A long-time dream of driving to Leh from Bangalore was
becoming a reality in May 2017. That was one of reason to get my SUV in 2015.
Somehow we missed it in 2016. The initial plan was to go in the holidays of May
2017 with our families, but it was postponed to June as the roads for Leh were
opened after May. The plan was finalized for just 2 of us: me & my
childhood friend (Vipin) to start on 10th June, for a 2 week trip.
My vehicle was serviced earlier & got it checked for the Long journey. I
also got some consumables & an air-filter in case if it is needed. After
suggestions from many websites on ‘What to take for a Self-drive to Leh’, we
got a rope, puncher kit, fuel can, etc.
Two days before the planned date, there came a twist. My
friend’s elder son was down with fever & he was to be with his son badly.
As he was not in a position to travel that weekend & suggested me to
postpone the trip for a week, I was not in a position to do so. I even planned
to drive alone & suggested him to join me later by air. Somehow he & my
wife convinced me to postpone the trip by 7 long days.
That week, some of my friends were asking about how my trip
is going on, to which I had to reply sadly that it is postponed by a week.
Meanwhile one of my friend (Prashant) who lives in Nasik felt happy regarding
the delay in my trip & told me that he would like to join us next week and
probably with one of his friend. In a couple of days, he called me up &
confirmed his joining along with his friend (Hemant). Now a team of 4 is set-up
for an adventurous trip. We decided to pick them up somewhere in Maharashtra
(just kidding). One week delay was effective. “Everything happens for a reason”
flashed in my mind.
I had a vague plan of which route to take, where to halt but
we didn’t book any of the accommodation for 2 weeks. We thought we can manage
anywhere as we all were single (only for the next 2 weeks).
Day 1
The day arrived and we (Me & Vipin) left around 5 AM in
the morning from my home. The temporary destination was Thane, where we planned
to halt & pick our other 2 amigos. We have travelled in NH4 a number of
times & we enjoy that route. Our 1st halt was at Kamat, Sira for
an early breakfast at 7AM as we started our day early. The next break was for a
small official commitment for my friend at Chitradurga Toll. I also reminded
him about movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ as what happens when you do official
work on a personal trip. And he knows that I will dare do that. Our lunch break
was at 12PM in Hotel White House, Nipani (Somewhere between Belgaum & Kolhapur) for a light meal.
Meanwhile when we were talking between us, I came to know
that my wife had told Vipin to take care of me during the trip. Then I told him
that Prashant’s wife had messaged me to take care of Prashant during the trip.
And we assumed that Hemant’s wife would have told Prashant to take care of
Hemant. Vipin felt sad that no one worried about him. Ha ha ha…
After some drive in heavy rain on the way, we reached Pune
by 4PM to have some hot Vada-Pav in a road-side stall near some college, we left to
Thane and reached there by 7PM. We searched for some hotels online &
checked in to one nearest to the highway. I had clocked 1007 KMS that day,
which was my best till date in 1 day. I wanted to see how long can I drive in a
day, so I didn’t allow him to drive. Sorry for that Vipin, I know how bad it
feels not to sit in driver’s seat for a whole day driving. Anyhow I clocked 1000 kms again in a day in my Udaipur trip.
We updated our positions to our spouses as it was mutually agreed
by us before leaving for the boys-only trip. After freshening up, we had one of
the best Roti-Dal combinations in a nearby restaurant which completed our Day 1
positively.
Day 2-14
......
Keep watching this post... 😜
Till then enjoy the pics... (Not in any particular order.)
Keep watching this post... 😜
Till then enjoy the pics... (Not in any particular order.)
