3A Trip - II

As the mind was boggling on various issues, the uncertain plans made more concentration on mind to mingle around. Tring Tring…. The phone rang, hey at what time you would be reaching my place…. Voice came from other end. Surprisingly it was my cousin’s call. Oh… now it was like… threads were unwinding & I was able to see the path ahead too saputara through the mist.

We discussed over half an hour, with the help of Gujarat Tourism’s map in my cousins hand and Google at my desk. Humpty dumpty sat on the wall & I & cousin chalked out the plan. Finally, things moved on and next day morning at 8.35Am my bike started its engine. The 3A trip begins.

Heading towards Kalol, near Baroda my bike took a 142KM ride through Chiloda, Dehgam, Kapadganj, Dakor, Galteshwar on the smooth roads till I land to dunde… The roads from dunde to Kalol was full of hips and humps. Though I enjoyed the journey of 3 hours till I reached my cousins place. We had a lunch at his home and then after little discussions with uncles our tentative way ahead plans were ready.

Leaving at 2PM from Kalol through Halol, Pavagad, we reached Rajpipla to see Sardar Sarovar Dam. The journey was very good due to the well connectivity & signs at the road. We reached around 4.30PM to dam. Thinking what to do next, we thought to have Amul Kool & discuss the route the guys over there. There suggestion helped us and we took the shorter route to rajpipla and way ahead from there.

75kmph, cold breeze, steep turns… almost eyes open with no sign of blink…… What you doing…. I shouted to my cousin…. As the truck passed us. Huuuuu…. Saved…. My heart said. Are brother “Mere shaadi abhi baki hain” pyaar se chala…. I told him. Too this… bugger raised the speed by 5kmph and took it to 80kmph and said “Toh maine kaunsi shaadi karli hain”…. With camera in my hand and thoughts in my mind… I said to myself… enjoy the speed & let him drive…. Enjoy the adventure & let the wind blow…

We took a route to Mandvi and thought that by the time sun sets we should reach there, so that we don’t need to drive at night. Anyhow we reached there by 7.30PM. Saw an Jain store with the name “Vardhaman… something something”. Uncle can we get any Dharamshala or Guesthouse over here… I asked. No … this is small town and thus not much facility is available… was his reply. How far is Mahua from here… my cousin interrupted. He had been to Mahua before and was aware about the Dharamshala and other arrangements there. Its around 40-50 Km from here… Go to Bardoli & change the route from there was his answer.

What… What are you saying… at this night, with no sight of light; cold breeze on height & traffic on right… I wont drive…. I shouted. Don’t worry I will drive & take you alright.. he replied. Waah.. I wanted this only, I said to myself. While on the way to Bardoli we saw a very nice decorated temple. Lets see this, I said to my cousin. We parked the bike, took out the helmet, bags and shoes. Went inside the temple…. It was very beautiful. The temple was of Saibaba.

After haulting for 10 minutes & few snaps, we again geared ourself for another 20-30Km journey. Took help of few localites in knowing the roads and finally reached Mahua at 8.30PM. After keeping our lugguage in the Hall at Dharamshala, we headed for dinner at Chamunda Hotel which is around 1KM from there. Had Dalfry, Sev Tamato ki Sabji and Roti… The best Gujju food, I love while on travel.

Vasda, Awha….. Saputara, Daman….. Wagai, Shirdi…. Diu, Girnarji…. Errrr….. Girls… Noooo… Food…. Tring Tring…. Tring Tring…. With all this topics and discussions we both landed on our phones… the best thing during travel to share the experience with your close ones. I started talking with my close pals in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Beawer, Gandhinagar and my cousin started his talks with his closed ones in Baroda, Dakor, Mumbai (I heard him silently… and that’s how I knew J )

Lights off and we ended our day long journey starting from Gandhinagar till Mahua… the KM started at 2704 when I left Sec 29 and it was 3115 till we reach Mahua…