Vrindavan - Back in the plains

Departed as planned. The resort guys came up to my room to collect the luggage on call, at 0515. Very impressed.

The drive down to Vrindavan had distinct stages.

Mussoorie to Dehra Doon, the roads were empty. Double lane, great surface.

Drove thru Dehra Doon from one end of the city to another. Long drive. Wide roads. Branded shops and inviting eateries. Much nicer than Mussoorie. Mussoorie has tiny eateries, road side stalls, nothing outside the hotels where you can have a decent meal. Aging hill station.

Crossed and headed to Roorkee. Roads deteriorated. Traffic became a mess. Roorkee is a poor third cousin to Dehra Doon.

During my college days, had always associated one with the other. Now, I see no reason why. Except, Roorkee is on the way to Doon from Dehli, could be.

Then came the serious traffic for the next stage - about 130 kilometres to the the Eastern Bypass was miserable. Road was under construction. Autos were on the road. And, google kept trying to take me off the main highway to small side roads to cut meaningless corners. In UP !!!

Had about 170 kilometres to do with Google giving me 3 and a half hours. Was wondering how, when I turned on to the eastern Bypass. What an impressive road. Six lane, concrete. Stated speed limits  are 120 kilometres per hour. No traffic. Obviously made great time. 

Then turned off towards Agra after 80 kilometres.  Another great road. Could not stay at 120, but did stay at 100 kmph.

Reached Vrindavan in good time for a call I had set up for the road. Had the call and then some good food. 

Met my cousin who stays here. Main reason for coming on this route. Long time no see.

Have changed my next stop. It was supposed to be Gwalior, but that is too close.


So, Guna. Gets me closer to Ratapani day after. 

Need stock for tomorrow!!!

Comments

  1. Radhika17 October 2019 at 12:29

    Sriram: It was nice meeting you after more than 4 years. A lot has changed since then but you remain the same. Always welcoming and putting Josh in us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Roman J17 December 2019 at 12:08

    Love this article. For more information visit meet and greet at Luton

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chicham Day 3 - Day of the Blue Sheep

Image
6th February started clear and bright. Our home stay host was also our scanner. He had told us the previous evening, late, that the tracker who had gone towards Langza had spotted a Leopard just over the road. This was just before he started back at sunset. So, direction was clear. Our guide who had headed down to Rangrk/Lidang to see his kid the previous evening called to tell us he would be in by 0830. And, we could leave as soon as we were ready. So, depart we did. Before most other vehicles woke up. That was the other thing. Th Gypsy was a Petrol vehicle. Most other vehicles were diesel - Campers, Innova, Larger Tempo Travellers. All with chains on tyres. But to start, they had a problem. The larger vehicles kept engines running all night - it was cheaper than having a frozen fuel system, from tank to pipes to nozzles. The smaller ones had to use fire to heat their systems. Got to the junction of Langza Komic turn off. As our guide was checking with the tracker, our porter was sca
Read more

Kufri into Kaza

Image
2nd February turned out to be a sunny day. Woke up to clear skies. The original plan was to leave at 0700. That had got moved to 0800 the previous evening.  Relaxed thru our morning, getting ready. Had a quick breakfast of eggs and got our luggage all ready at the entrance of the resort for a quick exit. The sun was nice and warm. We took a gentle walk down the road. Realised before we had even taken a few steps that it was all iced up. Well, that was not really my problem as I was not driving. So, relaxed, enjoying the sun, watch the Dhuladhar range in the distance and the Kinnaur range a bit closer. By 0830 I was fretting as there was no sign of our guide cum driver, Kesang.  Called him. Learnt that traffic out of Shimla was choked. Which was not really startling news.  So, we walked a bit more, admiring the scenery a lot more. Watching some playful pups slip around the road. 30 minutes later he called again to inform me that he was clear of the traffic and was on his way. Then the
Read more

Into Masai Mara

Image
Post for the 2nd of August 2023 We had been given a 0700 pickup call the previous evening. But, with all the carnivorous input assisted by the alcohol, we were a wee bit delayed. It so happened that the vehicle that came to pick us up was not the vehicle that was to take us to the Mara, but the vehicle that was to take us from hotel to the vehicle that was to take us to the Mara. The driver was getting hustled by his already picked up passenger, who had been woken up earlier !! Got into the transit vehicle by 0730 and reached the offices of the Tourist operator. Were transferred to a Land Cruiser, which had two Italians sleeping in the rear seats. Our driver was a middle aged guy with greying hair and a ready laugh, called Geoffery. He and his vehicle, along with the Italians were bound to us for the period of the Mara safari. It took us another hour to get all papers in order and start the journey to the Masai Mara. The drive from nairobi towards the Masai Mara took us along the great
Read more