Mussoorie I

Started early. Was worried about a couple of things. 

One, a guy from Mussourie at the resort had said he took 7 hours. Add some salt, and hold the thought.

Second, cars are not allowed on the Mall road in Mussourie after 4 PM. Mahindra resorts is bang centre up a hill from Mall road. 

Thererfore, I had to leave at 0530. Terrible. Making me get up early, and drive.

It was beautiful. Nothing like mountain roads in the dark. You can drive at your pace. Light are an excellent early warning.

Had done about 10 kilometres, when I turned a curve to see this huge rock bang center of the road. About 4 by 3 by 3 feet. Weaved my way around the major and many minors scattered around. Must have fallen sometime during the night.

Scary, is all I can say. Thar, including me, would have been chutney.

Stopped the next Bolero coming towards me and warned him. Blind curve for the guy. Then told the BRO guys further down. Definite traffic jam !!!




Was into Uttarkashi before allotted time. Stopped at resort where I had stayed for omelette and bread. And, pit stop.

Past Utttarkashi traffic picked up. The road goes to Rishikesh and Dehra Doon. It was a mess. Narrow curvy road, with traffic. Found it simpler to just stop where I felt it was easy for the bigger oncoming guys to pass by. 
Road work past Uttarkashi. Had to stop a while, till a BRO gypsy came along.

Traffic eased a bit as we turned off towards Dehra Doon. Road improved, traffic reduced.

Drove around this huge water body for a while. Possibly the same one I drove on the other side of when I was coming up to Uttarkashi. Need to see physical map.






Got stuck behind this UP car about 30 kilometres short of Mussourie. Poor guy had obviously never driven on roads as these. Crawling and using his horn and every turn. Tried pouching, but easy time he responded by speeding and then hitting his brakes. So, fell behind, cursing.

Finally. he stopped for tea.

Drove into Mussourie, straight into a absolute choke up. Talking to the transport jeep in front of me, realised that google had just screwed me again. Staying on the main road would have been a clean drive to the resort.

Anyways, dived into traffic control. Got things moving. Buggers just talk loud.

Reached the resort before 2PM. The drive up to the resort is steep, and their parking sucks. More because of the number of asses driving, than anything else.

Got a room at the top of the hill. My room is the highest. I have to climb an easy 500 meters from the reception to reach my room. The clouds are in.


Had lunch at the resort, then walked into the Mall early evening. Had a haircut. Felt relieved. Then walked up to the room. Was sweating profusely by the time I got up. The walk is harder than the one in Kodi from home to the tea shop. Mall road to reception is about a couple of kilometres.


Am going to have a light dinner, given that I pigged over lunch. Got soup and sandwiches. And, the bill is a rip off. Tomorrow I go cheap, and do pick up. Room has microwave.





Good night.

Comments

  1. Giridhar Bail14 October 2019 at 00:12

    Just brilliant Vasu... Pigging & U are second nature.... Just enjoy yourself.... Which you definitely are... Take care on the journey back....

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Into Religion and Culture February 2025

Image
17th February 2025 Departed Simlipal in Odisha at 0545 as planned. The gate keeper was waiting for me. The roads are just fantastic. NH18 then NH19. First hour had different density of fog. At times down to 10 meters. But the lack of traffic early made it easy. The speed limits were at 80 kmph. So stayed within that. Lack of traffic meant I was on cruise most of the while. Made great time. Crossed into Jharkhand. The roads stayed as good. Cost of fuel dropped by 10 percent for petrol !! The crossed into Bihar, reaching my destination Jataka Inn, Gaya. Got in by 1300. Had a relaxed lunch. Slept a while. Headed out to the Mahabodi Temple in the evening. Got an electric auto rickshaw for the round trip. Recommended by the hotel security. Got snapped up by a guide as soon as I reached. Thought why not. It helped in jumping queue to get a cloak room locker for my smartphones. They have been banned in most of the larger temples in the south. Effect of idiots planting explosive devices. Jumpe...
Read more

Gnathang Valley and Phadamchen

Image
  Being written on the 29th of November while waiting for my flight to Chennai. 26th November 2024 Departed Gangtok by 0930. Driver got stuck in city traffic. Exited using a less used road, with a steep gradient. Met up with the main road traffic in a bit. We were headed to the Gnathang Valley. Distance wise, not very far. Stopped to have our permit printed. The application and issue is online. It needs the vehicle and driver details. Apart from the passenger detail. The road we were taking went past Nathu La. Worked on the driver's mind to curb his natural tendency of allowing the weight of his right foot to decide the pace of the journey. Then explained to him that the pleasure of the journey should be absolute. The destination could be enjoyed when we reached. Traffic was not too heavy. We stopped to have the permit checked and signed. The scenic beauty of the place cannot be described. Any drive in the Himalayan region fills one with exhilaration. It is simpler for me to just p...
Read more

Towards Gaya February 2025

Image
 11th February The start of a postponed trip. Had planned this September October of 2024. But, a fervent request from my daughter got me cancel. The idea regenerated in January while in Sri Lanka. Thought of a early March Departure. The weather played a large part in pulling it forward. The route was thru the smaller Tiger Reserves in the East, North and Central India. With all the key religious places in North Central India brought in. Only when I reached Prayagraj in my bookings did I realise it was Kumbh time. So much for my religious indoctrination. The hotels were extremely expensive. Though of dropping it, the younger one agreed. The elder whacked me on my head. So, booked. Departed Chennai at 0600. Headed towards my first halt - Nagarjuna Srisailam Tiger Reserve - NSTR - also called the Nalamalla Forest Reserve. Had my booking for two nights at one of their camps at Pacherla. Each night had one Safari thrown in. Got out of Chennai very fast, Was amazed at the smooth run, til...
Read more