Thanks Nagesh

------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 10 : Tharad-Nadabet(Rann of Kutch)-Tharad-Palanpur-Ahmedabad-VadodaraCheck Post 1


First View of the Rann


Hello Good morning




Sorry dont want to caption this pic


Nilgai




Definition of Hang over



After crossing the first Checkpost, try my hand in getting the bike on the Rann. The tyres started to sink in like it was on quick sand. Had very tough time just to take a U-turn and get back to the road. It took almost 45min just to come back to the road. Proceed towards Nadabet Temple which houses Goddess Nadeshwari Devi.

Temple at Nadabet


This area also houses a division of Intelligence bureau. The officials first check my ID proof (Driving license and Pan Card) and vehicle Documents. Then my phone was checked for call lists and Messages, followed by my camera. After gaining confidence, start a chat over the details of my ride. Tea, Snacks and some Prasad was offered. With a tight hug by the four officials, I was let go only after I accepted to drop an official till the last check post for civilians before the border.

Checkpost 2








After spending some time with the rest of the soldiers at the checkpost. Was told that during summer, soldiers are not put on duty for Two/three days at a stretch. The shine from the salt would be so much that, it can cause temporary blindness.

Leave from there to Tharad to pick my baggage and leave for Ahmedabad or Vadodara for the day. Crossed the Tropic of Cancer again ahead of Ahmedabad before settling for Vadodara for the day.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 11: Vadodara-Bharuch-Surat-Vapi-Silvassa-Mumbai.

Last breakfast in Gujju land for the ride Confusion On the Highway


The NH with a differenceThe father -Son Duo posing


Saifu, you know what , i am not interested in your girl friend anymore


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 12: Around Mumbai

A Jungle inside a jungle, at Sanjay Gandhi National ParkThe Man and "The" Machine

Loved the Log and the pics, Phanikar!

keep it up mate! Happy touring!

Ride safe!

Thanks Shahbaz
-------------------------------------------------------------
Day 9 : Sam Dunes-Dhanana-Jaisalmer-Barmer-Sanchor-Tharad

Plan was to start from Sam and go to Ramgarh and Tanot and then return to Jaisalmer to pick our baggage. On discussing with a localite, he told the closest point to the border is around 40kms from Sam. And have some good Sand dunes further ahead of Sam. So dropped Tanot and head towards Dhanana Check post. A big round of applause for Border Roads organization for their work done in maintaining the roads around here. As we keep going further and further the roads starts becoming better and better. The dunes start occupying the majority of the roads. After about 40-50 min, we reach Dhanana, a place with only one check post, a telecom tower and a small shelter for the soldiers.


The desert Camp where we stayed


At Dhanana Checkpost




The Sand Dunes of Dhanana


Sanjeev on a Photosession






Narmada Canal, lifeline of Jaisalmer


One of the 119 villages evacuated overnight, during a military operation some time back


This is how roads end in Dhanana






Chat with some soldiers for some time and start for Jaisalmer. On the way back we found this wonderful pristine dunes, not very far from the road. Both of us were astonished by the sight of it, and Sam dunes were in no way comparable with these.

On the way back Visit Kuldhara village which is now a archeological site. For more info : Movie Location > Kuldhara Ruins | Movies and Locations | Filmapia | Reel Sites. Real Sights.

Ahemadab = Infinity hahhhaha


Well nice pictures, People of rajasthan is very humble...quite nice & yellow/red place

Day 8 : Around Jaisalmer The fort from my room


Khanphewsion, Khanphewsion Couldnt idenify my hotel which was somewhere right in front all thanks to the cloning architecture


Few pics from the fort
The Queen's part of the Fort: look at the intricate ventilation in the walls


The main lanes of the fort


Jain Temples with some brilliant sculptures


















Patwaon ki Havelis






The Mandir Palace turned Hotel




Gadisar Lake, which didnt look like a lake at all,rather like a pool My first view of the dunes














While returning met Sanjeev Somnath who was doing a Rajastan circuit as well. We find accommodation at a desert camp in Sam. There were some cultural programs held to woo the people around. Feeling very bored, both of us sneak out do experience the dunes on two wheels. How we did it is a story for another day. After about a hour and a half or so, we get back to the cottage for some much needed rest for the day

Thank You Sunil


Day7 : Mehereangarh Fort and Jodhpur-Balesar-Pokaran-Chandan-Jaisalmer

Good Morning Jodhpur


View from my guest house terrace


Wake up late, after having a truck load of street food the last night. Freshen up and leave for the mammoth Meherangarh Fort which is like a 10-15 walk from my guest house. The Fort has an elevator to reach to the top from where one can get a wonderful view of the “Blue City”. Here again was happy that such a structure is so well maintained. My legs started aching walking through the never ending corridors of the fort.

A loner in the pond in front of the fort


The journey through history begins here


An old man whose head was almost touching the ground


One tourist, unintentionally clears his throat and our old man gets back to his position( read pose for tourists)


Outside the Turban Hall, localites teaching how to tie a turban


Inside the palace museum






Sheesha Mahal


Armours, this is what interested me. what knowledge they had in making these really amazes me.




Looks like any body not paying their electricity bills will have a present from this guy








Making up for the absence


Corridors of Meherangarh


Find a place to rest and have something to eat. Next to me sits a Sardarji panting after a walk through the fort. An old man (probably in his Sixties) walks up with a can of water asking if we wanted some. After we were done, the sardarji asks the old man how much did it cost for the water. The reply from the old man shook me for a second “Sirjee aap ki yahaan se(read Punjab) itna paani deh the ho, unka kabhi hizaab rakhte hon kya, ek glass paani mein ka jaata hein. Aap khush ho toh hum bhi khush “. Seriously the ethical nature of the people of older generation like him is almost non-existent in the present generation. Really felt happy and proud of this man. People like are the ones who promote a place, not those filmstars who do for money and don’t even know what is the capital of the state whose tourism they are promoting.

Effect of Modernisation, a Cafe to woo foreign visitors inside the palace.


One of the many artists who perform inside the fort premises


Meherangarh as seen from Jaswanth Thada


Jaswanth Thada


Lunch time .....


Come back to the guest house, a quick shower and out I am on the road again towards Jaisalmer. What started as a drizzle in Jaisalmer, begins to gather pace as I try to exit Jaisalmer. The National Highway NH 114 towards Baroli was like a death trap for camels, lot of them lying on the road dead after crashing with passing vehicles.

India's largest desert turns into a watersplash location at Pokhran


Reach Pokran by 5, still no relief from rain. Passing through a small village see a peacock, the longest I have seen till date, may be 8-8.5ft in length fly low across the road. Stop the bike and run behind it and wait for some time for it to open the feather and dance. Reluactantly it sits on a tree, and another peacock joins it. On closer look there were around 9-10 peacocks out in the open.

The one on the right is the one which stopped my riding for some time. Such a beautiful creature


One more Joins the party.All of them were big,fully grown males. had there been a female around, all the males would be in a police station


Found this masterpiece signboard alongway.


Reach Jaisalmer around 7. The temperature was around 40deg for the day(courtesy the Local news Channel), that’s when I told myself “Welcome to Rajastan”

Thread title changed.

Thanks buddy

Day6: Udaipur-Gogunda-Jaswanthgarh-Sayra-Ranakpur-Sadri-Bali-Falna-Sanderao-Pali-Bulletbaba-Rohat Jodhpur

It was a bye bye situation for Udaipur, enjoyed every minute of my stay here. Slowly creep out of Udaipur and hit the highway(NH27) towards Gogunda. Stop at a toll gate soon after Gogunda I get to meet two bikers from Mumbai who were on the way to Jaisalmer and Leh.

My Temporary home in Udaipur


One needs to take an abrupt right turn(read no sign boards and gap in the median is around 4-5 kms ahead) and not many people to confirm as well. Once you take the right, you can feel that you have taken a wrong route for sure, the road is one third the highway and passes through small villages inching closer to Ranakpur. It starts pouring and roads keeps getting narrower as the miles go by. The small villages start disappearing and lush greenery fills the area.





After some distance spot a wild buffalo carcass on the road. Initially assume it to be hit by a bus or a lorry, but on closer inspection, it reveals a different story. The legs were stripped and marks of claws were present, which makes the statement evident that it was a wild animal meal. Not sure as to which animal had its meal or what is the dominant predator there, any experts here can pour in their inputs.



Reach Ranakpur to visit the temples, reach the first temple, which was being renovated. The area was raining cats and dogs. Visit the first of the five temples, and then the rest.







TIP for Anybody going to Ranakpur: Photographs can be taken only after 12 Noon, so plan accordingly. Ranakpur Jain Temples, Ranakpur Jain Temples in Rajasthan . However this restriction is only to the main temple and not to Parasnath, Neminath and Surya temples.

Sadly miss the diversion towards Kumbalgarh and proceed towards Sadri. Roads were horrible, added to it was relentless rains. In one way getting completely drencehed in the rain provided some much needed relief from the afternoon heat post Sanderao. Truck traffic increases exponentially after Sanderao. In order to go to Jodhpur, one need not enter Pali, there is an outer road before the city where if you take left, it will lead to NH 65 and eventually Jodhpur.

The Name says it all .......


Bullet Baba


Om Banna




Stop at Bullet Baba, where the age old Royal Enfield is being worshipped as a deity. But contrary to belief, there was no liquor being offered at the temple. http://www.bykez.com/2012/04/bullet-...jodhpur-india/ . Reach Jodhpur by evening. Find a nice accommodation near the clock Tower .

Around Ghantagarh, the colour of the dial changes every second


Lasssssiiiiiii


All this for 600 bucks, Total Paisa vasool

Brilliant presentation again. Enjoying every bit of GJ & RJ...
Keep it rolling

Thanks harish will update those details in the last part of the log.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 4 : Around Udaipur

Today was a relaxed day, not much riding but only to restore the calories which I had lost in the last few days. Wanted to go around Udaipur, initially felt like the city was 1-1 clone of Mysore, people leading a relaxed life, no hurry for anything. Wanted to see Fatehsagar Lake, the famous Udaipur palace, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mueseum and the local market. First visit was to Bharatiya Lok kala Mueseum, the apathy of the Govt towards this place was quiet evident. Handicrafts and other memorabilia exchanges from places as far as Brazil and Mexico are displayed. Loved the puppet show that had little audience.

















After a while shifted the location to Fatehsagar Lake. Stopped at a shack opposite to the lake where I had lassi the previous night. Had some fluids to keep myself hydrated. Right next to the shack was Maharana Pratap Memorial. Later head towards Sukhadia Circle( which was like the thindi Beedhi in Bangalore) , but more organized place to have some awesome street food. A must try for anybody travelling to Udaipur and loves food.

Fatehsagar lake




Maharana Pratap Memorial




U saying something buddy






Food Joints Around Sukhadia Circle


After the tummy full enter the Palace premises. Have no words to describe the place and how it was maintained. After about two hours of going through an era of royalty, it was time for the daily security drill of the palace guards.



Anybody game for this Silver helmet????








Pichola Lake Palace




No bad intentions while taking the pic






Venue for a Royal Wedding

Thanks Ravi

@Bharath : Thanks man

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 4 : Unai-Buhari-Bajipura-Madhi-Kevdi-Dediapada-Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary-Rajpipla-Bodeli-Halol-Kalol-Godhra-Lunawada-Modasa-Ratanpur-Udaipur.

Temples bells were the the alarm for the morning. Freshen up for a small visit to the temple(more importantly for the prasad).







Unai Mata


A check with a truck driver about the route proceed towards Rajpipla and then entering Rajastan. How much I praise the quality of roads in Gujarat, it’s not sufficient. Fell in love with it. At a small shack somewhere post Madhi stop for some light breakfast. Early morning showers, with some Samosa and tea, ah made my day. Knew it was a long day ahead.

Road towards Kevdi


Saw a small lane on my right which looked beautiful, took me to Kevdi, a small town and then to Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Sadly no animal spotting took place, or rather didn’t waste time in searching for them. Connect back to Rajpipla. The fun began to deteriorate as the numbers on the signboards started decreasing towards Halol. The sun was furiously shining on my head. Stop at a place called Hotel Delight, some distance before Godhra, for a very late lunch.





From here the curvy roads started defining the word “straight line”. It looked like people who built this road, earlier specialized in building mortuaries. Some distance before Modasa Riding on these roads can put your granny’s lullabies to shame, for making you doze off. Want proof??? take this

Roads which redefine the word: Staright


Some distance before Modasa Crossed the Tropic of Cancer.


At Ratanpur,Rajastan



After nearly 14-15 hours of being on the road, finally reach Udaipur for the night. Checked in at the first hotel visible. What a day it was , nearly 575kms though the forests,villages and highways.

Awesome pics Phani.

Look at the condition of the shoe :P

Congrats for being selected as a Castrol Power Biker. Beautiful pictures and trip log. Let them roll.

Thanks Thala

Thanks a lot Sir

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 3 : Malshej-Otur-Bramhanada-Kotul-Akola-Sinner-Nashik-Saputara-Vansda-Unai

Was looking forward to an awesome day up ahead. Proceeded till Otur for some Poori Bhaji to tank up a growling stomach. Turn left from Otur, it was like getting into the heart of rural India.

Before oturMH gift for today BTW the shoe is black :P


Fender art




Post Akola , it becomes even better, with trees forming canopies by the side of the road. Mad rush begins from Sinnar towards Nashik. Stop at a roadside dhabha 40-50kms from Saputara for lunch. The road starts getting better in terms of slush, speeding busses spraying water on you. Reach Saputara and started searching for a decent place to stay.

Hello Gujrat Few pics from Saputara


Caught in the act


Wish i had a home there




Roads, fantastic throughout.




The only place recommended in the whole of Vansda(atleast from the options that I saw) is the forest cottages near Waghai(before Vansda, if you are coming from Saputara) checkpost. When enquired the forest official said it would cost Rs.500/- per day, but was unavailable for the day. Really loved the place. They also arrange camps by the riverside. For people who are light on budget, wanted to experience something different, then This is the place. People who fight for an AC room in a hill station, please stay away from it. The guy at the fuel station suggest me to stay at Unai, about 10kms from Vansda, where the chances of getting accommodation was higher. Thanksfully found a beautiful temple, after which the small town was famous. After a free meal at the temple , call it a day.