Vishakapatnam - Puri

 07112021 @ 1826 Location Sterling Resorts Puri

Departed at 0530. Odometer at 30230

Fantastic run. Was a bit worried at leaving so early, and get straight onto the NH16.

Sat behind a truck for the first 10 minutes. Got my eyes in. Then tucked in behind a car that was going a wee bit faster. Once first light was sensed, left them behind.

Three lanes of bliss, with bushes creating making the divider a wall to shut out oncoming headlights. Got to 110 KMph and stayed there. There were patches when they felt the need to remind you what the roads had been. But, big picture, fantastic.

The roads they are building are fantastic.Cruise control will work very well.

NOTE : there are speed traps being set in. My speed was displayed on large overhead electronic boards. Not too often, though. The boards can be seen easily from a distance, so if they activate, slow down.

Traffic was sparse. By the time the locals woke, I had covered more than half the run.

Normally I fill fuel when the gauge is at half tank. This time around, for some crazy reason, I put off filling at the station I passed. Little did I realise that the next fuel station was 200 kilometres away. Needle was touching red when I pulled into the BHP. Got in 45Litres.

Guess what, in the next kilometre, there were three more fuel stations.

There are no checks at the State Borders. Nothing.  

Entered Odisha comfortably. Road stayed great.

Maps then did a double on me. Wanted me to turn off towards the East, onto some small road. Not once, but twice. I did not, obviously. Who wants to leave the bliss of NH16. Could not see why, while driving. And, no way I was going to stop every time the cyber voice called out to me.

The third time around, the voice was backed by a board on the NH. So, turned right.

Looks like I may have reached the connecting highway to Puri much earlier and avoided a 40 kilometre run on a curvy village road, dotted with cyclists in the middle and speed breakers at every curve. If I had more faith in the cyber voice from Maps.

Got into Sterling well in time for lunch.

Nice staff at the reception. Got me thru to the chef, who agreed to make local cuisine for me. Ordered Prawns and Rice for lunch. Then had to head out to the booze shop, as Sterling does not have a bar license. Grabbed an auto. Local economy has to be encouraged.

Chilled beer was downed. Hot food was eaten. Definitely worth it. Glad I ate in, did not head for the buffet, and got thru to the kitchen for local food. Got chatting with the ladies in waiting. All locals. Spoke food. The mutton was recommended. They will decide the dish.

Went to the beach in the evening. End of it my phone says I walked 7500 steps today. Honestly, I think it lies to please me. I mean, even if I take a 1000 steps for checking in, buying booze, lunch, no way I walked 6000 steps in the evening. But, all said, it was on the sand.

Will put in more pictures tomorrow, when I download from the camera.