Magical Munnar

Photos from the last ride to Munnar. It was a ride filled with scenic landscapes and wonderful roads.

Tale of a solo ride into the dreamlands and the lifetime of memories - The start

Prologue:

I was watching the sun set and the beautiful golden rays of sun bouncing off the snow capped peaks sitting on the river bank, the entire area was turning into gold! The calm gurgling river and the serenity was shattered by a shrill sound.

Yes I was dreaming again and the sound of the alarm once again put a stop to the views I have been visualizing since days now. I as any other rider dreamt of riding to the land of fairies and mountains and every year the dream remained a dream due to friends giving up, money and you know lots of reasons. Not this year, I had decided and I was ready to ride solo if needed.

I chased my dreams and yes I lived the dreams I had visualized sitting here in the concrete laden city for years. Back in one piece to narrate the story and to be lost for words, to describe the beauty of nature that I witnessed, the torturous roads I travelled and the furious streams I crossed.This log will be about the experiences I had in the journey trying to relive the month long trip into the heaven in the form of pics and videos and words.

The plan:

The seed was planted deep within the heart and the desire to chase the dreams was getting stronger and stronger. I started initially with the help of Google Maps charting out places, distances and all the plans. I wanted to ride all the way from Bangalore and then ride back. The map which I had planned for was like this.

Now the problem was leaves, getting any manager to approve a month long leave is not easy and somehow I was lucky enough to get the leaves sanctioned. I was to ride from 11th July to 10th August which made me very happy as this leaves me enough time to enjoy and wander in the dreamland.

The next big task was getting approvals from home. Somehow there was no resistance from Mom! May be she was fed up of me ranting Leh Leh from last 2 years and she must have thought that even this time it will be the same story.

Thanks to Saquib, Yogesh Sarkar from bcmtouring, for the help in route planning and also the things required and the list was ready. The count down timer was ticking in my phone and everyday I used to feel excited looking at the days left.

While the clock was ticking, the anxiety was growing. I had to carry lots of things and financial requirement was growing exponentially. The biggest factor was that I was riding solo and I had to be prepared for any surprises. The preparations were in full swing and finally the days were close.

The bike was taken care in the able hands of Indranil, and Dinesh and Karthik from Tansi Honda. Really appreciate their efforts in getting the bike ready and going out of their ways to help me out.

I mentioned that there will be 2 of us going so as to avoid people getting worried and trying to discourage me. Still there were lots of comments, lots of "Why do you want all this.." kind of words which I ignored.

So the final plan was decided as below.

11-Jul	Friday	Bangalore	Pune
12-Jul	Saturday	Pune	Udaipur
13-Jul	Sunday	Udaipur	Amritsar
14-Jul	Monday	Amritsar	Srinagar
15-Jul	Tuesday	Srinagar	Srinagar
16-Jul	Wednesday	Srinagar	Srinagar
17-Jul	Thursday	Srinagar                   Gulmarg	Sonmarg
18-Jul	Friday	Sonmarg	Sankoo
19-Jul	Saturday	Sankoo	Padum
20-Jul	Sunday	Padum	Padum
21-Jul	Monday	Padum	Kargil
22-Jul	Tuesday	Kargil	Leh
25-Jul	Friday	Leh	Turtuk
26-Jul	Saturday	Turtuk	Diskit
27-Jul	Sunday	Diskit	Pangong Tso
28-Jul	Monday	Pangong Tso	Chushul/Chumtang/Tso Moriri
29-Jul	Tuesday	Chushul/Chumtang	Tso Moriri
31-Jul	Thursday	Tso Moriri	Sarchu
1-Aug	Friday	Sarchu	Kasol
3-Aug	Sunday	Kasol	Chandigarh

This is pretty close to the itinerary I followed too, but a trip into the mountains without delays and reschedules is no fun. As the log goes forward, you will see lot of delays and re maps to the plans. As far as I am concerned, going with a plan and then deferring is lot better than going without one and wondering what happened.

For those who are planning to head out to Leh and Ladakh, please refer to the map available in BCMT website as that is the best guide for the distance and route planning. Putting it up here with due credit to BCMT and the creators.

All this done, I was starting to get scared as the days went by. I was feeling that I should stop this madness and go again with friends where I can be safe. I was loosing my head and sleep too, as I have never done long solo rides and the one I was planning was no highway ride to the nearby hill station. There were lots of things that could go wrong and I would have no one with me at that time! All this was swirling in my head, but I decided that I will be going and what ever happens will be dealt with.

Finally the D-day was here, I was to leave next day early morning and I was still to finish my packing. I was really struggling within if I should be doing this or not. Finally it dawned me that this is what I have been dreaming of, everything had come together in making this dream a reality and it was just me who was afraid to chase the dreams. I had to be strong and if I missed this chance, it would be all because of me! I sat for a while, thinking silently in the dark of the room. Few more hours left to start and here I am thinking if I should start!

I made up, finished packing and I slept, infact I had a good sleep! I never am able to sleep the day before a ride and today was the biggest ride till date and I was sleeping peacefully, all set to head out in a few hours! 

Next up, the journey begins and the fun starts.

Tale of a solo ride into the dreamlands and the lifetime of memories - Rain and Sun

I will club multiple days into one in the interest of keeping the log short and interesting.

Day 1: Bangalore-Pune:
The day begun on a bright note. I was up and ready by 4AM. The bike looked eager to head out and I was still a little sceptic about what I was getting into. Anyways, I updated everyone on whatsapp about my departure and started the cruise towards Pune.

It was cold and slightly drizzly by the time I crossed Tumkur, but I was prepared for the worst and I was packed in 2 layers of waterproofing. Last thing you want is to get wet and look forward to the end of the ride. I was doing good time and sadly it was raining so there was no photography either. I reached Chitradurga soon and pulled over for a break when the rain had stopped for a while.

It was incessant rain after this place till I reached Pune! The roads were amazing and it was really beautiful to ride in the rain and to see the nature at its best. Only downside was the number of pics. I really wanted to click a pic of the valley from the food plaza at Nippani, but I didn't bother to even think about it looking at the rain.

As I neared the outskirts of Pune, the traffic increased, and the spray from the 4 and 6 wheelers tyres made riding scary as well as difficult. The visor used to get so dirty, so often, I was scared that I would bend my rims on those monster potholes. Tailed an Alto for a good distance and the highlight of the day happened.

Saw the board for the hotel near Chinchwadi and decided to call it a day. As I went in and fixed on the room, a comfy 2 bed room with AC and TV for 600 bucks,

The Jab We Met scene:
Receptionist: Sir for how many hours do you want the room??
Me: What??!! For the full night obviously!!
Receptionist: With a strange look, and a scan of my personality, Ok, Can you please give me your ID?? And by the way, where is Madam??
Me: Looking at the couple coming out of a room (With a satisfied look) What Madam? Who Madam?? I am alone!!

And then it dawned me on where I had chosen to stay!! But the rooms were nice and I was tired to go searching for another room so had no choice.

Receptionist: Sir, we have food here, and let me know if you need anything else (With a wink)
Me: Oh, thanks, I will take the room and that will all be needed for me

Settled in the room and I was called for by the owner. Now I was wondering what more offers could be coming my way.

Owner: (Offering a cup of tea, which I took gladly) Sir are you coming from Bangalore?
Me: Yes.
Owner: Sir, you know about the bomb blast in Pune?
Me: Yes, I do. (There was a bomb blast in Pune a day back)
Owner: Sir, you are not carrying any bombs, are you? You are alone from Bangalore, so I am asking??
Me: What??!! Why would I tell you if I had a bomb?
Owner: (Looking worried now), Sir, please if you have one, do vacate the room.
Me: (Controlling my Laugh), Yes sir, if I have one I will vacate, feel free to come and take a look at my stuff.

He was happy that I was not a terrorist, had a good laugh and finished the tea and headed back.

Well, saw many satisfied couple going out and slept wondering if I will have to spend time in the police station. Luckily nothing happened and headed out the next day as soon as I could.


Day2: Pune-Udaipur:

The day started early, the pitch black roads welcomed me with their hide and seek. The roads would hide everything, and I had a really tough time seeking what they had in store even with a 60W headlight and 2 LED spots! Slowly rode till sun was up and I was riding in the old Pune-Mumbai highway.

The views are really breathtaking. The foggy roads, the valleys, mountains and ofcourse the rain kept me company.

I stopped at Vadodara for lunch, and I was greeted by this gentleman travelling with his family. He enquired about my ride and was happy to see me ride all the way to Leh. He wished me luck too. Met few more people while few were amazed, there was one guy who said that I will never even make it to Srinagar.

While it was raining till now, it turned bright and sunny and hot from here. Saquib bhai, informed me about the construction work in the Ahmedabad Udaipur route and I took a diversion via Godhra. The SH roads are a bliss to ride on and traffic free. The only fly in the ointment was heat, and it was turning crazy now.

I was 120Kms away from Udaipur by 6:30PM. Updated everyone and I expected to be in Udaipur by 8:30, max! Well, the roads from here, even though a NH, are horrible. There is too much truck traffic, and to add to it, its a ghat section. There is nothing to prevent the headlight of oncoming traffic on the dividers, and there are craters created in the road due to the truck movement. All this made sure that I reached Udaipur by 10PM! A full 3:30 hours for 120Kms!

Day 3: Udaipur-Abohar:

Woke up late, and headed out. The target was Amritsar, the roads were good. There was no traffic, any guesses on what made me miss the destination?

The heat!, the wild life on the road and a wrong diversion I took which landed me on a SH. It was so hot, I had drunk atleast 6lt of water since morning, and the first leak I took was after reaching Abohar! The ice cold bottle of water which I bought 10 minutes back, would let off steam when I stopped for a sip of water! And the blue shirt I had worn for the day, had turned white due to sweat!!

Next, the wildlife. Cows, cows and cows everywhere on the roads! The best was when a camel decided to run across the road and I nearly went under it!

A cup of chai in the evening turned out to be a long affair when they shut the railway gate for a good 30 mins. Met a few people here, and heard lots of comments about the bike. The dhoom bike, runs at 200 Kmph. The usual, kitne ki hai, kitna deti hai etc. A kid wanted to ride the bike! And he and his uncle narrated me the story of how this kid took his uncles splendor and rode at 80 and crashed into the nallah! Hell, yes here are the keys to my bike, please go crash harder this time, I was thinking.

It was dark, and I wanted to push to Amritsar as I had planned for a days rest there and I had 300Kms to cover. However, I had to change my decision 100Kms into the night ride as I felt it was risky. There were too many camel carts that showed up at the last second, too many trucks coming in your face, with them highbeams. Stopped at Abohar and I had my first schedule skip of 200Kms.

Pics from the day:

I wanted to make this the cover for this ride and name it, "Lone blade rides to Leh". Sounded a bit cheesy and so scrapped the idea

The scenerey that I saw all day in Rajasthan. There was no source of shade to even take a break.

Day 4: Abohar- Amritsar:

I had to get my 5th service done, so visited MRZ Honda in Amritsar. I had nothing much to do apart from engine oil change, just to get the 5th service tag for warranty and the first shock came in the form of engine oil. They wanted to pour mineral oil into the bike where as the bike comes from factory with full synthetic. I refused and was told to go get my own oil as they dont stock the required oil.

Found 2lt of Castrol FS oil, and the idiot technician poured all of the 2ltrs in while the bike takes only 1.5lt!! And I was told, sir chalta hai kuch nai hoga!! I made him remove the excess oil. Not a place to be if you are a CBR owner.

All this took a lot of time and gone was my dream of visiting Wagah border. Next in the list was the Golden Temple, and here are the pics of this beautiful place.

Jallianwalah Bagh:

This kid was sitting like this for quite some time, and I couldn't resist taking his pic..

The guy who took this pic insisted that I fold my hands and pray and he took the pic only after I did.

Next up, the entry into the heaven and the journey ahead.

Tale of a solo ride into the dreamlands and the lifetime of memories- Entering the dreamlan

Day: 5 Amritsar to Udhampur:

The start to the day was chaotic. The traffic in Amritsar was so ugly, it took me lot of time and sweat to get out of there. The fact that I forgot my phone in the hotel did not make things easier and I had to go through the same hell twice. The roads were good, but the driving or riding habits in Punjab got me nuts. I have even told people that I will never drive or ride in Punjab again. People will come in front of your nose and expect you to avoid them hitting you.

Any ways enough ranting about traffic, let’s talk about food! There is only one word, amazing. The paranthas, lassi and all the delicacies, they feed you enough to make you sleepy and then offer you place to sleep too. Hospitable people and the saving grace for a frustrating ride.

Udhampur toll booth brought in lots of joy to me, I was waiting to see this board from 4 days and here I was in front of it, being enquired by people on where I was from and if I am in the right state of mind to do such things. From here I changed my answer for are you alone from yes, to no there are people coming behind, I reached a bit early.

I had to visit my Aunt in Jammu and it was already noon and I rushed a bit to get there. The roads were nice and Jammu came soon. Had food there any bid good bye to them.

Here is my little sis who wanted a pic of me in full gear 

Now the roads turned awesome. For the initial part, the roads were curvy and single lane. Please be careful In this stretch. There were lots of stones kept on the road, probably from the vehicles that broke down and saw an alto lose its front bumper and screech to halt with a big stone stuck to its front axle.

Tawi river accompanies the lone traveller

Stopped at Udhampur as it was turning late and it was getting cloudy. The first hotel I checked said 2.5K for a night, second one was better and offered 1.5K. I went into the third and got a room for 600Rs and settled for the night.

Day: 6 Udhampur to Aru:
It rained heavily in the night and the rain had become a drizzle in the morning. Went to the nearby shack for the morning tea and met this old uncle. We spoke about politics, money and lots of other things. He is a retired policeman and he refused to take money from me! He said that I am coming from such a long distance and I am his guest in his place and money is not important but love! Please do visit his shop, it’s a torn tent kind of structure, left hand side of the road in front of Singh Shine hotel in Udhampur.

This man was a stark contrast to few other people I met and who demanded 60Rs for a cup of tea!
Patnitop was the next destination and the fog was so thick, even the vehicles coming with their headlights on would be visible only when they reached within your arms length. Rode carefully and clicked a few pics on the way towards Srinagar.

Had a traffic jam due to couple of land slides and the roads were full of mud and slush. Met a group of riders from Chennai and we rode together till Titanic view point.

Misty morning in Patnitop

Beautiful scenery all along

Got stuck in Batal for over 2 hours in the noon. There was a man who had blocked the road in protest of his dad being hit by a policewala and was blabbering some stuff sitting on top of his jeep. After lots of thoughts, we pushed our bikes through a small gap and fled the scene. The whole road was empty and had a blast riding through them.

My lifes first snow capped peaks

Beautiful Kashmir valley:

Titanic Viewpoint: 

It was getting late and I was riding towards Pahalgam. It was getting dark and rain was showing its presence slowly. When I stopped for asking directions, one army guy asked me to stop. He was pointing to my rear wheel when I asked him what happened, and I was looking if the tyre was flat, or if the saddle bag was touching the wheel. Then I met an army jawan from Hubli who was posted in Pahalgam for duty. We had a long chat; he forced me to have biscuits and even offered stay in army mess if I did not find accommodation ahead. He was so courteous to invite me for lunch the next day in the mess. Thank you sir.
 

Reached Aru by 7 and found a good place for stay. It was cold and I ate what ever they gave and dozed off.

Up next : Beautiful Aru valley and valley of flowers