Praveen.. as it goes without saying...

"Neat and crisp logs and beautiful pics"

On a serious note, why don't you prepare a documentary or a movie or atleast a book when you come back to Bangalore...?

By the way, When are you planning to come back to Bangalore?

Is it going to be the indian version of long way round !!!!

I think it will be " Bharath parikrama the solo ride " great going man ..

Motormania: Not really consistant, am going through ups and downs

Ananth: Not sure about the book but still not sure when i will be back in bangalore

Doku: Taking a long way round in india for sure hehe.

Psycho_98: Many have done All india Solo rides. I am not even half way round india. Dunno how far i will get...

Day 69 - May 16 - Lahan to Kathmandu

May16 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

414 KMs Trip Meter 11714 KMs

Just getting to Kathmandu is the plan for today. Already getting bored of Mahendra highway. Where are the hills? Not so soon i guess. Cos All the way to Kathmandu is in relative plains. Nothing much but an Uneventful ride. At one point the road was blocked by some activists i guess. They had placed a log on the road. Vehicles had stopped on either side of the log. I just went off the road slowly crossed the log and rode on. No one stopped me! Prolly motorcycles are allowed to pass the blockades! Any way did not have the laxuary to wait out the protest.

Reached Hetauda by 11.45 and a cop tells me of two routes, one straight ahead through the mountains with roads not so good and the other a loop on the highway going to the west and then back east which was with bettor roads and longer. Thought of taking the shorter hilly road but it was blocked by logs etc, when i went on the footpath to cross it, i crazy looking guy talking in Nepali stopped and told to get back. No argument there, just took the longer route. Thickly populated areas are in plenty and very few stretches of road are free. All the while riding parallel to the Himalayan mountain range to the right.

Take a right at Bharatpur. Thought would be getting onto the hills soon. Kinda yes but not gaining much of altitude. The road was wide but in bad shape. Many sections of broken dusty roads and of the ones that were good, the road was mangled and disshaped due to melting tar. The Left side of the road was more so with valleys at the tire paths of the trucks, which induces more pressure on the road while climbing up. Second day in Nepal not at all pleasant ride. Where are the kool hill? i keep asking that. Take break for lunch some 50 kms from Kathmandu. As i start it rains or rather rain falls. Man never felt such huge rain drops! Could even see the shining huge water drops in the air! Yeah it was sunny too! After some rain riding it was dry nearing Kathmandu.

Chaos rules. Not a sweet lil hilly City as i imagined. Guess Gangtok has raised my expectations a lot. Lots of people and lot more. Dusty and busy roads. Asked around for Thamel and i seemed to only get into narrower and freakier roads. Got to Thamel area and found a nice and reasonable Hotel Yanki run by a Chinese couple. Nothing much in the day. Went to dinner in the near by big hotel and blew some money!


The hotel i stayed in Lahan. Really an oasis in desert!


The Lahan town...


Riding west on the Mahendra Raj Marg and to the right is the himalayan mountain range...


Asked what i could get in hurry and was told Badmash chura!! well kept patience and ordered Aloo paratha after this...


Heading east from Bharatpur towards Kathmandu...


I bumped into a sumo and my right pannier kinda went out of shape.. Three mild kicks and its kinda back to shape but not as good as before


Awesome roads!!


On the mountains but not much altitude...


White water rafting on the river...


In action...


More of them...


Pleasant hotel for lunch... by the river..








The welder busy fixing the broken engine guard!

Day 70 - May 17 - In Kathmandu

Woke up after a long Slumber. Walk around in search of travel guide and map. Everything is kinda expensive here. Prolly because i am put up the tourists area. The streets full of activities and see plenty of tourists and backpackers. Either side of the road filled with all kinds of Tourists related shops. cybercafes, book stores, trekking expeditions, mountain gear, suvaneers, hotels, bars, etc you get the point. Lot of hoardings out stretching each other. But its a total freak out place provided one know what to do.

Thought of taking my bike around for a spin in the evening, but not many peaceful areas. Plus there was a demonstration in the open areas of the town, hundreds and thousands of people and to avoid and go to other places have to take the busy galli routes. So just went back to the hotel and resorted to walking.

My dad's coming over to visit me and will be a couple of day's break from riding.


The streets of Kathmandu in Thamel area..


Handicrafts shop...














Some open roads too ...





At the Durbar Square...

@Praveen: Works been hectic and hence i couldn't post up here as to how much Im awe of your trip

I so definitely wanna meet you in person the day your back in Bangalore Praveen saar. I can't quite find the words to congratulate you

Saar, you seem to have left the word 'Swalpa' and 'Jaasti' far far behind wrt to the time and distance you've been tripping

Hats, gloves and lids off to you Praveen !

Praveen, you have the photos, you have the text... may be your ride is dwarfed by other efforts but it is not a small fear by any means... May be your trip dairy can be published as a serial...

Awesome praveen.
You are making a foreign tour now !!

awesome Praveen so you are on a foreign tour now. Great going.
please tell us something about what kind of document you need to enter Nepal now.

Whoooaaa!!!

Superb dude! ur crazy! amazing man.. ur gr8. n ur like one patient fellow man. great riding. u have balls, n talent going solo this long. All the best for you and your zma! tc brother..

Praveen: I have to take a day off from work to read through completely.

Hats off man!

Cheers

@PKM: Please accept my sincere apologies for not having posted a single comment on this amazing ride you've been enjoying. I've been hibernating all this long and have finally woken up!

I salute your spirit bro. Hats-off!

Maveric: thanks for the words. Sure will catch up in b'lore
Hydbiker: dunno about that, but its all on net.
Ketan: yes i am now, but its like another indian place.
Nabendu: as an indian just an id would suffice. Just flash if asked else just tell name etc to enter in reg at the border. Have to pay tax only for your vehicle.
Thanks for the wishes hemank.
Nkp: just wait for the weekend dont waste leave on this.
Thanks kirosh glad you took the time of for this

Praveen Sir, cant wait 4-5 days to read your journey..
swalpa daya torsi bega post maaDi