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**The Monk** · 02-14-2017, 11:48 AM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Travelogue Approved

Very nice. Waiting for the rest

**vedavyasa86** · 02-14-2017, 12:58 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

awesome! inspiring

**sajalsheth** · 02-14-2017, 05:34 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Update more details

@raima.samui ji

**amods** · 02-14-2017, 07:14 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Wow.. can't wait already ! Please update soon, and in big bites

**raima.samui** · 02-14-2017, 08:09 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Thank you guys

!

Looking back at my previous trips...

**raima.samui** · 02-17-2017, 07:54 PM

Lost in White Desert _ [Solo]

~ : Inspiration : ~

Since I came to know about Rann of Kutch (White Desert), I kept contemplating for a trip there.

As this is the driest place in India, it should be scorching in summer.

So, winter seemed the right time to go there. I picked second week of February and packed my stuff.
It's time to go...

~: Time to Ride : ~

~ Day #1 [ February 8, 2017] ~
Destination: Allahabad, Utter Pradesh
Route: NH-2
Distance: 830 km

I left home at 1:30 am, headed towards my first destination, Allahabad. It was very long ride.

NH2 until Durgapur was as expected, but after that road condition went worse; diversion after diversion, and not a good experience.

I reached Allahabad after cruising 830 km as my hotel was far away from National Highway.

somewhere on NH2

rider-selfie

~ Day #2 [ February 9, 2017] ~
Destination: Agra, Utter Pradesh
Route: NH-2
Distance: 480 km

My next stop will be Agra.

~ Day #3 [ February 10, 2017] ~
Destination: Ajmer, Rajasthan
Route: Agra-Bikaner Rd and NH48
Distance: 380 km

I was heading towards Ajmer, Rajasthan.

~ Day #4 [ February 11, 2017] ~
Destination: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Route: Beawar-Pindwara Rd
Distance: 550 km

It's time to enter Gujarat, white desert won't be far away.

~ Day #5 [ February 12, 2017] ~
Destination: Hodka Village, Gujarat
Route: NH947
Distance: 391 km

Rann of Kutch (White Desert) does not have any hotel or resort on it . I stayed in Hodka Village which is close to White Desert (about 15 km).

~ Day #6 [ February 13, 2017] ~
Destination: White Desert
Route: Make your own way
Distance: Asphalt 15 km to Rann of Kutch, after that everything turns into sea of white salty sand!!
In total, I rode 166 km back, forth and through Rann.

I woke up early in the morning as I was eXcited to see White Desert for the first time.

From Hodka, Rann of Kutch is only 15 km, there is a watch-tower. So, enjoy your view, descend few stairs leading to the white desert, click selfies, walk around for a little while and have a nice day!

BSF jawans told me, I needed permission to come to this place to view Rann of Kutch, but I was there way too early at 6 am, office that gives permission opens at 9 am. I talked my way and they were fine, no permission required.

I asked jawan uncles to take few photos with me, they did.
One of them was a Bengali jawan, he was curious, from which part of Kolkata I hail from?

I came to know from BSF jawans that riding on or through Rann of Kutch is prohibited.

But, did I come to this place, just to view this sea of white sand from the shore?

Not really

.

**raima.samui** · 02-18-2017, 07:49 AM

Riding White Desert, Getting Lost _ Indian Army!

After knowing, I cannot ride through White Desert; I kept thinking of a way to ride it anyway. I did not go there to watch it from the shore; I was there to sail through it…

As far as I know, it would be around 80-90 km if one wants to cross the Rann of Kutch. Descending my Avy on stairs to touchdown the White Desert won't be a problem, but ascending stairs back will.

As soon as BSF jawans went away, I took the chance and descended on the Rann with my Avy. First touchdown on White Desert, wow!
Twisted throttle and I was quickly disappearing into the white emptiness.

I kept riding, there is no road there, nothing, all around is sea of white salty sand, it's like being in the middle of the sea, in this case white salty sand sea which is solid and one can ride on it.

I did not notice my odometer for a while for sheer experience of riding in the white emptiness, but when I noticed I realized I rode 70 km through the white desert.

I stopped, clicked few photos, and looked around. All I can see is sea of white salty sand. I realized that I cannot find the way I came from. Phone tower went off, forget GPS, none is here to help me find my way back.

I think I was starting to panic a bit realizing what I have actually done. I literally got lost in the middle of nowhere and not a single life is around to show me a way.

I think I was stranded there for quite a while, may be an hour or so, hoping for someone, something to show up.

After a long while, I don't how and why? But, I think I was seeing a little black dot on horizon. Something is there, is it for me? I don't know.

It was a vehicle and closing in fast. When it came near further, I realized it was Indan Army jeep with armies fully armed and heading towards me.

They shouted from the distance, "Kaha? Kaha? (Where? Where?)." They were surely approaching me and they did not seem to be in good mood with their assault rifles targeted on me. I had my riding attire on, all black, bike all black. So, I think they did not realize who I am and what I was doing there.

Jeep stopped, they approached me on foot with their guns targeted towards me. I took off my helmet. They realized I was a lady. They asked me "what I was doing there?" I replied I was lost and could not find my way back.

Gradually, they seemed a bit relaxed knowing I am no terrorist and just a lady rider who lost its way in the middle of Rann of Kutch.

They said to follow their jeep and by following them I found my way back to civilization. Thank God!

I was worried about those stairs I descended, but this time they brought me to an alternate way where there were few bushes, but no stairs. I found my way back, sweet piece of asphalt which we call a road.

I got back to resort; I was saved this time and by whom?
Our Indian Army!

Happy Riding guys!
Carry a compass!

**amods** · 02-18-2017, 07:47 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Wow, lady. Hat's off to your determination. Now you know there's a reason the BSF don't allow you to ride on rann and entry with a record is required. That was your good luck that they arrived on time. It could be anyone approaching you, possibly from across the border. One more thing, did you carry the bags on your shoulder ? I can't even think of it.

**raima.samui** · 02-18-2017, 08:38 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Originally posted by amods View Post

Wow, lady. Hat's off to your determination. Now you know there's a reason the BSF don't allow you to ride on rann and entry with a record is required. That was your good luck that they arrived on time. It could be anyone approaching you, possibly from across the border. One more thing, did you carry the bags on your shoulder ? I can't even think of it.

Yes, I carried luggage on my back the whole trip.

Although, I hava Viaterra Claw for trips.

**Jazzy_the_rider** · 02-18-2017, 09:55 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Amazing really.

**Sal** · 02-18-2017, 10:54 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Awesome Travelogue.
Carrying a backpack while touring, didnt your shoulders pain like hell? I wouldn't recommend it though, shoulder bags soon cause fatigue for a rider.

**raima.samui** · 02-19-2017, 02:13 AM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Originally posted by Sal View Post

Awesome Travelogue.
Carrying a backpack while touring, didnt your shoulders pain like hell? I wouldn't recommend it though, shoulder bags soon cause fatigue for a rider.

Yes, backpack was not a good idea. My shoulders were hurting during trip.
Will use my Viaterra Claw saddle bag from now on.

**oldman** · 02-19-2017, 08:24 AM

Re: Lost in White Desert

Outstanding awesome and very inspirational, all respect for you lady, enjoyed every bit and look forward to many more trip stories from you

**hypheni** · 02-19-2017, 02:49 PM

Re: Lost in White Desert

This is really one of the rarely performed motorcycle trips in India. Loved the silence and thrill of the lost in the Rann of Kutch and found by Indian army part, as a side note it was a scary part as well.

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Lost in White Desert

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