Patna
Water everywhere. Ganges in spate, and rising. Not one piece of new about it in the mainstream.
Left at 0545. Odometer reading 5196 kilos.
Took 2 hours to cover the first 80 kilos. Bad roads, villages continuously along the roadside, goats, cows , human beings and autos.
A few kilometres out, hit the tail of a long line of trucks. Thought it was the usual check post. Hoped like hell it was not a road block as there was no way around. Cleared a couple 100 trucks parked very correctly. But no check post.
Then I got some clarity.
Got a clean look both sides of the road. Will let the pictures talk.
Then I hit one more long line of trucks. And then cops. And then crossed a piece of road that had water gushing under it. Think they were hoping the road would not collapse. NH 33.
Well, I got past. The road conditions, the traffic and the mass of humans stayed constant till I was 50 kilos from Patna. Then I got a road where I could get past 60 kmph, not hit potholes every 50 feet and no autos.
Reached Patna and found the hotel with ease. Place has room service only. So ate and relaxed a bit.
Went down to the Ganges by 1600. The river is just 5 minutes away. While I was relaxing, it had poured - thunder and lightning included. The lawn of the hotel was flooded,.
The Ganges was beautiful. In glorious flow.
Could not see any dolphins, as the current was too strong. At least that is what I understood. These is a clean stepped place built to sit and relax, or have a bath. And, they actively promote dolphin conservation.
The video has been added to show you the currents.
Headed back to the hotel as the rains started again. The ghat had started getting crowded. People were coming in to see the rising water, and discussing the last time water had risen fast to reach the roads.
Now waiting to have a hot shower. Central heating system in hotel has not been switched on. Maybe, people here have bath only once a day !!! Well, have told them I want to use shower now, and again early tomorrow.
Bye for now.
Left at 0545. Odometer reading 5196 kilos.
Took 2 hours to cover the first 80 kilos. Bad roads, villages continuously along the roadside, goats, cows , human beings and autos.
A few kilometres out, hit the tail of a long line of trucks. Thought it was the usual check post. Hoped like hell it was not a road block as there was no way around. Cleared a couple 100 trucks parked very correctly. But no check post.
Then I got some clarity.
Got a clean look both sides of the road. Will let the pictures talk.
Then I hit one more long line of trucks. And then cops. And then crossed a piece of road that had water gushing under it. Think they were hoping the road would not collapse. NH 33.
Well, I got past. The road conditions, the traffic and the mass of humans stayed constant till I was 50 kilos from Patna. Then I got a road where I could get past 60 kmph, not hit potholes every 50 feet and no autos.
Reached Patna and found the hotel with ease. Place has room service only. So ate and relaxed a bit.
Went down to the Ganges by 1600. The river is just 5 minutes away. While I was relaxing, it had poured - thunder and lightning included. The lawn of the hotel was flooded,.
The Ganges was beautiful. In glorious flow.
Could not see any dolphins, as the current was too strong. At least that is what I understood. These is a clean stepped place built to sit and relax, or have a bath. And, they actively promote dolphin conservation.
The video has been added to show you the currents.
Headed back to the hotel as the rains started again. The ghat had started getting crowded. People were coming in to see the rising water, and discussing the last time water had risen fast to reach the roads.
Now waiting to have a hot shower. Central heating system in hotel has not been switched on. Maybe, people here have bath only once a day !!! Well, have told them I want to use shower now, and again early tomorrow.
Bye for now.
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