Day 2(Delhi-Sonepat-Panipat-Karnal-Kurukshetra-Ambala-Kharar-Rupnagar-Sundernagar-Mandi-Manali)
600 Kms
15-Aug-2014(Beware of the Ides of August!)
Early to bed and early to rise. The perfect mantra when you are on an unending drive! We got up at 6, freshened up and were rearing to go by 7.
Fuel-Check,
Air pressure -Check,
Engine oil - Forgot to check,
Coolant - Forgot to check.
Nonetheless, high on excitement we started the first leg of journey. Not only us, but aprroximately, a quarter of national capital's total population too started their journey for Manali via NH1. Meanwhile Anshuman left for Manali on his bike from Chandigarh at around 8 A.M.
We reached Ambala somewhere around 1200 hours and had lunch at the much renowned Hotel Haveli(a not so good experience). Amit launched himself in the driver seat, followed by shaily's desire to drive, followed by amit taking over again as we approached the mountains. What followed next was a nightmare.
An ocean of traffic awaited us just when we started to enjoy the drive after lunch. People coming from manali adviced us to go back, telling tales of their journey. Some even claimed about landslide, bridge being washed away and what not. But we continued. I took over the wheels in between the traffic jam, and cleared the initial traffic but sadly it kept coming. Traffic diversions created more delay. We were late for dinner.
But dinner was the last thing on my mind(Amit was the prime sufferer of this sudden change of plan). I just wanted to reach manali, by hook or crook. After reaching Mandi, we refuelled again, it was 12:30 Am and another 100 kms with heavy rain and Beas by the side, we discussed our course of action. The petrol pump guy informed(read misinformed) us of bad condition of road ahead.
I checked with Anshuman(He was right on time) and he gave me a go ahead and inspired us to keep moving.
ETA 3 hours.Never in my life had I seen such thrunderous roars and ferocious downpour. It was a chilling and scary drive, but I held on to my nerves!
Finally we made it. I checked my watch, 2:30 AM, and took a sigh of relief. Morning tells how the day will go, this was just the start of tough days ahead.
Atleast we were on schedule. Anshuman was happy that he did not had to spend the night alone. And at last Amit had something to eat, a little though. The hotel was a surprising one, almost a 3 bhk flat for a mere 2400 INR. Some good news in the end.
Day-3 (Manali-Rohtang pass-Keylong)
120 Kms
16-Aug-2014
It was a beautiful morning-Bright ,Sunny and windy.. Almost took away the pain we went through the previous day. A heavy breakfast and ration stuffing, delayed the start to the journey. Manali was beaming with energy, we could feel the rush. Apple gardens, the Beas and view of Rohtang were mesmerizing. I took a break from driving and amit took over. Anshuman drove his Fazer( shaan se). God knows how the fazer has survived its 3rd such trip, second in 2014. Thumbs up to YAMAHA.
Little did we know that the traffic kept following us. Amit cursed his luck. We moved at snail's pace whereas Anshuman being smarty pants, rushed to the top with the jharkhand registered bike.
We had no option but to keep complaining about the thousand others stuck in the traffic and at the same time enjoying the marvels of Himalayas. Himalayas, huge as they seemed were generous to welcome us on every turn and twist, requesting us to keep track of blind curves and not littering the place. Every corner presented a view that surpassed the previous, and every inch was breathtaking to say the least. It was surreal, majestic and what not. Every now and then I got a chance to climb up the mountains, sit on the top and enjoy the passing clouds. This has to be felt rather than read. So buckle up guys and drive.
After almost 6 hours drive and 50 kms, (yes you read it correct, 50 Kms : 6 Hours) we were on top of Rohtang La (13,000 FT). It was not difficult to spot the legendary Fazer and a little boy shivering in the cold(Poor soul, he waited for nearly 3 hours at the top). He rushed to the Safari and seeked warmth. As soon as we opened the gates to let him in, a cold wave hit us.
Amit(Before gates opened) : I prefer jacket and shorts when its cold.
And what happened next was not surprising. He was looking for all gears that he had for the trip. And so did the rest of us.
After waiting for 3 hours on top ( god knows how he did it) and jhelofy couple of showers, Anshuman survived but needed much deserved rest. I volunteered to drive the bike for next 50 Kms. As expected, it didnt start. After some 30 kicks, we could smile (We were breathless too). I pledged that I wouldn't let the engine freeze again. It was more of a task than enjoyment for next 60 minutes as I bumped through under developed road and weak headlights. Thankfully, people followed us no more (most of them went back to Manali). It was me,darkness, frigid August night and the galaxy above.
Meanwhile Amit faced a barrage of problems due to reckless drivers who drove on high beam. Finally we reached Keylong (10000 ft).
120 Kms : 12 hours
The hotel was a nice find, credits to Anshuman. Dinner was filling. Beas was still audible. And the night gladly welcomed us. Long day. Phew!!!
To be continued..
600 Kms
15-Aug-2014(Beware of the Ides of August!)
Early to bed and early to rise. The perfect mantra when you are on an unending drive! We got up at 6, freshened up and were rearing to go by 7.
Fuel-Check,
Air pressure -Check,
Engine oil - Forgot to check,
Coolant - Forgot to check.
Nonetheless, high on excitement we started the first leg of journey. Not only us, but aprroximately, a quarter of national capital's total population too started their journey for Manali via NH1. Meanwhile Anshuman left for Manali on his bike from Chandigarh at around 8 A.M.
We reached Ambala somewhere around 1200 hours and had lunch at the much renowned Hotel Haveli(a not so good experience). Amit launched himself in the driver seat, followed by shaily's desire to drive, followed by amit taking over again as we approached the mountains. What followed next was a nightmare.
An ocean of traffic awaited us just when we started to enjoy the drive after lunch. People coming from manali adviced us to go back, telling tales of their journey. Some even claimed about landslide, bridge being washed away and what not. But we continued. I took over the wheels in between the traffic jam, and cleared the initial traffic but sadly it kept coming. Traffic diversions created more delay. We were late for dinner.
But dinner was the last thing on my mind(Amit was the prime sufferer of this sudden change of plan). I just wanted to reach manali, by hook or crook. After reaching Mandi, we refuelled again, it was 12:30 Am and another 100 kms with heavy rain and Beas by the side, we discussed our course of action. The petrol pump guy informed(read misinformed) us of bad condition of road ahead.
I checked with Anshuman(He was right on time) and he gave me a go ahead and inspired us to keep moving.
ETA 3 hours.Never in my life had I seen such thrunderous roars and ferocious downpour. It was a chilling and scary drive, but I held on to my nerves!
Finally we made it. I checked my watch, 2:30 AM, and took a sigh of relief. Morning tells how the day will go, this was just the start of tough days ahead.
Atleast we were on schedule. Anshuman was happy that he did not had to spend the night alone. And at last Amit had something to eat, a little though. The hotel was a surprising one, almost a 3 bhk flat for a mere 2400 INR. Some good news in the end.
120 Kms
16-Aug-2014
It was a beautiful morning-Bright ,Sunny and windy.. Almost took away the pain we went through the previous day. A heavy breakfast and ration stuffing, delayed the start to the journey. Manali was beaming with energy, we could feel the rush. Apple gardens, the Beas and view of Rohtang were mesmerizing. I took a break from driving and amit took over. Anshuman drove his Fazer( shaan se). God knows how the fazer has survived its 3rd such trip, second in 2014. Thumbs up to YAMAHA.
Little did we know that the traffic kept following us. Amit cursed his luck. We moved at snail's pace whereas Anshuman being smarty pants, rushed to the top with the jharkhand registered bike.
We had no option but to keep complaining about the thousand others stuck in the traffic and at the same time enjoying the marvels of Himalayas. Himalayas, huge as they seemed were generous to welcome us on every turn and twist, requesting us to keep track of blind curves and not littering the place. Every corner presented a view that surpassed the previous, and every inch was breathtaking to say the least. It was surreal, majestic and what not. Every now and then I got a chance to climb up the mountains, sit on the top and enjoy the passing clouds. This has to be felt rather than read. So buckle up guys and drive.
After almost 6 hours drive and 50 kms, (yes you read it correct, 50 Kms : 6 Hours) we were on top of Rohtang La (13,000 FT). It was not difficult to spot the legendary Fazer and a little boy shivering in the cold(Poor soul, he waited for nearly 3 hours at the top). He rushed to the Safari and seeked warmth. As soon as we opened the gates to let him in, a cold wave hit us.
Amit(Before gates opened) : I prefer jacket and shorts when its cold.
And what happened next was not surprising. He was looking for all gears that he had for the trip. And so did the rest of us.
After waiting for 3 hours on top ( god knows how he did it) and jhelofy couple of showers, Anshuman survived but needed much deserved rest. I volunteered to drive the bike for next 50 Kms. As expected, it didnt start. After some 30 kicks, we could smile (We were breathless too). I pledged that I wouldn't let the engine freeze again. It was more of a task than enjoyment for next 60 minutes as I bumped through under developed road and weak headlights. Thankfully, people followed us no more (most of them went back to Manali). It was me,darkness, frigid August night and the galaxy above.
Meanwhile Amit faced a barrage of problems due to reckless drivers who drove on high beam. Finally we reached Keylong (10000 ft).
120 Kms : 12 hours
The hotel was a nice find, credits to Anshuman. Dinner was filling. Beas was still audible. And the night gladly welcomed us. Long day. Phew!!!
To be continued..
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