Hi, running short of time because of 'untimely' studies and related issues.
Got back from the above circuit in our Grizzly (November 2013) but has been too busy since then. I have left out many routine pics to avoid repetitions (This was our nth trip to Shirdi). One extra charm of visiting Shirdi was the advance threat from a terrorist group for the very day when we were there..... we wanted to test the evil firsthand ........ and as it happens, they just could not dare (Nov 2013)
Cutting the story short, here we go....
A late afternoon start from Dilli; first halt at Naseerabaad ahead of Jaipur. Army hospitality at its best and our aim of easing next day's drive till Vadodara achieved!
The mess had some beautiful landscaping and this stone art...
We had planned to have famed thaali at Natraaj at Udaipur but because of less distance, we were already across Udaipur by 1030h... too early for lunch.
Vadodara was typically shut because of Sunday. We checked into an army mess and spent evening indoors over some great food and good hospitality. We were here a couple of years ago, on our way to Shirdi again and had good amount of time in a market. The visit prior to that, even though in 2004, had also given us a glimpse of the city....
Not putting up too many details of run to Shirdi.... it was regulation but because of annual pilgrimage, the road ahead of Surat (via Saputara) was too crowded, both by vehicles and pedestrians. Stayed at our favourite MTDC (not the best but not bad) and did darshan in the evening.
Thought of changing the route from Nasik to avoid replay of Saputara and took Trimbekshwar-Jawhar- NH route. Jawhar is, oops, not a hill station but just a cluster of unorganised kiosks and too many Force jeeps. The route did save some time though it was shade longer. Here, we had breakfast after crossing Nasik (before Trimbekshwar)....
Got back from the above circuit in our Grizzly (November 2013) but has been too busy since then. I have left out many routine pics to avoid repetitions (This was our nth trip to Shirdi). One extra charm of visiting Shirdi was the advance threat from a terrorist group for the very day when we were there..... we wanted to test the evil firsthand ........ and as it happens, they just could not dare (Nov 2013)
Cutting the story short, here we go....
A late afternoon start from Dilli; first halt at Naseerabaad ahead of Jaipur. Army hospitality at its best and our aim of easing next day's drive till Vadodara achieved!
Signs of things to come.... she prefers her own sleeping bag over a bed!
& y not?
She does not want to leave the garden; we are thinking of the road ahead (there lies the difference between stupid grown ups and natural children)...
Ok, compromise reached, let her dirty her hands and she would be ready to go...
Dignity of labour
We had planned to have famed thaali at Natraaj at Udaipur but because of less distance, we were already across Udaipur by 1030h... too early for lunch.
Vadodara was typically shut because of Sunday. We checked into an army mess and spent evening indoors over some great food and good hospitality. We were here a couple of years ago, on our way to Shirdi again and had good amount of time in a market. The visit prior to that, even though in 2004, had also given us a glimpse of the city....
Angelic
Not putting up too many details of run to Shirdi.... it was regulation but because of annual pilgrimage, the road ahead of Surat (via Saputara) was too crowded, both by vehicles and pedestrians. Stayed at our favourite MTDC (not the best but not bad) and did darshan in the evening.
Thought of changing the route from Nasik to avoid replay of Saputara and took Trimbekshwar-Jawhar- NH route. Jawhar is, oops, not a hill station but just a cluster of unorganised kiosks and too many Force jeeps. The route did save some time though it was shade longer. Here, we had breakfast after crossing Nasik (before Trimbekshwar)....
Sanskruti? not sure about the name... takes hours to serve and then half of the items on the menu are NA... too big a property but oriented towards evenings!
Made it to Rajkot the same night and checked into a hotel for the night. It was a clean, cozy place...
11 hours of driving and no tiredness!
Newly initiated....... tea in Gujarat was simply unbeatable
Not too late to understand as to where the cotton comes from!
The tea, as mentioned, was outstanding everywhere, especially roadside Dhabhas. But 'paan' at one such place had us nicely. I liked it; others threw it!
Somnath was beautiful and very well managed.... best part being no one chases you for pooja. Parking is a bit too far away but that is OK even though the parking ground was not too well built. Being a holiday season in Gujarat, we met heavy crowds everywhere, most of it too talkative but not bad again!
Security check at Somnath is near complete... they even take out your car remotes.... so, get clicked outside by local photographers (laziness.... instead of scanning, I take a shot of the pic and see the horrible outcome)
Fishing boats at Somnath (this particular patch needs a gas mask though!)
On the road Somnath-Dwarka.......Selling coconuts and watching life fly past!
The wind power
Grannies!
Between Somnath and Dwarka
The Arabian Sea
Sea, sand, cattle and coconuts
Organised syndicate of Dwarka
No cams allowed inside.... so, here it is Dwarkadeesh Temple at Dwarka
Another look
This temple opens and closes so often that one really has to be lucky to go through without waiting!
Model on the street!
Dwarka has no sweet water (read drinkable) but many temples here do cater for water for animals and strays!
Just a panorama
Rukmani temple (Dwarka) has a very smart guide (Dwarka) and lot many devotees also offer lot of donations (in addition to offerings), duly motivated by the fellow's pep talk; the priest has a Duster though!
Salt pans on the road to Bhuj
The locals
Little Rann
Running through Little Rann.... forest on one side, barren fields on the other
Little Rann and its powerlines
On the way to Abu Road
One of the pilgrimages, we would not miss.... back here after a decade!
The goose bumps
Proud of heritage
Happy-go-lucky!
Drawing inspiration
Kids are meant to have all the fun
Before the legacy dies
Now she would remember.... milk does not actually come from Mother Dairy
Happiness!
Saluting the legendary Chetak
Naathdwara.... again a long lunch break!
A little story teller earns her well deserved bucks!
4000 Kms of virtually non-stop trip (Grizzly, at 60K, is still going strong with her original tyres and original battery (5th year running) and brought us back without a fuss!
(Special Mention:- Unique Dhabha between Bhilwara and Naseerabaad (to the left of the highway, as we travel towards Jaipur) turned out to be great with the lady owner running it like a machine.... great control over affairs and great food!.... she was kind enough to sell her dhabha style small tea glasses (shots??? too hot!) to us since the place uses disposable ones now!)
...... let the wheels roll; to halt is to die!
