Day 7: To the last village

4th August, 2011

Last night we had planned to start early, like always but head to Chitkul first and have breakfast there and then return and check out.

But the moment we got up around 6am we saw it was raining outside. Not very heavy, just light showers.

But riding didn’t seem possible. So we thought of having breakfast here in the hotel only and then head around 8am.

By 7.45am the rains had fully stopped and we got out to heat the bikes.

The climate was so peaceful outside.

We started towards Chitkul and it was around 10kms from here. We just covered 2kms and came across the first stream of the day. But the flow was calm and water was clean as aqua guard.

But it was still cold as ice.

The road was totally smooth and in just 20mins we were at the end of it.

Chitkul is a quite place.

There were many fields and flowers around the place. And in between them the typical wooden house structures.

Angelo arrived in 5 mins and we ordered for some tea here.

By the time it was made we took some photos around the place.

It was a good decision of not having breakfast here as the food from a couple staying here we overheard that it was not very good. So we were just happy with the tea and biscuits.

After almost an hour spent over here we started our ride back to the hotel.

Took some bike photos on the way back.

We came across pink fields on riding back and we decided to take a halt and head inside them.

Found a nice bee hovering around.

By now climate was getting totally clear.

Ones we reached the hotel we immediately packed our stuff and mounted on the bike. Cleared the bill and exited Sangla.

The return on the road too gives some amazing view of the place and terrain around.

After we reached back on the highway we saw a milestone of Kalpa 35kms. We though it will be just a couple of hours ride but just as we covered 10kms we were stopped by a big landslide. And clearing it took an hour an half. It was blasted through.

But till the rumple is cleared we only could wait and do nothing else.

For me playing with the cam was the only activity

Traffic had started to pile up now.

After 2 hours the site was cleared and lot of good time was lost.

But still we managed to reach Reckpeo around late afternoon around 3pm.

By 4pm we were at top, Kalpa. And quickly started to look for a place.

We found a palace like structure and went straight in.

The whole place was empty to my surprise.

After bargaining on a fair price we quickly moved into our rooms and cleaned up.

We didn’t have lunch yet so we ordered some heavy snacks on the phone and told them to call us in the garden.

By the time it was made we checked out what all photos we have clicked today and what all we could take right now.

Angelo seems happy with his.

Anahita too seems very happy.

After some fun time I and Anahita went back to Reckpeo to find wine but couldn’t get any. We were not in a mood for alcohol. Oh and we had taken Angelo’s bike down as he was staying back.

After we came back up we ordered food in our room only. And till it comes I turned on the TV. The first channel took my sleep away. It was some show on how bra’s should be made or how are they made something like that.

But the moment Anahita came in she shouted at us to change it. Spoil sport.

Dinner was not very good. At least what I ordered was not tasty nor cooked properly.

By 11pm we were close to snoring time.

My last thought, tomorrow the desert Himalayas begin. We enter the Spiti Valley.

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 6: Apples to your left, Apples to your right

3rd August, 2011

Today after getting up I realized that it was our best decision to ride up here at Sarhan and stay here instead of settling down at Jeori.

The view around from the balcony was astonishing. I could sit here for hours looking over the hills, sipping coffee……. no wait cancel the coffee…..Vodka would do the thing Mixed with apple juice.

Angelo and Anahita were still asleep so till the time they wake up I got my camera out to see what I can capture early morning from this height.

First I had a close up lens on the kit lens and what you know first thing I capture was the circle of life.

Then came a weirdo. Looks like a miniature scorpion.

And then came the angry birds. Whole bunch of them.

They were quite huge species. Seen only in the Himalayas.

In few minutes Anahita and Angelo were up. In fact Anahita was ready and was out in the balcony.

I gave her my camera and I dozed off for a power nap.

I got up after some minutes with the noise of Anahita requesting to take her photo sitting on the railing. For a second I thought I was dreaming but hey its Anahita, from here only such demands come out.

Till the time Angelo was getting ready I and Anahita were outside the hotel heading towards market area.

The market was empty. Shops were just opening up. And the sky was slowly getting clear.

But before we hit the road, the Hotel owner Thakurji recommended us to visit the local temple. Its all wood and stone building and typical Himachal architecture.

The temple complex was huge and 3 floors high.

I wonder how this place will look in winter surrounded by snow and ice.

After taking blessings from the deity I took some photos of the roses around.

Came down the temple and noticed climate was getting warm now. Ideal time to start riding.

We came back to the hotel. Packed up. Got the stuff outside. Mounted on the bikes. Takes in total an hour to do all this.

And after some photos around the hotel with the folks we started exiting the town with good memories of this place. One thing is for sure, its not the last time I’m seeing this place. I’m gonna keep coming here again and again.

On the way down Thakurji suggested us to take an off road which will come by as it goes through the centre of the apple orchids.

The road was definitely full on off roading but we indeed got to see so many apple trees, better yet we also got to eat a couple.

After covering 10kms on this patch we were back on the highway towards Kinnar but our today’s stop destination Sangla.

Just covered some 20kms and we came across the Gate to Kinnar district.

The highway cut across the rock mountains were just man made marvel.

Before we reach at the junction where you turn right for Sangla we took a halt on a bridge which came across by.

From here onwards there was no road and I meant literally no road. Not even off road. It was a weird cement patch. When a truck past by splashing some water…cement also came flying with it and the stains didn’t went off till then end of the ride.

Also a board came by saying Pagal Nallah and I thought Pagal Nallah was on Pangong highway.

Till we reached Karchham we didn’t see any Pagal Nallah. Lucky for my Ninja baby. Otherwise belly banging will be for sure.

Bridge to the last village.

The road was bit cracky from here towards Sangla but the sites we were getting to view were just scenic. I was sure the stay in Sangla will be super fun.

Thanks to Sheetal our stay was already fixed up at a River View hotel in Racksham, just 10kms from Sangla towards Chitkul.

After riding for 45mins we were right outside the hotel. Some kms back I though may be we are lost but the site of the red building like how I was described by Thakurji was prominent.

Angelo was little behind so till the time he catches up I went in to check out the place. Check in with the guys in charge.

They were expecting us.

As Angelo arrived we dumped our stuff in the rooms and straight went to the dinning hall for some snacks as we had missed lunch today.

It was close to 4pm now so we thought we will take a break in our rooms for an hour and meet outside the hotel by 5pm. Plan was to ride 10kms back to a place where we had seen nice waterfall kind of stream coming down from the hills.

And around 5pm the lighting and everything was just perfect.

After spending close to an hour here we moved back to our hotel but not inside. We crossed the river and went on the other side where next to the river we though of getting some good shots.

You can see our hotel in the background. In between the bushes, the building with green roof and red wall.

By late evening some foreign group also arrived and were having a chat with us.

I took some night shots of the hotel and the village entrance before we went for dinner.

Dinner was light and filling. I was eating a lot and Angelo and Anahita were eating hardly.

Sangla is really a wonderful place. Come here in any season and you will enjoy its sheer beauty.

By now I made a decision that next year I’m definitely getting my parents up here by car.

Tomorrow we start towards the last village on this route and end it in on the slopes of the Apple wines, Kalpa.

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 5: Yeah baby, now it feels like Spiti Valley trip

Sorry the next log is coming after a week. Had a busy schedule in office and home.

2nd August, 2011:

Getting up early was now becoming a habit. By 7am we were down the hotel and on the road getting our bikes out from a very very narrow lane next to the hotel. Have a look in the picture below. We managed to put the Ninja and P220 in the ally and were also successful in getting in out. But the task was no where close to easy.

The hotel we stayed in was a very decent one. It was in the morning I realized how much out of Shimla we made it last night and that too from the city route.

Angelo was checking our rooms just to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind. Till that time I took some pictures around.

In my mind I was wondering where exactly is this point in Shimla map or Google maps as I had went over the city routes over and over again before this trip started.

This guy’s portrait would have come really nice if I had got the 50mm prime lens out. Had not warmed up yet for serious shots.

Ones Angelo was down we started moving towards Narkhanda. We decided we will have breakfast at the Hatu Hotel that I had heard of from so many logs.

But just as we were covering some distance the Shimla and the area around came in light and we were tempted to stop at almost every turn.

We took some shots of the east end of the city and some in between the pine wood trees.

The climate was getting all clear from here onwards. No rains and no sun. It was very pleasant.

I think Shimla to Narkhanda is just 1 and half hour ride or less but we took over 2 hours because of this continues halts for photos and….sometimes just to view the scene.

The place is so beautiful or we city guys are just not used to seeing such beauty and valleys everyday. The excitement was just getting higher and higher.

After sometime a thought struck us that have we crossed of bypassed Narkhanda by chance. 2-3 small towns did pass by and we couldn’t see one board of Narkhanda from quite sometime. We came across a beautiful house where we stopped by to ask whether we are on the right route.

The house had this dog looking down from the window barking at us.

A small kid starring at us. And our eyes we on the flowers around the house. They we just dancing with the wind.

Here is the whole picture of the house. Quite a nice place to live. May be after retirement. Or come here to find solace.

A group of workers were starring at us which I think were BRO guys.

And this below pic made me laugh a lot. The expressions on the animals do all the talking.

At the house we came to know Narkhanda is another 10kms ahead and in less than 15mins we were finally in the Hatu Hotel’s restaurant.

We ordered breakfast straight first and then the talks will follow.

And what a grand breakfast it was. So many eggs and its varieties. With some chicken cutlets and apple juice to follow. All smiles.

The hotel is really worth staying. Just an amazing structure. I wonder how great it will look in winter or autumn.

We took lot of photos here of the place around, little down the side and behind. Quite a vegetation you will find here. Angelo also managed to capture some colorful insects in his camera.

We had good time here. So good that we decided to stay back here on our return trip.

After spending close to two hours here we decided to ride to Hatu peak now. Its just 20kms from here and I heard the ride up hill is quite a challenge.

The first 5kms was a piece a cake but the next 15km my god. Steep, narrow and quite edgy. A little on the valley side and you are gone. See you directly in Haridwar. We ascended very slowly as all curves we blind. And I remember one car we crossed which was coming from opposite side came very close.

Just close to 2pm we reached the top. Couldn’t see much view as the place had fog surrounded on all sides. But we managed to have fun on the top with the camera.

All the places where we can take shots we took. Even got the tripod out for the first time on the trip.

Here is a photo back 2 back.

Coming down from here was easy and fast. I think in less than 20minutes we were at the highway towards Sarahan.

I took shots of my bike and we waited for Angelo to come down. In 10 more minutes he was down and we came to know a stone had hit his silencer when a car went pass. There was not serious damage but quite a big dent on the silencer. We just examined it and were off on the highway towards Rampur.

From here onwards the skies were clear and the sun was hitting directly on our eyes. I though had a tinted visor but Angelo’s was a transparent one. We were feeling sleepy all of a sudden. So we decided to take a 5 minutes stop under a shade. Angelo also took a power nap and I gave him my glares which I was not using much. Some rest for the eyes.

Just few more kms down this road and we came across a sign board which said first view of Sutlej.

We again took a halt here and took alot of shots around. It was a grand view of the river, the valley, the villages and the curvy roads.

We covered some 50kms from here and it was way past lunch time. I was feeling very hungry. We decided we will eat at Rampur as that was next big town.

But just when we were cruising I noticed this restaurant beside the road all decorated and neat looking. I though it might be a good place to eat.

I parked my bike right outside the hotel literally.

We were just sitting on the other side of the glass.

The food was not really great but we managed to fill our tummies. Just when we got talking we thought where we should make our night halt today. According to our itinerary today’s night was in Sangla but we are nowhere close. The reception guy in Hotel Hatu told us that we would not make it to Sangla today, better set base in Sarahan. I had not even heard about the place, so just when we were done with our meal we thought of calling my friend Sheetal we is very familiar with the place. She gave a very positive respond. She called up the hotel guys where she with here family stays every year and told them to charge us very nominal with the best room available. Not just in Sarahan but also in Sangla and Kalpa.

Sun was almost about to set so we decided not to take any photo breaks from here onwards and straight zoom past Rampur and head to Sarhan. But at couple of sites I couldn’t resist to stop. And took some final shots for the day.

It was all non-stop to Jeori from here.

We tanked up full at Rampur and in an hour we were at Jeori. After reaching here we came to know that Sarhan is not on the highway. You have to go 17kms uphill from here. Its high up in the mountain. A good thing is that we still had some sun light left.

We managed to reach Sarahan just around 7pm and still there was enough light to meet the hotel guy Sheetal spoke with for us. He had messaged to come straight in the market area and he will recognize us.

And like he messaged he did. Apparently Sheetal gave good description of us. Grren and black bikes, all dressed up huge and weird

When he took us near the hotel we first felt creepy as it had a old shady look but from the inside it was just sweet and neat. And the rooms we just awesome with and amazing view of the valley. We got two rooms just for Rs.1200 and it had a common balcony.

After having shower and cleaning up, we spent most of the evening on the balcony. We also had our dinner on the balcony.

After dinner it was drinks time and I remember I had downloaded Truth or Dare app in my iPhone.

So while having our drinks not dare but we definitely went for lot of truths. Came to know some interesting facts about each other.

It was quite entertaining.

By 10.30pm we were out. Ate, drank and now were feeling sleepy. Had also washed clothes before our dinner so was also feeling a little tired.

Made some notes in my diary and switched off the lights. It was now also getting cooler by the passing hour.

Yeah baby, now it feels like Spiti Valley Trip.

Tomorrow landing in Sangla.

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 4: Entering Himalayas

1st August, 2011

Woke up at sharp 5am today. And was ready in half an hour. Had a thought of starting towards Chandigarh as early as possible.

Just tea and toast ordered in room and luggage was packed before breakfast arrives.

By 6am we started mounting stuff on the bike but before we began this we started the P220 on push start keeping the bike in 3rd gear for faster response. It started just in couple of seconds, Thank God.

Without wasting much time we hit the highway by 6.30am. And believe me it was boiling hot even this time in the morning.

Just an hour up the highway and a group of Police officers stopped us and couple of cars. I thought it must be routine check up or something like that but he asked us do we know the speed limit on this highway. We were doing close to 100kmph and the limit was under 60kmph. For couple of seconds I was laughing in my head and in next moment the laughter came out. Even the officer started smiling then.

After telling him where we are going and riding from where he told us immediately to carry on and ride carefully.

Around 10.30am we reached Chandigarh and managed to find a probiking workshop in half an hour. Thanks to Angelo’s GPS.

We went in and I explained the problem. Without thinking they said the bikes will be done in less than 3 hours. Taking into consideration the problem they could have said come tomorrow as they were also overloaded with bikes today and we are coming by informing them just an hour before.

By the time they fixed the bikes and checked up everything, we kept all our stuff here and went out near by for lunch as it was close to 1pm now.

Market was located just 500m away so we walked across and had some good non-veg food. Also went to the ATM and made some withdrawal.

By the time we came to the workshop both Ninja was ready and P220 was close to be done.

Ones ready we cleared the bills, spoke with them for anything to look out for during the ride and stuff like that.

It was close to 2.30pm now and we were so eager to start the ride. In just few minutes we were going to Enter Himalayas and the thought was just turning up my excitement.

The moment we crossed Chandigarh I could see the small mountains showing up. And after crossing Kalka city the Grand Himalayas welcomed up with curvy roads, pine trees, huge hills and civilization on the top. The road was smooth as butter. Some patches had to lane division paint so I figured they were made brand new.

We covered some 60kms and took our first break in Himalayas next to a deep gorge and greenery all around. I also switched from kit lens to Sigma zoom from here onwards.

After riding few more kms from here, next break we took somewhere just before Solan for loo and some drinks.

What hotels they built over here. The architect and builders are total unique.

Though we were having less time with us before sun down still we were taking many breaks as after 3 days some good photo sites were coming up after each few turns and curves. They were all just tempting.

We did lot of time pass between the pinewood trees.

Overtaking here is not a challenge for them. All seasoned drivers.

After crossing Solan the entire highway all the way up to Shimla went in a mist. Fog was everywhere around and no visibility at all. We brought our speed down to 20kmph now.

Took few breaks as riding with full concentration was making me feel a bit tired.

Took some few photos and packed up the camera as light drizzle had started.

It was close to 8pm now and reaching Narkhanda didn’t seem possible so we decided we will stay somewhere close to Shimla only. We should have bypassed it as it was a chaos traffic jam packed city. And anyways we found accomodation to suit our budget after passing the entire city and come out on the other side just after the bypass tunnel. The only way I found it satisfying as when I took this shot of Shimla in the night.

It is like twinkle twinkle little starts. But khichidi in he day time.

Hotel Navratna was the name of the place where we found accommodation. We ordered food in the room only.

Sleeping in the lap of Himalayas is always peaceful. But till now we were not out of the traffic and crowd chaos. Just a matter of half day now.

Oh and this place had an amazing parking. Now why parking was amazing, that I will tell you in my next day’s log. It was a Mission Parking.

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 3: Just hours away from the Mountains.

Today’s idea was to reach Chandigarh. Though very far but it looked doable. It is actually doable if you take halts in every 100 kms. By evening I thought we might check into a Hotel in Chandigarh.

We rode first 100kms and crossed Ajmer to enter Ajmer – Kishnagarh – Jaipur expressway. Covered half in less than half an hour as the road was empty and going above 100km per hour looked feasible.

Somewhere 45kms before Jaipur we took a halt for breakfast. Some nice hot parathas in this boiling hot climate and nice hot tea in this warm wind weather.

Anyways, one has to be mentally prepared to pass from this area however it is. I always got it hot throughout whenever I come here.

Ones we were full next halt was at a place on Jaipur bypass road. Its where these clean toilets of fleurs are located. And just when Anahita told me she wanted to go to loo, I parked my bike right next to the entrance of this Grand place.

Nothing like a CLEAN loo in middle of the journey.

It was between breakfast and lunch time so taking a halt here didn’t seem a good choice so we just tanked up on fuel and water and left towards Delhi.

We covered some 100kms from here and just stopped to stretch ourselves and some break for the bike too. A 5 mins break and some water down is always good on such long rides. The moment Angelo turned on his ignition and pressed the start button some noise came  and the bike just got shut down.

We though its just minor glitch so he pressed the starter button again and again but there seems to be no power. We tried push start but that too didn’t work when Pulsar starts quickly with push start.

It was burning hot and there was no garage insight too. So the only thing came in my mind was to tow him to the nearest place where we can find a mechanic. I didn’t even know where we exactly were so just slowly I was getting worried. I towed him so 8 kms and a small garage I noticed side by the highway. We stopped, a guy actually a small kid who was supposed to be the mechanic checked out the bike and couldn’t figure out what is the issue.

I was getting a little frustrated now as I could see the idea reaching Chandigarh fading away.

Just for God’s sake I asked the kid is by chance with some luck is there a Bajaj garage somewhere ahead… He replied spontaneously “YES, just 10kms ahead from here.” After hearing this there was actual stars in my eyes.

I towed the P220 with my leg on the silencer at the speed of 100 and in 15mins we were standing right opposite the Bajaj service station.

What a relief it was to see this site. It was a big town, but I don’t seem to remember the name.

The guys inside checked out his bike and told us the starts plate was totally burnt out, don’t know how. And they don’t keep P220 parts but they also said that after removing the burnt part the bike will push start easily.

That was good to know.

In less than an hour they fixed up everything and the bike was good to go. I just told Angelo don’t switch off the bike for any reason and stay ahead of me just incase. We all have a habit of switching off the ignition when the bike is stopped.

The climate was scorching hot by now and it was around 1.30pm. We decided not to take halt till we reach the McD just before you enter Gurgaon.

It was some 124kms from here and we covered this distance in 1 and a half hour. To be precise the McD is located in Manesar.

We reached there by 3pm and decided to sit inside for atleast 2 hours. The AC should cool us down by then. I was feeling as if I’m riding in some desert area.

We ate good and got the much needed shade we wanted to cool down.

Reaching Delhi via NH-8 always something or the other happens I have seen.

Since it was too late to make it to Chandigarh today we decided Panipat will be the night halt and as it was Sunday today so P220 can be checked in Chandigarh probiking in the morning. Karol bagh was an option but we didn’t felt like going that much inside the city.

Ones we entered the Capital it took us just half an hour to exit. Surprisingly there was no traffic at all otherwise the route is always choked. By 7.30pm we were on the NH-1 heading towards North.

And I remembered Panipat is exact 60kms from here on a straight smooth highway so we just went zoom. The only halt we took was on the Panipat bypass bridge where I saw this fair on my left side.

We exited the city by 9pm and there is a Hotel name Sip and Swing just after the Panipat toll on the right side. We had taken our lunch break here in last year’s Leh trip. So we had decided to make our night stay here this time. Its a good 3 star hotel and considering the places where we stayed in that used condom in dumped rooms and insects infested place, this was much need treatment.

Ones we went it knowing its a 3 star place so price would be very much over our budget but Anahita managed to strike a deal and got a fair price.

It took us just few seconds to spoil the room. After all its guys room.

And what all items we found inside the place. From high class toiletries to a ceiling fan inside the bathroom.

And the food what we ordered was like a feast for animals. All flesh and just one veg item.

Finally on the soft bed and in a centralized AC room, I slept like a baby.

Just few hours away from the mountains now was the only thought I was dreaming about.

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 2: The Long Run

Day 2: 30th July, 2011

Just look at the place. 5 star suite.

We were desperate now to leave this place and hit the road as soon as possible. The only thing we had here was tea and biscuits. And while sipping them Anahita told me something which tinkled our funny bone for the rest of the day.

She had just scanned the room last night to be cautious and there was a vase or something like that hanging on the wall. She stood on her bed to see if any camera or something is hidden there. All she found was a big bunch of used condoms and nothing else. Now only thing running in her mind was what all must have happened on the bed we all are sleeping on.

I tho didn’t felt anything. I slept 2 hours peaceful, was anything wanting that sleep.

Just after you cross the toll after Anand we took one more halt for tea and biscuits as I was still feeling a little sleepy.

Sky looked clear and after putting some water on my face, we rode straight to Ahmadabad for breakfast.

I always forget the turns of the ring road. So after taking the first right from NH-8 and covering some more circles we landed somewhere just before Gandhi nagar.

It was almost 10am now so before backtracking on the right route we decided to have breakfast here. And in the Gujju state we found a nice South Indian fast food place.

It was a good breakfast. As I ate my dose and half of Angelo’s and Anahita’s Uttapa.

After coming on right route we rode non-stop till we cross the Gandhi nagar circle. And now the sun was so hitting hard on our eyes that we started to feel sleepy again.

Some more water and soda on the face and now the next halt was straight before Rajasthan border.

We had not taken any breaks for photos so somewhere closing to Rajasthan we took a halt at a site where a long stretch of road and this big tree was standing tall. Guys uploaded some photos on facebook and I too mounted my helmet cam on just in case a good stretch comes ahead.

Some 25kms before Rajasthan border I again started feeling sleepy and Angelo was not behind so I took a halt for him to catch up and wake myself up also.

Ones we were together we decided as lunch time was closing in we will eat on Udaipur bypass road.

The only halt we took before reaching Udaipur was at Rajasthan border to take few snaps.

Ones we reached Udaipur from South side of the bypass, the entire place had a deserted look. No idea why. Every time I come here its always quite lit up. Even the usual food place was dull so had to go inside the one next door. Not much great in look either but food was good. Very less oil. A must for us in long trips.

Ones we were done we it on the GQ stretch which goes to Jaipur via Chittargarh. Just for tea we took a halt after Udaipur airport and then ripped our bikes till we cover some good distance. After 3 hours we covered around 250kms.

It was close to 6pm now and I was thinking where will today’s night halt be. We were supposed to reach Jaipur but for my miscalculations we were still 200kms behind.

We would have made it by midnight but we were taking into consideration that again if the license or photo identity issue comes up then we will be screwed up mentally by the time Day 3 begins. So while this though was running in my head, Anahita brought it to my notice that there is a nice AC restaurant on this patch somewhere close. She had noticed it last time on the Leh trip.

In just 10 mins we were there. Clean loo and some water down to cool us. Oh and this is where I took this photo. Anahita will kill me for uploading this but I couldn’t just resist. It took all my pain away. Seeing my pal in XL rain pants and sitting like an international beggar. LOL

By the time both were getting ready I just took a chance to ask the in-charge person here whether there are any motels on the road ahead. To our luck he said yes he himself owns it and its just 55kms from here. Exact 55kms.

It was Sun down by now and we rode this 55kms in just 40mins.

We found the place easily. Bargained on a fair deal. But made a mistake of not seeing the room. If we would have seen it then I bet I would have myself jumped my gun. The rooms were just simple infested. All kind of ants and weird creatures roaming in the bathroom and the floor.

Cleaning only took us an hour.

Thankfully the food was very tasty. Though veg but it was very good.

I didn’t even feel of unpacking anything after this and went straight to my bed and off snoring.

I don’t know about rest but I needed a good night sleep. At least of 10 hours before I start the next big stretch tomorrow.

Though for fact we are on Spiti Valley ride but till now it was not feeling that way. Lets see what happens tomorrow. There was anticipation. And believe me the thing that came in our way was no way close in our anticipation.

Hear me tomorrow

Tags: Spiti valley

Day 1: Good start – Worst end.

Finally the day had come. Morning getting up today felt good. I had packed just a day before and everything looked good to go.

We had decided to leave from Mumbai in evening of 29th July Friday so our leaves in office begin from 1st of August.

By 5.30pm we all gather at Fountain hotel north of Mumbai where NH-8 begins. Couple of friends had come by to see us off.

By 6pm we began our ride. And to our luck there was no rain to interrupt or slow us down.

Vapi McD was our dinner halt and its exact 172kms from here. With just one break in between we did these kms in 2 and a half hours.

As there was no traffic and road looked smooth we were able to hold a speed of 80kmph.

I’m not a great fan of McD as dinner but at this hour better this than anything else.

After dinner our next halt was for tea just at the beginning of Surat – Vadodara expressway.

It was close to 10pm now so we decided we will have night stay on Vadodara bypass road. By exact midnight we had reached at the bypass and I rode straight to the hotel I know there at the bypass.

To my surprise it was so close that I couldn’t even find the reception when I went through the back door.

There was a beat guys just outside the hotel Anahita asked them in Gujarathi whether there are any other hotels near by for night stay.

They all recommended to head to the station. We had no choice but to ride till there.

Two big jokes were established here. The first one was when we were heading towards the station it was a straight road and so eager to reach there Angelo wanted to use his GPS to know whether we are on right track. It may not sound funny but in that situation I was laughing in my helmet.

And the second when we asked a guy on a cycle about the right directions I don’t know what he saw us riding he spontaneously replied come I will lead you there.

What was he thinking, that his Hero cycle is faster than a P220 and Ninja 250R. It was too much.

Finally we reached the station by 2am and found a decent place to stay.

Everything looked fine and just when I was to crash disaster took place. The reception guy asked for our license which I and Angelo gave but Anahita was not carrying hers. And he straight pointed us to the door. Was not ready to budge a bit. I even showed him she is carrying a photo ID (her credit card) but he was not accepting that too.

We mounted all luggage back on to the bike and started towards Anand as no one near station would give us accommodation.

The only thing running in my mind was that only place we can stay now is the truck dabhas or guest house on the highway.

Straight we rode there and got us 2 rooms just for 600 bucks. Crashed straight with the clothes we were wearing. It was 4am and Day 2 begins at 7am. SO a couple of hours of sleep would do something better than nothing.

I will tell you some interesting facts I came to know in the morning. When Day 2 begins.

Hook yourself on to the post.

Tags: Spiti valley