowded and I did not want to carry our luggage around... asked one of the passer by to click our photo and his wife forgot her purse around us... had to spend some time looking for them in such crowd... Mt Abu was so very crowded due to post Diwali holidays with loads of Gujarati people visiting / staying at the Mt Abu during this period. It was already dark by the time we headed down from Mt Abu... I had not planned to do any night riding so the my headlight was only 35W bulb... was being blinded by the oncoming traffic so I chose to follow a bolero on the way down.. it greatly reduced the effort...
The photo clicked by the person who's wife forgot her purse
http://i2.tinypic.com/6ovs85d.jpg
We had planned to go to Jaisalmer from Mt Abu. However, due to miscommunication from some passer by we went on the Jodhpur route and then thought that let it be.. since I was not feeling too good because of the stomach ache and my wife being allergic to dust was also not feeling great... so changed our program and headed towards Jodhpur.. Had our first meal of the day (khicdi for me) on the way... took our first break at Sirohi... checked a couple of hotels before finalizing one (travelling with female takes some more effort).. BTW always remember to negotiate the tariff.. I did that with hotels wherever I stayed and got decent results... atleast 20-25% reduction is always possible... it was almost 11 PM before we could settle in..
http://i6.tinypic.com/6xujoub.jpg
It was during dinner that we met a guy who had come most probably from Ahemdabad with his family. He was so excited about our trip that he called most of his family members one by one to tell them about our trip.. no one other than was interested and it was kinda odd for us too.. but his enthusiasm ensured that we kept talking to him until he was through.. my mistake that I didn't take any pic with him nor I remember his name.. but will surely remember this incident
Day 3
Since we generally took night halts late.. it was usually late start for us... also I tend to wake up around 7 - 7:30 and Mridula only when she is really pushed :) we started for Jodhpur post 9:00 AM... Jodhpur was not very far (~200 Km) however, we reached there there at 3:00 PM since took detour to see some temple.. this was an on the moment decision.. saw a board which said some jain temple 18 km from the highway and we decided to see that just like that... and it was a pretty good decision.. we enjoyed the detour.. riding on smaller roads.. some bit of off roading.. visiting a temple where not many come to... in middle on nowhere... great sight
This is the road to the temple
http://i16.tinypic.com/71gy349.jpg
we never thought there will be anyone else there but one family was there and the priest organised pooja for them
http://i13.tinypic.com/6siuqmh.jpg
The view from the temple was very nice and my bike (venom) looks happy to be here
http://i14.tinypic.com/6l2edlf.jpg
We also saw a flavour of marketing local ishtyle
http://i6.tinypic.com/86obdhx.jpg
This was the only time when I took a U-turn to click a photograph of something I liked... and now looking back I realise that I should have done that more... I will ensure during my next ride that I don't have to race against time and I take as many u-turns as i want to. The following pic shows the status of the rivers in Nov. I wonder what will happen in the months of Mar - May
http://i5.tinypic.com/6ku1pnk.jpg
On the way to Jodhpur, was stopped at a police chowky and were asked for the papers.. when they did not get anything wrong in that.. they asked us for money as diwali bakshish... gave them some money and some singade that we bought some time back and chatted with them for a while. The incharge took my mobile number promising to call me whenever he is in Mumbai.. I am not sure whether he was generally that friendly or he felt we were running from home (as both of us had our faces covered).. There was a strech on this route which was very scenic... we even saw a neel gayen there... the people in the car (indica) in front of me were so thrilled that they stopped in the middle of the road.. Just before entering Jodhpur took a halt at this reliance petrol pump to clean the air filter... the attendants at the pump where pretty nice guys with whom we chatted for a while...
http://i9.tinypic.com/6yvrkh0.jpg
Not to hurt anyones feeling but generally observed that people in Rajasthan are generally nice as compared to that in Gujarat (not even comparing them with Haryana, UP people).. they would go out of their way to help anyone who asks for it... everytime we asked for directions / suggestions as to should be see, we received amazing response.. even the people we bought stuff from in Gujarat were so curt in comparison... saw the Mehrangarh fort at Jodhpur in डिटेल
http://i15.tinypic.com/820w1as.jpg
http://i10।tinypic.com/7xmi1z4.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/6yf3tph.ज्प्ग
http://i5.tinypic.com/87mipuf.jpg
also saw a temple there.. but do not have the pics since i lost many of the pics as the memory card got corrupted.. the only saving grace being that I did not lose all the pics.. otherwise it would have been a pity Left Jodhpur thinking that we would take a halt after 30-40 km from Jodhpur towards Ajmer. However, the next ok town was only 60 odd km.. but there was more to come.. the moment we reached the town (I am not able to recall the name and maybe thats for good)... we realised that finding a decent hotel might be an issue.. we asked number of people and everyone suggested a particular hotel.. they said that it is the one best for families.. we went there and asked for a room.. the guy said it is Rs 100 per night and we realised what it would be like... left mridula outside to have a look at the room and one look settled it for me... called one of my colleagues who is from beawer and asked him about the hotels there.. he told me there are 1-2 decent hotels.. so we decided to go to beawer.. it was close to 10:30 PM and we were pretty tired but a man gotta do what a man gotta do... so off we went... to prevent getting blinded by the oncoming traffic i followed the fastest truck around (cars were going way to fast for me)... we reached beawer around 11:30 PM and went to the hotel suggested by my colleague.. the hotel was full because of some wedding.. however, they suggested anyother hotel nearby.. finally I got a room (nothing great but at close to midnight in cold weather for a tired soul it looked amazing)... and checked in by 11:50 PM and that was end of day 3 day 4 to follow (time to go home now)
Day 4
The day started late with us leaving Beawer at around 10:30 AM for Ajmer. My wife was not feeling too good with the dust on the Abu road now starting to take its toll. However, as compared to last night ride in cold weather, tired condition and blinding lights.. the roads seemed so much more inviting in the day time... We first went to Ajmer sharif dargah and there I made the mistake of taking the bike right upto the dargah (didn't wanted to carry the luggage).. the lanes were very narrow and very crowded.. near the dargah met a tout who in guise of helping us started getting friendly.. there learnt from some people a place where we can keep the luggage (as camera / luggage is not allowed inside the dargah) at nominal rates... there one plain clothes policeman was checking luggage generally in perfuntory manner.. but my wife said something to him and he made it his duty to make our life difficult.. he asked us to take all our stuff out from each bag.. while I did that with the carry bag we were carrying, I refused to take everything out from the saddle bag (one, it carried out clothes and secondly packing it was a task)... after some to and fro shouting and people gathering around us.. decided to not keep the luggage there.. the tout then took us to his shop where he arranged to keep our luggage and camera... in return I had to buy chaader and flowers worth Rs 350 (i guess i could have bought the same stuff from some other shop in Rs 100).. anyways he took us inside and made us make some donations here and there. However, when he wanted us to pay some individuals i put my foot down.. he also realised and then left us alone (guess he wanted to make better use of his time).. we after spending some time in the dargah collected our luggage and went to bike... and now bike won't start.. I was going nuts kicking it.. but it won't even budge and it was so crowded around us that it was not funny... however the next part was.. realised that someone had moved the switch to 'engine kill'.. i had a sigh of relief...
Dargah
http://i8.tinypic.com/6tmnl87.jpg
I left the dargah feeling the same which i have felt at many other religious places... you go to God looking for peace and tranquility but due to so much commercialization.. it becomes a chore.. it is much better to go to some small temple / mosque.. I also find gurudwaras are much better in this respect (or maybe I have been lucky with them)...
We next went to see the taragarh fort realising at reaching there that there is only a mosque there now.. i guess i had enough of mosques for the day and we after taking a few snaps came down.. the best part was the ride.. it was so amazing and steep too.. it made the Abu Road to Mt Abu ride look like a walk in the park in comparison.. post this checked with some locals about pushkar lake and were informed that pushkar fair is to start from 18/19th.. thus decided to cover that on our way back... and decided to head for Jaipur.. our company have depot in Jaipur hence asked one colleague to check for hotels..
The mosque at Taragarh fort
http://i18.tinypic.com/8b6zaeu.jpg
The best part was the twisties
http://i16.tinypic.com/6q8havl.jpg
While having some snacks (light lunch) on the outskirts of Ajmer (enroute to Jaipur) realised that Mridula wasn't feeling too good and decided to head straight to Gurgaon and to cover Jaipur on way back after taking some rest at friends place in Gurgaon.. it was already 3:30 PM when we left for Gurgaon and delhi was another 400 kms.. hence decided to ride non stop till there is sunlight.. this is how I rode 3 hours non stop... traffic till kishangarh was not great but post that the highway is pure delight (was thinking that guys with sbks shd surely visit this highway).. with mridula sleeping on the back seat rode the bike in excess of 100 km/hr.. yes my wife sleeps on a bike.. she has trouble keeping her eyes open on all moving vehicles (lest she is the one riding / driving)... we had a procedure for that too.. she was to cling to me like a monkey kid to monkey mom and as soon as there was any slackness in the grip i used to give her a jolt... as a matter of fact I was to give her jolts every two minutes or to ensure that she doesn't sleep too tight...anyways the ride was great but after riding continuously for close the 3 hours our **ses were getting numb and I wanted to change my glasses from sun-galsses to normal ones as it starts to get dark from 6 PM onwards.. and the fuel was also getting depleted...and it was starting to get cold so had to wear jackets gloves too.. however managed to ride it for another 1/2 hour before finding a petrol pump.. filled the fuel.. got appropriately dressed for the future ride and we started again...
The mosque at Taragarh fort
http://i18.tinypic.com/8b6zaeu.jpg
The best part was the twisties
http://i16.tinypic.com/6q8havl.jpg
While having some snacks (light lunch) on the outskirts of Ajmer (enroute to Jaipur) realised that Mridula wasn't feeling too good and decided to head straight to Gurgaon and to cover Jaipur on way back after taking some rest at friends place in Gurgaon.. it was already 3:30 PM when we left for Gurgaon and delhi was another 400 kms.. hence decided to ride non stop till there is sunlight.. this is how I rode 3 hours non stop... traffic till kishangarh was not great but post that the highway is pure delight (was thinking that guys with sbks shd surely visit this highway).. with mridula sleeping on the back seat rode the bike in excess of 100 km/hr.. yes my wife sleeps on a bike.. she has trouble keeping her eyes open on all moving vehicles (lest she is the one riding / driving)... we had a procedure for that too.. she was to cling to me like a monkey kid to monkey mom and as soon as there was any slackness in the grip i used to give her a jolt... as a matter of fact I was to give her jolts every two minutes or to ensure that she doesn't sleep too tight...anyways the ride was great but after riding continuously for close the 3 hours our **ses were getting numb and I wanted to change my glasses from sun-galsses to normal ones as it starts to get dark from 6 PM onwards.. and the fuel was also getting depleted...and it was starting to get cold so had to wear jackets gloves too.. however managed to ride it for another 1/2 hour before finding a petrol pump.. filled the fuel.. got appropriately dressed for the future ride and we started again...
after another hour or so took a dinner break.. since we were going to friends place we didn't wanted to eat much but the food was delicious and we had one roti more (each).. and the cost was so nominal.. it was great.. we thought we would reach much earlier than expected (had told friends we will reach by 10-10:30).. but it was not to be... had to take a stop again since it was so cold we needed some tea / coffee... we also added to our clothes.. me even wearing a half sleeve t-shirt (night suit) over my full sleeve one... and then also made use of the monkey cap we had bought at ajmer... we were still making good time but experienced number of traffic jams just outside gurgaon and hence finally reached the meeting place at around 10:30 PM.. though we were very tired.. chatted till 2:30 with plan finalised for leaving for Agra next day in their car.. we had no idea what we were getting into...
Day 5
Since it was ~ 3:00 AM by the time we had gone to sleep and also since some stuff was required to be bought for my friends kid.. we left gurgaon by ~ 11:30.. we were also accompanied by my brother-in-law who was also in delhi attending some training / seminar... neways after some coaxing and some treachery I ensure that i get the front seat.. and ofcourse Mridula was asleep before we were even out of gurgaon :-) ... had a nice lunch near meerut and continued on the way.. reached Taj at around 5:00 PM.. but were shocked and dissapointed since Taj is closed on Fridays :-)... yup that was the shock... we had a big laugh about it.. clicked photos of each other and of Taj from a distance (paid some tout some money so he took us to that place from where we can see Taj).. bought some souvenirs / petha / pede etc.. and headed back.. we couldn't stay at Agra since the friends sister was coming next day early morning to stay with them for few days... I drove the car the way back and discovered the detour to Gurgaon (which I had talked abt earlier)... this time it was close to 11 PM when we were crossing this and though we were in car and there were three guys.. we didn't wanted to any chance.. bought some bottles of rum and had good fun at home remembering our experience and drowning the sorrows in rum (except ofcourse me since I am a tee totaller)..
This is how close we could get / what we could see of Taj
http://i11.tinypic.com/81ozm8h.jpg
So clicked each others pics
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yrz52q.jpg
Day 6 & 7 were spent lazing around, playing carrom, drinking, chatting etc...
Day 8
After our day 5 experience, I was resolute that we would not go back without seeing Taj.. so me along with Mridula left for Agra on the bike... this time we were not carrying the saddle bag as we planned to return to Gurgaon at night.. left gurgaon at 7:30 AM on a chilly winter morning... the detour I had talked about earlier looked entirely different in the day light.. we took a break once for breakfast (mulli & gobi paranthas) and once at Mc Donald near Meerut for thick shake (real reason was that we wanted to use clean toilets)... this time we were able to see Taj up close and personal and it was nice to have actually seen the monument with which India is associated with across most other countries.. took number of snaps from various angles.. though didn't take the shot of us on the chair where most dignatories take snaps with Taj in backdrop as it was so cliche..
Finally made it to Taj
http://i19.tinypic.com/6ue6otk.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/6tofi9s.jpg
Must for all couples
http://i19.tinypic.com/7xc6611.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/6ugnrev.jpg
Some people are just so stupid.. someone having defaced the wall / floor (saw many such examples)
http://i6.tinypic.com/8ekeli0.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/816g4z6.jpg
http://i7.tinypic.com/80m9ufc.jpg
Red fort at Agra (imposing monument)
http://i19.tinypic.com/833p20k.jpg
We also went to see the dayalbagh temple being made since 1904 (I think the contruction started somewhere in 1929 or so).. it is also a full marble structure which I guess is not even half complete (guess due to paucity of funds).. but its beautiful.. the intricate work on marble is much better that what one sees at Taj or at other places (many Jain temples).. I understand from some people around there that the intention of building this temple was to leave something for our descendants which was built in 20th century... (no pics of it since camera not allowed)... I saw an royal enfield showroom / workshop at Agra and since there was an issue with the battery fuse thought of correcting it there.. also wanted to change the air filter (though the earlier filter had done less than 3000 Km, it had also gone through the same dusty conditions.. plus there was issue of engine oil entering air filter box..). while I was buying the air filter and explaining fuse issue to the workshop guy.. met with an RE official who was also visiting there... he was very nice to us enquiring about the trip and willing to help in any way that he can... it was a nice experience (my first with any RE official) and left a nice feeling in me about the company.. also reminded me that the perception of the company is formed by its employees / stakeholders.. The return was normal except the stretch (detour) we have talked about earlier..
Day 9 was again an off riding day spent shopping at Sarojini nagar... I had spent large amount of time there during my post graduation at IIT, Delhi... and had very fond memories of taking mridula for shopping there during our college days when we were "just friends".. how did we manage to carry all that shopping... to be covered in day 10 update
Day 5
Since it was ~ 3:00 AM by the time we had gone to sleep and also since some stuff was required to be bought for my friends kid.. we left gurgaon by ~ 11:30.. we were also accompanied by my brother-in-law who was also in delhi attending some training / seminar... neways after some coaxing and some treachery I ensure that i get the front seat.. and ofcourse Mridula was asleep before we were even out of gurgaon :-) ... had a nice lunch near meerut and continued on the way.. reached Taj at around 5:00 PM.. but were shocked and dissapointed since Taj is closed on Fridays :-)... yup that was the shock... we had a big laugh about it.. clicked photos of each other and of Taj from a distance (paid some tout some money so he took us to that place from where we can see Taj).. bought some souvenirs / petha / pede etc.. and headed back.. we couldn't stay at Agra since the friends sister was coming next day early morning to stay with them for few days... I drove the car the way back and discovered the detour to Gurgaon (which I had talked abt earlier)... this time it was close to 11 PM when we were crossing this and though we were in car and there were three guys.. we didn't wanted to any chance.. bought some bottles of rum and had good fun at home remembering our experience and drowning the sorrows in rum (except ofcourse me since I am a tee totaller)..
This is how close we could get / what we could see of Taj
http://i11.tinypic.com/81ozm8h.jpg
So clicked each others pics
http://i4.tinypic.com/7yrz52q.jpg
Day 6 & 7 were spent lazing around, playing carrom, drinking, chatting etc...
Day 8
After our day 5 experience, I was resolute that we would not go back without seeing Taj.. so me along with Mridula left for Agra on the bike... this time we were not carrying the saddle bag as we planned to return to Gurgaon at night.. left gurgaon at 7:30 AM on a chilly winter morning... the detour I had talked about earlier looked entirely different in the day light.. we took a break once for breakfast (mulli & gobi paranthas) and once at Mc Donald near Meerut for thick shake (real reason was that we wanted to use clean toilets)... this time we were able to see Taj up close and personal and it was nice to have actually seen the monument with which India is associated with across most other countries.. took number of snaps from various angles.. though didn't take the shot of us on the chair where most dignatories take snaps with Taj in backdrop as it was so cliche..
Finally made it to Taj
http://i19.tinypic.com/6ue6otk.jpg
http://i12.tinypic.com/6tofi9s.jpg
Must for all couples
http://i19.tinypic.com/7xc6611.jpg
http://i1.tinypic.com/6ugnrev.jpg
Some people are just so stupid.. someone having defaced the wall / floor (saw many such examples)
http://i6.tinypic.com/8ekeli0.jpg
http://i8.tinypic.com/816g4z6.jpg
http://i7.tinypic.com/80m9ufc.jpg
Red fort at Agra (imposing monument)
http://i19.tinypic.com/833p20k.jpg
We also went to see the dayalbagh temple being made since 1904 (I think the contruction started somewhere in 1929 or so).. it is also a full marble structure which I guess is not even half complete (guess due to paucity of funds).. but its beautiful.. the intricate work on marble is much better that what one sees at Taj or at other places (many Jain temples).. I understand from some people around there that the intention of building this temple was to leave something for our descendants which was built in 20th century... (no pics of it since camera not allowed)... I saw an royal enfield showroom / workshop at Agra and since there was an issue with the battery fuse thought of correcting it there.. also wanted to change the air filter (though the earlier filter had done less than 3000 Km, it had also gone through the same dusty conditions.. plus there was issue of engine oil entering air filter box..). while I was buying the air filter and explaining fuse issue to the workshop guy.. met with an RE official who was also visiting there... he was very nice to us enquiring about the trip and willing to help in any way that he can... it was a nice experience (my first with any RE official) and left a nice feeling in me about the company.. also reminded me that the perception of the company is formed by its employees / stakeholders.. The return was normal except the stretch (detour) we have talked about earlier..
Day 9 was again an off riding day spent shopping at Sarojini nagar... I had spent large amount of time there during my post graduation at IIT, Delhi... and had very fond memories of taking mridula for shopping there during our college days when we were "just friends".. how did we manage to carry all that shopping... to be covered in day 10 update
Day 10
We had done some shopping at Sarojini nagar which required a separate bag (overnighter also purchased at SNgr).. we had plans to leave at 7:30 AM and were also ready well in time to leave expect on tying the luggage to the bike... started this at ~ 7:15 and by 8:00 realised that it wld not be good idea to carry this bag with us with lot of sightseeing pending at Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur etc... so took the luggage and did repacking.. left the bag with my brother-in-law for him to carry it when he is back in Pune and I wld collect it from him... it came out as a wise decision because I did not get to keep the luggage at any of the monument visited at Jaipur.. I had to carry it everywhere and it was pretty heavy... plus one more bag wld have been very inconvenient to carry / reload on bike... finally after repacking / tea / tata bye bye etc.. we left at ~ 8:30.. staying in Gurgaon had a big advantage of reaching the Jaipur highway in no time...
On the way instead of going straight to Jaipur I mistakenly took the turn to Rewari (2-3 cars in front of me took that turn so confusing me)... However, checked with an taxi just after the turn and realised my mistake.. since i did not want to travel on the wrong side on the highway.. moved towards delhi to take a u-turn.. after less than 1/2 km found a detour which seems to be leading towards jaipur highway... so took that.. after some bit of offroading (while in the photo it is not coming right, this was quite steep.. and with loose mud quite thrilling to travel.. with coming down even more challenging - this done without pillion).. came down since this way came to an abrupt end... again went back to highway to realise that there was a u-turn to jaipur highway less than 50 mtrs from where i took the detour.. neways it was a good experience which ensured that we were now fully awake..
the offroading part
On the way found a bulleteer strugling to start his bullet on the highway... he was touring could be made out from his attire and saddle bag... i stopped to see if i cld be some help but before i cld reach him, his bullet started (lucky for him i guess.. don't know what damage i cld have done).. after another 500 mtr saw a big group of bulleteers stopping at some dhaba (guess i saw some females as well).. by the time i saw them i had gone past them.. i shd have stopped to greet / meet them but didn't believing we wld cross again.. but didn't.. mistake :( ..
we took a breakfast cum freshing up break at ~ 10:00 AM.. this was the first time we ate at some decent restaurant on our entire trip (at highways).. our first stop at Jaipur (just outside, i believe) was Amer fort.. again some twisties but not too serious.. spent around an hour at the fort.. where I was informed by the guide that earlier bikes were allowed inside the fort (upto a point) but because some bikers in past had got drunk and fell from some height.. bikes are now not allowed... it wld have been great were the bikes allowed.. wld have been great pics.. anyways next stop was jaipur palace.. this is were my agony started.. they did not have a place were we cld keep our luggage nor the security office willing to keep with them.. so had to carry it around.. took some pics.. spent some time and then left for jantar mantar.. which is actually not much.. again took few snaps and left (within 10 min, i guess).. next stop was hawa mahal.. spent some decent time there (again carrying luggage on way up was tiring).. met a very cute couple... they seemed a conservative muslim couple (from the way they dressed) in their fifties... very much in love with each other (the way they were caring for each other).. with the wish that we also grow old with fondness and not knives at each other throats.. we took a snap with them.. they were confused as till then we didn't even had a word with them... but agreed...
on way to fort.. old temple.. now in ruins
amer palace (not very sure)
amer fort - small flag indicates that the raja is in town
Jaipur palace
Being a collie
at Jantar mantar
Hawa mahal (one of my favorites) - there's moon
by now i had got an ultimatum from mridula :) .. thing is that i had told her abt dal batti before we started our trip and how in rajasthan it is just delicious... we did not get a chance to eat it on our way to delhi.. but now we were to have it.. asked some locals where we shd eat it and they sent us to some place near bus stand.. finally had our lunch at ~ 5:30... from here went to see birla mandir.. again no place to keep the luggage.. left it at ~ 6:45 PM and having covered most of the places to see decided to head towards Ajmer and cover pushkar the next day...
Birla mandir
the journey was uneventful but not the destination.. we saw a decent hotel just before Ajmer city and thought to take a room so we can take the detour to pushkar the next day and not worry abt the city traffic.. the hotel manager arranged for me to see the room but when I also called in mridula to see the room.. he told us that hotel was full (though there was only one room occupied - some family).. guess seeing a girl fully covering her face coming to see a hotel room.. freaked him out... when we argued with him he said that they don't give rooms to locals.. we were liked zapped... we were like - dude, can u read a number plate, which local travel with saddle bag :eek: ... maybe he had not seen our bike and all.. neways he was still arguing and we had neways lost interest in staying at that hotel (rooms weren't that great either).. so after some typical panju stuff (shaking him by his collar and all) :mad: we left towards inside the city... took a hotel there.. and though it was past 10 PM and we were not feeling too thrilled after this experience... I still managed to negotiate for a 20% reduction :) .. since checkout was 24 hrs and the hotel was on way between pushkar and Udaipur.. we did not have to worry abt carrying our luggage.. and we were off to sleep..
Day 11
Again the ride started late with us reaching Pushkar by 9:45 AM... with some time wasted in finding a parking place.. we were only carrying the other bag containing tool kit, water, some other stuff.. and post last days collie giri was feeling a lot lighter... spent some 2:30 Hrs at Pushkar.. also enjoyed camel ride, giant wheel (great view from the top), window shopping etc... took a number of snaps but lost many of them due to memory card malfunction :mad: :( :confused: (details in day 12 log)... some of the best snaps i had taken were at pushkar and i lost most of them....
Though the best photos are lost - whatever is left
http://i13.tinypic.com/71lqumo.jpg
Vodafone is there
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Very large number of camels & horses - I wish the pics from top of giant wheel were still there
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Foreigners getting mehndi (hey!! i aksed before taking the pic and my wife is there in the background)
http://i18.tinypic.com/6lubv5f.jpg
neways came back to the hotel, repacked, and left for Udaipur at 2:30.. took lunch outside beawer at a dhaba.. and though the dhaba guy was very courteous and nice, the food wasn't great.. i wanted mridula to also try besan gata hence ordered.. but it was not very tasty.. again with the objective of riding as much as possible without breaks till day light is there.. we headed for Udaipur.. we even had a scare with no petrol pump in sight for many km with petrol level going down :( ... finally found one shady HP pump (but did not do tank full.. as a matter of fact only 100 Rs worth petrol).. took next stop at Nagdwara for petrol (decent Indian Oil petrol pump there) for tankup and changing glasses / adding clothes... thought of visiting the mandir but thought of reaching Udaipur at a decent time and spend some time there... it was almost dark now and the route is through ghats (some more twisties)...
This is how we had our meals
http://i12.tinypic.com/8fo2k4l.jpg
Notice the indian juggad (pink hot water bottle/bag on rear seat)
http://i4.tinypic.com/8b43gqx.jpg
Me & venom having some time alone
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Fultu timepass
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One of the Group companies is based out of Udaipur and I have been a monthly visitor to the city / office so asked them to arrange for a hotel (paid by me) since on personal tour staying in guest house would not be very ethical... with most of the hotels being full due to season and loads of wedding and my budget being limited.. they booked a room in an RTDC hotel.. in the heart of the city.. we freshened up / changed clothes (mridula) and headed for dinner.. due to my earlier visits knew of a restaurant with a very nice view called Amrai or Ambrai (a haveli converted to hotel & restaurant)... had a nice romantic dinner (as romantic as it can get after knowing each other for 7 years).. reached back by 11 PM and found out at the reception that they arrange for half day city tour.. after having spent so much time asking people for what to see and directions... somebody driving us to various places of interest was not an option to be missed.. it was to leave at 8:30 AM the next day..
View from Amrai - The palace (one of the other view is of lake view hotel)
http://i1.tinypic.com/6tve1y1.jpg
Day 12
We were ready by the required time but the coach was late and we left only at 9:00 AM.. covered kala mandir, palace, some mandir, maharana pratap samarak & saheliyon ki baadi.. it was at kala mandir where I realised that not all pics taken are being saved.. there was a puppet show there and i took some pics but they were not to be found... on detailed review realised that many other pics taken in past are also not there... so now started taking 3-4 pic of same thing hoping atleast one is saved... worked at times.. not at others.. realising that camera is playing tricks with us did not take it to the palace (rs 200 fee for camera.. with no guarantee that pics wld materialise).. tried some things but when camera started asking us to format the card.. it was time for us to let go.. so we inserted the other memory card which was already full (the memory card which was playing tricks was from my phone).. deleted some photos :( and used the space to get more pics.. it was more sad because had purchased another memory card (through a friend) just before we left and could not collect due to hectic schedule:(
Maharana Pratap
http://i7.tinypic.com/6wn9jt2.jpg
At Maharana pratap samarak
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And more at the samarak
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Outside saheliyon ki baadi there are some shops.. bought saari's for mom & mom-in-law and paintings for home / gift (folded) and some souveniers .. reached back at hotel by 2:00 and after repacking stuff (now my jacket was outside the saddle bag) left for Vadodar by 2:30 pm.. loved the stretch between Udaipur and Ahemdabad with so many places which I wanted to take pics of (happens.. u want to do what u cant do).. mridula wanted to have dal batti before we crossed rajasthan border but it was not meant to be... so we skipped lunch (took some snacks)..
There is an expressway between Ahd and Baroda where bikes are not allowed.. we were very wary of that and asked number of people.. met another biker who told us that he is also headed to baroda and we shd follow him... still we were asking as many people we cld so as to not make the mistake... and as luck wld have it.. that biker / direction from a toll gate not 500 mtr from expressway led us to the expressway... we were stopped there by the security guard there.. who started by preaching how many deaths there have been due of bikers on the expressway and all... then about the fine (Rs 150 odd for each bike) that we wld have to pay... then finally about how by paying Rs 50 each we can use the expressway :mad: :mad: .. it was so disgusting, the guy in order to make some money was leading bikers on highway where cars / trucks / buses wld not expect a bike thus increasing chances of accidents... anyways since i was directed that way by the toll guy not 500 mts away and by that biker (who was just a silent spectator in all this except telling the security guy we were together)... i was not ready to pay the fine and I in no way wanted to use the expressway (don't want to break law and also there certainly wld be another security guy at other end waiting for more money).. finally since our arguing was not going anywhere.. paid the guy Rs 20 and left (had ensured that we did not get off the bike and he does not touch the key.. he tried taking out the key once but told him in no uncertain terms not to touch the bike)... the other guy was even happier not having to pay anything though directing us in wrong direction... After this it was all two lane highway (either 4 laning work going on or just 2 lanes)...
Took another break for coffee and some more snacks.. and headed for baroda... here we were not to worry abt hotel since were staying with some cousin of mridula... Cousin's husband being a very nice guy ensured we ate well (with not having had a decent meal the whole day.. we too ensured we ate well :D ) and taking us for a drive around the city... i don't know why but I was like someone had given me sleeping pills (effect of the nice dinner).. and while he was showing places, explaining the history and all, I was like falling on the side... it was bad on my part with him showing so much enthusiasm abt the trip and all.. I survived the ask not looking too bad... but the moment i hit the bed, I was asleep (maybe even before i fully hit the bed)..:D
Day 13
we left at 10 AM (having breakfast, being courteous takes time).. Nothing major to report on this day.. except i clicked snaps of the 78 model bullet which the husband has fully restored (spent 40-45K).. it was a beauty...
'78 model bullet restored
http://i7.tinypic.com/71fm1hg.jpg
The raods from vadodara till surat are a pain (i don't remember them being so bad the other way) with 4-laning work going on... took us a lot of time to reach surat.. from there on it is like almost home... we had not yet taken any pic of any milestone so used the last available space for that...
On way back
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The last pic
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reached home by 7:15 PM (surviving many jams just outside Mumbai).. with a feeling of having accomplished something without any major issue (was almost praying last 100 odd km for no puncture) planned to go to sleep max by 9-9:30.. but it was not to be.. mridula had commitment to attend marriage of colleagues sister.. so after lot of coaxing she ensured that we go there (though i ensured that i don't have to shave).. once we reached there it was fine.. meeting friends (i know most of mridula's colleagues very well) ensured that we cld survive staying awake till 2 PM (including lot of dancing... it was a panju wedding).. so finally at 2 PM my day 13 ended and i could go to sleep a satisfied man.. dreaming about my next long ride (ladakh / north east are calling)
