Uttarkashi I

Diary for 6th October.

Started at 0500. Odometer at 8364.

It was dark, cold. Left early as I expected a long hard dusty drive. Driving with headlights is so comfortable. Especially on mountain roads. Early warning is so simple. 

The traffic caught up with me with first light. First a DL then a HR registration. Let them go. They have no respect for the suspension of their vehicles. 

Going was good, even had time to stop and take pictures at Karnaprayag.

Then there was a traffic mess. This normally does not happen, unless there is a landslip.

Even with a lot of construction happening and the road being one vehicle wide at those places. Vehicles wait for oncoming traffic to pass, politely, though this behaviour is surprising given their aggression otherwise. 

This must have been one of those times when the drivers thought they had space, but they didn't. Well, in reality, the mud by the side of the road had tipped one lorry towards the other. The tops got caught !! Dived into providing urgency and helped clear the way. Else, buggers were just arguing. 

Was on the main highway from Joshimath to Rishikesh for about 5 hours. Bone rattling bumpy and dusty a lot, great roads at times, and sometimes no road. This is an experience in patience. 

The local hotels are useless. First off, what they call toilets are little holes in the wall. Arrogant buggers for the second. They are so used to dealing with the tired yatris who frequent their places that they just do not understand the word courtesy. And, get away with it.

Got off the main highway onto a side road after Srinagar. Followed google !!!! For once, I was thankful. 

Made sure by asking a local if I was on the correct route. Was on a single lane metal top road for the next part of the journey, a good 120 kilometres, till I reached Uttarkashi. Crossed a waterbody, must be the Tehri dam reservoir.

And then, it was just me on the road. Had to keep my eyes on the road at all times. And, control downhill speed. Curves were sharp at times. With vehicular traffic very very low, it is so easy to loose focus. And, given the visuals around, even simpler to drift. Stopped for pictures at places where the road widened just enough to allow a stop.

Don't even ask me what that thing in the water is. Looks like an alien spaceship being stocked by human slaves.

What a drive. Green all along the way. One stop for a huge excavator to clear the road, blocked due to a landslip. 

And, even more important, one stop for restocking of spiritual liquids. Shop on the road, strategically placed so it could not be missed. Shops in places like Rudrapryag and Joshimath had been in the basement, required keen peering eyes to discover. Also managed to get aloo bajji, off the oil, for much needed energy.

Took me 6 hours, of a road that wound it’s way up and down the mountainsides, snaking it’s way around a huge waterbody. Will upload videos of some parts taken on my phone, which was propped on the dashboard for the map.

Quality of video on phone looked much better !!

Reached Uttarkashi by 4PM. First sight.

Got to the resort I had booked into. It was deserted. There was a cow shed outside it’s gates. Called the guy I had paid the advance to, no reply. Asked around for a bit. All said he must be around somewhere. Lost patience when I got no reply. It exists physically, so it was not a cyber rip off.Name - Sky Hill Camp. Name of Manager - Pramod. Avoid. Oyo also has it on their site. Called them.

Found another resort nearby and checked in for the night. This one is on the banks of the Ganges. Has a large lawn. People happy and willing to feed me. And, not one more soul. Maybe, a blessing in disguise. 

Dinner was good. As was the tea.

No plans for the next two days. Except to explore the river and the city. 

Weather is decent here. Slight chill. A light jacket is good.